Towards an [Unlawful] Modernized EU VAT Rate Policy

In late 2015, the European Commission announced a monumental U-turn on Value Added Tax rates policy. After decades of advocating the benefits of harmonization of VAT rates across the EU Member States, and after many failed legislative attempts at achieving it, the Commission declared its intention to do the opposite, namely to disharmonize VAT rates across Europe. The announcement was followed by a VAT Action Plan, and a public consultation on the reform of VAT rates, which, under the guise of modernization and consistency with the destination principle, presented two options for reform, both of which would give Member States further freedom and flexibility in the application of reduced rates. Against this background, the aim of this article is not to restate the benefits of VAT rate harmonization, but to assess whether the EU has legislative competence to approve disharmonizing VAT legislation. The article concludes that Article 113 TFEU could not be used as a legal basis for a Directive aimed at disharmonizing VAT rates, and that any such Directive, would lack legal basis and, consequently, be unlawful under the EU constitutional principle of conferral of powers

Minimally invasive blood sampling method for genetic studies on Gopherus tortoises

Método de extracción de sangre mínimamente invasivo para estudios genéticos en tortugas terrestres del género Gopherus La obtención de muestras de tejido de buena calidad es la primera dificultad en cualquier estudio molecular. Esto es especialmente cierto en los estudios de manejo y conservación de la fauna silvestre. En el caso de las tortugas terrestres, la fuente más habitual de ADN son las muestras de sangre obtenidas principalmente de las venas braquial y yugular por contención química, o de individuos conscientes mediante métodos de manipulación y sujeción que pueden causar estrés en el animal. Se requiere una cantidad mínima de sangre para los ensayos del PCR. A continuación, presentamos una técnica mínimamente invasiva que ha resultado eficaz para extraer pequeñas cantidades de sangre apropiadas para realizar análisis genéticos. Además, las muestras obtenidas producen una amplificación de ADN mejor que otras fuentes celulares, como las células epiteliales cloacales. Después de dos años de aplicación en tortugas terrestres silvestres, esta técnica ha demostrado ser inofensiva. Sugerimos que el muestreo de pequeñas cantidades de sangre con esta técnica podría ser útil para otro tipo de análisis, como el seguimiento fisiológico y médico.Obtaining good quality tissue samples is the first hurdle in any molecular study. This is especially true for studies involving management and conservation of wild fauna. In the case of tortoises, the most common sources of DNA are blood samples. However, only a minimal amount of blood is required for PCR assays. Samples are obtained mainly from the brachial and jugular vein after restraining the animal chemically; or from conscious individuals by severe handling methods and clamping. Herein, we present a minimally invasive technique that has proven effective for extracting small quantities of blood, suitable for genetic analyses. Furthermore, the samples obtained yielded better DNA amplification than other cell sources, such as cloacal epithelium cells. After two years of use on wild tortoises, this technique has shown to be harmless. We suggest that sampling a small amount of blood could also be useful for other types of analyses, such as physiologic and medical monitoring.Método de extracción de sangre mínimamente invasivo para estudios genéticos en tortugas terrestres del género Gopherus La obtención de muestras de tejido de buena calidad es la primera dificultad en cualquier estudio molecular. Esto es especialmente cierto en los estudios de manejo y conservación de la fauna silvestre. En el caso de las tortugas terrestres, la fuente más habitual de ADN son las muestras de sangre obtenidas principalmente de las venas braquial y yugular por contención química, o de individuos conscientes mediante métodos de manipulación y sujeción que pueden causar estrés en el animal. Se requiere una cantidad mínima de sangre para los ensayos del PCR. A continuación, presentamos una técnica mínimamente invasiva que ha resultado eficaz para extraer pequeñas cantidades de sangre apropiadas para realizar análisis genéticos. Además, las muestras obtenidas producen una amplificación de ADN mejor que otras fuentes celulares, como las células epiteliales cloacales. Después de dos años de aplicación en tortugas terrestres silvestres, esta técnica ha demostrado ser inofensiva. Sugerimos que el muestreo de pequeñas cantidades de sangre con esta técnica podría ser útil para otro tipo de análisis, como el seguimiento fisiológico y médico

