Beyond Boolean networks, a multi-valued approach.

Boolean networks can be viewed as functions on the set of binary strings of a given length, described via logical rules. They were introduced as dynamic models into biology, in particular as logical models of intracellular regulatory networks involving genes, proteins, and metabolites. Since genes can have several modes of action, depending on their expression levels, binary variables are often not sufficiently rich, requiring the use of multi-valued networks instead. The steady state analysis of Boolean networks is computationally complex, and increasing the number of variable values beyond $2$ adds substantially to this complexity, and no general methods are available beyond simulation. The main contribution of this paper is to give an algorithm to compute the steady states of a multi-valued network that has a complexity that, in many cases, is essentially the same as that for the case of binary values. Our approach is based on a representation of multi-valued networks using multi-valued logic functions, providing a biologically intuitive representation of the network. Furthermore, it uses tools to compute lattice points in rational polytopes, tapping a rich area of algebraic combinatorics as a source for combinatorial algorithms for Boolean network analysis. An implementation of the algorithm is provided.

Disentangling the effect of growth from development in size-related trait scaling relationships.

In plant ecology, the terms growth and development are often used interchangeably. Yet these constitute two distinct processes. Plant architectural traits (e.g. number of successive forks) can estimate development stages. Here, we show the importance of including the effect of development stages to better understand size-related trait scaling relationships (i.e. between height and stem diameter). We focused on one common savanna woody species (Senegalia nigrescens) from the Greater Kruger Area, South Africa. We sampled 406 individuals that experience different exposure to herbivory, from which we collected four traits: plant height, basal stem diameter, number of successive forks (proxy for development stage), and resprouting. We analysed trait relationships (using standardized major axis regression) between height and stem diameter, accounting for the effect of ontogeny, exposure to herbivory, and resprouting. The number of successive forks affects the scaling relationship between height and stem diameter, with the slope and strength of the relationship declining in more developed individuals. Herbivory exposure and resprouting do not affect the overall height-diameter relationship. However, when height and stem diameter were regressed separately against number of successive forks, herbivory exposure and resprouting had an effect. For example, resprouting individuals allocate more biomass to both primary and secondary growth than non-resprouting plants in more disturbed conditions. We stress the need to include traits related to ontogeny so as to disentangle the effect of biomass allocation to primary and secondary growth from that of development in plant functional relationships.

Detección incidental de niveles de vitamina B12 elevados y su relación con neoplasias / Incidental detection of raised serum levels of vitaminB12 and its association with neoplasms

Antecedentes y objetivo Los niveles elevados de vitaminaB12 se han asociado a enfermedades oncohematológicas. Sin embargo, se desconoce la relevancia de su detección incidental en sujetos sin un diagnóstico previo de cáncer. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la relación de la hipercobalaminemia y el diagnóstico de un proceso tumoral y establecer los factores de riesgo. Material y métodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo de una cohorte de pacientes con hipercobalaminemia. Se comparó la incidencia de neoplasias con una cohorte de pacientes con vitaminaB12<1.000pg/ml. Resultados Se seleccionaron 4.800 sujetos con determinaciones de vitaminaB12: 345 (7,1%) presentaban niveles >1.000pg/ml. Se excluyeron 68 (28,4%) por administración exógena, 12 (5%) por datos insuficientes y 15 (3%) por una neoplasia activa, seleccionando 250 pacientes; mediana de seguimiento: 22 (RIQ: 12-39) meses. Se detectó: hepatopatía 59 (23,6%), 44 (18,2%) presentaron cáncer de órgano sólido y 17 (7,1%), hemopatía maligna. El tiempo medio desde la detección de hipercobalaminemia al diagnóstico fue de 10meses. La mediana hasta el diagnóstico fue mayor en el grupo de vitaminaB12 elevada (13 vs 51meses; p<0,001). La hipercobalaminemia (HR_ 11,8; IC95: 2,8-49,6; p=0,001) y el tabaquismo (HR: 4,0; IC95%: 2,15-7,59; p<0,001) resultaron predictores independientes. Conclusiones La detección incidental de niveles séricos de vitaminaB12 >1.000pg/ml es elevada. El diagnóstico de neoplasia órgano sólido y hematológica es frecuente durante el año siguiente de seguimiento, siendo la hipercobalaminemia y el tabaquismo factores predictores de un mayor riesgo de cáncer. (AU)

