Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

The European Solar Telescope

The European Solar Telescope (EST) is a project aimed at studying the magnetic connectivity of the solar atmosphere, from the deep photosphere to the upper chromosphere. Its design combines the knowledge and expertise gathered by the European solar physics community during the construction and operation of state-of-the-art solar telescopes operating in visible and near-infrared wavelengths: the Swedish 1m Solar Telescope, the German Vacuum Tower Telescope and GREGOR, the French Télescope Héliographique pour l'Étude du Magnétisme et des Instabilités Solaires, and the Dutch Open Telescope. With its 4.2 m primary mirror and an open configuration, EST will become the most powerful European ground-based facility to study the Sun in the coming decades in the visible and near-infrared bands. EST uses the most innovative technological advances: the first adaptive secondary mirror ever used in a solar telescope, a complex multi-conjugate adaptive optics with deformable mirrors that form part of the optical design in a natural way, a polarimetrically compensated telescope design that eliminates the complex temporal variation and wavelength dependence of the telescope Mueller matrix, and an instrument suite containing several (etalon-based) tunable imaging spectropolarimeters and several integral field unit spectropolarimeters. This publication summarises some fundamental science questions that can be addressed with the telescope, together with a complete description of its major subsystems

The European Solar Telescope

The European Solar Telescope (EST) is a project aimed at studying the magnetic connectivity of the solar atmosphere, from the deep photosphere to the upper chromosphere. Its design combines the knowledge and expertise gathered by the European solar physics community during the construction and operation of state-of-the-art solar telescopes operating in visible and near-infrared wavelengths: the Swedish 1m Solar Telescope, the German Vacuum Tower Telescope and GREGOR, the French Télescope Héliographique pour l’Étude du Magnétisme et des Instabilités Solaires, and the Dutch Open Telescope. With its 4.2 m primary mirror and an open configuration, EST will become the most powerful European ground-based facility to study the Sun in the coming decades in the visible and near-infrared bands. EST uses the most innovative technological advances: the first adaptive secondary mirror ever used in a solar telescope, a complex multi-conjugate adaptive optics with deformable mirrors that form part of the optical design in a natural way, a polarimetrically compensated telescope design that eliminates the complex temporal variation and wavelength dependence of the telescope Mueller matrix, and an instrument suite containing several (etalon-based) tunable imaging spectropolarimeters and several integral field unit spectropolarimeters. This publication summarises some fundamental science questions that can be addressed with the telescope, together with a complete description of its major subsystems

DFT study of Ni segregation at the B2-NiTi(110)/rutile-TiO2(110) interface

NiTi alloy has important properties such as shape-memory, super-plasticity, resistance, and biocompatibility, therefore is frequently used in biomedical devices. We studied the oxidized form of this alloy and possible Ni segregation in three possible models for the TiO/NiTi interface: i) the perfect interface; ii) the Ni enriched interface and iii) with oxygen vacancies in the TiO coating. We used DFT + U calculations for TiO, because Hubbard correction encourages localization of the excess electronic charge and improves the DFT results. A standard spin polarized DFT was used for NiTi. We obtained the optimized geometries for each model and computed segregation energy, electronic structure, magnetic moment and bond order for the interface and for Ni segregation. Our calculations indicated that Ti species are present at the interface, while in the bulk of the oxide layer the species is the Ti. Also, the electronic structure show that the metallic character of the alloy is unaffected by the interaction with oxygen. These results are consistent with experimental data from literature. Ni enriched interface containing O vacancies show a strong geometric distortion in the TiO layers. In all cases, Ni segregation is an a thermodynamically unfavorable process, helping to understand the biocompatibility of NiTi alloy.Our work was supported by ANPCyT through PICT 2016 Raíces N° 2016-4085 Res. N° 285/16 and PICT 2016 N°2016-4094 Res. N° 285/16 research grants, as well as by SGCyT-UNS. PB, EAG and PVJ are members of CONICET. JJ, MS and VO are fellow researchers at this institution. In addition, AHL and CISD acknowledge the Spanish MINCINN project grants FIS2016-77692-C2-2P and PCIN-2017-098, along with FEDER European funds. Calculations have been performed in the Alhambra Computing Center of University of Granada and in the CSIC Computational Center. Particularly, we acknowledge to Dr. Santiago Melchor Ferrer from University of Granada