Inside the metropolis: the articulation of Spanish metropolitan areas into local labor markets

In this article, we delimit local labor markets (LLMs) in order to analyze the internal structure and organization of Spanish metropolitan areas. LLMs are defined as self-contained and cohesive areas in terms of commuting flows. Unlike the conventional approach to polycentrism based on the analysis of commuting flows that begins with the identification of subcenters, our analytical strategy does assume any a priori structure and is compatible with the relationship between places of work and residence having other locational and spatial organization patterns. The analysis is performed at three different scales of detail linked to three self-containment levels for the LLMs delimited and three population groups (total, males, and females). The results show that metropolitan areas are complex, fuzzy, multidimensional spaces, where the conditions of spatial organization are manifested in different ways depending on the parameters and variables used.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness [grant numbers CSO2011-29943-C03-01, CSO2011-29943-C03-02, CSO2014-55780-C3-1-P, and CSO2014-55780-C3-2-P (National R&D&I Plan)]

Resultados oncológicos en enfermedad N1 posterior a la prostatectomía radical

ResumenAntecedentesLa prostatectomía radical+linfadenectomía pélvica puede mejorar la supervivencia libre de progresión y supervivencia cáncer-específica en la enfermedad ganglionar.ObjetivoAnalizar las características de los pacientes con enfermedad ganglionar en el análisis histopatológico de la prostatectomía radical.Material y métodosEstudio retrospectivo de pacientes sometidos a prostatectomía radical con enfermedad ganglionar metastásica de 1988 a 2015.ResultadosSe incluyeron 25 pacientes, de 66.5 años (DE±6.5); antígeno prostático específico medio de 20.17ng/dL (RIC: 18); con una mediana de seguimiento en 63 meses (RIC: 86). Clasificación de riesgo por D’Amico, 15 (60%) pacientes de alto, 8 (32%) intermedio y 2 (8%) de riesgo bajo. Se encontraron márgenes positivos en 15 casos (60%); estadio tumoral T2 en 4 (16%), T3A en 3 (12%), T3B en 17 (68%) y T4 en 1 (4%); cantidad de ganglios positivos, uno en 14 (56%), 2 en 3 (12%) y más de 2 en 8 (32%) casos. Recibieron radioterapia 3 pacientes (16%) y bloqueo hormonal 24 (96%). La supervivencia libre de progresión fue de 105 meses y la supervivencia cáncer-específica fue del 86 y 45% a 5 y 10 años respectivamente. El HR para progresión bioquímica fue significativo en márgenes positivos (HR: 9.5, IC95%: 0.99-91.5, p=0.50) y ≥2 ganglios positivos (HR: 8.5, IC95%: 1.1-61.9, p=0.34). La afectación≥2 ganglios predijo progresión con una OR de 7.2 (IC95% 1.06-48.6, p=0.043).ConclusionesLa supervivencia media a 5 años es superior al 80%. El número de ganglios positivos podría ser un factor predictor de progresión bioquímica.AbstractBackgroundRadical prostatectomy+pelvic lymph node dissection can improve progression-free survival and cancer-specific survival in lymph node disease.AimTo analyze the characteristics of patients with lymph node disease in the histopathologic findings of the radical prostatectomy and lymph node dissection.Material and methodsA retrospective study was carried out on patients that underwent radical prostatectomy with metastatic lymph node disease within the time frame of 1988 to 2015.ResultsThe study included 25 patients with a mean 66.5 years of age (SD±6.5), a mean prostate-specific antigen of 20.17ng/dl (IQR: 18), and a median follow-up period of 63 months (IQR: 86). According to the D’Amico classification, 15 (60%) patients were high-risk, 8 (32%) were intermediate-risk, and 2 (8%) were low-risk. Positive margins were found in 15 cases (60%); 4 (16%) patients had T2 tumor stage, 3 (12%) had T3A, 17 (68%) had T3B, and one patient (4%) had T4. Fourteen (56%) patients had one positive lymph node, 3 (12%) patients had 2 positive lymph nodes, and 8 (32%) patients had more than 2 positive lymph nodes. Three (16%) patients received radiotherapy and 24 (96%) underwent hormone blockade. Progression-free survival was 105 months and cancer-specific survival was 86% at 5 years and 45% at ten years. The HR for biochemical progression was significant in positive margins (HR: 9.5, 95% CI: 0.99-91.5, P=.50) and when there were≥2 positive lymph nodes (HR: 8.5, 95% CI: 1.1-61.9, P=0.34). Involvement of≥2 lymph nodes predicted progression with an odds ratio of 7.2 (95% CI: 1.06-48.6, P=.043).ConclusionsThe average 5-year survival was above 80%. The number of positive lymph nodes could be a predictive factor for biochemical progression