Background and objective Elevated serum levels of vitaminB12 have been associated with oncohematological diseases. However, the relevance of its incidental detection in subjects without a previous diagnosis of cancer is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between incidental hypercobalaminemia (vitaminB12 >1000pg/mL) and the diagnosis of a tumor process in patients without a diagnosis and to establish the risk factors. Material and methods Retrospective observational study of a cohort of patients with hypercobalaminemia. The incidence of neoplasms was compared with a cohort of patients with vitaminB12 levels <1000pg/mL. Results Vitamin B12 determinations of 4800 subjects were selected. Of them, 345 (7.1%) had levels >1000pg/ml; 68 (28.4%) were excluded due to exogenous administration, 12 (5%) due to insufficient data, and 15 (3%) due to having an active neoplasia, selecting 250 patients, with a median follow-up of 22 (IQR: 12-39) months. Structural liver disease was detected in 59 (23.6%). 18.2% (44 patients) had solid organ cancer and 17 (7.1%) had malignant hemopathy. The average time from the detection of hypercobalaminemia to the diagnosis of cancer was about 10months. The median until the diagnosis of neoplasia was higher in the high vitaminB12 group (13 vs 51months; P<.001). Hypercobalaminemia (HR: 11.8; 95%CI: 2.8-49.6; P=.001) and smoking (HR: 4.0; 95%CI: 2.15-7.59; P<.001) were independent predictors of neoplasia in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions Incidental detection of serum vitaminB12 levels >1000pg/ml is high in the population. The diagnosis of solid organ and hematological neoplasia is frequent during the following year of follow-up, with hypercobalaminemia and smoking being predictors of a higher risk of cancer. (AU)

Detección incidental de niveles de vitamina B12 elevados y su relación con neoplasias / Incidental detection of raised serum levels of vitaminB12 and its association with neoplasms

Antecedentes y objetivo Los niveles elevados de vitaminaB12 se han asociado a enfermedades oncohematológicas. Sin embargo, se desconoce la relevancia de su detección incidental en sujetos sin un diagnóstico previo de cáncer. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la relación de la hipercobalaminemia y el diagnóstico de un proceso tumoral y establecer los factores de riesgo. Material y métodos Estudio observacional retrospectivo de una cohorte de pacientes con hipercobalaminemia. Se comparó la incidencia de neoplasias con una cohorte de pacientes con vitaminaB12<1.000pg/ml. Resultados Se seleccionaron 4.800 sujetos con determinaciones de vitaminaB12: 345 (7,1%) presentaban niveles >1.000pg/ml. Se excluyeron 68 (28,4%) por administración exógena, 12 (5%) por datos insuficientes y 15 (3%) por una neoplasia activa, seleccionando 250 pacientes; mediana de seguimiento: 22 (RIQ: 12-39) meses. Se detectó: hepatopatía 59 (23,6%), 44 (18,2%) presentaron cáncer de órgano sólido y 17 (7,1%), hemopatía maligna. El tiempo medio desde la detección de hipercobalaminemia al diagnóstico fue de 10meses. La mediana hasta el diagnóstico fue mayor en el grupo de vitaminaB12 elevada (13 vs 51meses; p<0,001). La hipercobalaminemia (HR_ 11,8; IC95: 2,8-49,6; p=0,001) y el tabaquismo (HR: 4,0; IC95%: 2,15-7,59; p<0,001) resultaron predictores independientes. Conclusiones La detección incidental de niveles séricos de vitaminaB12 >1.000pg/ml es elevada. El diagnóstico de neoplasia órgano sólido y hematológica es frecuente durante el año siguiente de seguimiento, siendo la hipercobalaminemia y el tabaquismo factores predictores de un mayor riesgo de cáncer. (AU)

