Germline Gene Editing: The Gender Issues

Human germline gene editing constitutes an extremely promising technology; at the same time, however, it raises remarkable ethical, legal, and social issues. Although many of these issues have been largely explored by the academic literature, there are gender issues embedded in the process that have not received the attention they deserve. This paper examines ways in which this new tool necessarily affects males and females differently—both in rewards and perils. The authors conclude that there is an urgent need to include these gender issues in the current debate, before giving a green light to this new technology.Iñigo de Miguel Beriain’s work was supported by the Government of the Basque Country, Grant IT-1066-16 and the EU Commission, H2020 SWAFS Programme, PANELFIT Project, research grant number 788039. Ekain Payán Ellacuria’s work was supported by the Call for Recruitment for the Training of Research Staff at the UPV/EHU (2016), promoted by the Vice-rectorate of Research of the UPV/EHU. Begoña Sanz’s work was supported by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Grant GIU17/19

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and psychoaffective health of older adults in a physical exercise program

[EN]COVID-19 lockdowns restricted physical activity levels for individuals in many countries. In particular, older adults experienced limited access to their usual activities, including physical exercise programs. How such restrictions and interruptions in physical exercise programs might impact the physical and mental health of older adults has not yet been studied. We sought to analyse changes in the physical and mental health of older adults enrolled in a group-based multicomponent physical exercise (MPE) program that was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We followed 17 participants of this program from October 2018 to October 2020, including the interruption of the program during the pandemic. The MPE program included strength, balance, and stretching exercises. We compared anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters, physical fitness, frailty, quality of life, and psychoaffective status of participants before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most parameters followed the same pattern, improving after 8 months of the first MPE season (Oct. 2018-Jun. 2019), worsening after 4 months of summer rest, improving from October 2019 to January 2020 in the second MPE season (Oct. 2019-Jan. 2020), and severely worsening after 7 months of program interruption. We show that an MPE program has clear benefits to the physical and psychoaffective health of older adults, and interruption of these programs could adversely impact participants. These results highlight the need to maintain physical exercise programs or facilitate engagement in physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour in older adults, particularly in situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.This work was supported by Siel Bleu and Basque Government (SAN 20/12)

Jarduera fisikoa, guztion osasuna eta ongizatea hobetzeko tresna

Nazio Batuen Garapen Jasangarrirako 2030 Agendaren hirugarren helburua guztiontzat eta adin guztie- tan bizimodu osasungarria bermatzea eta ongizatea sustatzea da. Osasunaren Mundu Erakundearen arabera, jarduera fisikoa munduko hilkortasun-arriskua murrizten duen faktore garrantzitsuetako bat da. Lan honen helburua honako hau da: jarduera fisikoak eta haren modu egituratuak -hots, ariketa fisikoak- pertsona ororentzat dituen onurak laburbiltzea eta pertsona nagusietan eta populazio zaurgarrienetan dituen eraginetan sakontzea. Gaur egun, jakina da jarduera fisikoa eta ariketa fi- sikoa eraginkorrak direla gaixotasun kroniko nagusien prebentzioan eta tratamenduan. Aldi berean, pertsonen ongizatea eta bizi-kalitatea hobetzen laguntzen dute. Oro har, ikertzaileak bat datoz jarduera fisikoak eta ariketa fisikoak onura nabariak sortzen dituztela adin eta egoera fisiko ia guztietako pertsonetan, baita hauskor eta zaurgarrienetan ere. Azken urteetan, au- rrerapen handiak egin dira talde horiei buruzko ikerketan. Orain dela gutxi arte, oso intentsitate baxuko mugikortasun-pro- gramak proposatzen zitzaizkien, eta gaur egun frogatu da indarra eta erresistentzia aerobikoa intentsitate handiagoan lan- tzeak onura gehiago dakarzkiela. Jarduera fisikoaren eta ariketa fisikoaren eragina ez da arlo fisikora mugatzen, zeren behatu baita eragin positiboa duela kognizioan, ongizate emozionalean eta gizarte-sareen eraketan ere. Hala ere, jarduera fisikoa onuragarria izateko, banakoari egokitua, progresiboa eta egingarria izan behar du. Etorkizunerako erronka zera da: pertsona guztiek beren neurriko jarduera fisikoa egiteko aukera izatea, guztien osasuna eta ongizatea hobetzeko. Horrek Nazio Batuen 2030 Agendaren hirugarren helburua betetzen lagunduko digu.; The third goal of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing at all ages. According to the World Health Organization, physical activity is an important factor that reduces the risk of global mortality.The aim of this revision is to summarize the benefits of physical activity and exercise and to delve deeper on their benefits on elder and vulnerable population. Nowdays, it is widely accepted that hysical activity and exercise have proved their effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of the main chronic diseases. At the same time, they contribute to improving well-being and quality of life. In general, researchers agree, physical activity and exercise have benefits for people of all ages and almost all physical conditions, even the most frail and vulnerable. In these groups, there have been important advances in research in the last few years. Until recently, very low intensity mobility programs were proposed to them and today it has been shown that working out on strength and aerobic endurance at higher intensities gives them greater benefits. The impact of physical activity and exercise is not limited to physical parameters, as it has been observed that it also has positive effects on cognition, emotional well-being and the formation of social networks. However, to be beneficial physical activity must be individually adappted, progressive and feasible. The challenge for the future is that each individual has the opportunity to perform tailored physical activity to improve health and well-being of everybody. This will bring us closer to achieve the third goal of the United Nations 2030 Agenda

