A Protocol Generator Tool for Automatic In-Vitro HPV Robotic Analysis

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) could develop precancerous lesions and invasive cancer, as it is the main cause of nearly all cases of cervical cancer. There are many strains of HPV and current vaccines can only protect against some of them. This makes the detection and genotyping of HPV a research area of utmost importance. Several biomedical systems can detect HPV in DNA samples; however, most of them do not have a procedure as fast, automatic or precise as it is actually needed in this field. This manuscript presents a novel XML-based hierarchical protocol architecture for biomedical robots to describe each protocol step and execute it sequentially, along with a robust and automatic robotic system for HPV DNA detection capable of processing from 1 to 24 samples simultaneously in a fast (from 45 to 162 min), efficient (100% markers effectiveness) and precise (able to detect 36 different HPV genotypes) way. It includes an efficient artificial vision process as the last step of the diagnostic.FIDETIA P055-12/E03Ministerio de Economía y Competitivida TEC2016-77785-

From natural region to cultural landscape. Cultural mapping and geographical information systems in regional planning

En las últimas décadas la cultura y su representación territorial han comenzado a tener un importante papel en la ordenación del territorio. En este texto se analiza esta evolución y sus consecuencias en el modelo territorial a través de diversos ejemplos donde los sistemas de información geográfica (SIG) son utilizados como herramienta para una hipotética gobernanza paisajística. The culture and his territorial representation begin to play an important role in regional planning in recent decades. These developments and their implications are discussed in this paper, which underlines various examples about using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a tool for the landscapist governance hypothetical, and his impact in the territorial model

ATP-Dependent Lon Protease Controls Tumor Bioenergetics by Reprogramming Mitochondrial Activity

We generated mice deficient in Lon protease (LONP1), a major enzyme of the mitochondrial quality control machinery. Homozygous deletion of Lonp1 causes early embryonic lethality, whereas its haploinsufficiency protects against colorectal and skin tumors. Furthermore, LONP1 knockdown inhibits cellular proliferation and tumor and metastasis formation, whereas its overexpression increases tumorigenesis. Clinical studies indicate that high levels of LONP1 are a poor prognosis marker in human colorectal cancer and melanoma. Additionally, functional analyses show that LONP1 plays a key role in metabolic reprogramming by remodeling OXPHOS complexes and protecting against senescence. Our findings demonstrate the relevance of LONP1 for cellular and organismal viability and identify this protease as a central regulator of mitochondrial activity in oncogenesis

Evolution Meets Disease: Penetrance and Functional Epistasis of Mitochondrial tRNA Mutations

About half of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations causing diseases in humans occur in tRNA genes. Particularly intriguing are those pathogenic tRNA mutations than can reach homoplasmy and yet show very different penetrance among patients. These mutations are scarce and, in addition to their obvious interest for understanding human pathology, they can be excellent experimental examples to model evolution and fixation of mitochondrial tRNA mutations. To date, the only source of this type of mutations is human patients. We report here the generation and characterization of the first mitochondrial tRNA pathological mutation in mouse cells, an m.3739G>A transition in the mitochondrial mt-Ti gene. This mutation recapitulates the molecular hallmarks of a disease-causing mutation described in humans, an m.4290T>C transition affecting also the human mt-Ti gene. We could determine that the pathogenic molecular mechanism, induced by both the mouse and the human mutations, is a high frequency of abnormal folding of the tRNAIle that cannot be charged with isoleucine. We demonstrate that the cells harboring the mouse or human mutant tRNA have exacerbated mitochondrial biogenesis triggered by an increase in mitochondrial ROS production as a compensatory response. We propose that both the nature of the pathogenic mechanism combined with the existence of a compensatory mechanism can explain the penetrance pattern of this mutation. This particular behavior can allow a scenario for the evolution of mitochondrial tRNAs in which the fixation of two alleles that are individually deleterious can proceed in two steps and not require the simultaneous mutation of both

mtDNA variability determines spontaneous joint aging damage in a conplastic mouse model.