Background and objective Elevated serum levels of vitaminB12 have been associated with oncohematological diseases. However, the relevance of its incidental detection in subjects without a previous diagnosis of cancer is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between incidental hypercobalaminemia (vitaminB12 >1000pg/mL) and the diagnosis of a tumor process in patients without a diagnosis and to establish the risk factors. Material and methods Retrospective observational study of a cohort of patients with hypercobalaminemia. The incidence of neoplasms was compared with a cohort of patients with vitaminB12 levels <1000pg/mL. Results Vitamin B12 determinations of 4800 subjects were selected. Of them, 345 (7.1%) had levels >1000pg/ml; 68 (28.4%) were excluded due to exogenous administration, 12 (5%) due to insufficient data, and 15 (3%) due to having an active neoplasia, selecting 250 patients, with a median follow-up of 22 (IQR: 12-39) months. Structural liver disease was detected in 59 (23.6%). 18.2% (44 patients) had solid organ cancer and 17 (7.1%) had malignant hemopathy. The average time from the detection of hypercobalaminemia to the diagnosis of cancer was about 10months. The median until the diagnosis of neoplasia was higher in the high vitaminB12 group (13 vs 51months; P<.001). Hypercobalaminemia (HR: 11.8; 95%CI: 2.8-49.6; P=.001) and smoking (HR: 4.0; 95%CI: 2.15-7.59; P<.001) were independent predictors of neoplasia in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions Incidental detection of serum vitaminB12 levels >1000pg/ml is high in the population. The diagnosis of solid organ and hematological neoplasia is frequent during the following year of follow-up, with hypercobalaminemia and smoking being predictors of a higher risk of cancer. (AU)

Incidental detection of raised serum levels of vitamin B12 and its association with neoplasms.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Elevated serum levels of vitamin B12 have been associated with oncohematological diseases. However, the relevance of its incidental detection in subjects without a previous diagnosis of cancer is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between incidental hypercobalaminemia (vitamin B12 > 1000 pg/mL) and the diagnosis of a tumor process in patients without a diagnosis and to establish the risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study of a cohort of patients with hypercobalaminemia. The incidence of neoplasms was compared with a cohort of patients with vitamin B12 levels <1000 pg/mL. RESULTS: Vitamin B12 determinations of 4800 subjects were selected. Of them, 345 (7.1%) had levels >1000 pg/mL. 68 (28.4%) were excluded due to exogenous administration, 12 (5%) due to insufficient data and 15 (3%) due to having an active neoplasia, selecting 250 patients, with a median follow-up of 22 (IQR 12-39) months. Structural liver disease was detected in 59 (23.6%). 18.2% (44 patients) had solid organ cancer and 17 (7.1%) had malignant hemopathy. The average time from the detection of hypercobalaminemia to the diagnosis of cancer was about 10 months. The median until the diagnosis of neoplasia was higher in the high vitamin B12 group (13 vs. 51 months p < 0.001). Hypercobalaminemia (HR 11.8; 95% CI 2.8-49.6; p = 0.001) and smoking (HR 4.0; 95% CI, 2.15-7.59; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of neoplasia in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Incidental detection of serum vitamin B12 levels >1000 pg/mL is high in the population. The diagnosis of solid organ and hematological neoplasia is frequent during the following year of follow-up, with hypercobalaminemia and smoking being predictors of a higher risk of cancer.

