Experimental evaluation of the injection force exerted in intraocular lens delivery with syringe-type injectors

The process of intraocular lens (IOL) delivery within the capsular bag during cataract surgery is crucial, as the integrity of the IOL, the injector and the ocular structures should be preserved at all times. This study aims to obtain the main parameters that affect the injection force exerted in the ejection of an intraocular lens (IOL) through syringe-type injectors. For that purpose, ejection tests were carried out in vitro, measuring the resistance force throughout the entire delivery process. The effect of IOL material, haptic design, IOL thickest area and ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) was studied by ejecting seven IOLs with four syringe-type injectors of different sizes, 3.0, 2.2 and 1.8 mm. In all injectors, plate hydrophilic IOLs present the lowest resistance forces; hydrated C-loop hydrophobic IOLs present higher forces and the C-loop hydrophobic IOL in dry conditions presents the highest resistance forces. All IOLs could be properly delivered with an injector size of 2.2 mm, making injector sizes of 3.0 mm outdated. The injector size of 1.8 mm damaged several IOLs. IOL material and cartridge nozzle size were the most influential parameters in IOL delivery. IOL thickest area was also relevant but in a lesser extent whereas IOL haptic design was not as relevant

Juncus emmanuelis

This species is endemic to a small area in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, with subpopulations scattered in approximately 16 localities. It is assessed as Endangered (EN B2ab(ii,iii,iv)) because it has an Area of Occupancy (AOO) of less than 500 km2 and shows signs of severe fragmentation due to the ongoing transformation of its specific habitat of sandy soils with an impermeable underlayer in temporary pools, as a result of several ongoing major threats associated with intensive agricultural activities. Based on this information, a continuing decline in the AOO, habitat quality and number of subpopulations has been inferred. Additional research and conservation action is needed for this species

Zannichellia contorta

This species is native to southern, central and eastern Spain, with an old record from the Atlas Mountains in northern Morocco requiring confirmation. The species is very sensitive to eutrophication and deterioration of water quality. The Area of Occupancy (AOO) has been estimated to be less than 500 km2 based on confirmed records and knowledge that its habitat is in continuous decline and at least 40% of the known localities have disappeared, especially in southern Spain. Moreover, an ongoing continuing decline in AOO, habitat quality and number of subpopulations of this species due to the increase in nutrients concentration from waters of the streams where it lives, which stops its growth, has been observed. The same process of habitat deterioration is happening in central and eastern Spain. The population of this species is severely fragmented with more than half of its subpopulations being isolated with no exchange possibilities and suspected to have reached no viable levels. It therefore qualifies to be listed in the category Endangered (EN B2ab(ii,iii,iv)) in the Mediterranean region. Resource and habitat protection and site management are needed. Other recommended conservation measures are ex situ conservation, population and distribution research, and habitat and population monitoring

Narcissus dubius, Narcisse Douteux

This species is endemic to southern France and eastern Spain. It is assessed as Least Concern because it has a widespread distribution, occurs in several protected areas throughout its range and its population is not expected to significantly decline in the near future. Further studies on the genetic structure of its population and trends in population size at global level are needed

Methodology to calibrate the dissection properties of aorta layers from two sets of experimental measurements

Aortic dissection is a prevalent cardiovascular pathology that can have a fatal outcome. However, the mechanisms that trigger this disease and the mechanics of its progression are not fully understood. Computational models can help understand these issues, but they need a proper characterisation of the tissues. Therefore, we propose a methodology to obtain the dissection parameters of all layers in aortic tissue via the computational modelling of two different delamination tests: the peel and mixed tests. Both experimental tests have been performed in specimens of porcine aorta, where the intima-media and media-adventitia interfaces, as well as the medial layer, were dissected. These two tests have been modelled using a cohesive zone formulation for the separating interface and a hyperelastic anisotropic material model via an implicit static analysis. The dissection properties of each interface have been calibrated by reproducing the force-displacement curves obtained in the experimental tests. The values of peak and mean force of the experiments were fitted with an error below 10%. With this methodology, we intend to contribute to the development of reliable numerical tools for simulating aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm rupture. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Juncus fernandez-carvajaliae

This species is endemic to central Spain, where it is currently only known from two sites in the Guadiana River basin located in the western half of Ciudad Real Province. Suitable habitat is frequent around both known sites, and the potential distribution area of this new species could be much larger. However, very little data are available at present regarding its population size, trends or threats and therefore it is assessed as Data Deficient; further research is required

Oral and general health conditions involved in periodontal status during pregnancy: a prospective cohort study