Is Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Imaging Cost-effective in Prostate Cancer: An Analysis Informed by the proPSMA Trial.

BackgroundBefore integrating prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) into routine care, it is important to assess if the benefits justify the differences in resource use.ObjectiveTo determine the cost-effectiveness of PSMA-PET/CT when compared with conventional imaging.Design, setting, and participantsA cost-effectiveness analysis was developed using data from the proPSMA study. proPSMA included patients with high-risk prostate cancer assigned to conventional imaging or 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT with planned health economics data collected. The cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from an Australian societal perspective.Intervention68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT compared with conventional imaging (CT and bone scan).Outcome measurements and statistical analysisThe primary outcome from proPSMA was diagnostic accuracy (nodal and distant metastases). This informed a decision tree analysis of the cost per accurate diagnosis.Results and limitationsThe estimated cost per scan for PSMA PET/CT was AUD$1203, which was less than the conventional imaging cost at AUD$1412. PSMA PET/CT was thus dominant, having both better accuracy and a lower cost. This resulted in a cost of AUD$959 saved per additional accurate detection of nodal disease, and AUD$1412 saved for additional accurate detection of distant metastases. The results were most sensitive to variations in the number of men scanned for each 68Ga-PSMA-11 production run. Subsequent research is required to assess the long-term costs and benefits of PSMA PET/CT-directed care.ConclusionsPSMA PET/CT has lower direct comparative costs and greater accuracy compared to conventional imaging for initial staging of men with high-risk prostate cancer. This provides a compelling case for adopting PSMA PET/CT into clinical practice.Patient summaryThe proPSMA study demonstrated that prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) better detects disease that has spread beyond the prostate compared with conventional imaging. Our analysis shows that PSMA PET/CT is also less costly than conventional imaging for the detection of disease spread. This research was presented at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine Scientific Meeting in October 2020

Desarrollo de materiales poliméricos porosos mediante electrohilado

Si el diámetro de las fibras que forman una matriz de polímero se reduce desde una escala micrométrica a nanométrica, se produce una serie de características extraordinarias. Entre estas características se encuentran un gran aumento en el área superficial (del orden de 1000 veces mayor), una mayor flexibilidad de la funcionalidad de la superficie y una mejor resistencia mecánica (por ejemplo, rigidez, resistencia a la tracción). Estas propiedades hacen que las matrices de polímeros nanofibrilares sean excelentes candidatos en muchas aplicaciones de gran importancia, que incluyen aplicaciones químicas, alimentarias, farmacéuticas, electrónicas o biomédicas. Hay varios parámetros que están íntimamente relacionados con las propiedades y características de las fibras obtenidas mediante electrospinning, por lo que su control durante la ejecución del proceso es indispensable. Juegan un papel importante en la formación y estructura de las fibras. En el siguiente trabajo, procedemos a estudiar tres variables del proceso de electrohilado; en primer lugar, se estudiará el efecto de la concentración del disolvente; en segundo lugar, se estudiará cómo las nanofibras obtenidas afectan a un cambio en el valor de la diferencia de potencial aplicada; y, finalmente, se estudiará el efecto producido por la humedad en el ambiente.If the diameter of the fibers that form a polymer matrix is reduced from a micrometric to nanometric scale, a series of extraordinary features take place. Among these features are a huge increase in surface area (in the order of 1000 times higher), a greater flexibility of the surface functionality and a better mechanical resistance (e.g. rigidity, tensile strength). These properties make nanofibrillary polymer matrices excellent candidates in many applications of great importance, including chemical, food, pharmaceutical, electronic or biomedical applications. There are several parameters that are intimately related to the properties and characteristics of the fibers obtained by means of electrospinning, so their control during the execution of the process is indispensable. They play an important role in the formation and structure of fibers. In the following work we proceed to study three variables of the electrospinning process; firstly, the effect of the concentration of the solvent will be studied; secondly, it will be studied how the nanofibers obtained affect a change in the value of the applied potential difference; and, finally, the effect produced by humidity in the environment will be studied.Plan Propio de la Universidad de Sevilla Proyecto: 2017/00000962Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España) CTQ2015-71164-