Resistance to apoptosis in complicated Crohn's disease: Relevance in ileal fibrosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The stiffening of the extracellular matrix, and changes in its cellular and molecular composition, have been reported in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. We analyze the mechanisms that perpetuate ileal fibrosis in surgical resections of complicated Crohn's disease patients. METHODS: Ileal resections were obtained from affected and non-affected tissue of stenotic or penetrating Crohn's disease behavior. Ilea from non-IBD patients were used as control tissue. All samples underwent RNA sequencing. Human small intestinal fibroblasts were treated for 48 h with IL-1ß, TFGß1, PDGFB or TNF-α. Resistance to apoptosis was analysed by RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry in ileal tissue and by RT-PCR and FACS in cultured cells. RESULTS: Growth factor-driven signaling pathways and increased RAS GTPase activity were up-regulated in affected ilea in which we found expression of both the antiapoptotic molecule MCL1 and the transcription factor ETS1 in submucosal fibroblasts, and a senescence-associated secretory phenotype. In cultured intestinal fibroblasts, PDGFB induced an ETS1-mediated resistance to apoptosis that was associated with the induction of both of TGFB1 and IL1B, a cytokine that replicated the expression of SASP detected in ileal tissue. ETS1 drove fibroblast polarization between inflammatory and fibrogenic phenotypes in IL1ß-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show resistance to apoptosis in complicated ileal CD, and demonstrate that PDGFB induce an ETS1-mediated resistance to apoptosis associated with an inflammatory and fibrogenic pattern of expression in intestinal fibroblasts. Results point to PDGFRB, IL1R1 or MCL1 as potential targets against ileal fibrosis.

Surgery for inflammatory bowel disease in Spain: How are we doing? Initial results of a nationwide prospective registry.

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), requires a multidisciplinary approach, and surgery is commonly needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the types of surgery performed in these patients in a nationwide study by hospital type, global postoperative complications, and quality of life after surgery. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, national observational study was designed to collect the results of surgical treatment of IBD in Spain. Demographic characteristics, medical-surgical treatments, postoperative complications and quality of life were recorded with a one-year follow-up. Data were validated and entered by a surgeon from each institution. RESULTS: A total of 1134 patients (77 centers) were included: 888 CD, 229 UC, and 17 indeterminate colitis. 1169 surgeries were recorded: 882 abdominal and 287 perianal. Before surgery, 81.6% of the patients were evaluated by a multidisciplinary committee, and the mean preoperative waiting time for elective surgery was 2.09 ± 2 meses (P > .05). Overall morbidity after one year of follow-up was 16%, and the major complication rate was 36.4%. Significant differences were observed among centers in complex CD surgeries. Overall quality of life improved after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: There is heterogeneity in the surgical treatment of IBD among Spanish centers. Differences were observed in patients with highly complex surgeries. Overall quality of life improved with surgical treatment.

Association of HER2DX with pathological complete response and survival outcomes in HER2-positive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The HER2DX genomic test predicts pathological complete response (pCR) and survival outcome in early-stage HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer. Here, we evaluated the association of HER2DX scores with (i) pCR according to hormone receptor status and various treatment regimens, and (ii) survival outcome according to pCR status. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven neoadjuvant cohorts with HER2DX and clinical individual patient data were evaluated (DAPHNe, GOM-HGUGM-2018-05, CALGB-40601, ISPY-2, BiOnHER, NEOHER and PAMELA). All patients were treated with neoadjuvant trastuzumab (n = 765) in combination with pertuzumab (n = 328), lapatinib (n = 187) or without a second anti-HER2 drug (n = 250). Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) outcomes were available in a combined series of 268 patients (i.e. NEOHER and PAMELA) with a pCR (n = 118) and without a pCR (n = 150). Cox models were adjusted to evaluate whether HER2DX can identify patients with low or high risk beyond pCR status. RESULTS: HER2DX pCR score was significantly associated with pCR in all patients [odds ratio (OR) per 10-unit increase = 1.59, 95% confidence interval 1.43-1.77; area under the ROC curve = 0.75], with or without dual HER2 blockade. A statistically significant increase in pCR rate due to dual HER2 blockade over trastuzumab-only was observed in HER2DX pCR-high tumors treated with chemotherapy (OR = 2.36 (1.09-5.42). A statistically significant increase in pCR rate due to multi-agent chemotherapy over a single taxane was observed in HER2DX pCR-medium tumors treated with dual HER2 blockade (OR = 3.11, 1.54-6.49). The pCR rates in HER2DX pCR-low tumors were ≤30.0% regardless of treatment administered. After adjusting by pCR status, patients identified as HER2DX low-risk had better EFS (P < 0.001) and OS (P = 0.006) compared with patients with HER2DX high-risk. CONCLUSIONS: HER2DX pCR score and risk score might help identify ideal candidates to receive neoadjuvant dual HER2 blockade in combination with a single taxane in early-stage HER2+ breast cancer.