Development Cooperation: Facing the Challenges of Global Change

Development cooperation, a concept that has existed for more than fifty years, has been transformed drastically in recent years. With the end of the Cold War in the late 1980s, so-called developing countries ceased to be potential pawns in global political dynamics and graduallly became the focus of greater moral concerns. As such, pro-development policies demanded a more ethically grounded political strategy, a challenge that governments and international bodies did not know how to, or did not want to, react to. This problem was compounded further by the impact of globalization, with its concomitant increase in the interdependence of a range of global economic, political, social, ecological, and cultural processes. Most recently of all, the global financial crisis and its consequences have also raised questions about the future of development cooperation, at a time when it should be more relevant than ever. This book addresses a wide spectrum of issues that are central to the debate on development cooperation today such as sustainability, gender equity, technology, communication, rural development, global conflicts and commerce, labor relations, financing development, humanitarian action, and the specific case of Africa.This book was published with generous financial support from the Basque Government.Introduction: Development Cooperation in Transition by Koldo Unceta and Amaia Arrinda ? 1. Sustainable Development in the Brundtlant Report and Its Distortion: Implications for Development Economics and International Cooperation by Roberto Bermejo, Iñaki Arto, and David Hoyos ? 2. The Ecological Debt and Energy Model Change for Environmental Justice by Rosa Lago, Iñaki Barcena, and Gorka Bueno ? 3. Technologies for Human Development and Sustainability by Joseba Sainz de Murieta and Amaia Arrinda ? 4. Economic Crisis, Gender Repercussions, and Official Development Aid by M. Jose Martínez and Idoye Zabala ? 5. New Dimensions in Humanitarian Action: Conflict-sensitive and Gender-focused Aid by Karlos Pérez de Armiño and Irantzu Mendia ? 6. New Challenges for Rural Development Cooperation: Institutionality and Public Goods by Eduardo Ramos and Eduardo Malagón ? 7. Communication and Development: From the MacBride Report to the Congo Wars by Juan Carlos Miguel de Bustos and Víctor Santiago Pozas ? 8. International Labor Law, International Business, and Development Cooperation: The International Labour Organization and Social Clause by Mikel de la Fuente and Juan Hernández ? 9. Financing Development: ODA versus FDI and Remittances in the Most Vulnerable Countries by Koldo Unceta, Jorge Gutierrez, and Iratxe Amiano ? 10. Cooperation between the EU and Sub-Saharan Africa: A Development Proposal Based on Open Regionalism and Economic Partnership Agreements? by Eduardo Bidaurratzaga, Juan Carlos Pérez de Mendiguren, and Luis Guridi ? Index ? List of Contributor

Doñana. Acta vertebrata. vol 17 (1)

Características de los pelajes y las mudas en Arvicola sapidus (Rodentia, Arvicolidae)Alimentación de la grajilla Corvus monedula en tres zonas del sur de EspañaAltura de nidificación del carbonero común, Parus major, en el naranjal: preferencias, limitaciones del medio y relaciones interespecíficasImportancia de los neveros como sustrato de alimentación para los paseriformes de alta montañaEstimas y tamaños de biomasas de artrópodos aplicables al estudio de la alimentación de vertebrados insectívorosAspectos de la ecología del zarapito real (Numenius arquata) en el intermareal de la Ria de Arosa.Reparto temporal de actividades del jabalí (Sus scrofa) en Doñana (SO, España)First successful breeding record of the tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) in Spain. REgagrópilas de lechuza común (Tyto alba) conteniendo cáscaras de huevo de la misma especieSegunda puesta de lechuza común (Tyto alba) asociada al aumento de consumo de topillo campesino (Microtus arvalisDepredación por la nutria (Lutra lutra) del sapo de la Sierra de Gredos (Bufo bufo gredosicola)Algunos datos sobre la alimentación de los pollos de la cigüenuela (Himantopus himantopus) en humedales de la provincia de Ciudad RealSome preliminary results on rabbit energy utilization by the spanish lynx.Variabilidad morfológica de la jutia conga Capromys pilorides (Rodentia, Capromyidae) de CubaPeer reviewe