Monocapas de ácidos grasos. III. Ácidos palmítico, láurico y oleico sobre disoluciones acuosas que contienen solutos con grupos funcionales alcohólicos

The influence exerted by the length or the insaturation of acyl chain on characteristics of fatty acid monolayers spread on aqueous solutions containing ethanol, glycerol, glucose or sucrose, is studied using a Langmuir type surface balance. The monolayer stability is function of acyl chain length and presence of insaturation. Generally, the factors decreasing monolayer stability can help transformations towards configurations with more expanded structures.Se ha estudiado la influencia que ejercen la longitud y la insaturación de la cadena acílica sobre las características de las monocapas de ácidos grasos esparcidas sobre medios acuosos que contienen etanol, glicerina, glucosa o sacarosa, utilizando una balanza de superficie de tipo Langmuir. La estabilidad de la monocapa es función de la longitud de la cadena acílica y de la presencia de insaturación. En general, los mismos factores que disminuyen la estabilidad de la monocapa pueden favorecer las transiciones hacia configuraciones con estructuras más expandidas

High-resolution melt (HRM) analysis for detection of SNPs associated with pyrethroid resistance in the southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, is the most economically important ectoparasite of cattle worldwide. A limitation for sustainable control and eradication is the emergence of acaricide resistance among tick populations. Molecular diagnostic tools offer the opportunity to detect resistance rapidly, which can be complemented with confirmatory bioassays with larvae and adult ticks that are more resource and time consuming to generate. Synthetic pyrethroid resistance is one of the most prevalent and well-studied forms of resistance in arthropods, being linked with target site alterations in the sodium ion channel gene. Here, we report research on a novel molecular method to detect mutations in the para-sodium channel gene of R. microplus associated with acaricide resistance that is based on quantitative PCR high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis. Genomic DNA fragments of domains II and III of the para-sodium channel gene were amplified by real-time PCR in the presence of EVA®Green dye to test resistant and susceptible reference ticks from the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico. Larval packet tests with discriminating doses and a modified lethal time analysis were performed to confirm resistance to permethrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, and flumethrin in laboratory strains. Tick specimens collected from cattle that were inspected at the United States Port-of-Entry at the Texas-Mexico border were also genotyped. Previously described mutations associated with pyrethroid resistance (T170C, C190A, G184C, and T2134A) were successfully detected by qPCR-HRM in different genotypes and confirmed by sequencing. A novel non-synonymous SNP located at domain III (C2136A) and the G215T mutation in domain II, previously described only in Asian R. microplus and R. australis, were also detected with the HRM and confirmed by sequencing. This technique could be adapted for high-throughput screening, detection, and discovery of allele-specific mutations in cattle tick outbreak populations to inform eradication strategies in the USA. This knowledge could also be applied to integrated control programs in other parts of the world where R. microplus is endemic and where similar SNPs have been identified associated with pyrethroid resistance. This study highlights the existence of several mutations in the para-sodium channel gene in different combinations in field populations of R. microplus from Mexico