Influence of pH and salts on DMF-DMA derivatization for future Space Applications.

For gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses performed in situ, pH and salts (e.g., chlorides, sulfates) may enhance or inhibit the detection of targeted molecules of interest for astrobiology (e.g. amino acids, fatty acids, nucleobases). Obviously, salts influence the ionic strength of the solutions, the pH value, and the salting effect. But the presence of salts may also produce complexes or mask ions in the sample (masking effect on hydroxide ion, ammonia, etc.). For future space missions, wet chemistry will be conducted before GC-MS analyses to detect the full organic content of a sample. The defined organic targets for space GC-MS instrument requirements are generally strongly polar or refractory organic compounds, such as amino acids playing a role in the protein production and metabolism regulations for life on Earth, nucleobases essential for DNA and RNA formation and mutation, and fatty acids that composed most of the eukaryote and prokaryote membranes on Earth and resist to environmental stress long enough to still be observed on Mars or ocean worlds in geological well-preserved records. The wet-chemistry chemical treatment consists of reacting an organic reagent with the sample to extract and volatilize polar or refractory organic molecules (i.e. dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (DMF-DMA) in this study). DMF-DMA derivatizes functional groups with labile H in organics, without modifying their chiral conformation. The influence of pH and salt concentration of extraterrestrial materials on the DMF-DMA derivatization remains understudied. In this research, we studied the influence of different salts and pHs on the derivatization of organic molecules of astrobiological interest with DMF-DMA, such as amino acids, carboxylic acids, and nucleobases. Results show that salts and pH influence the derivatization yield, and that their effect depend on the nature of the organics and the salts studied. Second, monovalent salts lead to a higher or similar organic recovery compared to divalent salts regardless of pH below 8. However, a pH above 8 inhibits the DMF-DMA derivatization influencing the carboxylic acid function to become an anionic group without labile H. Overall, considering the negative effect of the salts on the detection of organic molecules, future space missions may have to consider a desalting step prior to derivatization and GC-MS analyses.

Background rates of 41 adverse events of special interest for COVID-19 vaccines in 10 European healthcare databases - an ACCESS cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In May 2020, the ACCESS (The vACCine covid-19 monitoring readinESS) project was launched to prepare real-world monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines. Within this project, this study aimed to generate background incidence rates of 41 adverse events of special interest (AESI) to contextualize potential safety signals detected following administration of COVID-19 vaccines. METHODS: A dynamic cohort study was conducted using a distributed data network of 10 healthcare databases from 7 European countries (Italy, Spain, Denmark, The Netherlands, Germany, France and United Kingdom) over the period 2017 to 2020. A common protocol (EUPAS37273), common data model, and common analytics programs were applied for syntactic, semantic and analytical harmonization. Incidence rates (IR) for each AESI and each database were calculated by age and sex by dividing the number of incident cases by the total person-time at risk. Age-standardized rates were pooled using random effect models according to the provenance of the events. FINDINGS: A total number of 63,456,074 individuals were included in the study, contributing to 211.7 million person-years. A clear age pattern was observed for most AESIs, rates also varied by provenance of disease diagnosis (primary care, specialist care). Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia rates were extremely low ranging from 0.06 to 4.53/100,000 person-years for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) with thrombocytopenia (TP) and mixed venous and arterial thrombosis with TP, respectively. INTERPRETATION: Given the nature of the AESIs and the setting (general practitioners or hospital-based databases or both), background rates from databases that show the highest level of completeness (primary care and specialist care) should be preferred, others can be used for sensitivity. The study was designed to ensure representativeness to the European population and generalizability of the background incidence rates. FUNDING: The project has received support from the European Medicines Agency under the Framework service contract nr EMA/2018/28/PE.