Quantum Artificial Life in an IBM Quantum Computer

We present the first experimental realization of a quantum artificial life algorithm in a quantum computer. The quantum biomimetic protocol encodes tailored quantum behaviors belonging to living systems, namely, self-replication, mutation, interaction between individuals, and death, into the cloud quantum computer IBM ibmqx4. In this experiment, entanglement spreads throughout generations of individuals, where genuine quantum information features are inherited through genealogical networks. As a pioneering proof-of-principle, experimental data fits the ideal model with accuracy. Thereafter, these and other models of quantum artificial life, for which no classical device may predict its quantum supremacy evolution, can be further explored in novel generations of quantum computers. Quantum biomimetics, quantum machine learning, and quantum artificial intelligence will move forward hand in hand through more elaborate levels of quantum complexity. © 2018, The Author(s).We acknowledge support from Spanish MINECO/FEDER FIS2015-69983-P, UPV/EHU new PhD program, Basque Government Programa Posdoctoral de Perfeccionamiento de Personal Investigador Doctor, Basque Government IT986-16, and Ramón y Cajal Grant RYC-2012-11391

Quantum autoencoders via quantum adders with genetic algorithms

The quantum autoencoder is a recent paradigm in the field of quantum machine learning, which may enable an enhanced use of resources in quantum technologies. To this end, quantum neural networks with less nodes in the inner than in the outer layers were considered. Here, we propose a useful connection between quantum autoencoders and quantum adders, which approximately add two unknown quantum states supported in different quantum systems. Specifically, this link allows us to employ optimized approximate quantum adders, obtained with genetic algorithms, for the implementation of quantum autoencoders for a variety of initial states. Furthermore, we can also directly optimize the quantum autoencoders via genetic algorithms. Our approach opens a different path for the design of quantum autoencoders in controllable quantum platforms. (c) 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.The authors acknowledge support from Spanish MINECO FIS2015-69983-P, Ramón y Cajal Grant RYC-2012-11391, UPV/EHU Postdoctoral Grant, and Basque Government Postdoctoral Grant POS_2017_1_0022 and IT986-16

Serum Sestrin-1 Concentration Is Higher in Frail than Non-Frail Older People Living in Nursing Homes

