University of Cordoba (Spain)

Background Megaoesophagus (ME), a disorder of the oesophagus characterized by diffuse oesophageal dilation and decreased peristalsis that may be congenital or acquired. Knowledge regarding the aetiology and prognosis for canine acquired ME is currently limited with most cases being idiopathic, which is a considerable problem to implement an appropriate treatment and a potential better prognosis. Case presentation A 7-year-old, neutered, female Spanish Water Dog was evaluated for progressive weight loss, chronic vomiting and regurgitation. The patient did not present other clinical signs. The contrast radiography in the cervical zone revealed oesophageal dilation. Eventually, the endoscopy revealed a marked dilation of the oesophagus. A surgery was conducted to insert a gastrotomy feeding tube. Initially, the patient response to this treatment was positive. However, the vomiting and regurgitation reappeared after 8 days. Due to the grim prognosis the owners elected to euthanize the patient. Necropsy revealed severe oesophageal dilation. The histopathological evaluation revealed moderate erosive catarrhal oesophagitis and gastritis. The skeletal muscular layer of the oesophagus showed moderate angular atrophy of some muscular fibres and a severe infiltrate of lymphocytes with marked tropism to autonomous neuronal bodies, some of which showed severe degenerative changes with absence of Nissl corpuscles, pyknotic nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm. The immunohistochemical study revealed that the majority of the infiltrate surrounding neuronal bodies were CD3 + T cells. These findings are consistent with an immune-mediated megaoesophagus. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate surrounding the oesophageal myenteric plexus in an adult dog with no other clinical signs or other myopathies. With these results, the authors hope to raise awareness in the diagnostic of canine ME and include an immune-mediated cause that lean to the establishment of appropriate treatment and improve prognosis of this condition.

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) has classically been considered a regulatory neuropeptide of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, which mediates its anabolic effects through hepatic GH/IGF-I axis. However, during the last decades it has been demonstrated that this key regulatory hormone may be produced in numerous peripheral tissues outside the central nervous system, participating in fundamental physiological functions through a complex balance between its purely endocrine action, and the recently local (autocrine/paracrine) discovered role. Among peripheral sites, its presence in the male and female reproductive systems stands out. In this review, we will first explore the role of the GHRH/GHRH-R hormone axis as a central player in the gonadal function; then, we will discuss available information regarding the presence of GHRH/GHRH-R and the potential physiological roles in reproductive systems of various species; and finally, we will address how reproductive system-related disorders—such as infertility problems, endometriosis, or tumor pathologies (including prostate, or ovarian cancer)—could benefit from hormonal interventions related to the manipulation of the GHRH axis.

Difficult-to-treat-resistant (DTR) infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa represent a global public health threat, prioritizing the search and development of new antibiotics for this microorganism. We present the real-life experience of the compassionate use of imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam in a descriptive study involving 14 patients with DTR-P. aeruginosa infection and limited treatment options. The primary source of infection was skin and soft tissue infection, 57.1% (8/14), followed by respiratory infection-pneumonia, 28.6% (4/14). At the onset of infection, 71.4% (10/14) of patients were in the intensive care unit (ICU). All our patients had a Charlson Score of ≥ 3. Septic shock was observed in 64.3% (9/14) of patients. The median treatment duration was 15 days, and no patient experienced an adverse event that required treatment interruption. All-cause 30-day mortality was observed in 42.9% of cases (6/14), while clinical efficacy and microbiological success were observed in 64.3% (9/14). Imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam may represent a treatment option for patients with DTR-P. aeruginosa infections, which should be validated in prospective clinical trials.

Safe, reliable, and equitable water access is critical for healthy livelihoods. Climate change-related water stress is challenging, and using the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) nexus is an appealing approach for sustainable management. The contribution of this paper is formulating a comprehensive framework integrating water sectors and ecosystems. The paper fills previous gaps in the literature by taking Spain’s Ebro Basin as a case study for evidence to guide science-based policies. Results deliver a framework for measuring the distribution of benefits and costs among sectors and stakeholders. Findings reveal choices that increase stream flows, enhance water security and biodiversity, and reduce climate risks.

Peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) is a multifunctional enzyme involved in phospholipid peroxide repair and metabolism. In this study we investigated the global lipid composition of a human hepatocarcinoma cell line SNU475 lacking PRDX6 and lipid related cellular processes. There was a general decrease in multiple lipids species upon loss of PRDX6, in particular sphingomyelins and acylcarnitines, consistent with previously observed alterations in cell signaling pathways and mitochondrial dysfunction. Deprivation of docosahexaenoic acid and related species was also evident. However, a few striking exceptions are worth highlighting: 1) Three specific arachidonic acid (AA) containing phophatidylcholines (PC) increased significantly. The increase of sn1-stearic/sn2-PUFA containing PC and sn2-AA containing plasmenyls are indicative of a preference of PRDX6 iPLA2 activity for these AA storage glycerophospholipids. 2) Several polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and PUFA containing triacylglycerols accumulated together with increased formation of lipid droplets, an indication of altered FA flux and PUFA sequestration in PRDX6 knockout cells. Loss of PRDX6 resulted in increased sensitivity to erastin-induced ferroptosis, independent of selenium and GPX4, as a consequence of increased levels of lipid hydroperoxides, that reverted to normal levels upon rescue with PRDX6. The results presented demonstrate that all three enzymatic activities of PRDX6 contribute to the role of this multifunctional enzyme in diverse cellular processes, including membrane phospholipid remodeling and glycerophospholipid functional diversity, resulting in altered lipid peroxides and modulation of AA disposition and traffic. These contributions highlight the complexity of the changes that loss of PRDX6 exerts on cell functionality.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has proven effective in cancer patients, reducing common psychological symptoms and improving wellbeing. Moreover, the use of eHealth technologies makes support cheaper and easier to provide. The aim of this systematic review was to collect results on the effectiveness of internet-delivered ACT for common symptoms in cancer patients and survivors. The review follows PRISMA guidance and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022326543). Searches were conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and different web platforms of grey literature. Interventional studies were selected which focused on cancer patients and survivors, were published in English or Spanish, included at least two of the six main ACT components, and were partially or fully delivered through the Internet. The risk of bias was assessed following Cochrane’s recommendations. Eleven records from seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Only one study showed significant reductions in anxiety (reliable change index, RCI ∈ [2.32, 3.47]) and depression (RCI ∈ [2.00, 4.00]). As regards quality of life, significant improvements were observed in certain domains such as cancer-related quality of life (RCI = 2.43), fatigue (d = −0.33), sleep problems (d = −0.53), physical and functional wellbeing (partial η² = .06), and participation in social activities (d = 0.18). ACT processes resulted in significant post-intervention improvements with regard to mindfulness ability and psychological flexibility. Results look promising; however, we believe that limitations such as blinding issues, the heterogeneity of designs and measurement tools, or the use of monetary incentives should be taken into account in future research.

Residential buildings account for a significant share of the total energy consumption in the European Union (EU). With the European Commission estimating that 75% of Europe’s building stock is energy inefficient, renovation of existing buildings is crucial to help reduce global energy consumption and CO2 emissions. This study provides insight into the energy performance of the residential building stock in the most populated city of Andalusia, Seville. The data contained in 45,920 energy performance certificates (EPC) of dwellings were processed and analysed according to the type of dwellings (single-family dwellings and individual dwellings in multi-family blocks), construction period, and their district location. The results obtained revealed that most of the dwellings have a poor energy performance rating (with approximately 66% classified under label E). The districts with the highest percentages of dwellings with the worst-energy performance (EPC “G” and “F”) are D4 Cerro-Amate district (36%) and D2 Macarena district (34%). The bottom-up approach used in this study provides useful information to assess the energy performance of Seville’s residential buildings on the urban scale. These findings can help define renovation strategies and public energy policies targeting districts having buildings with poor energy performance.

The impact of tourism on the behavioural patterns of residential occupants can be significant. Noise generated by tourist activities may restrict the resident ability of adaptation during hot periods (e.g. limiting opening windows). This issue can be even more severe in future climate change scenarios. In this context, the aim of this study is to analyse the impact of restricted natural ventilation practices on sleeping thermal comfort. The analysis focused on the summer period (e.g. July and August) when natural nocturnal ventilation can effectively cool residential spaces. A case study of a dwelling in the Albaicín neighbourhood of Granada was selected for this purpose. Simulations were conducted for both current and future scenarios based on representative concentration pathways (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5). The thermal comfort of the dwelling was assessed using the PMV model adapted for the night-time conditions. The findings indicate that limiting natural night ventilation leads to an increase in hours of thermal discomfort. For all future scenarios, the values obtained indicate that the percentage of hours of sleeping thermal discomfort is higher compared to the current scenario.