Ischaemic stroke as a complication of cardiac catheterisation. Clinical and radiological characteristics, progression, and therapeutic implications.

INTRODUCTION: Ischaemic stroke is the most common neurological complication of cardiac catheterisation. This study aims to analyse the clinical and prognostic differences between post-catheterisation stroke code (SC) and all other in-hospital and prehospital SC. METHODS: We prospectively recorded SC activation at our centre between March 2011 and April 2016. Patients were grouped according to whether SC was activated post-catheterisation, in-hospital but not post-catheterisation, or before arrival at hospital; groups were compared in terms of clinical and radiological characteristics, therapeutic approach, functional status, and three-month mortality. RESULTS: The sample included 2224 patients, of whom 31 presented stroke post-catheterisation. Baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was lower for post-catheterisation SC than for other in-hospital SC and pre-hospital SC (5, 10, and 7, respectively; P=.02), and SC was activated sooner (50, 100, and 125minutes, respectively; P<.001). Furthermore, post-catheterisation SC were more frequently due to transient ischaemic attack (38%, 8%, and 9%, respectively; P<.001) and less frequently to proximal artery occlusion (17.9%, 31.4%, and 39.2%, respectively; P=.023). The majority of patients with post-catheterisation strokes (89.7%) did not receive reperfusion therapy; 60% of the patients with proximal artery occlusion received endovascular treatment. The mortality rate was 12.95% for post-catheterisation strokes and 25% for all other in-hospital strokes. Although patients with post-catheterisation stroke had a better functional prognosis, the adjusted analysis showed that this effect was determined by their lower initial severity. CONCLUSIONS: Post-catheterisation stroke is initially less severe, and presents more often as transient ischaemic attack and less frequently as proximal artery occlusion. Most post-catheterisation strokes are not treated with reperfusion; in case of artery occlusion, mechanical thrombectomy is the preferred treatment.

"Near-TME": proposed standardisation of the technique for proctectomy in male patients with ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to describe in detail an approach to proctectomy in ulcerative colitis (UC), which can be standardized; near-total mesorectal excision (near-TME), to prevent injuries to autonomic pelvic nerves and subsequent sexual dysfunction. METHODS: We demonstrate the technique ex vivo on a cadaver from a male patient in lithotomy position and on a sagittal section of a male pelvis. We also demonstrate the technique in vivo in two male patients diagnosed with UC, with no history of sexual dysfunction or bowel neoplasia. The study was performed at the Human Embryology and Anatomy Department. University of Valencia, Spain. RESULTS: The posterolateral dissection during a near-TME is similar to that of an oncologic TME, whereas the anterolateral is similar to that of a close rectal dissection. The near-TME technique preserves the superior hypogastric plexus, the hypogastric nerves, the nervi erigentes, the inferior hypogastric plexus, the pelvic plexus and the cavernous nerves. CONCLUSION: The near-TME technique is the standardisation of the technique for proctectomy in male patients with ulcerative colitis. Near-TME requires experience in pelvic surgery and an exhaustive knowledge of the embryological development and of the surgical anatomy of the pelvis.

Can the green energies improve the sustainability of electrochemically-assisted soil remediation processes?

The green powering of electrochemically-assisted soil remediation processes had been strongly discouraged. Low remediation efficiencies have been reported as a consequence of the reversibility of the transport processes when no power is applied to the electrodes, due to the intermittent powering of renewable sources. However, it has been missed a deeper evaluation from the environmental point of view. This work goes further and seeks to quantify, using life cycle assessment tools, the environmental impacts related to the electro-kinetic treatments powered by different sources: grid (Spanish energy mix), photovoltaic and wind sources. The global warming potential and the ozone depletion showed higher environmental impacts in case of using green energies, associated with the manufacturing of the energy production devices. In contrast to that, results pointed out the lowest water consumption for the treatment powered with solar panels. The huge water requirements to produce energy, considering a Spanish energy mix, drop the sustainability of this powering strategy in terms of water footprint. Regarding toxicities, the pollutant toxicity was highly got rid of after 15 days of treatment, regardless the powering source used. Nevertheless, the manufacturing of energy and green energy production devices has a huge impact into the toxicity of the remediation treatments, increasing massively the total toxicity of the process, being this effect less prominent by the electro-kinetic treatment solar powered. In view of the overall environmental impact assessed, according to mid and endpoint impact categories, it can be claimed that, despite the high energy requirements and affectation to the global warming potential, the use of solar power is a more sustainable alternative to remediate polluted soils by electrochemical techniques.