Given the increasing prevalence of frailty and its implications for public health, the identification of biomarkers to detect frailty is essential. Sestrin-1 is a protein with a protective role in muscle function. This study aimed to determine whether the serum sestrin-1 concentration differed between frail and non-frail populations and to investigate its association with frailty-related variables in 225 older women and men living in nursing homes (Gipuzkoa, Spain). Serum sestrin-1 concentration was measured by ELISA. Frailty, dependence, anthropometry, physical function, and physical activity were determined by validated tests and tools. The associations between sestrin-1 concentration and the other variables were determined using generalized linear models. The differences between frail and non-frail individuals were analyzed by the Mann–Whitney U-test, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to calculate the capability of sestrin-1 to detect frailty. Unexpectedly, frail individuals - according to the Fried Frailty Phenotype or the Clinical Frailty Scale - had higher serum sestrin-1 concentrations than non-frail individuals. Furthermore, the higher serum sestrin-1 concentration was associated with the increased frailty scores and dependence as well as the poorer physical function and the less physical activity. Given the contradictory results regarding serum sestrin-1 and frailty, further investigation is required to propose it as a molecular biomarker of frailty.This work was supported by grants from the Basque government (ELKARTEK15/39, ELKARTEK16/57, ELKARTEK17/61, RIS16/07, and SAN17/11). Haritz Arrieta and Chloe Rezola-Pardo were supported by two fellowships from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)

Low Serum Klotho Concentration is Associated with Worse Cognition, Psychological Components of Frailty, Dependence, and Falls in Nursing Home Residents

Serum alpha-klotho (s-klotho) protein has been linked with lifespan, and low concentrations of s-klotho have been associated with worse physical and cognitive outcomes. Although its significance in aging remains unclear, s-klotho has been proposed as a molecular biomarker of frailty and dependence. This study is a secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial performed in a population of 103 older individuals living in 10 nursing homes in Gipuzkoa (Spain). We aimed to elucidate associations between s-klotho (as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and body composition, physical fitness, and cognition, as well as frailty and dependence (determined using validated tests and scales). In addition, we investigated the association of s-klotho concentration with falls in the six months following the initial assessment. Low s-klotho levels were associated with a lower score in the psychological component of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator, a worse score in the Coding Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and a greater dependence in activities of daily living. Moreover, participants with lower s-klotho concentrations suffered more falls during the 6 months after the assessment. Future translational research should aim to validate klotho's putative role as a biomarker that could identify the risk of aging-related adverse events in clinical practice.This work was supported by grants from the Basque government (ELKARTEK15/39, ELKARTEK16/57, ELKARTEK17/61, RIS16/07, SAN17/11), the Euskampus Fundazioa Foundation, and the Convention between UPV/EHU and the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council (Gipuzkoa Eraikiz). Haritz Arrieta and Chloe Rezola were supported by two fellowships from the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU

A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol to Test The Efficacy of a Dual-TaskMulticomponent Exercise Program in the Attenuation of Frailty in Long-Term Nursing Home Residents: Aging-ONDUAL-TASK Study

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the Aging-ONDUAL-TASK study is to determine if a supervised dual-task program carried out in long-term nursing homes is able to attenuate frailty in a greater extent than the same multicomponent exercise program alone. METHODS: This multicenter randomized controlled trial will include 188 participants who will be randomly allocated to either a multicomponent exercise program or to the same multicomponent program with simultaneous cognitive training (dual-task training). Inclusion criteria are as follows: ≥ 70years, ≥ 50 on the Barthel Index, ≥ 20 on the Mini Examen Cognoscitivo (MEC-35) who are able to stand up and walk independently for 10m. Subjects in the multicomponent group will attend a twice-a-week multicomponent exercise program of 1-h duration per session, consisting of strength and balance exercises. Participants in the dual-task group will perform the same multicomponent exercise program with concurrent individually tailored cognitive tasks. Study assessments will be conducted at baseline and at 3months. The primary outcome measure will be gait speed under dual-task conditions and secondary outcomes will include physical fitness measurements, gait spatiotemporal parameters, cognition and emotional assessments, several frailty scales and objectively measured physical activity. DISCUSSION: The present research will add valuable information to the knowledge around the effects of the dual-task program in long-term nursing home residents, taking altogether physical, cognitive and emotional variables linked to frailty. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) with the identifier: ACTRN12618000536268 . Registration date: 11/04/2018.This research is supported by a research grant from the Basque Government (RIS3 316/07; ELKARTEK17/61; N°. EXPT.: KK-2017/00085; “Etorkizuna Erakiz”). This research was partially supported by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) (PPG17/34) and the Basque Government (IT922–16). Chloe Rezola and Haritz Arrieta are supported by two fellowships from University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)