Mitochondria and mtDNA variations contribute to specific aspects of the aging process. Here, we aimed to investigate the influence of mtDNA variation on joint damage in a model of aging using conplastic mice. A conplastic (BL/6NZB) mouse strain was developed with the C57BL/6JOlaHsd nuclear genome and NZB/OlaHsd mtDNA, for comparison with the original C57BL/6JOlaHsd strain (BL/6C57). Conplastic (BL/6NZB) and BL/6C57 mice were sacrificed at 25, 75, and 90 weeks of age. Hind knee joints were processed for histological analysis and joint pathology graded using the Mankin scoring system. By immunohistochemistry, cartilage expression of markers of autophagy (LC3, Beclin-1, and P62) and markers of senescence (MMP13, beta-Galactosidase, and p16) and proliferation (Ki67) were analyzed. We also measured the expression of 8-oxo-dG and cleaved caspase-3. Conplastic (BL/6NZB) mice presented lower Mankin scores at 25, 75, and 90 weeks of age, higher expression of LC3 and Beclin-1 and lower of P62 in cartilage than the original strain. Moreover, the downregulation of MMP13, beta-Galactosidase, and p16 was detected in cartilage from conplastic (BL/6NZB) mice, whereas higher Ki67 levels were detected in these mice. Finally, control BL/6C57 mice showed higher cartilage expression of 8-oxo-dG and cleaved caspase-3 than conplastic (BL/6NZB) mice. This study demonstrates that mtDNA genetic manipulation ameliorates joint aging damage in a conplastic mouse model, suggesting that mtDNA variability is a prognostic factor for aging-related osteoarthritis (OA) and that modulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) could be a novel therapeutic target for treating OA associated with aging.This work was supported by grants from Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (PI16/02124, PI19/01206 and RETIC-RIER-RD16/0012/0002) integrated in the National Plan for Scientific Program, Development and Technological Innovation 2013–2016, and funded by the ISCIII-General Subdirection of Assessment and Promotion of Research-European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) “A way of making Europe”, by Grant IN607A2021/07 from GAIN, Xunta de Galicia (F.J.B.) and by CIBERFES-ISCIII, MINECO: SAF2015-65633-R, RTI2018-099357-BI00, and HFSP (RGP0016/2018) to J.A.E.S

Reconstructing formation processes at the Canary Islands indigenous site of Belmaco Cave (La Palma, Spain) through a multiproxy geoarchaeological approach

The indigenous populations of La Palma (Canary Islands), who arrived on the island from Northwest Africa ca. 2000 years B.P., were predominantly pastoralists. Yet, many aspects of their subsistence economy such as the procurement, management, and use of wild plant resources remain largely unknown. To explore this, we studied the 600–1100-year-old archaeological site of Belmaco Cave, which comprises a stratified sedimentary deposit representative of a fumier. Here, we present a high-resolution, multiproxy geoarchaeological study combining soil micromorphology, lipid biomarker analysis, X-ray diffraction, μ-X-ray diffraction, μ-X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and μ-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, to characterize formation processes and explore plant sources. Recurrent goat/sheep habitation and maintenance activities are represented by interstratified layers of unburned dung, charcoal-rich sediment, and dung ash. Lipid biomarker data show a herd diet mainly composed of herbaceous plants, which is key to understanding the mobility of indigenous shepherds. Our results also revealed an unusual suite of authigenic minerals including hazenite, aragonite, and sylvite, possibly formed through diagenetic processes involving interaction between ash, dung, urine, volcanogenic components, and bacterial activity, coupled with arid and alkaline conditions. Our study shows the potential of a multiproxy approach to a fumier deposit in a volcanogenic sedimentary context.publishedVersio

Micro-contextual identification of archaeological lipid biomarkers using resin-impregnated sediment slabs

Characterizing organic matter preserved in archaeological sediment is crucial to behavioral and paleoenvironmental investigations. This task becomes particularly challenging when considering microstratigraphic complexity. Most of the current analytical methods rely on loose sediment samples lacking spatial and temporal resolution at a microstratigraphic scale, adding uncertainty to the results. Here, we explore the potential of targeted molecular and isotopic biomarker analysis on polyester resin-impregnated sediment slabs from archaeological micromorphology, a technique that provides microstratigraphic control. We performed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectromety (GC-IRMS) analyses on a set of samples including drill dust from resin-impregnated experimental and archaeological samples, loose samples from the same locations and resin control samples to assess the degree of interference of polyester resin in the GC-MS and Carbon-IRMS signals of different lipid fractions (n-alkanes, aromatics, n-ketones, alcohols, fatty acids and other high polarity lipids). The results show that biomarkers within the n-alkane, aromatic, n-ketone, and alcohol fractions can be identified. Further work is needed to expand the range of identifiable lipid biomarkers. This study represents the first micro-contextual approach to archaeological lipid biomarkers and contributes to the advance of archaeological science by adding a new method to obtain behavioral or paleoenvironmental proxies.This study has been funded by an ERC-Paleochar Consolidator Grant Project (ERC-2014-CoG-648871-PALEOCHAR). Archaeological research at El Salt is currently funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Project PID2019-107113RB-I00) and was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (Project HAR2015-68321-P) when sampling for this study took place. Additional financial support for El Salt fieldwork is from the Cultural Heritage Department of the Valencia Government and the Archaeological Museum Camil Visedo Moltó of Alcoy. Research at the Axlor site is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Project PID2019-107260GB-I00, PID2019-107113RB-I00). Research at Crvena Stijena is funded by the Montenegrin Ministry of Culture, the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences, the United States National Science Foundation (NSF-BCS 1758285), and the University of Minnesota’s Office of the Vice President of Research Grant-in-Aid program. Research at Cape Esperberg is funded by a collaborative grant from the US National Science Foundation (ARC-1523160, ARC-1523205, ARC-1523059, ARC-1523079) and from the Archeology Commission of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs

O tipo de esporte praticado determina o nível de atenção seletiva em adultos jovens

The main purpose of this study was to determine the differences in selective attention between people who regularly practiced different forms of physical-sports activity. The sample consisted of a total of 1,038 participants, 68.30% (n=709) being women and 31.70% (n=329) being men, aged between 20 and 29 years (M ± SD = 22.54 ± 2.35). The evaluate selective attention, a computerized numerical cross-out test (a 5x5 matrix) was used, which is part of the Attentional Processes software and is hosted on the MenPas 1.0 Psychosocial Assessment Platform. (www.menpas.com). The results highlighted the existence of statistically significant differences between the types of sport in the execution time of the test performed. Specifically, individual sports practitioners spent more time performing the task than those who performed team sports (Z= −2.46; p= .014, Cohen'sd= .23, 95% CI (.07, .38)) or adversary (Z= −2.11; p= .035, Cohen'sd= .19, 95% CI (.01, .38)). Specifically, those who played paddle tennis and soccer were the ones who obtained the best execution times. The results obtained highlighted that the type of sport practiced could have a differential impact on cognitive development, specifically on selective attention. Keywords: selective attention; cognitive function; exercise; gender.El tipo de deporte practicado determina el nivel de atención selectiva en adultos jóvenes. The type of sport practiced determines the level of selective attention in young adults. O tipo de esporte praticado determina o nível de atenção seletiva em adultos jovens. El propósito principal del presente trabajo fue determinar las diferencias existentes en atención selectiva entre personas que practicaban regularmente diferentes modalidades de actividad físico-deportiva. La muestra estuvo compuesta por un total de 1038 participantes siendo el 68.30% (n=709) mujeres y el 31.70% (n=329) hombres, con edades comprendidas entre 20 y 29 años (M ± DT = 22.54 ± 2.35). Para evaluar la atención selectiva se utilizó un test informatizado de tachado numérico (matriz 5x5), que forma parte del software Procesos Atencionales y que se encuentra alojado en la Plataforma de Evaluación Psicosocial MenPas 1.0. (www.menpas.com). Los resultados pusieron de relieve la existencia de diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los tipos de deporte en el tiempo de ejecución de la prueba realizada. Específicamente, los practicantes de deportes individuales empleaban más tiempo en la ejecución de la tarea que los que realizaban deportes colectivos (Z = −2.46; p = .014, Cohen’s d = .23, 95% CI (.07, .38)) o de adversario (Z = −2.11; p = .035, Cohen’s d = .19, 95% CI (.01, .38)). En concreto, aquellos que jugaban al pádel y al fútbol fueron los que mejores tiempos de ejecución obtuvieron. Los resultados obtenidos pusieron de relieve que la modalidad de deporte practicado podría tener un impacto diferencial en el desarrollo cognitivo, específicamente en la atención selectiva.O objetivo principal deste estudo foi determinar as diferenças na atenção seletiva entre pessoas que praticavam regularmente diferentes formas de atividade físico-esportiva. A amostra foi composta por um total de 1.038 participantes, sendo 68,30% (n=709) mulheres e 31,70% (n=329) homens, com idade entre 20 e 29 anos (M ± DP = 22,54 ± 2,35). Para avaliar a atenção seletiva, foi utilizado um teste numérico computadorizado cruzado (uma matriz 5x5), que faz parte do software Processos de Atenção e está hospedado na Plataforma de Avaliação Psicossocial MenPas 1.0. (www.menpas.com). Os resultados evidenciaram a existência de diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os tipos de esporte no tempo de execução do teste realizado. Especificamente, os praticantes de esportes individuais gastaram mais tempo realizando a tarefa do que aqueles que realizaram esportes coletivos (Z= −2,46; p= 0,014, Cohen'sd= 0,23, IC 95% (0,07, 0,38)) ou adversário (Z = −2,11; p= 0,035, d de Cohen= 0,19, IC de 95% (0,01, 0,38)). Especificamente, aqueles que jogaram paddle e futebol foram os que obtiveram os melhores tempos de execução. Os resultados obtidos destacaram que o tipo de esporte praticado pode ter um impacto diferencial no desenvolvimento cognitivo, especificamente na atenção seletiva. Palavras-chave: atenção seletiva; função cognitiva; exercício; Gênero sexual

O tipo de atividade físico-esportiva praticada determina o nível de atenção dividida em adultos jovens.