Global parental leave in surgical careers: differences according to gender, geographical regions and surgical career stages.

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of information regarding the provision of parental leave for surgical careers. This survey study aims to evaluate the experience of maternity/paternity leave and views on work-life balance globally. METHODS: A 55-item online survey in 24 languages was distributed via social media as per CHERRIES guideline from February to March 2020. It explored parental leave entitlements, attitude towards leave taking, financial impact, time spent with children and compatibility of parenthood with surgical career. RESULTS: Of the 1393 (male : female, 514 : 829) respondents from 65 countries, there were 479 medical students, 349 surgical trainees and 513 consultants. Consultants had less than the recommended duration of maternity leave (43.8 versus 29.1 per cent), no paid maternity (8.3 versus 3.2 per cent) or paternity leave (19.3 versus 11.0 per cent) compared with trainees. Females were less likely to have children than males (36.8 versus 45.6 per cent, P = 0.010) and were more often told surgery is incompatible with parenthood (80.2 versus 59.5 per cent, P < 0.001). Males spent less than 20 per cent of their salary on childcare and fewer than 30 hours/week with their children. More than half (59.2 per cent) of medical students did not believe a surgical career allowed work-life balance. CONCLUSION: Surgeons across the globe had inadequate parental leave. Significant gender disparity was seen in multiple aspects.

Screening and detection of chromosomal copy number alterations in the domestic horse using SNP-array genotyping data.

Chromosomal abnormalities are a common cause of infertility in horses. However, they are difficult to detect using automated methods. Here, we propose a simple methodology based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-array data that allows us to detect the main chromosomal abnormalities in horses in a single procedure. As proof of concept, we were able to detect chromosomal abnormalities in 33 out of 268 individuals, including monosomies, chimerisms, and male and female sex-reversions, by analyzing the raw signal intensity produced by an SNP array-based genotyping platform. We also demonstrated that the procedure is not affected by the SNP density of the array employed or by the inbreeding level of the individuals. Finally, the methodology proposed in this study could be performed in an open bioinformatic environment, thus permitting its integration as a flexible screening tool in diagnostic laboratories and genomic breeding programs.

Understanding the local and remote source contributions to ambient O3 during a pollution episode using a combination of experimental approaches in the Guadalquivir valley, southern Spain.

The Guadalquivir Valley is one of three major O3 hotspots in Spain. An airborne and surface measurement campaign was carried out from July 9th to 11th, 2019 to quantify the local/regional O3 contributions using experimental approaches. Air quality and meteorology data from surface measurements, a microlight aircraft, a helium balloon, and remote sensing data (TROPOMI-NO2-ESA) were used to obtain the 3D distribution of O3 and various tracer pollutants. O3 accumulation over 2.5 days started with inputs from oceanic air masses transported inland by sea breezes, which drew O3 and its precursors from a local/regional origin to the northeastern end of the basin. The orographic-meteorological setting of the valley caused vertical recirculation of the air masses inside the valley that caused the accumulation by increasing regional background O3 concentration by 25-30 ppb. Furthermore, possible Mediterranean O3 contributions and additional vertical recirculation through the entrainment zone of the convective boundary layer also contributed. Using particulate matter finer than 2.5 µm (PM2.5), ultrafine particles (UFP), and black carbon (BC) as tracers of local sources, we calculated that local contributions increased regional O3 levels by 20 ppb inside specific pollution plumes transported by the breeze into the valley, and by 10 ppb during midday when flying over an area with abundant agricultural burning during the morning. Air masses that crossed the southern boundaries of the Betic system at mid-altitude (400-1850 m a.s.l.) on July 10th and 11th may have provided additional O3. Meanwhile, a decreasing trend at high altitudes (3000-5000 m a.s.l.) was observed, signifying that the impact of stratospheric O3 intrusion decreased during the campaign.

