Perspectives for implementing fisheries certification in developing countries

This paper discusses the future of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a market-based certification program, in developing countries and exposes the challenges and opportunities for fish producers. The MSC needs to attract the interest of more fishing enterprises from these regions to increase its global presence. Because most fisheries in developing countries cannot meet the MSC standards, or afford the certification process costs, it is suggested that there is a need for developing different levels within the MSC system and additional third-party assessing organizations. MSC certification may mean adoption of improvements in fisheries management and approving fishing regimes in developing countries. However, post-certification benefits may decrease as more fisheries become certified

Intradermal and virosomal influenza vaccines for preventing influenza hospitalization in the elderly during the 2011–2012 influenza season: A comparative effectiveness study using the Valencia health care information system

AbstractBackgroundThe use of intradermal vaccination or virosomal vaccines could increase protection against influenza among the vulnerable population of older adults. Studies assessing the comparative effectiveness of these two influenza vaccine types in this age group are lacking.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study to estimate the comparative effectiveness of intradermal seasonal trivalent-influenza vaccine (TIV) delivered by a microneedle injection system and a virosomal-TIV intramuscularly delivered for prevention of influenza hospitalization in non-institutionalized adults aged ≥65 years. We obtained administrative data on immunization status and influenza hospitalization for the 2011–2012 influenza season, and used Cox regression models to assess comparative effectiveness. We estimated crude and adjusted (age, sex, comorbidity, pharmaceutical claims, recent pneumococcal vaccination and number of hospitalizations for all causes other than influenza between the previous and current influenza seasons) hazard ratios (HR).ResultsOverall, 164,021 vaccinated subjects were evaluated. There were 127 hospitalizations for influenza among 62,058 subjects, contributing 914,740 person-weeks at risk in the virosomal-TIV group, and 133 hospitalizations for influenza among 101,963 subjects, contributing 1,504,570 person-weeks at risk in the intradermal-TIV group. The crude HR of intradermal-TIV relative to virosomal-TIV was 0.64 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50–0.81), and the adjusted Cox estimated HR was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.52–0.85).ConclusionsDuring the 2011–2012 influenza season the risk of hospitalization for influenza was reduced by 33% in non-institutionalized elderly adults who were vaccinated with intradermal-TIV compared with virosomal-TIV

On the effects of the fix geometric constraint in 2D profiles on the reusability of parametric 3D CAD models

