Cetacean passive acoustic network in the Belgian part of the North sea.

In 2016, a design for detecting harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in the Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS) was developed in the framework of the LifeWatch project using Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) loggers. In 2018, the network of deployments fully matured, and eight locations across the BPNS are presently housed with a C-POD (Chelonia Ltd., UK), a PAM logger moored on the seafloor using a multi-use platform. The PAM logger continuously listens for harbor porpoise click trains, but only stores the click parameters. This paper presents the generated data series of harbor porpoise click trains at a minute-resolution and the details on the individual click trains. The field recordings, methodology and processing are described, along with its data curation, integration and quality control. The data are annually published online in a standardized format, accompanied with the metadata description, and labelled with a digital object identifier for traceability. Data are published under a CC-BY license, allowing the use of data under the condition of providing reference to the original source.

Assembled genome of an Ethiopian Plasmodium vivax isolate generated using GridION long-read technology.

Plasmodium vivax causes ~20% of malaria cases in Ethiopia. Here, we report a long-read genome assembly generated from an individual collected in 2022. P. vivax is genetically diverse across endemic regions; thus, the genome assembly of an African isolate is an important resource for the malaria research community.

IA-Body Composition CT at T12 in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Diagnosing Sarcopenia and Correlating with Other Morphofunctional Assessment Techniques.

BACKGROUND: Body composition (BC) techniques, including bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIVA), nutritional ultrasound® (NU), and computed tomography (CT), can detect nutritional diagnoses such as sarcopenia (Sc). Sc in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is associated with greater severity and lower survival. Our aim was to explore the correlation of BIVA, NU and functional parameters with BC at T12 level CT scans in patients with IPF but also its relationship with degree of Sc, malnutrition and mortality. METHODS: This bicentric cross-sectional study included 60 IPF patients (85.2% male, 70.9 ± 7.8 years). Morphofunctional assessment (MFA) techniques included BIVA, NU, CT at T12 level (T12-CT), handgrip strength, and timed up and go. CT data were obtained using FocusedON®. Statistical analysis was conducted using JAMOVI version 2.3.22 to determine the cutoff points for Sc in T12-CT and to analyze correlations with other MFA techniques. RESULTS: the cutoff for muscle area in T12-CT was ≤77.44 cm2 (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.734, sensitivity = 41.7%, specificity = 100%). The skeletal muscle index (SMI_T12CT) cutoff was ≤24.5 cm2/m2 (AUC = 0.689, sensitivity = 66.7%, specificity = 66.7%). Low SMI_T12CT exhibited significantly reduced median survival and higher risk of mortality compared to those with normal muscle mass (SMI cut off ≥ 28.8 cm/m2). SMI_T12CT was highly correlated with body cell mass from BIVA (r = 0.681) and rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RF-CSA) from NU (r = 0.599). Cronbach's α for muscle parameters across different MFA techniques and CT was 0.735, confirming their validity for evaluating muscle composition. CONCLUSIONS: T12-CT scan is a reliable technique for measuring low muscle mass in patients with IPF, specifically when the L3 vertebrae are not captured. An SMI value of <28.8 is a good predictor of low lean mass and 12-month mortality in IPF patients.

Biantennary N-glycans As Receptors for MARTX Toxins in Vibrio Pathogenesis.

Multifunctional Autoprocessing Repeats-in-Toxin (MARTX) toxins are a diverse effector delivery platform of many Gram-negative bacteria that infect mammals, insects, and aquatic animal hosts. The mechanisms by which these toxins recognize host cell receptors for translocation of toxic effectors into the cell have remained elusive. Here, we map the first surface receptor-binding domain of a MARTX toxin from the highly lethal foodborne pathogen Vibrio vulnificus. This domain corresponds to a 273-amino acid sequence with predicted symmetrical immunoglobulin-like folds. We demonstrate that this domain binds internal N-acetylglucosamine on complex biantennary N-glycans with select preference for L1CAM and other N-glycoproteins with multiple N-glycans on host cell surfaces. This receptor binding domain is essential for V. vulnificus pathogenesis during intestinal infection. The identification of a highly conserved motif universally present as part of all N-glycans correlates with the V. vulnificus MARTX toxin boasting broad specificity and targeting nearly all cell types.

Influence of previous COVID-19 exposure and vaccine type (CoronaVac, ChAdOx1 nCov-19 or BNT162b2) on antibody and cytokine (Th1 or Th2) responses.