Species distributed across wide elevational gradients are likely to experience local thermal adaptation and exhibit high thermal plasticity, as these gradients are characterised by steep environmental changes over short geographic distances (i.e., strong selection differentials). The prevalence of adaptive intraspecific variation in thermal tolerance with elevation remains unclear, however, particularly in freshwater taxa. We explored variation in upper and lower thermal limits and acclimation capacity among Iberian populations of adults of the widespread water beetle Agabus bipustulatus (Dytiscidae) across a 2000 m elevational gradient, from lowland to alpine areas. Since mean and extreme temperatures decline with elevation, we predicted that populations at higher elevations will show lower heat tolerance and higher cold tolerance than lowland ones. We also explored whether acclimation capacity is positively related with climatic variability across elevations. We found significant variation in thermal limits between populations of A. bipustulatus , but no evidence of local adaptation to different thermal conditions across the altitudinal gradient, as relationships between thermal limits and elevation or climatic variables were largely nonsignificant. Furthermore, plasticities of both upper and lower thermal limits were consistently low in all populations. These results suggest thermal niche conservatism in this species, likely due to gene flow counteracting the effects of divergent selection, or adaptations in other traits that buffer exposure to climate extremes. The limited adaptive potential and plasticity of thermal tolerance observed in A. bipustulatus suggest that even generalist species, distributed across wide environmental gradients, may have limited resilience to global warming.

Background The herd age structure, i.e., distribution of sows within a farm based on their parity number, and its management are essential to optimizing farm reproductive efficiency. The objective of this study is to define different types of herd age structure using data from 623 Spanish commercial sow farms. Additionally, this study aims to determine which type of herd age structure can enhance reproductive efficiency at the farm level. Results Farms are classified into three groups according to the quadratic function fitted to the percentage of sows by parities. This classification unveils three types of herd structures: type 1 (HS1) exhibits a concave-downward trend, with a higher percentage of sows in intermediate parities (mean of 45.5% sows between the 3rd to 5th parity); type 2 (HS2) presents a trend curve that is close to a straight line, with a gradual decrease in the percentage of sows per parity (approximately 2% loss of sows census per parity); and type 3 (HS3) shows an upward concave trend curve, with an increase in the percentage of sows in later parities (19.0% of sows between 7th and ≥ 8th parity). Parametric tests assess productivity differences between the three types of herd structures ( p < 0.01). HS1 farms have the best productive outcomes over a year, with 31.2 piglets weaned per sow and year (PWSY) and a farrowing rate of 87%, surpassing HS2 and HS3 farms (30.1 and 28.7 PWSY; 85.3% and 83.4% farrowing rates, respectively). HS1 also have the lowest percentage of sows returning to oestrus (11.8%) and the highest number of weaned piglets per litter (12.8), compared to HS2 (13.2% and 12.4 piglets weaned) and HS3 (15.1%, 11.9 piglets weaned). These differences show a medium effect size (η ² between 0.06 to < 0.14). Conclusions This study shows the importance of herd age structure on sow-breeding farms as a factor of reproductive efficiency. The results endorse the proposed classification based on the curvature of the trend parabola obtained with the quadratic function to categorize herd structures into three groups. Additionally, these findings highlight the importance of considering the herd age structure in farm decision-making.

Background Cannabis use and familial vulnerability to psychosis have been associated with social cognition deficits. This study examined the potential relationship between cannabis use and cognitive biases underlying social cognition and functioning in patients with first episode psychosis (FEP), their siblings, and controls. Methods We analyzed a sample of 543 participants with FEP, 203 siblings, and 1168 controls from the EU-GEI study using a correlational design. We used logistic regression analyses to examine the influence of clinical group, lifetime cannabis use frequency, and potency of cannabis use on cognitive biases, accounting for demographic and cognitive variables. Results FEP patients showed increased odds of facial recognition processing (FRP) deficits (OR = 1.642, CI 1.123–2.402) relative to controls but not of speech illusions (SI) or jumping to conclusions (JTC) bias, with no statistically significant differences relative to siblings. Daily and occasional lifetime cannabis use were associated with decreased odds of SI (OR = 0.605, CI 0.368–0.997 and OR = 0.646, CI 0.457–0.913 respectively) and JTC bias (OR = 0.625, CI 0.422–0.925 and OR = 0.602, CI 0.460–0.787 respectively) compared with lifetime abstinence, but not with FRP deficits, in the whole sample. Within the cannabis user group, low-potency cannabis use was associated with increased odds of SI (OR = 1.829, CI 1.297–2.578, FRP deficits (OR = 1.393, CI 1.031–1.882, and JTC (OR = 1.661, CI 1.271–2.171) relative to high-potency cannabis use, with comparable effects in the three clinical groups. Conclusions Our findings suggest increased odds of cognitive biases in FEP patients who have never used cannabis and in low-potency users. Future studies should elucidate this association and its potential implications.