[EN] In order to be reusable, history-based feature-based parametric CAD models must reliably allow for modifications while maintaining their original design intent. In this paper, we demonstrate that relations that fix the location of geometric entities relative to the reference system produce inflexible profiles that reduce model reusability. We present the results of an experiment where novice students and expert CAD users performed a series of modifications in different versions of the same 2D profile, each defined with an increasingly higher number of fix geometric constraints. Results show that the amount of fix constraints in a 2D profile correlates with the time required to complete reusability tasks, i.e., the higher the number of fix constraints in a 2D profile, the less flexible and adaptable the profile becomes to changes. In addition, a pilot software tool to automatically track this type of constraints was developed and tested. Results suggest that the detection of fix constraint overuse may result in a new metric to assess poor quality models with low reusability. The tool provides immediate feedback for preventing high semantic level quality errors, and assistance to CAD users. Finally, suggestions are introduced on how to convert fix constraints in 2D profiles into a negative metric of 3D model quality.The authors would like to thank Raquel Plumed for her support in the statistical analysis. This work has been partially funded by Grant UJI-A02017-15 (Universitat Jaume I) and DPI201784526-R (MINECO/AEI/FEDER, UE), project CAL-MBE. The authors also wish to thank the editor and reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions that helped us improve the quality of the paper.González-Lluch, C.; Company, P.; Contero, M.; Pérez Lopez, DC.; Camba, JD. (2019). On the effects of the fix geometric constraint in 2D profiles on the reusability of parametric 3D CAD models. International Journal of Technology and Design Education. 29(4):821-841. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-018-9458-zS821841294Ait-Aoudia, S., & Foufou, S. (2010). A 2D geometric constraint solver using a graph reduction method. Advances in Engineering Software, 41(10), 1187–1194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2010.07.008 .Ault, H. K. (1999). Using geometric constraints to capture design intent. Journal for Geometry and Graphics, 3(1), 39–45.Ault, H. K. (2004). Over-constrained, under-constrained or just right? Goldilocks evaluates DOF of sketched profiles. Paper presented at American Society for Engineering Education, 59th annual midyear meeting past, present and future? Williamsburg, November 21–23.Ault, H. K., Bu, L., & Liu, K. (2014). Solid modeling strategies-analyzing student choices. Paper presented at proceedings of the 121st ASEE annual conference and exposition, Indianapolis, June 15–18.Ault, H. K., & Fraser, A. (2013). A comparison of manual vs. online grading for solid models. Paper presented at 120th ASEE annual conference and exposition, Atlanta, GA, June 23–26, 2013, Paper ID #7233.Barbero, B. R., Pedrosa, C. M., & Samperio, R. Z. (2016). Learning CAD at university through summaries of the rules of design intent. International Journal of Technology and Design Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-016-9358-z .Bodein, Y., Bertrand, R., & Caillaud, E. (2014). Explicit reference modeling methodology in parametric CAD system. Computers in Industry, 65(1), 136–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2013.08.004 .Bouma, W., Fudos, I., Hoffmann, C., Cai, J., & Paige, R. (1995). Geometric constraint solver. Computer-Aided Design, 27(6), 487–501. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-4485(94)00013-4 .Briggs, J. C., Hepworth, A. I., Stone, B. R., Cobum, J. Q., Jensen, C. G., & Red, E. (2015). Integrated, synchronous multi-user design and analysis. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 15(3), 031002. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4029801 .Buckley, J., Seery, N., & Canty, D. (2017). Heuristics and CAD modelling: An examination of student behaviour during problem solving episodes within CAD modelling activities. International Journal of Technology and Design Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-017-9423-2 .Camba, J. D., & Contero, M. (2015). Assessing the impact of geometric design intent annotations on parametric model alteration activities. Computers in Industry, 71, 35–45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compind.2015.03.006 .Camba, J. D., Contero, M., & Company, P. (2016). Parametric CAD modeling: An analysis of strategies for design reusability. Computer-Aided Design, 74, 18–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cad.2016.01.003 .Camba, J. D., Contero, M., & Company, P. (2017). CAD reusability and the role of modeling information in the MBE context. Model-based enterprise summit 2017. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Gaithersburg, MD, April 3–7. MBE17-020. https://www.nist.gov/file/361581 .Cheng, Z., & Ma, Y. (2017). A functional feature modeling method. Advanced Engineering Informatics, 33, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2017.04.003 .Cheng, Z., Xie, Y., & Ma, Y. (2018). Graph centrality analysis of feature dependencies to unveil modeling intents. Computer-Aided Design and Applications. https://doi.org/10.1080/16864360.2018.1441236 .Chester, I. (2007). Teaching for CAD expertise. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 17, 23–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10798-006-9015-z .Company, P., Contero, M., Otey, J., & Plumed, R. (2015). Approach for developing coordinated rubrics to convey quality criteria in CAD training. Computer-Aided Design, 63, 101–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cad.2014.10.00 .Company, P., & González-Lluch, C. (2013). CAD 3D con SolidWorks ® Tomo I: Diseño básico. Publicacions de la Universitat Jaume I. (Colección Sapientia, Núm. 86). http://cad3dconsolidworks.uji.es .Contero, M., Company, P., Vila, C., & Aleixos, N. (2002). Product data quality and collaborative engineering. IEEE Computer Graphics Applications, 22(3), 32–42. https://doi.org/10.1109/MCG.2002.999786 .Dixon, B. M., & Dannenhoffer, J. F., III. (2014). Geometric sketch constraint solving with user feedback. Journal of Aerospace Information Systems, 11(5), 316–325. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.I010110 .Fudos, I., & Hoffmann, C. M. (1997). A graph-constructive approach to solving systems of geometric constraints. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 16(2), 179–216. https://doi.org/10.1145/248210.248223 .Ge, J. X., Chou, S. C., & Gao, X. S. (1999). Geometric constraint satisfaction using optimization methods. Computer-Aided Design, 31(14), 867–879. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-4485(99)00074-3 .González-Lluch, C., Company, P., Contero, M., Camba, J. D., & Colom, J. (2017a). A case study on the use of model quality testing tools for the assessment of MCAD models and drawings. International Journal of Engineering Education, 33(5), 1643–1653.González-Lluch, C., Company, P., Contero, M., Camba, J. D., & Plumed, R. (2017b). A survey on 3D CAD model quality assurance and testing tools. Computer-Aided Design, 83, 64–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cad.2016.10.003 .Hamade, R. F. (2009). Profiling the desirable CAD trainee: Technical background, personality attributes, and learning preferences. Journal of Mechanical Design, 131(12), 121009–121019. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4000455 .Hekman, K. A., & Gordon, M. T. (2013). Automated grading of first year student CAD work. Paper presented at the 120th ASEE annual conference and exposition 2013, Atlanta, GA, June 23–26. Paper ID #6379.Hepworth, A., Tew, K., Trent, M., Ricks, R., Jensen, C. G., & Red, E. R. (2014). Model consistency and conflict resolution with data preservation in multi-user computer aided design. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 14(2), 021008. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4026553 .Jackson, C., & Buxton, M. (2007). The design reuse benchmark report: Seizing the opportunity to shorten product development. Boston: Aberdeen Group.Joan-Arinyo, R., Soto-Riera, A., Vila-Marta, S., & Vilaplana-Pastó, J. (2003). Transforming an under-constrained geometric constraint problem into a well-constrained one. Paper presented at proceedings of ACM SM03, Seatle, June 16–20.Kirstukas, S. J. (2016). Development and evaluation of a computer program to assess student CAD models. Paper presented at ASEE annual conference and exposition, New Orleans, June 26.Kramer, G. (1991). Using degrees of freedom analysis to solve geometric constraint systems. Paper presented at proceedings of the first ACM symposium on solid modeling foundations and CAD/CAM applications 1991, Austin, June 05–07.Kwon, S., Kim, B. C., Mun, D., & Han, S. (2015). Graph-based simplification of feature-based three-dimensional computer-aided design models for preserving connectivity. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 15(3), 031010. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4030748 .Leea, J. Y., & Kimb, K. (1998). A 2-D geometric constraint solver using DOF-based graph reduction. Computer-Aided Design, 30(11), 883–896. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0010-4485(98)00045-1 .Mata Burgarolas, N. (1997). Solving incidence and tangency constraints in 2D. Technical report LSI-97-3R, Departament LiSI, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.Petrina, S. (2003). Two cultures of technical courses and discourses: The case of computer aided design. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 13, 47–73.Race, P. (2001). The lecturers toolkit—A practical guide to learning, teaching and assessment. Great Britain: Glasgow.Red, E., French, D., Jensen, G., Walker, S. S., & Madsen, P. (2013). Emerging design methods and tools in collaborative product development. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 13(3), 031001. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4023917 .Robertson, B. F., Walther, J., & Radcliffe, D. (2007). Creativity and the use of CAD tools: Lessons for engineering design education from industry. Journal of Mechanical Design, 129(7), 753–760. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2722329 .Stone, B., Salmon, J., Eves, K., Killian, M., Wright, L., Oldroyd, J., et al. (2017). A multi-user computer-aided design competition: Experimental findings and analysis of team-member dynamics. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 17(3), 031003. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4035674 .Summers, J. D., & Shah, J. J. (2010). Mechanical engineering design complexity metrics: Size, coupling, and solvability. Journal of Mechanical Design, 132(2), 21004–21015. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4000759 .Szewczyk, J. (2003). Difficulties with the novices’ comprehension of the computer-aided design (CAD) interface: Understanding visual representations of CAD tools. Journal of Engineering Design, 14(2), 169–185. https://doi.org/10.1080/0954482031000091491