Purpose Pregnancy is a period in a woman’s life that has important consequences on oral health, particularly for gingival health. Present study aims to identify women at higher risk of developing periodontal disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) during late pregnancy and evaluate how this condition evolves during this period. Methods Prospective cohort study was designed with pregnant women who were assessed during the first and third trimesters of gestation in a southern Spanish public hospital. Data regarding gingival and periodontal health, oral hygiene, and overall health status (obesity and diabetes mellitus) were collected. Reporting followed STROBE checklist. Results Significantly higher number of women had the periodontal and gingival disease in the third trimester of gestation compared with in early pregnancy. In the third trimester of gestation, 42 (28.6%) and 63 (42.9%) of women presented symptoms of periodontal disease and gingival disease, respectively. Obesity (OR 2.834; 95%CI 0.919–8.741), worse oral hygiene during the first trimester of gestation (OR: 4.031; 95%CI 2.12–7.65), and periodontal disease during early pregnancy (OR: 15.104; 95%CI 3.60–63.36) most effectively predicted periodontal disease during late pregnancy. Conclusions Pregnancy is associated with exacerbated periodontal and gingival disease symptoms throughout the different trimesters of gestation. Obesity and oral hygiene during early pregnancy were the risk factors that most contributed to the aforementioned changes in periodontal disease.Spanish GovernmentEuropean CommissionUniversidad de Granada / CBUA P117/0230

The cadherin–catenin complex in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abnormal Wnt signaling and impaired cell–cell adhesion due to abnormal E-cadherin and b-catenin func tion have been implicated in many cancers, but have not been fully explored in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The aim of this study was to analyze b-Catenin cellular location and E-cadherin expression levels in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. E-cadherin expression levels were also correlated with clinical data and underlying pathology. b-Catenin and E-cadherin expression were examined in 18 nasopharyn geal carcinoma and 7 non-tumoral inflammatory pharynx tissues using immunohistochemical methods. Patient clin ical data were collected, and histological evaluation was performed by hematoxylin/eosin staining. b-catenin was detected in membrane and cytoplasm in all cases of naso pharyngeal carcinoma, regardless of histological type; in non-tumoral tissues, however, b-catenin was observed only in the membrane. As for E-cadherin expression levels, strong staining was observed in most non-tumoral tissues, but staining was only moderate in nasopharyngeal carci noma tissues. E-cadherin expression was associated with b-catenin localization, study group, metastatic disease, and patient outcomes. Reduced levels of E-cadherin protein observed in nasopharyngeal carinoma may play an important role in invasion and metastasis. Cytoplasmic b-catenin in nasopharyngeal carcinoma may impair cell– cell adhesion, promoting invasive behavior and a metastatic tumor phenotype

Anthropogenic and natural CO2 exchange through the Strait of Gibraltar

The exchange of both anthropogenic and natural inorganic carbon between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea through Strait of Gibraltar was studied for a period of two years under the frame of the CARBOOCEAN project. A comprehensive sampling program was conducted, which was design to collect samples at eight fixed stations located in the Strait in successive cruises periodically distributed through the year in order to ensure a good spatial and temporal coverage. As a result of this monitoring, time series namely GIFT (GIbraltar Fixed Time series) has been established, allowing the generation of an extensive data set of the carbon system parameters in the area. Data acquired during the development of nine campaigns were analyzed in this work. Total inorganic carbon concentration (CT ) was calculated from alkalinity-pHT pairs and appropriate thermodynamic relationships, with the concentration of anthropogenic carbon (CANT) being also computed using two methods, the 1C* and the TrOCA approach. Applying a two-layer model of water mass exchange through the Strait and using a value of −0.85 Sv for the average transport of the outflowing Mediterranean water recorded in situ during the considered period, a net export of inorganic carbon from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic was obtained, which amounted to 25±0.6 TgC yr−1. A net alkalinity output of 16±0.6 TgC yr−1 was also observed to occur through the Strait. In contrast, the Atlantic water was found to contain a higher concentration of anthropogenic carbon than the Mediterranean water, resulting in a net flux of CANT towards the Mediterranean basin of 4.20±0.04 TgC yr−1 by using the 1C* method, which constituted the most adequate approach for this environment. A carbon balance in the Mediterranean was assessed and fluxes through the Strait are discussed in relation to the highly diverse estimates available in the literature for the area and the different approaches considered for CANT estimation. This work unequivocally confirms the relevant role of the Strait of Gibraltar as a controlling point for the biogeochemical exchanges occurring between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and emphasizes the influence of the Mediterranean basin in the carbon inventories of the North Atlantic.Peer reviewe