Effectiveness of the combination elvitegravir/cobicistat/tenofovir/emtricitabine (EVG/COB/TFV/FTC) plus darunavir among treatment-experienced patients in clinical practice : A multicentre cohort study

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of the combination elvitegravir/cobicistat/tenofovir/emtricitabine plus darunavir (EVG/COB/TFV/FTC + DRV) in treatment-experienced patients from the cohort of the Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network (CoRIS). Methods: Treatment-experienced patients starting treatment with EVG/COB/TFV/FTC + DRV during the years 2014-2018 and with more than 24 weeks of follow-up were included. TFV could be administered either as tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or tenofovir alafenamide. We evaluated virological response, defined as viral load (VL) < 50 copies/ml and < 200 copies/ml at 24 and 48 weeks after starting this regimen, stratified by baseline VL (< 50 or ≥ 50 copies/ml at the start of the regimen). Results: We included 39 patients (12.8% women). At baseline, 10 (25.6%) patients had VL < 50 copies/ml and 29 (74.4%) had ≥ 50 copies/ml. Among patients with baseline VL < 50 copies/ml, 85.7% and 80.0% had VL < 50 copies/ml at 24 and 48 weeks, respectively, and 100% had VL < 200 copies/ml at 24 and 48 weeks. Among patients with baseline VL ≥ 50 copies/ml, 42.3% and 40.9% had VL < 50 copies/ml and 69.2% and 68.2% had VL < 200 copies/ml at 24 and 48 weeks. During the first 48 weeks, no patients changed their treatment due to toxicity, and 4 patients (all with baseline VL ≥ 50 copies/ml) changed due to virological failure. Conclusions: EVG/COB/TFV/FTC + DRV was well tolerated and effective in treatment-experienced patients with undetectable viral load as a simplification strategy, allowing once-daily, two-pill regimen with three antiretroviral drug classes. Effectiveness was low in patients with detectable viral loads

New Algorithms Improving PML Risk Stratification in MS Patients Treated With Natalizumab