Interaction between acrylic substrates and RAD16-I peptide in its self-assembling

[EN] Self-assembling peptides (SAP) are widely used as scaffolds themselves, and recently as fillers of microporous scaffolds, where the former provides a cell-friendly nanoenvironment and the latter improves its mechanical properties. The characterization of the interaction between these short peptides and the scaffold material is crucial to assess the potential of such a combined system. In this work, the interaction between poly(ethyl acrylate) (PEA) and 90/10 ethyl acrylate-acrylic acid copolymer P(EAcoAAc) with the SAP RAD16-I has been followed using a bidimensional simplified model. By means of the techniques of choice (congo red staining, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements) the interaction and self-assembly of the peptide has proven to be very sensitive to the wettability and electro-negativity of the polymeric substrate.The authors acknowledge funding through the European Commission FP7 project RECATABI (NMP3-SL-2009-229239), and from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion through projects MAT2011-28791-C03-02 and -03. This work was also supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Educacion through M. Arnal-Pastor FPU 2009-1870 grant. The authors acknowledge the assistance and advice of Electron Microscopy Service of the UPV.Arnal Pastor, MP.; González-Mora, D.; García-Torres, F.; Monleón Pradas, M.; Vallés Lluch, A. (2016). Interaction between acrylic substrates and RAD16-I peptide in its self-assembling. Journal of Polymer Research. 23(9):173-184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-016-1069-3S173184239Davis ME, Motion JP, Narmoneva DA, Takahashi T, Hakuno D, Kamm RD, Zhang S, Lee RT (2005) Injectable self-assembling peptide nanofibers create intramyocardial microenvironments for endothelial cells. Circulation 111(4):442–450Zhang S, Lockshin C, Cook R, Rich A (1994) Unusually stable beta-sheet formation in an ionic self-complementary oligopeptide. Biopolymers 34:663–672Zhang S, Altman M (1999) Peptide self-assembly in functional polymer science and engineering. Reac Func Polym 41:91–102Zhang S, Gelain F, Zhao X (2005) Designer self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffolds for 3D tissue cell cultures. Semin Cancer Biol 15(5):413–420Zhang S, Zhao X, Spirio L, PuraMatrix (2005) Self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffolds. In: Ma PX, Elisseeff J (eds) Scaffolding in tissue Engineering. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 217–238Sieminski AL, Semino CE, Gong H, Kamm RD (2008) Primary sequence of ionic self-assembling peptide gels affects endothelial cell adhesion and capillary morphogenesis. J Biomed Mater Res A 87(2):494–504Quintana L, Fernández Muiños T, Genove E, Del Mar Olmos M, Borrós S, Semino CE (2009) Early tissue patterning recreated by mouse embryonic fibroblasts in a three-dimensional environment. Tissue Eng Part A 15(1):45–54Garreta E, Genové E, Borrós S, Semino CE (2006) Osteogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts in a three-dimensional self-assembling peptide scaffold. Tissue Eng 12(8):2215–2227Semino CE, Merok JR, Crane GG, Panagiotakos G, Zhang S (2003) Functional differentiation of hepatocyte-like spheroid structures from putative liver progenitor cells in three-dimensional peptide scaffolds. Differentiation 71:262–270Thonhoff JR, Lou DI, Jordan PM, Zhao X, Compatibility WP (2008) Of human fetal neural stem cells with hydrogel biomaterials in vitro. Brain Res 1187:42–51Tokunaga M, Liu ML, Nagai T, Iwanaga K, Matsuura K, Takahashi T, Kanda M, Kondo N, Wang P, Naito AT, Komuro I (2010) Implantation of cardiac progenitor cells using self-assembling peptide improves cardiac function after myocardial infarction. J Mol Cell Cardiol 49(6):972–983Takei J (2006) 3-Dimensional cell culture scaffold for everyone: drug screening. Tissue engineering and cancer biology. AATEX 11(3):170–176McGrath AM, Novikova LN, Novikov LN, Wiberg MBD (2010) ™ PuraMatrix™ peptide hydrogel seeded with Schwann cells for peripheral nerve regeneration. Brain Res Bull 83(5):207–213Wang W, Itoh S, Matsuda A, Aizawa T, Demura M, Ichinose S, Shinomiya K, Tanaka J (2008) Enhanced nerve regeneration through a bilayered chitosan tube: The effect ofintroduction of glycine spacer into the CYIGSR sequence. J Biomed Mater Res Part A 85:919–928Sargeant TD, Guler MO, Oppenheimer SM, Mata A, Satcher RL, Dunand DC, Stupp SI (2008) Hybrid bone implants: self-assembly of peptide amphiphile nanofibers within porous titanium. Biomaterials 29(2):161–171Vallés-Lluch A, Arnal-Pastor M, Martínez-Ramos C, Vilariño-Feltrer G, Vikingsson L, Castells-Sala C, Semino CE, Monleón Pradas M (2013) Combining self-assembling peptide gels with three-dimensional elastomer scaffolds. Acta Biomater 9(12):9451–9460Valles-Lluch A, Arnal-Pastor M, Martinez-Ramos C, Vilarino-Feltrer G, Vikingsson L, Monleon Pradas M (2013) Grid polymeric scaffolds with polypeptide gel filling as patches for infarcted tissue regeneration. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2013:6961–6964Soler-Botija C, Bagó JR, Llucià-Valldeperas A, Vallés-Lluch A, Castells-Sala C, Martínez-Ramos C, Fernández-Muiños T, Chachques JC, Monleón Pradas M, Semino CE, Bayes-Genis A (2014) Engineered 3D bioimplants using elastomeric scaffold, self-assembling peptide hydrogel, and adipose tissue-derived progenitor cells for cardiac regeneration. Am J Transl Res 6(3):291–301Martínez-Ramos M, Arnal-Pastor M, Vallés-Lluch A, Monleón Pradas M (2015) Peptide gel in a scaffold as a composite matrix for endothelial cells. J Biomed Mater Res Part A 103 A:3293–3302Rico P, Rodríguez Hernández JC, Moratal D, Altankov G, Monleón Pradas M, Salmerón-Sánchez M (2009) Substrate-induced assembly of fibronectin into networks: influence of surface chemistry and effect on osteoblast adhesion. Tissue Eng Part A 15(11):3271–3281Gugutkov D, Altankov G, Rodríguez Hernández JC, Monleón Pradas M, Salmerón Sánchez M (2010) Fibronectin activity on substrates with controlled -OH density. J Biomed Mater Res A 92(1):322–331Rodríguez Hernández JC, Salmerón Sánchez M, Soria JM, Gómez Ribelles JL, Monleón Pradas M (2007) Substrate chemistry-dependent conformations of single laminin molecules on polymer surfaces are revealed by the phase signal of atomic force microscopy. Biophys J 93(1):202–207Cantini M, Rico P, Moratal D, Salmerón-Sánchez M (2012) Controlled wettability, same chemistry: biological activity of plasma-polymerized coatings. Soft Matter 8:5575–5584Anselme K, Ponche A, Bigerelle M (2010) Relative influence of surface topography and surface chemistry on cell response to bone implant materials. Part 2: biological aspects. Proc Inst Mech Eng H J Eng Med 224:1487–1507Hartgerink JD, Beniash E, Stupp SI (2002) Peptide-amphiphile nanofibers: a versatile scaffold for the preparation of self-assembling materials. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99(8):5133–5138Busscher HJ, Vanpelt AWJ, Deboer P, Dejong HP, Arends J (1984) The effect of surface roughening of polymers on measured contact angles of liquids. Colloids Surf 9:319–331Birdi, KS. (1997) Surface tension of polymers. In: Yildrim Erbil H, ed. Handbook of surface and colloid chemistry CRC Press, Boca Raton, p. 292.Collier JH (2003) MessersmithPB.Enzymatic modification of self-assembled peptide structures with tissue transglutaminase. Bioconjug Chem 14(4):748–755Kakiuchi Y, Hirohashi N, Murakami-Murofushi K (2013) The macroscopic structure of RADA16 peptide hydrogel stimulates monocyte/macrophage differentiation in HL60 cells via cholesterol synthesis. BiochemBiophys Res Commun 433(3):298–304Pérez-Garnes M, González-García C, Moratal D, Rico P, Salmerón-Sánchez M (2011) Fibronectin distribution on demixednanoscale topographies. Int J Artif Organs 34(1):54–63Salmerón-Sánchez M, Rico P, Moratal D, Lee TT, Schwarzbauer JE, García AJ (2011) Role of material-driven fibronectin fibrillogenesis in cell differentiation. Biomaterials 32(8):2099–2105Ye Z, Zhang H, Luo H, Wang S, Zhou Q, DU X, et al. (2008) Temperature and pH effects on biophysical and morphological properties of self-assembling peptide RADA16-I. J Pept Sci 14:152–162Keselowsky BG, Collard DM, García AJ (2004) Surface chemistry modulates focal adhesion composition and signaling through changes in integrin binding. Biomaterials 25:5947–5954Scotchford CA, Gilmore CP, Cooper E, Leggett GJ, Downes S (2002) Protein adsorption and human osteoblast-like cell attachment and growth on alkylthiol on gold self-assembled monolayers. J Biomed Mater Res 59:84–99Coelho NM, González-García C, Planell JA, Salmerón-Sánchez M, Altankov G (2010) Different assembly of type IV collagen on hydrophilic and hydrophobic substrata alters endothelial cells interaction. Eur Cell Mater 19:262–272Briz N, Antolinos-Turpin CM, Alió J, Garagorri N, Gómez Ribelles JL, Gómez-Tejedor JA (2013) Fibronectin fixation on poly(ethyl acrylate)-based copolymers. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 101(6):991–997Owens DK, Wendt RC (1969) Estimation of the surface free energy of polymers. J Appl Polym Sci 13(8):1741–1747Soria JM, Martínez Ramos C, Bahamonde O, García Cruz DM, Salmerón Sánchez M, García Esparza MA, Casas C, Guzmán M, Navarro X, Gómez Ribelles JL, García Verdugo JM, Monleón Pradas M, Barcia JA (2007) Influence of the substrate's hydrophilicity on the in vitro Schwann cells viability. J Biomed Mater Res A 83(2):463–470Van Krevelen, DW. (1997) Properties of polymers. Chapter 13 mechanical properties of solid polymers. Elsevier, pp. 367–43