(Pro)renin Receptor Expression Increases throughout the Colorectal Adenoma-Adenocarcinoma Sequence and It Is Associated with Worse Colorectal Cancer Prognosis

(Pro)renin receptor (PRR) is a protein that takes part in several signaling pathways such as Renin Angiotensin System and Wnt signalling. Its biological role has recently been related to cancer progression and in this study, we investigated its relevance in colorectal cancer (CRC). To that end, we analysed the immunohistochemical expression of PRR in adenomatous polyps and CRCs from the same patients (n = 42), and in primary tumours and nodal and liver metastases from advanced CRC patients (n = 294). In addition, the soluble fraction of PRR was measured by ELISA in plasma samples from 161 CRC patients. The results showed that PRR expression was gradually augmented along the uninvolved mucosa-adenoma-adenocarcinoma sequence. Besides, the stronger expression of PRR in primary tumours was markedly associated with local tumour extent and the onset of metastases. Moreover, PRR expression in both primary and distant metastases was associated with worse 5- and 10-year survival of CRC patients. Plasmatic PRR levels did not change with respect to controls and were not associated with CRC aggressiveness. These results suggest a key role of PRR in the development and progression of CRC and a potential use of this protein as a new prognostic biomarker and/or therapeutic target for this disease.We wish to thank Gangoiti Barrera's Foundation for it support to this research project

Obesity Parameters, Physical Activity, And Physical Fitness are Correlated With Serum Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Activity In A Healthy Population

Objective: To determine whether obesity, physical fitness, and physical activity parameters are associated with the enzymatic activity of serum dipeptidyl peptidase IV (sDPPIV) in a sample of healthy women and men. Design and methods: We have correlated parameters of obesity, physical fitness, and physical activity with sDPPIV activity in 374 healthy subjects (age: 60.7 +/- 6.9 years, body mass index: 26.1 +/- 4.1 kg/m(2)). Enzymatic activity was analyzed using spectrofluorimetry, body composition was assessed by impedanciometry, physical fitness data were obtained using the Senior Fitness Test, and physical activity data were collected by accelerometer. Pearson' s partial correlation analysis was applied to determine the relationship between DPPIV activity and the rest of parameters and significantly correlated variables were introduced into linear regression models to predict DPPIV. Results: Serum DPPIV activity was negatively associated with obesity parameters such as body mass (r = -0.112), body mass index (BMI) (r = -0.147), waist circumference (r = -0.164), waist-to-hip ratio (-0.104), and percentage of fat mass (r = -0.185). Serum DPPIV activity was positively associated with cardiovascular fitness (r = 0.138), total amount of physical activity (r = 0.153), and time spent doing light exercise (r = 0.184). Regression models revealed sex differences in enzyme activity with overall activity higher in women than in men (beta = 0.437, p < 0.001). Further, percent fat mass was an independent negative predictor of DPPIV activity (beta = -0.184, p = 0.001). Serum DPPIV activity was positively predicted based on the amount of time spent doing light physical activity (beta = 0.167, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that sDPPIV activity is positively associated with healthier parameters regarding fatness, fitness and physical activity.This work was supported by the Basque Government (GIC12/173: IT811-13) and the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU: PPG17/40)