To achieve global herd immunity, widespread vaccination is the most effective strategy. Vaccines stimulate the immune system, generating cytokines and chemokines, isotype antibodies, and neutralizing antibodies; all these molecules collectively provide a more comprehensive characterization of the immune response post-vaccination. We conducted a longitudinal study in northwestern Mexico, involving 120 individuals before vaccination and after the first dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and 46 individuals after their second dose. Our findings reveal that antibody levels stabilize over time; cytokine levels generally increase following the first dose but decrease after the second dose and higher than normal levels in IgG1 and IgG3 concentrations are present. Most of the innate cytokines determined in this study were higher after the first dose of the vaccine. Regardless of previous infection history, this finding suggests that the first dose of the vaccine is crucial and may stimulate immunity by enhancing the innate immune response. Conversely, increased levels of IL-4, indicative of a Th2 response, were found in individuals without prior exposure to the virus and in those vaccinated with CoronaVac. These results suggest that the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines is multi-faceted, with preexisting immunity potentiating a more robust innate response. Vaccine type plays a critical role, with genetic vaccines favoring a Th1 response and inactivated vaccines like CoronaVac skewing toward a Th2 profile.

Clinical characteristics and severity markers in hospitalized COVID-19 patients from western Mexico: a comparative analysis of Delta and Omicron variants.

Introduction: COVID-19 is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a virus notable for its rapid mutation rate, which has led to the emergence of various variants such as Delta and Omicron, each with potentially different levels of transmissibility and virulence. Therefore, this study aims to compare clinical charactheristics and markers associated with the severity of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients from western Mexico who were infected with the Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 66 patients hospitalized for COVID-19, diagnosed by RT-qPCR. SARS-CoV-2 variants were identified through whole genome sequencing using the COVIDseq platform from Illumina. Upon admission, patients underwent a clinical history assessment, blood gas analysis, and blood biometry. Additionally, several tests and markers were measured, including the percentage of neutralizing antibodies, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), and ferritin. Results and discussion: Patients hospitalized with the Omicron were found to be older, compared to those infected with the Delta (64 vs. 54 years, p = 0.006). Additionally, a higher proportion of male patients were observed in the Omicron compared to the Delta (p = 0.029). Both Omicron and Delta variants were associated with lymphopenia, although the lymphocyte count was lower in Omicron (0.9 vs. 0.56 10x3/L; p = 0.007). The COVID-GRAM scale indicated a high risk for severe disease in both groups, but the score was higher in Omicron compared to Delta (157 vs. 128 points; p = 0.0004). Patients infected with Omicron exhibited a lower percentage of neutralizing antibodies than those with Delta (35.99 vs. 81%; p < 0.05), regardless of their vaccination status. Among the markers assessed, globular ESR was found to be lower in Omicron compared to Delta (30.5 vs. 41.5 mm/h; p = 0.001), while ferritin levels were higher in patients infected with the Omicron (1,359 vs. 960.6 µg/L; p = 0.007). In patients with severe COVID-19, markers such as lymphopenia, neutralizing antibody levels, ferritin, and COVID-GRAM scores are elevated in the Omicron variant, while only the leukocyte count and ESR for the Delta variant.

Temporal assessment of Gross alpha emissions from the petroleum industry in Tenerife, Canary Islands (2001-2022).

A ca. 76% decrease in gross alpha activity levels, measured in surface aerosols collected in the city of Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain), has been explained in the present study in connection with the reduction of activities, and eventual closure, of an oil refinery in the city. Gross Alpha in surface aerosols, collected at weekly intervals over a period of 22 years (2001-2022), was used for the analysis. The dynamic behaviour of the gross alpha time series was studied using statistical wavelet, multifractal analysis, empirical decomposition method, multivariate analysis, principal component, and cluster analyses approaches. This was performed to separate the impact of other sources of alpha emitting radionuclides influencing the gross alpha levels at this site. These in-depth analyses revealed a noteworthy shift in the dynamic behaviour of the gross alpha levels following the refinery's closure in 2013. This analysis also attributed fluctuations and trends in the gross alpha levels to factors such as the 2008 global economic crisis and the refinery's gradual reduction of activity leading up to its closure. The mixed-model approach, incorporating multivariate regression and autoregressive integrated moving average methods, explained approximately 84% of the variance of the gross alpha levels. Finally, this work underscored the marked reduction in alpha activity levels following the refinery's closure, alongside the decline of other pollutants (CO, SO2, NO, NO2, Benzene, Toluene and Xylene) linked to the primary industrial activity in the municipality of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.

Urinary GM2AP coincides with renal cortical damage and grades cisplatin nephrotoxicity severity in rats.

