A comparison of parametric models for mortality graduation. Application to mortality data of the Valencia Region

[EN] The parametric graduation of mortality data has as its objective the satisfactory estimation of the death rates based on mortality data but using an age-dependent function whose parameters are adjusted from the crude rates obtainable directly from the data. This paper proposes a revision of the most commonly used parametric methods and compares the results obtained with each of them when they are applied to the mortality data for the Valencia Region. As a result of the comparison, we conclude that the Gompertz-Makeham functions estimated by means of generalized linear models lead to the best results. Our working method is of additional interest for being applicable to mortality data for a wide range of ages from any geographical conditions, allowing us to select the most appropriate life table for the case in hand.Debón Aucejo, AM.; Montes-Suay, F.; Sala-Garrido, R. (2005). A comparison of parametric models for mortality graduation. Application to mortality data of the Valencia Region. SORT. Statistics and Operations Research Transactions. 29(2):269-288. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/147780S26928829

Blood Phytosterol Concentration and Genetic Variant Associations in a Sample Population

The main objective of this study was to determine plasma levels of PS and to study SNVs rs41360247, rs4245791, rs4148217, and rs11887534 of ABCG8 and the r657152 SNV at the ABO blood group locus in a sample of a population treated at our hospital, and to determine whether these SNVs are related to plasma PS concentrations. The secondary objective was to establish the variables associated with plasma PS concentrations in adults. Participants completed a dietary habit questionnaire and a blood sample was collected to obtain the following variables: campesterol, sitosterol, sitostanol, lanosterol, stigmasterol, biochemical parameters, and the SNVs. In addition, biometric and demographic variables were also recorded. In the generalized linear model, cholesterol and age were positively associated with total PS levels, while BMI was negatively related. For rs4245791, homozygous T allele individuals showed a significantly lower campesterol concentration compared with C homozygotes, and the GG alleles of rs657152 had the lowest levels of campesterol compared with the other alleles of the SNV. Conclusions: The screening of certain SNVs could help prevent the increase in plasma PS and maybe PNALD in some patients. However, further studies on the determinants of plasma phytosterol concentrations are needed

Release of targeted protein nanoparticles from functional bacterial amyloids : A death star-like approach

Altres ajuts: we are indebted to CIBER de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (projects NANOREMOTE and VENOM4CANCER) to EV and AV respectively, Marató de TV3 foundation (TV32013-132031) and CIBER (NanoMets3) to RM. Protein production has been partially performed by the ICTS "NANBIOSIS", more specifically by the Protein Production Platform of CIBER in Bioengineering, Biomaterials & Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN)/IBB, at the UAB SepBioES scientific-technical service (http://www.nanbiosis.es/unit/u1-protein-production-platform-ppp/), whereas the in vivo biodistribution assays were performed in the NANBIOSIS Nanotoxicology platform (http://www.nanbiosis.es/unit/u18-nanotoxicology-unit/). We are also indebted to Fran Cortes from the Cell Culture and Cytometry Units of the Servei de Cultius Cel·lulars, Producció d'Anticossos i Citometria (SCAC), and to the Servei de Microscòpia at the UAB. AV received an ICREA ACADEMIA award. U.U received a Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship from ISCIII, MVC was supported by Miguel Servet contract from ISCIII, and JSF received and AECC postdoctoral fellowship.Sustained release of drug delivery systems (DDS) has the capacity to increase cancer treatment efficiency in terms of drug dosage reduction and subsequent decrease of deleterious side effects. In this regard, many biomaterials are being investigated but none offers morphometric and functional plasticity and versatility comparable to protein-based nanoparticles (pNPs). Here we describe a new DDS by which pNPs are fabricated as bacterial inclusion bodies (IB), that can be easily isolated, subcutaneously injected and used as reservoirs for the sustained release of targeted pNPs. Our approach combines the high performance of pNP, regarding specific cell targeting and biodistribution with the IB supramolecular organization, stability and cost effectiveness. This renders a platform able to provide a sustained source of CXCR4-targeted pNPs that selectively accumulate in tumor cells in a CXCR4 colorectal cancer xenograft model. In addition, the proposed system could be potentially adapted to any other protein construct offering a plethora of possible new therapeutic applications in nanomedicine

Engineering secretory amyloids for remote and highly selective destruction of metastatic foci