none60siOverview: We assessed the role of age and disease activity as new factors contributing to establish the risk of progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy in multiple sclerosis patients treated with natalizumab in 36 University Hospitals in Europe. We performed the study in 1,307 multiple sclerosis patients (70.8% anti-John Cunninghan virus positive antibodies) treated with natalizumab for a median time of 3.28 years. Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory variables were collected. Lipid-specific IgM oligoclonal band status was available in 277 patients. Factors associated with progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy onset were explored by uni- and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Thirty-five patients developed progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy. The multivariate analysis identified anti-John Cunninghan virus antibody indices and relapse rate as the best predictors for the onset of this serious opportunistic infection in the whole cohort. They allowed to stratify progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy risk before natalizumab initiation in individual patients [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.85]. The risk ranged from &lt;1/3,300 in patients with anti-John Cunninghan virus antibody indices &lt;0.9 and relapse rate &gt;0.5, to 1/50 in the opposite case. In patients with lipid-specific IgM oligoclonal bands assessment, age at natalizumab onset, anti-John Cunninghan virus antibody indices, and lipid-specific IgM oligoclonal band status predicted progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy risk (AUC = 0.92). The absence of lipid-specific IgM oligoclonal bands was the best individual predictor (OR = 40.94). The individual risk ranged from &lt;1/10,000 in patients younger than 45 years at natalizumab initiation, who showed anti John Cunningham virus antibody indices &lt;0.9 and lipid-specific IgM oligoclonal bands to 1/33 in the opposite case. Conclusions: In a perspective of personalized medicine, disease activity, anti-lipid specific IgM oligoclonal bands, anti Jonh Cunninghan virus antibody levels, and age can help tailor natalizumab therapy in multiple sclerosis patients, as predictors of progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy.mixedToboso, Inmaculada; Tejeda-Velarde, Amalia; Alvarez-Lafuente, Roberto; Arroyo, Rafael; Hegen, Harald; Deisenhammer, Florian; Sainz de la Maza, Susana; Alvarez-Cermeño, José C; Izquierdo, Guillermo; Paramo, Dolores; Oliva, Pedro; Casanova, Bonaventura; Agüera-Morales, Eduardo; Franciotta, Diego; Gastaldi, Matteo; Fernández, Oscar; Urbaneja, Patricia; Garcia-Dominguez, José M; Romero, Fernando; Laroni, Alice; Uccelli, Antonio; Perez-Sempere, Angel; Saiz, Albert; Blanco, Yolanda; Galimberti, Daniela; Scarpini, Elio; Espejo, Carmen; Montalban, Xavier; Rasche, Ludwig; Paul, Friedemann; González, Inés; Álvarez, Elena; Ramo, Cristina; Caminero, Ana B; Aladro, Yolanda; Calles, Carmen; Eguía, Pablo; Belenguer-Benavides, Antonio; Ramió-Torrentà, Lluis; Quintana, Ester; Martínez-Rodríguez, José E; Oterino, Agustín; López de Silanes, Carlos; Casanova, Luis I; Landete, Lamberto; Frederiksen, Jette; Bsteh, Gabriel; Mulero, Patricia; Comabella, Manuel; Hernández, Miguel A; Espiño, Mercedes; Prieto, José M; Pérez, Domingo; Otano, María; Padilla, Francisco; García-Merino, Juan A; Navarro, Laura; Muriel, Alfonso; Frossard, Lucienne Costa; Villar, Luisa MToboso, Inmaculada; Tejeda-Velarde, Amalia; Alvarez-Lafuente, Roberto; Arroyo, Rafael; Hegen, Harald; Deisenhammer, Florian; Sainz de la Maza, Susana; Alvarez-Cermeño, José C; Izquierdo, Guillermo; Paramo, Dolores; Oliva, Pedro; Casanova, Bonaventura; Agüera-Morales, Eduardo; Franciotta, Diego; Gastaldi, Matteo; Fernández, Oscar; Urbaneja, Patricia; Garcia-Dominguez, José M; Romero, Fernando; Laroni, Alice; Uccelli, Antonio; Perez-Sempere, Angel; Saiz, Albert; Blanco, Yolanda; Galimberti, Daniela; Scarpini, Elio; Espejo, Carmen; Montalban, Xavier; Rasche, Ludwig; Paul, Friedemann; González, Inés; Álvarez, Elena; Ramo, Cristina; Caminero, Ana B; Aladro, Yolanda; Calles, Carmen; Eguía, Pablo; Belenguer-Benavides, Antonio; Ramió-Torrentà, Lluis; Quintana, Ester; Martínez-Rodríguez, José E; Oterino, Agustín; López de Silanes, Carlos; Casanova, Luis I; Landete, Lamberto; Frederiksen, Jette; Bsteh, Gabriel; Mulero, Patricia; Comabella, Manuel; Hernández, Miguel A; Espiño, Mercedes; Prieto, José M; Pérez, Domingo; Otano, María; Padilla, Francisco; García-Merino, Juan A; Navarro, Laura; Muriel, Alfonso; Frossard, Lucienne Costa; Villar, Luisa