Nephrotoxicity, including electrolytic disorders and acute kidney injury (AKI), limits the clinical dosage and utility of platinated antineoplastics such as cisplatin. Cisplatin nephrotoxicity embodies a tubulopathy involving the medullary S2 and S3 segments of the proximal and the distal tubules. Higher dosage extends damage over the cortical S1 segment and intensifies overall injury. However, the standard diagnosis based on plasma creatinine as well as novel injury biomarkers lacks enough pathophysiological specificity. Further granularity in the detection of renal injury would help understand the implications of individual damage patterns needed for personalized patient handling. In this article, we studied the association of urinary ganglioside GM2 activator protein (GM2AP) with the patterns of tubular damage produced by 5 and 10 mg/kg cisplatin in rats. Our results show that GM2AP appears in the urine only following damage to the cortical segment of the proximal tubule. The information provided by GM2AP is not redundant with but distinct and complementary to that provided by urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). Similarly, treatment with 150 mg/kg/day gentamicin damages the renal cortex and increases GM2AP urinary excretion; whereas renal ischemia, which does not affect the cortex, has no effect on GM2AP. Because of the key role of the cortical proximal tubule in renal function, we contend GM2AP as a potential diagnostic biomarker to stratify AKI patients according to the underlying damage and follow their evolution and prognosis. Prospectively, urinary GM2AP may help grade the severity of platinated antineoplastic nephrotoxicity by forming part of a non-invasive liquid biopsy.

A wide scope, pan-comparative, systematic meta-analysis of the efficacy of prophylactic strategies for cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most common complication of cardiac surgery. Cardiac surgery-associated AKI (CSA-AKI) is caused by systemic and renal hemodynamic impairment and parenchymal injury. Prophylaxis of CSA-AKI remains an unmet priority, for which preventive strategies based on drug therapies, hydration procedures, and remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) have been tested in pre-clinical and clinical studies, with variable success. Contradicting reports and scarce or insufficiently pondered information have blurred conclusions. Therefore, with an aim to contribute to consolidating the available information, we carried out a wide scope, pan-comparative meta-analysis including the accessible information about the most relevant nephroprotective approaches assayed. After a thorough examination of 1892 documents retrieved from PubMed and Web of Science, 150 studies were used for the meta-analysis. Individual odds ratios of efficacy at reducing AKI incidence, need for dialysis, and plasma creatinine elevation were obtained for each alleged protectant. Also, the combined class effect of drug families and protective strategies was also meta-analyzed. Our results show that no drug family or procedure affords substantial protection against CSA-AKI. Only, a mild but significant reduction in the incidence of CSA-AKI by preemptive treatment with dopaminergic and adrenergic drugs, vasodilators, and the RIPC technique. The integrated analysis suggests that single-drug approaches are unlikely to cope with the variety of individual pathophysiological scenarios potentially underlying CSA-AKI. Accordingly, a theragnostic approach involving the etiopathological diagnosis of kidney frailty is necessary to guide research towards the development of pharmacological combinations concomitantly and effectively addressing the key mechanisms of CSA-AKI.

Nutraceutical Properties of the Hydroalcoholic Extract and Phenolic Compounds from Yucca aloifolia Edible Flowers.

The flowers of Yucca aloifolia ("flor de izote") are considered a millenary food in the Northeastern Highlands of Puebla, Mexico. The present investigation reports on the chemical and biological activities of the hydroalcoholic extract (YAHF) obtained from this edible source. HPLC-MS profiling revealed twenty bioactive phenolic compounds with chlorogenic acid (16.5 mg g-1 DW), quercetin (9.5 mg g-1 FW), and their glycosides (rutin and quercitrin), as well as caffeic acid (8.4 mg g-1 DW) and ferulic acid (7.9 mg g-1 DW) as major compounds dissolved in YAHF. Six metabolites had potent anti-lipase (IC50<100 µg mL-1) and anti-ornithine decarboxylase activity (IC50<100 µg mL-1), whereas thirteen exerted strong anti-alpha-glucosidase properties (IC50<100 µg mL-1). The evaluation of YAHF in mice subjected to standard oral glucose tolerance tests and prolonged administration of hypercaloric/atherogenic diet (30 days), unraveled their ability to improve glucose and lipid profiles. YAHF and six phenolic compounds significantly reduced DLD-1 cell viability (IC50, 117.9 µg mL-1) and avoided polyamine accumulation linked to anti-ornithine decarboxylase activity. YAHF and its twenty constituents exerted low toxicity in probiotics (>1000 µg mL-1) and 3T3 fibroblasts (>2.5 mg-mL-1), sustaining their safeness for human consumption.

Real-World Study of Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Levels in Ocrelizumab-Treated People with Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.

Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels have been proposed as a biomarker of the clinical activity, disability progression, and response to treatment of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS); however, questions remain about its implementation in clinical practice. Ocrelizumab (OCR) has proven effective in improving clinical and radiological outcomes and reducing sNfL levels. This real-life study followed the sNfL levels of 30 PwMS treated for 12 months with OCR and evaluated the usefulness of this biomarker for their short-term prognosis, considering expanded disability status scale (EDSS), annualized relapse rate (ARR), radiological activity, and NEDA-3 values. OCR reduced ARR in 83% of PwMS and radiological activity in 80%. EDSS was maintained, while NEDA-3 was achieved in 70% at 12 months. OCR produced an early reduction in sNfL levels (at 3 months). At baseline, greater MRI-evaluated radiological activity was associated with higher sNfL levels. sNfL levels over the first 12 months of treatment did not predict a suboptimal response or sustained control of the disease. Longer-term studies are needed to explore the predictive usefulness of sNfL levels in PwMS treated with high-efficacy drugs.

Magnetic Tunability via Control of Crystallinity and Size in Polycrystalline Iron Oxide Nanoparticles.

Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are widely used for biomedical applications due to their unique magnetic properties and biocompatibility. However, the controlled synthesis of IONPs with tunable particle sizes and crystallite/grain sizes to achieve desired magnetic functionalities across single-domain and multi-domain size ranges remains an important challenge. Here, a facile synthetic method is used to produce iron oxide nanospheres (IONSs) with controllable size and crystallinity for magnetic tunability. First, highly crystalline Fe3O4 IONSs (crystallite sizes above 24 nm) having an average diameter of 50 to 400 nm are synthesized with enhanced ferrimagnetic properties. The magnetic properties of these highly crystalline IONSs are comparable to those of their nanocube counterparts, which typically possess superior magnetic properties. Second, the crystallite size can be widely tuned from 37 to 10 nm while maintaining the overall particle diameter, thereby allowing precise manipulation from the ferrimagnetic to the superparamagnetic state. In addition, demonstrations of reaction scale-up and the proposed growth mechanism of the IONSs are presented. This study highlights the pivotal role of crystal size in controlling the magnetic properties of IONSs and offers a viable means to produce IONSs with magnetic properties desirable for wider applications in sensors, electronics, energy, environmental remediation, and biomedicine.

Bayesian inverse problem for a fractional diffusion model of cell migration.

In the present work, both direct and inverse problems are considered for a Fisher-type fractional diffusion equation, which is proposed to describe the phenomenon of cell migration. For the direct problem, a solution is given via the Fourier method and the Laplace transform. On the other hand, we solved the inverse problem from a Bayesian statistical framework using a set of data that are the result of a cell migration experiment on a wound closure assay. We estimated the parameters of the mathematical model via Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods.

Eco-Friendly Postharvest Technologies to Preserve or Enhance the Quality and Safety of Fruit and Vegetable Products.

Fruits and vegetables make up a significant section of the food supply chain and are essential for optimum health and nutrition worldwide [...].

Decisional Conflict Regarding Disease-Modifying Treatment Choices Among Patients with Mid-Stage Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Purpose: Shared decision-making is critical in multiple sclerosis (MS) due to the uncertainty of the disease trajectory over time and the large number of treatment options with differing efficacy, safety and administration characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess patients' decisional conflict regarding the choice of a disease-modifying therapy and its associated factors in patients with mid-stage relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Methods: A multicenter, non-interventional study was conducted. Adult patients with a diagnosis of RRMS (2017 revised McDonald criteria) and disease duration of 3 to 8 years were included. The level of uncertainty experienced by a patient when faced with making a treatment choice was assessed using the 4-item Decisional Conflict Scale. A battery of patient-reported and clinician-rated measures was administered to obtain information on symptom severity, illness perception, illness-related uncertainty, regret, MS knowledge, risk taking behavior, preferred role in the decision-making process, cognition, and self-management. Patients were recruited during routine follow-up visits and completed all questionnaires online using electronic tablets at the hospital. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted. Results: A total of 201 patients were studied. Mean age (Standard deviation) was 38.7 (8.4) years and 74.1% were female. Median disease duration (Interquartile range) was 6.0 (4.0-7.0) years. Median EDSS score was 1.0 (0-2.0). Sixty-seven (33.3%) patients reported a decisional conflict. These patients had lower MS knowledge and more illness uncertainty, anxiety, depressive symptoms, fatigue, subjective symptom severity, a threatening illness perception, and poorer quality of life than their counterparts. Lack of decisional conflict was associated with MS knowledge (Odds ratio [OR]=1.195, 95% CI 1.045, 1.383, p=0.013), self-management (OR=1.049, 95% CI 1.013, 1.093, p=0.018), and regret after a healthcare decision (OR=0.860, 95% CI 0.756, 0.973, p=0.018) in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Decisional conflict regarding the selection of a disease-modifying therapy was a common phenomenon in patients with mid-stage RRMS. Identifying factors associated with decisional conflict may be useful to implement preventive strategies that help patients better understand their condition and strengthen their self-management resources.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Broccoli By-Products.