MicroRNA profile in very young women with breast cancer

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is rarely diagnosed in very young women (35 years old or younger), and it often presents with distinct clinical-pathological features related to a more aggressive phenotype and worse prognosis when diagnosed at this early age. A pending question is whether breast cancer in very young women arises from the deregulation of different underlying mechanisms, something that will make this disease an entity differentiated from breast cancer diagnosed in older patients. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive study of miRNA expression using miRNA Affymetrix2.0 array on paraffin-embedded tumour tissue of 42 breast cancer patients 35 years old or younger, 17 patients between 45 and 65 years old and 29 older than 65 years. Data were statistically analyzed by t-test and a hierarchical clustering via average linkage method was conducted. Results were validated by qRT-PCR. Putative targeted pathways were obtained using DIANA miRPath online software. RESULTS: The results show a differential and unique miRNA expression profile of 121 miRNAs (p-value <0.05), 96 of those with a FDR-value <0.05. Hierarchical clustering grouped the samples according to their age, but not by subtype nor by tumour characteristics. We were able to validate by qRT-PCR differences in the expression of 6 miRNAs: miR-1228*, miR-3196, miR-1275, miR-92b, miR-139 and miR-1207. Moreover, all of the miRNAs maintained the expression trend. The validated miRNAs pointed out pathways related to cell motility, invasion and proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that breast cancer in very young women appears as a distinct molecular signature. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a validated microRNA profile, distinctive to breast cancer in very young women, has been presented. The miRNA signature may be relevant to open an important field of research in order to elucidate the underlying mechanism in this particular disease, which in a more clinical setting, could potentially help to identify therapeutic targets in this particular set of patients.MPC is funded by the Generalitat Valenciana VALi + d, ACIF/2011/270. MTM is funded by”Rio Hortega Project” (CM12/00264). GR is a FIS “Miquel Servet” Researcher. AB holds a Translational Research Grant awarded by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM). This project was carried out thanks to Fundación LeCadó – proyecto Flor de Vida and co-funded by FIS project PI13/00606 and FEDER. We would like to give thanks to all the patients and volunteers for their participation and also to the INCLIVA Biobank, integrated into the Spanish Hospital Biobanks Network (ReTBioH) and supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III/FEDER (grant number: RD09/0076/00132). We also wish to thank several private Breast cancer associations that funded this study and the Unit for Multigenic Analysis from the Central Unit for Medical Research (UCIM/INCLIVA) for the performance of the Affymetrix microRNA profiles.S