Altres ajuts: to EU COST Action CA 17140Functional amyloids produced in bacteria as nanoscale inclusion bodies are intriguing but poorly explored protein materials with wide therapeutic potential. Since they release functional polypeptides under physiological conditions, these materials can be potentially tailored as mimetic of secretory granules for slow systemic delivery of smart protein drugs. To explore this possibility, bacterial inclusion bodies formed by a self-assembled, tumor-targeted Pseudomonas exotoxin (PE24) are administered subcutaneously in mouse models of human metastatic colorectal cancer, for sustained secretion of tumor-targeted therapeutic nanoparticles. These proteins are functionalized with a peptidic ligand of CXCR4, a chemokine receptor overexpressed in metastatic cancer stem cells that confers high selective cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. In the mouse models of human colorectal cancer, time-deferred anticancer activity is detected after the subcutaneous deposition of 500 µg of PE24-based amyloids, which promotes a dramatic arrest of tumor growth in the absence of side toxicity. In addition, long-term prevention of lymphatic, hematogenous, and peritoneal metastases is achieved. These results reveal the biomedical potential and versatility of bacterial inclusion bodies as novel tunable secretory materials usable in delivery, and they also instruct how therapeutic proteins, even with high functional and structural complexity, can be packaged in this convenient format

Longitudinal association of dietary acid load with kidney function decline in an older adult population with metabolic syndrome

Background: Diets high in acid load may contribute to kidney function impairment. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary acid load and 1-year changes in glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR). Methods: Older adults with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (mean age 65 ± 5 years, 48% women) from the PREDIMED-Plus study who had available data on eGFR (n = 5,874) or UACR (n = 3,639) at baseline and after 1 year of follow-up were included in this prospective analysis. Dietary acid load was estimated as potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP) at baseline from a food frequency questionnaire. Linear and logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate the associations between baseline tertiles of dietary acid load and kidney function outcomes. One year-changes in eGFR and UACR were set as the primary outcomes. We secondarily assessed ≥ 10% eGFR decline or ≥10% UACR increase. Results: After multiple adjustments, individuals in the highest tertile of PRAL or NEAP showed higher one-year changes in eGFR (PRAL, β: -0.64 ml/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI: -1.21 to -0.08 and NEAP, β: -0.56 ml/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI: -1.13 to 0.01) compared to those in the lowest category. No associations with changes in UACR were found. Participants with higher levels of PRAL and NEAP had significantly higher odds of developing ≥10% eGFR decline (PRAL, OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.07-1.54 and NEAP, OR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.03-1.50) and ≥10 % UACR increase (PRAL, OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.04-1.46) compared to individuals with lower dietary acid load. Conclusions: Higher PRAL and NEAP were associated with worse kidney function after 1 year of follow-up as measured by eGFR and UACR markers in an older Spanish population with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome. Keywords: albuminuria; chronic kidney disease (CKD); dietary acid load; glomerular filtration rate (GFR); kidney function; net endogenous acid production (NEAP); potential renal acid load (PRAL); renal nutrition

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the PREDIMED-Plus randomized clinical trial: Effects on the interventions, participants follow-up, and adiposity

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the implementation of most ongoing clinical trials worldwide including the PREDIMED-Plus study. The PREDIMED-Plus is an ongoing, multicenter, controlled intervention trial, aimed at weight-loss and cardiovascular disease prevention, in which participants were randomized (1:1 ratio) to an intervention group (energy-reduced Mediterranean diet, promotion of physical activity, and behavioral support) or to a control group (Mediterranean diet with usual care advice). When the pandemic began, the trial was in the midst of the planned intervention. The objective of this report was to examine the effects of the pandemic on the delivery of the intervention and to describe the strategies established to mitigate the possible adverse effects of the pandemic lockdown on data collection and adiposity. Methods: We assessed the integrity of the PREDIMED-Plus trial during 5 identified periods of the COVID-19 pandemic determined according to restrictions dictated by the Spanish government authorities. A standardized questionnaire was delivered to each of the 23 PREDIMED-Plus recruiting centers to collected data regarding the trial integrity. The effect of the restrictions on intervention components (diet, physical activity) was evaluated with data obtained in the three identified lockdown phases: pre lockdown, lockdown proper, and post lockdown. Results: During the lockdown (March/2020-June/2021), 4,612 participants (48% women, mean age 65y) attended pre-specified yearly follow-up visits to receive lifestyle recommendations and obtain adiposity measures. The overall mean (SD) of the proportions reported by each center showed that 40.4% (25.4) participants had in-person visits, 39.8% (18.2) participants were contacted by telephone and 35% (26.3) by electronic means. Participants' follow-up and data collection rates increased across lockdown periods (from ≈10% at onset to ≈80% at the end). Compared to pre-lockdown, waist circumference increased during (0.75 cm [95% CI: 0.60-0.91]) and after (0.72 cm [95% CI: 0.56-0.89]) lockdown. Body weight did not change during lockdown (0.01 kg [95% CI: -0.10 to 0.13) and decreased after lockdown (-0.17 kg [95% CI: -0.30 to -0.04]). Conclusion: Mitigating strategies to enforce the intervention and patient's follow-up during lockdown have been successful in preserving the integrity of the trial and ensuring its continuation, with minor effects on adiposity. Clinical trial registration: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN89898870, identifier ISRCTN89898870. Keywords: COVID-19; Mediterraean diet; PREDIMED-Plus; clinical trial; lockdown; weight-loss. Copyright © 2023 Paz-Graniel, Fitó, Ros, Buil-Cosiales, Corella, Babio, Martínez, Alonso-Gómez, Wärnberg, Vioque, Romaguera, López-Miranda, Estruch, Tinahones, Lapetra, Serra-Majem, Bueno-Cavanillas, Tur, Martín-Sánchez, Pintó, Gaforio, Matía-Martín, Vidal, Vázquez, Daimiel, García-Gavilán, Toledo, Nishi, Sorlí, Castañer, García-Ríos, García de la Hera, Barón-López, Ruiz-Canela, Morey, Casas, Garrido-Garrido, Tojal-Sierra, Fernández-García, Vázquez-Ruiz, Fernández-Carrión, Goday, Peña-Orihuela, Compañ-Gabucio, Schröder, Martínez-Gonzalez and Salas-Salvadó. Conflict of interest statement The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest

La incertidumbre de los resultados en las ligas española, inglesa e italiana (2008/09) mediante el rating ELO

RESUMEN En numerosas ocasiones se discute si una determinada liga es la mejor de Europa o si es otra, pero muchas veces ese concepto de “mejor” queda indefinido y se basa en elementos subjetivos o apreciaciones. El objetivo de este trabajo es comparar las ligas, española, inglesa e italiana, utilizando el rating ELO para poder determinar cual de las ligas es más homogénea en términos de equilibrio entre los equipos.El interés de una liga depende en gran parte de que exista incertidumbre en el resultado, es decir, lo que viene a denominarse como balance competitivo entre los equipos que la forman, ya que si no es así, la competición pierde interés en la medida en que el resultado es demasiado prfevisible, es decir, que los “buenos” equipos siempre vencen a los restantes, con lo que se perjudica al espectáculo y por tanto, las ganancias que reportan los ingresos, especialmente los televisivos.ABSTRACT It is often discussed whether a particular football league (soccer in America) is the best league. However, the term 'best' is often indefinite and based on subjective elements. The aim of this study is to compare the Spanish, English and Italian leagues by using the ELO rating system to determine which league is more homogeneous in terms of balance between the teams. The level of interest in a league largely depends on the uncertainty of outcome or the competitive balance between the teams. If there is a competitive imbalance between the teams then the competition loses interest because the expected results coincide with the real results, namely the 'top' teams always win against the others. This can damage the spectacle, and therefore the earnings produced – especially in the case of television

Una metodología para la selección de las tolerancias en el análisis de eficiencia con DEA

Una de las técnicas empleadas para la incorporación de la incertidumbre en el análisis de la eficiencia de un conjunto de DMUs a través de la metodología DEA, es la utilización de las tolerancias o posibles variaciones en los inputs y en los outputs seleccionados en el problema.La determinación de los valores de las tolerancias es uno de los puntos críticos del proceso, dada la subjetividad a la que está expuesto. Es evidente que la determinación arbitraria de las tolerancias condicionarían los resultados pudiendo derivarse errores o conclusiones inviables, alejadas de la realidad.En este trabajo se presenta un procedimiento para seleccionar dichas variaciones, comprobando que otras selecciones conducen a peores resultados en el comportamiento de los scores resultantes

Eficiencia técnica en la depuración de aguas residuales: El caso de la comunidad valenciana

Dada la importancia creciente de la reutilización de aguas residuales como fuente alternativa de recursos hídricos en muchos ámbitos territoriales, el objetivo de este trabajo consiste en analizar el funcionamiento de las plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales en términos de su eficiencia. Para el cálculo de las medidas de eficiencia se utiliza una metodología Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Mediante el uso de técnicas de programación matemática se obtiene un índice de eficiencia para cada planta fijándose como objetivo la minimización del conjunto de los inputs utilizados en el proceso de depuración. Este indicador se utiliza como referencia para caracterizar la actividad de estas instalaciones a través de un análisis de varianza (ANOVA) y haciendo uso de una serie de variables tales como el tamaño de planta o la estructura de costes. Dada la relevancia de los tratamientos de aguas residuales en el marco de la Comunidad Valenciana se lleva a cabo un estudio empírico para 338 plantas situadas en este espacio territorial