This study aims to determine the differences in levels of dividided attention according to the type of physical-sports activity practised. The sample consisted of 610 athletes (66.55% females) aged between 20 and 35 years (M ± DT = 22.53 ± 2.72). Divided attention was assessed using The Circles Test of the Attentional Processes software hosted on the MenPas 1.0 online assessment platform (www.menpas.com). The result show that the practice of collective physical-sport activity was associated with a better score in the Circles Test, with the greatest differences being between collective and individual modalities. These findings suggest that due to the characteristics of these collective physical-sports, they may contribute to improve Development of cognitive abilities such as divided attention.El propósito del presente estudio fue determinar las diferencias en el nivel de atención dividida en función de la modalidad de práctica físico-deportiva realizada. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 610 deportistas (66.55% género femenino), con edades entre 20 y 35 años (M ± DT = 22.53 ± 2.72). Para evaluar la atención dividida se utilizó el Test de Círculos, el cual pertenece al software Procesos Atencionales y que está alojado en la plataforma de evaluación online MenPas 1.0 (www.menpas.com). Los resultados obtenidos pusieron de relieve que la práctica de actividad físico-deportiva de tipo colectiva estuvo asociada a una mejor puntuación en el Test de Círculos, encontrándose las mayores diferencias entre las modalidades colectivas e individuales. Estos hallazgos sugieren que practicar actividades físico-deportivas de tipo colectivo, debido a las características de estos deportes, podría contribuir a un mejor desarrollo de capacidades cognitivas como la atención dividida.O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar as diferenças no nível de atenção dividido de acordo com a modalidade de prática físico-esportiva realizada. A amostra foi composta por 610 atletas (66,55% do sexo feminino), com idade entre 20 e 35 anos (M ± SD = 22,53 ± 2,72). Para avaliar a atenção dividida, foi utilizado o Teste dos Círculos, que pertence ao software Processos de Atenção e está hospedado na plataforma de avaliação online MenPas 1.0 (www.menpas.com). Os resultados obtidos destacaram que a prática de atividade físico-esportiva coletiva esteve associada a uma melhor pontuação no Teste de Círculos, sendo as maiores diferenças encontradas entre as modalidades coletiva e individual. Esses achados sugerem que a prática de atividades físico-esportivas coletivas, devido às características desses esportes, poderia contribuir para um melhor desenvolvimento de habilidades cognitivas como a atenção dividida

mHealth intervention to improve quality of life in patients with chronic diseases during the COVID-19 crisis in Paraguay: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Patients with chronic disease represent an at-risk group in the face of the COVID-19 crisis as they need to regularly monitor their lifestyle and emotional management. Coping with the illness becomes a challenge due to supply problems and lack of access to health care facilities. It is expected these limitations, along with lockdown and social distancing measures, have affected the routine disease management of these patients, being more pronounced in low- and middle-income countries with a flawed health care system. Objectives The purpose of this study is to describe a protocol for a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of the Adhera® MejoraCare Digital Program, an mHealth intervention aimed at improving the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases during the COVID-19 outbreak in Paraguay. Method A two-arm randomized controlled trial will be carried out, with repeated measures (baseline, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month) under two conditions: Adhera® MejoraCare Digital Program or waiting list. The primary outcome is a change in the quality of life on the EuroQol 5-Dimensions 3-Levels Questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L). Other secondary outcomes, as the effect on anxiety and health empowerment, will be considered. All participants must be 18 years of age or older and meet the criteria for chronic disease. A total of 96 participants will be recruited (48 per arm). Conclusions It is expected that the Adhera® MejoraCare Digital Program will show significant improvements in quality of life and emotional distress compared to the waiting list condition. Additionally, it is hypothesized that this intervention will be positively evaluated by the participants in terms of usability and satisfaction. The findings will provide new insights into the viability and efficacy of mHealth solutions for chronic disease management in developing countries and in times of pandemic