Computing by Carving with P Systems. A First Approach

In this work, we propose a P system which carries out computing by carving. Computing by carving was proposed by Gh. P˘aun as a technique to generate formal languages which can even be non recursively enumerable. Hence, it can be considered a hypercomputational technique. Here, we propose a first scheme based on P systems in order to perform computing by carving any formal language. So, the paper shows indirectly that these systems, under certain assumptions, can be considered a model for hypercomputation

Covering Rules in P Systems: Some Preliminary Ideas

In this paper we propose a new kind of rules inside the regions of a P system. We have called them covering rules due to the fact that, if selected, they can manage all the objects of the region in an exhaustive manner (i.e., they cover all the objects of the region). First, we propose the formal definition of the rules and different ways of using them. This will introduce a second degree of nondeterminism in the complete behavior of a given P system. We will introduce an effective way to reduce the nondeterminism by defining indexed covering rules. Finally, we will initiate a study of several language families characterized in terms of the covering rules language families

"Dogmatic" P Systems

In this work we propose a variant of P systems based on the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology which establishes the transformation of DNA strands into protein products by applying different string transformation such as transductions and transcriptions. We introduce a new kind of worm object rules to carry out transducion operations. Finally, we establish the universality of the proposed model by simulating Iterated finite state sequential transducers (IFTs)

On Two Families of Multiset Tree Automata

The relation between the membrane structures of P systems and an extension of tree automata which introduces multisets in the transition function has been proposed in previous works. Here we propose two features of tree automata which have been previously studied (namely, reversibility and local testability) in order to extend them to multiset tree automata. The characterization of these families will introduce a new characterization of membrane structures defined by the set of rules used for membrane creation and deletion

Tumor de partes blandas en la vecindad de una prótesis de cadera no cementada

Presentamos el caso de un varón de 63 años de edad que fue diagnosticado de un sarcoma de partes blandas en la cara posterior del muslo seis meses después de implantarle una prótesis total de cadera no cementada. Se discute la posible asociación etiológica entre los tumores malignos y el implante de materiales.We present the case of a 63-year-old man who was diagnosed of a soft tissue sarcoma in the posterior side of the thigh six months after a cementless hip replacement. The possible etiological association between malignant tumours and implant materials is discussed

Características citopatológicas del carcinoma de células acinares (CCA) de glándula salival: a propósito de cuatro observaciones

Objetivo: Presentar las características citopatológicas del carcinoma acinar (CCA), así como su correlación cito-histológica, comentando los problemas de diagnóstico diferencial de esta entidad en base a cuatro observaciones estudiadas mediante PAAF. Casos clínicos: Dos varones de 52 y 53 años, una mujer de 79 años, y una niña de 12 años que presentaron tumoraciones localizadas en territorio parotídeo (casos 1, 2 y 4), y a nivel laterocervical (caso 3). En tres pacientes, la PAAF fue, junto a los estudios de imagen, la primera aproximación diagnóstica; correspondiendo el caso 3 a una punción de adenopatías laterocervicales metastásicas en una paciente con antecedentes de CCA de parótida. Hallazgos citológicos: Las extensiones citológicas mostraron abundante celularidad tumoral dispuesta en pequeñas placas monocapa, formando estructuras acinares, o como células aisladas. Es de destacar la abundancia de núcleos desnudos en el fondo de los frotis, y la ausencia de grasa y de epitelio ductal. Las células poseían núcleos monomorfos redondeados u ovales, nucleólo poco evidente y abundante citoplasma granular o finamente vacuolado. Discusión: La PAAF proporciona información esencial en la actuación diagnóstico-terapeútica de las tumoraciones de la glándula salival, resultando esta metodología muy sensible en su eficacia diagnóstica. La identificación de los CCA frecuentemente presenta dificultades, debido a la gran similitud citológica de las células tumorales con el componente acinar normal propio de la glándula salival. El diagnóstico diferencial se plantea, fundamentalmente, con carcinomas de células claras, con carcinomas mucoepidermoides, con el tumor de Warthin y con los oncocitomas. Nuestras observaciones confirman la validez de la PAAF en una primera aproximación diagnóstica de estas lesiones tumorales accesibles a la punción directa.Objective: To present the cytopathological characteristics of acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) as well as its cyto-histological correlation, commenting on the differential diagnostic problems of this entity based on four observations studied using fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). Clinical Cases: Two males of 52 and 53 years of age, one 79 year-old woman and a girl of 12 years of age, who presented tumors located in the parotid area (cases 1, 2 and 4) and at the laterocervical level (case 3). In 3 patients, the FNAB was, together with the image studies, the first diagnostic indication; case 3 corresponding to a puncture of metastatic laterocervical adenopathies in a patient with a history of parotid ACC. Cytological findings: The cytologic smears revealed abundant tumoral cellularity arranged in small monolayered sheets, forming acinar structures or isolated cells. The abundance of bare nuclei at the background of the smears, and the absence of adipose tissue and ductal epithelium are highlighted. The cells possessed round or oval monomorphic nuclei, few nucleoli and abundant granular or finely vacuolate cytoplasm. Discussion: FNAB provides essential information on the diagnostic- therapeutic management of salivary gland tumors; this methodology is highly sensitive in its diagnostic efficacy. The diagnosis of ACCs frequently presents difficulties, owing to the great cytologic similarity of the tumor cells with the normal acinar component of the salivary gland. The differential diag-nosis is considered, fundamentally, with clear cell carcinomas, mucoepidermoid carcinomas, Warthin's tumor, and oncocytomas. Our observations confirm the validity of FNAB in a first diagnostic approximation for those lesions accessible to direct puncture