Tratado de derechos reales. Tomo II Propiedad y posesión

La presente investigación está referida al análisis de los dos principales derechos reales: la posesión y la propiedad, y es la continuación de la investigación concluida denominada Tratado de derechos reales, tomo I, teoría de los bienes y los derechos reales. Esta parte de la investigación corresponde al desarrollo de dos de sus principales instituciones. Así, se comienza con el análisis sociojurídico de la posesión (poder hecho) como derecho transitorio (temporal y momentáneo), para luego entrar al desarrollo de la propiedad (poder de derecho) como derecho definitivo (permanente y total), ambas instituciones reconocidas como situaciones jurídicas de gran trascendencia en las relaciones jurídicas patrimoniales, protegidas por la ley a través de mecanismos de defensa

Distinct GSDMB protein isoforms and protease cleavage processes differentially control pyroptotic cell death and mitochondrial damage in cancer cells

Gasdermin (GSDM)-mediated pyroptosis is functionally involved in multiple diseases, but Gasdermin-B (GSDMB) exhibit cell death-dependent and independent activities in several pathologies including cancer. When the GSDMB pore-forming N-terminal domain is released by Granzyme-A cleavage, it provokes cancer cell death, but uncleaved GSDMB promotes multiple pro-tumoral effects (invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance). To uncover the mechanisms of GSDMB pyroptosis, here we determined the GSDMB regions essential for cell death and described for the first time a differential role of the four translated GSDMB isoforms (GSDMB1-4, that differ in the alternative usage of exons 6-7) in this process. Accordingly, we here prove that exon 6 translation is essential for GSDMB mediated pyroptosis, and therefore, GSDMB isoforms lacking this exon (GSDMB1-2) cannot provoke cancer cell death. Consistently, in breast carcinomas the expression of GSDMB2, and not exon 6-containing variants (GSDMB3-4), associates with unfavourable clinical-pathological parameters. Mechanistically, we show that GSDMB N-terminal constructs containing exon-6 provoke cell membrane lysis and a concomitant mitochondrial damage. Moreover, we have identified specific residues within exon 6 and other regions of the N-terminal domain that are important for GSDMB-triggered cell death as well as for mitochondrial impairment. Additionally, we demonstrated that GSDMB cleavage by specific proteases (Granzyme-A, Neutrophil Elastase and caspases) have different effects on pyroptosis regulation. Thus, immunocyte-derived Granzyme-A can cleave all GSDMB isoforms, but in only those containing exon 6, this processing results in pyroptosis induction. By contrast, the cleavage of GSDMB isoforms by Neutrophil Elastase or caspases produces short N-terminal fragments with no cytotoxic activity, thus suggesting that these proteases act as inhibitory mechanisms of pyroptosis. Summarizing, our results have important implications for understanding the complex roles of GSDMB isoforms in cancer or other pathologies and for the future design of GSDMB-targeted therapies.This study has been supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (MICINN-AEI, PID2019-104644RB-I00, PDC2022-133252-I00) -GMB-, (PID2021-126625OB-I00-MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 FEDER, EU.2022- and DTS20-00024 -ISCIII-) -PGP-, the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CIBERONC, CB16/12/00295 -GMB- and CB16/12/00241 -JA-, and AC21_2/00020 ERA PerMed ERA-NET, PMP22/00054 Immune4ALL Personalized Medicine -GMB-, cofunded by NextGenerationEU), I “Semilla” CIBERONC-GEICAM Grant -GMB- and the AECC Scientific Foundation (FCAECC PROYE19036MOR and GCTRA18014MATI -GMB-), the National Institutes of Health (NIH, USA) (R01-DK123475) -J-KK- and it has been also supported by a startup fund to -J-KK- from the Ohio State University, the College of Medicine, Department of Surgery. DS contract is funded by CIBERONC partly supported by FEDER funds. SO is funded by the FCAECC (POSTD20028OLTR), SC is funded by the MICINN-AEI PRE2020-095658