The antiprogesterone RU486 injected on proestrus to cyclic rats advances the preovulatory surge of LH, resulting in a 3-day estrous cycle. To ascertain whether proestrous progesterone secretion regulates ovulation by synchronizing the functions of the ovary, the pituitary and the hypothalamus, in this study the effects of RU486 (4 mg/0.2 ml oil/s.c.) at 09:00 h on proestrus (day 1), on LHRH secretion into the pituitary stalk blood vessels and on peripheral plasma concentrations of LH and 17β-estradiol at 10:00 h and at 18:00 h on each day of the estrous cycle, have been investigated. Control rats present the expected surges of LHRH and LH at 18:00 h on day 1 and a second increase in LHRH but no LH secretion was found in the afternoon of day 2. RU486 decreases both LHRH and LH surges in the afternoon of day 1, while it increases plasma concentrations of LHRH and LH in the morning of day 2. During the rest of the estrous cycle RU486-injected rats show high basal secretion of LH in comparison to controls, and at 18:00 h of day 4 advanced preovulatory surges of both LHRH and LH are present in RU486-injected rats. In relation to 17β-estradiol concentrations, RU486 injection increases those on day 3 and induces an advanced preovulatory surge of 17β-estradiol in the morning of day 4. These results show that, in the 4-day cyclic rat, the 24 hours-shortening of the estrous cycle induced by the antiprogesterone RU486 is due to the enhanced secretion of estrogen during the days of metestrus and dicstrus, which stimulates the release of a surge of LHRH in the afternoon of diestrus and this, in turn, induces the advanced preovulatory surge of LH.

The HEALTHYBACK trial is based on a multimodal intervention to determine the effectiveness of a supervised physical exercise, mindfulness, behaviour change and pain neuroscience education programme on several health variables in individuals with chronic primary low back pain (CPLBP). The study will be a randomised controlled trial among 70 individuals diagnosed with CPLBP (aged 18–65 years). The intervention will be conducted in person within a hospital setting for 16 weeks and comprises a first phase (16 sessions supervised physical exercise (2 days/week, 45 min/session), mindfulness (1 day/week, 2.5 hours/session), behaviour change (daily/24 hours via a wrist-worn activity prompting device) and pain neuroscience education (1 day/biweekly, 2 hours/session)) and a second phase (16 sessions functional full-body muscle strengthening exercise, 3 days/week, 50 min/session). The primary outcomes will include perceived acute pain, pain pressure threshold, conditioned pain modulation, temporal summation of pain and disability due to pain. Secondary measures will include physical fitness, body composition, gait parameters, device-measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour, haematological profile, self-reported sedentary behaviour, quality of life, pain catastrophising, mental health, sleep duration and quality, and symptoms related to central sensitisation. The groups will undergo pretest (before the intervention), post-test (after each phase of the intervention) and retest (at a 6-week detraining period after the intervention) measurements. The results will determine the effectiveness of multidimensional interventions on several health parameters in individuals with CPLBP. They will provide knowledge for pain management and functioning in affected individuals, which might diminish the need for primary healthcare services. Trial registration number: NCT06114264 .

The increment in the energy demand and the limited availability of materials for manufacturing large‐scale energy storage batteries based on Li‐ion chemistry has increased the study of alternative technologies, including Na‐ion batteries. The quest for superior electrochemical performances has led to the development new cathodes, such as Prussian blue and its analogs. Among the different members of this family of materials, KNi[Fe(CN)6] has attracted great attraction because of its low synthesis cost and excellent stability. Multiple synthesis approaches based on coprecipitation methods have been explored to optimize its capacity to intercalate sodium; however, the effects of the synthesis conditions on the structural and electrochemical properties of KNi[Fe(CN)6] remain vague. Therefore, in this work, we propose a detailed analysis of how the main synthesis parameters define the structural and electrochemical properties of KNi[Fe(CN)6].

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of man-made chemicals, possess unique properties that have rendered them indispensable in various industries and consumer goods. However, their extensive use and persistence in the environment have raised concerns about their potential repercussions on human health and the ecosystem. This review provides insights into the sources, occurrence, transformation, impacts, fate, monitoring, and remediation strategies for PFAS. Once released into the environment, these chemicals undergo intricate transformation processes, such as degradation, bioaccumulation, and biomagnification, which result in their far-reaching distribution and persistence. Their chemical stability results in persistent pollution, with far-reaching ecological and human health implications. Remediation strategies for PFAS are still in their infancy, and researchers are exploring innovative and sustainable methods for treating contaminated environments. Promising technologies such as adsorption, biodegradation, and electrochemical oxidation have shown the potential to remove PFAS from contaminated sites, yet the search for more efficient and sustainable solutions continues. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the urgent need for continued research and innovation to address the global environmental challenge posed by PFAS. As we move forward, it is imperative to prioritize sustainable solutions that minimize the detrimental consequences of these substances on human health and the environment.