The objective of this work was to gain insight into the operating conditions that affect the efficiency of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) parameters to achieve the best recovery of bioactive compounds from broccoli leaf and floret byproducts. Therefore, total phenolic content (TPC) and the main sulfur bioactive compounds (sulforaphane (SFN) and glucosinolates (GLSs)) were assayed. Distilled water was used as solvent. For each byproduct type, solid/liquid ratio (1:25 and 2:25 g/mL), temperature (25, 40, and 55 °C), and extraction time (2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, and 20 min) were the studied variables to optimize the UAE process by using a kinetic and a cubic regression model. TPC was 12.5-fold higher in broccoli leaves than in florets, while SFN was from 2.5- to 4.5-fold higher in florets regarding the leaf's extracts obtained from the same plants, their precursors (GLS) being in similar amounts for both plant tissues. The most efficient extraction conditions were at 25 °C, ratio 2:25, and during 15 or 20 min according to the target phytochemical to extract. In conclusion, the type of plant tissue and used ratio significantly influenced the extraction of bioactive compounds, the most efficient UAE parameters being those with lower energy consumption.

Time series analysis of a 22-year record of 7Be, 210Pb and gross alpha activities in the Canary Islands (Spain) using Principal Component and Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analyses.

The long-term variability of a 22-year dataset of 7Be, 210Pb and gross alpha concentrations in surface aerosols collected in the Canary Islands has been analysed in this study. These "time series" were collected on a weekly basis. Various analytical techniques, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), K-means clustering, correlation analyses, and back-trajectory were used to determine the variability of the data and assess the statistical importance of the source of the air masses reaching the study area. Monthly and annual variations for the time series were also studied. As expected, 7Be, 210Pb time series showed common variability, while gross alpha concentrations were strongly correlated with average PM10 concentration in air. The fractal properties of the time series were studied to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying structure and dynamics of the data. Multifractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MF-DFA) and Multifractal Detrended Cross-Correlation Analysis (MF-DCCA) techniques were also used to detect and analyse the multifractal characteristics of the 7Be, 210Pb, and gross alpha time series. Multifractality was observed, with values of 0.28, 0.67, and 0.61 for 7Be, 210Pb, and gross alpha, respectively. Long-range correlation was found to be the source of the observed multifractality in the three parameters. Multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis supports the correlation between 7Be - Alpha, 210Pb - Alpha, and 7Be - 210Pb pairs. The results from this study will help model the transport and destiny of natural radionuclides in the atmosphere at this site. The evolution and interactions between 7Be, 210Pb, and gross alpha, reported herein occurred not just locally but also across extensive temporal domains, leading to the emergence of multifractal behaviour in their concentrations. These long-range behaviours/correlations might result from various factors such as atmospheric circulation patterns, global transport mechanisms, or large-scale environmental processes.

Effectiveness of a Prostacyclin IP Receptor Agonist in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in the Real-world Andalusian Setting: The RAMPHA Study.

PURPOSE: The pillar for therapeutic decisions in the evolution of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is the patients' prognostic stratification. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a Spanish real-world setting to assess the clinical improvement of PAH patients treated with selexipag measured as changes in the risk profile. Secondary objectives were to describe their baseline characteristics, initial risk status, and variables used to assess patient survival and adverse events. FINDINGS: Total 42 patients (mean age 52.36 [SD: 15.09] years) were included. All had received initial endothelin receptor antagonist treatment and 95.2% dual therapy with phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor or riociguat. At 6 to 12 months from baseline, patients risk stratification tripled the percentage of patients with low risk, and a trend towards improved risk stratification (P = 0.122). World Health Organization functional class changed, with more patients in milder classes (P = 0.003), and symptom progression slowed down (P < 0.0001). At 3-years, survival was 85.7% and the estimated median survival time was 2.73 years (SD: 1.351; 95% CI: 2.51-2.95). IMPLICATIONS: Selexipag did not achieve a significant improvement in risk profile, although it did show an excellent survival rate, effectively improved functional class, and delayed symptom progression in real life. Selexipag was well tolerated and showed a favorable safety profile, supporting a clinical benefit for PAH patients.