Reproductive efficiency of sows inseminated at single dose fixed time with refrigerated, cryopreserved and encapsulated spermatozoa

4 Pág. Departamento de Reproducción Animal​ (INIA)The aim was to assess the reproductive efficiency of different techniques used to preserve spermatozoa in artificial insemination semen doses (AI-doses) by evaluating refrigeration at 15°C, cryopreservation and encapsulation. Forty-two hyperprolific sows were treated with buserelin and inseminated once at a single fixed time. The fertility rate, embryonic vesicles viability and the early embryonic mortality (arrested conceptuses) evaluated post-mortem at 24th day of pregnancy, were analysed in order to assess the effectiveness of each proposed technique. Results show an overall reduction on fertility using the three proposal sperm preservation techniques (69.27%, 60.00% and 78.75% for refrigerated, frozen-thawed and encapsulated AI-doses, respectively). Total number of embryonic vesicles was very similar among the three treatments; yet, the number of viable vesicles was numerically different among groups, and thus, embryonic viability was 79.25%, 80.0% and 87.15% for refrigerated, frozen-thawed and encapsulated AI-doses, respectively.INIA project CON18-109, funded by the ‘Cinco Villas’ Artificial Insemination Center, Government of Aragon and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.Peer reviewe

Interacción entre clima y ocupación humana en la configuración del paisaje vegetal del Parque Nacional de Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici a lo largo de los últimos 15.000 años

The vegetation of the National Park of Aigüestortes i Estany de St Maurici is the result of an interaction between climate, plant community dynamics and the human occupation of the territory. The OCUPAproject aimed to reconstruct this interaction across the last millennia combining methods from palaeoecology and archaeology. The study focused primarily on the Sant Nicolau valley and built on the multidisciplinary analysis of the sedimentary archive of two lakes (Llebreta and Redó) and a number of archaeological sites located in shelters and outdoors. There is archaeological evidence of human presencesince 9000 yr cal BP, and a continuous record since 7500 yr cal BP. At early stages, humans transformed the surroundings of the shelters occupied and lithic tools indicate contacts with locations far away (i.e.,the Ebro plains). Since more than 3000 years ago, there has been human impact on the vegetation withoutinterruption until present. Initially, the impacts were mostly related to livestock: use of fire to open grazing lands, soil erosion and, during the medieval period, forestry and eutrophication of lakes. The agriculture impact in the lower part of the valley (e.g., Llebreta) occurred about 2100 yr ago, although some cereal grains and tools for harvesting have been found for the Neolithic. In the medieval period, the impact was higher than during the last centuries. In general, the changes in the human land use approximately follow the major changes in climate, but the specific causal link is likely related to the social and cultural dynamics of a broader territory since the Neolithic

Genetic Signature of Rapid IHHNV (Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus) Expansion in Wild Penaeus Shrimp Populations

Infectious hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) is a widely distributed single-stranded DNA parvovirus that has been responsible for major losses in wild and farmed penaeid shrimp populations on the northwestern Pacific coast of Mexico since the early 1990's. IHHNV has been considered a slow-evolving, stable virus because shrimp populations in this region have recovered to pre-epizootic levels, and limited nucleotide variation has been found in a small number of IHHNV isolates studied from this region. To gain insight into IHHNV evolutionary and population dynamics, we analyzed IHHNV capsid protein gene sequences from 89 Penaeus shrimp, along with 14 previously published sequences. Using Bayesian coalescent approaches, we calculated a mean rate of nucleotide substitution for IHHNV that was unexpectedly high (1.39×10−4 substitutions/site/year) and comparable to that reported for RNA viruses. We found more genetic diversity than previously reported for IHHNV isolates and highly significant subdivision among the viral populations in Mexican waters. Past changes in effective number of infections that we infer from Bayesian skyline plots closely correspond to IHHNV epizootiological historical records. Given the high evolutionary rate and the observed regional isolation of IHHNV in shrimp populations in the Gulf of California, we suggest regular monitoring of wild and farmed shrimp and restriction of shrimp movement as preventative measures for future viral outbreaks