Background/Objectives: This study aims to investigate the association of movement behaviors with irisin, sclerostin, and bone turnover markers in young pediatric cancer survivors. Methods: A total of 116 young pediatric cancer survivors (12.1 ± 3.3 years; 42% female) were recruited. Time spent in movement behaviors over at least seven consecutive 24 h periods was measured by accelerometers (wGT3x-BT accelerometer, ActiGraph). Blood samples were collected at rest and serum was analyzed for irisin, sclerostin, cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), procollagen type I amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP), total osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium. Results: Irisin and sclerostin were not significantly correlated with bone turnover markers. Sedentary time was negatively correlated with the P1NP (r = −0.411, p = 0.027) and total OC (r = −0.479, p = 0.015) Z-scores, whereas moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was positively correlated with the P1NP (r = 0.418, p = 0.024) and total OC (r = 0.478, p = 0.016) Z-scores. Moreover, total physical activity was positively correlated with the total OC Z-score (r = 0.448, p = 0.025). Finally, the uncoupling index [CTX/P1NP] was positively correlated with sedentary time (r = 0.424, p = 0.012) and negatively correlated with light physical activity (r = −0.352, 0.041). Conclusions: Reducing sedentary time and increasing physical activity may favor bone formation over resorption in young pediatric cancer survivors.

Three‐dimensional carbon xerogels were synthesised via a facile approach that included the use of ZnO nanostructures both as a templating agent and as a catalyst for resorcinol–formaldehyde resin (R−F) polymerisation simultaneously. Graphene oxide (GO) served as a stabilising agent during the drying and pyrolysis processes, avoiding the collapse of structure and improving the area surface. The method enabled the as‐obtained materials to possess optimised 3D porous structures for energy‐storage devices, such as wires or spaghetti‐like structures. Also, a high BET surface area was obtained (1661 m² g⁻¹) without using an additional activating agent. This great surface area improved the specific capacitance compared to materials without GO (358.1 F g⁻¹ vs 170.4 F g⁻¹). The carbon‐containing devices derived from resorcinol‐formaldehyde resin, GO, and Zn oxide showed better performance than the devices without GO. In particular, the sample that contained 2.5 % of GO in the synthesis showed a specific capacitance of 166.6 F g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹ and remained at ∼120 F g⁻¹ at 5 A g⁻¹ current density. Also, it showed interesting energy density values at 0.5 A g⁻¹ (14.8 Wh kg⁻¹) and a power density of 200.7 W kg⁻¹. This reveals that the synthesis process made it possible to obtain composite materials with large surface areas without using a supercritical drying process. The materials can be used in supercapacitor‐type devices with high performance in aqueous electrolytes.

The objective was to evaluate the evolution of the population structure, reproductive performance, inbreeding, and genetic diversity in Charolais cattle. Official genealogical information from the Ecuadorian Charolais Association was divided into five populations: (a) historical (total), (b) 2008–2012 (natural mating period), (c) 2013–2017 (natural mating + artificial insemination period), (d) 2018–2022 (artificial insemination + embryo transfer period), and (e) the reference (known sires and dams) from which the population structure was evaluated using pedigree completeness and the generation interval (GI). Meanwhile, for genetic diversity (GD), inbreeding (F), average relatedness (AR), and the effective population size (Ne) were estimated. The gene origin probability (number of founders, effective number of founders/ancestors, and number of founder genomes) explaining genetic variability, reproductive efficiency, the number of offspring per sire and dam, and the average ages of parents at the birth of their offspring were determined. The database was analyzed using the ENDOG, POPREP, and CFC software programs. The results indicate that pedigree completeness and the GI decreased over time among populations, although the first generation showed higher values. The sire gametic pathway was greater in all populations. F increased over time, although not markedly. Although Ne variations were observed, the levels remained above the recommended limit value. The GD loss increased progressively over time although the most recent population was not significantly affected. Finally, the female reproductive efficiency increased over time as well. In conclusion, the Charolais cattle GI should be reduced. After 2012, the use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies and breeding schemes raised the GD loss. Finally, the F increased over time although it could be reduced using foreign genetic resources in the current Ecuadorian Charolais population.