Seguimiento del Grado en Química

Con la implantación del 4º curso del grado en Química, que se ha realizado en el presente curso académico, se han completado los cuatro cursos del grado. En la Facultad de Ciencias se han constituido ocho comisiones de semestre, en las que participan profesores de todos los departamentos que imparten docencia en la titulación y la Comisión de Grado, formada por los coordinadores de las comisiones de semestre que, a su vez, forman parte de una red docente para el seguimiento del grado. Desde estas comisiones se está realizando un intenso trabajo cooperativo cuyo objetivo es alcanzar una coherencia tanto en la distribución de contenidos, como en las metodologías docentes y de evaluación de las materias que componen el plan de estudios del Grado en Química de la Universidad de Alicante. La coordinación horizontal entre semestres de un mismo curso y la coordinación vertical entre cursos forman parte de las tareas que se desarrollan. Los resultados de este trabajo permiten identificar las deficiencias en el proceso de implantación y plantear posibles propuestas de mejora en la organización docente de la titulación

Neonatal events, such as androgenization and postnatal overfeeding, modify the response to ghrelin

It is currently accepted that ambient, non-genetic factors influence perinatal development and evoke structural and functional changes that may persist throughout life. Overfeeding and androgenization after birth are two of these key factors that could result in "metabolic imprinting" of neuronal circuits early in life and, thereby, increase the body weight homeostatic "set point", stimulate appetite, and result in obesity. Our aim was to determine the influence of these obesogenic factors on the response to ghrelin. We observed the expected orexigenic effect of ghrelin regardless of the nutritional or hormonal manipulations to which the animals were subjected to at early postnatal development and this effect remained intact at later stages of development. In fact, ghrelin responses increased significantly when the animals were subjected to one of the two manipulations, but not when both were combined. An increased response to ghrelin could explain the obese phenotype displayed by individuals with modified perinatal environment.Ministerio de Educacion y CienciaInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIEuropean Community´s Seventh Framework Programm

Red de coordinación de las asignaturas del área de conocimiento de Inmunología (Grado en Biología)

El rápido desarrollo de la Inmunología durante el pasado y presente siglo, ha hecho que la Inmunología sea actualmente la ciencia que más interrelación tiene con otras disciplinas del campo de la Biología y de la Biomedicina en general. Su carácter multidisciplinar hace que se integre y se complemente a la perfección con multitud de disciplinas biomédicas. Por otro lado, cada día aumenta el número de enfermedades en las que se reconoce que la participación del sistema inmunitario, es la causa, o contribuye de forma importante al proceso patológico. Precisamente, durante el curso 2013-2014, ha empezado a impartirse por vez primera la asignatura de Inmunología Aplicada e Inmunopatología, del Area de Inmunología del cuarto curso de Grado en Biología, que a la vez que analiza las múltiples aplicaciones de la Inmunología en distintos campos de la Biotecnología y la Biomedicina, estudia con detalle aspectos diagnósticos, pronósticos y terapéuticos de las principales enfermedades de base inmunológica. Con esta red, pretendemos aprovechar la experiencia acumulada durante el pasado año con la asignatura de Inmunología General, impartida en tercer curso del Grado en Biología, para asegurar la adecuada coordinación entre el profesorado de las dos asignaturas actuales y fomentar el trabajo en equipo, buscando con ello cumplir con las competencias previstas descritas en las guías docentes de ambas asignaturas

Effects and Optimal Dose of Exercise on Endothelial Function in Patients with Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta‑Analysis

Background Exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is considered an effective treatment for enhancing endothelial function in patients with heart failure (HF). However, recent studies have been published and the optimal “dose” of exercise required to increase the benefits of exercise-based CR programmes on endothelial function is still unknown. Objectives (a) To estimate the effect of exercise-based CR on endothelial function, assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), in patients with HF; (b) to determine whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is better than moderate-intensity training (MIT) for improving FMD; and (c) to investigate the influence of exercise modality (i.e. resistance exercise vs. aerobic exercise and combined exercise vs. aerobic exercise) on the improvement of endothelial function. Methods Electronic searches were carried out in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus up to February 2022. Random-effects models of between-group mean differences were estimated. Heterogeneity analyses were performed by means of the chi-square test and I2 index. Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were used to test the influence of potential moderator variables on the effect of exercise. Results We found a FMD increase of 3.09% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.01, 4.17) in favour of aerobic-based CR programmes compared with control groups in patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, the results of included studies were inconsistent (p < .001; I2 = 95.2%). Higher FMD improvement was found in studies which were randomised, reported radial FMD, or performed higher number of training sessions a week. Moreover, HIIT enhanced FMD to a greater extent than MIT (2.35% [95% CI = 0.49, 4.22]) in patients with HFrEF. Insufficient data prevented pooled analyses for the effect of exercise in patients with HF and preserved ejection fraction and the influence of exercise modality on the improvement of endothelial function. Conclusion Aerobic-based CR is a non-pharmacological treatment for enhancing endothelial function in patients with HFrEF. However, higher training frequency and HIIT induce greater adaptation of endothelial function in these patients, which should betaken into consideration when designing exercise-based CR programmes. Trial registration The protocol was prospectively registered on the PROSPERO database (CRD42022304687)