Toward more sustainable photovoltaic solar electrochemical oxidation treatments: Influence of hydraulic and electrical distribution.

Powering electrochemical technologies with renewable energies is a promising way to get more sustainable environmental remediation techniques. However, the operational conditions of those processes must be optimized to undergo fast and efficient treatments. In this work, the influence of electrical and hydraulic connections in the performance of a set of two electrolyzers directly powered by photovoltaic panels was evaluated. Despite both electrolyzers were assembled using the same electrode material, they showed different performances. Results indicate that the electrolyzer with higher ohmic resistance and higher overpotential attained a greater production of oxidant species, being produced under the most efficient strategy around 4.8 and 15.1 mmol of oxidants per Ah by electrolyzer 1 and 2, respectively. Nevertheless, an excess of oxidant production because of an inefficient energy management, led to low removal efficiencies as a consequence of a waste of energy into undesirable reactions. Regarding the hydraulic distribution of wastewater between the cells, it was found to influence on the total remediation attained, being the serial connection 2.5 and 1.8 more efficient than a parallel wastewater distribution under series and parallel electrical strategies, respectively. Regarding electrical strategies, parallel connections maximize the use of power produced by the photovoltaic panels. Furthermore, this allows the system to work under lower current densities, reducing the mass transfer limitations. Considering both advantages, a hydraulic connection of the cells in series and an electrical connection in parallel was found to reach the highest specific removal of pollutant, 2.52 mg clopyralid (Wh)-1. Conversely, the opposite strategy (parallel hydraulic connection-series electrical connection) showed the lowest remediation ratio, 0.48 mg clopyralid (Wh)-1. These results are important to be considered in the design of electrolytic treatments of waste directly powered by photovoltaic panels, because they show the way to optimize the cells stack layout in full-scale applications, exhibiting significant impact on the sustainability of the electrochemical application.

Enhancing Social Initiations Using Naturalistic Behavioral Intervention: Outcomes from a Randomized Controlled Trial for Children with Autism.

Deficits in social skills are common in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and there is an urgent need for effective social skills interventions, especially for improving interactions with typically developing peers. This study examined the effects of a naturalistic behavioral social skills intervention in improving social initiations to peers through a randomized controlled trial. Analyses of multimethod, multi-informant measures indicated that children in the active group (SIMI) demonstrated greater improvement in the types of initiations which were systematically prompted and reinforced during treatment (i.e., behavior regulation). Generalization to joint attention and social interaction initiation types, as well as collateral gains in broader social functioning on clinician- and parent-rated standardized measures were also observed.

Improving sustainability of electrolytic wastewater treatment processes by green powering.

This work focuses on the evaluation of the impact of powering electrolytic wastewater treatment processes with grid or renewable energy on the sustainability of this electrochemical remediation technology. To face this goal, it was performed an inventory of three bench-scale plants made up by the same treatment technology but powered from different supplies: connected to grid and directly coupled with solar photovoltaic panels or a wind turbine. Results show that the powering mode can significantly affect the environmental risks of the treatment, not only in terms of electricity demand but also on the formation of intermediates, which are more important in the cases in which the intensity profile varied. A life cycle assessment (LCA) is carried out in order to quantify the environmental impacts of green powering electrolytic wastewater treatment processes. Ecoinvent 3.3 data base, AWARE, USEtox, IPPC and ReCiPe methodologies are used to quantify the environmental burden into 5 midpoint (water footprint, global warming 100a, ozone layer depletion, human toxicity, freshwater ecotoxicity) and 17 endpoint impact categories. All impact categories are higher in the case in which the supplied power cames from a electricity grid mix. For the removal of 0.1 g 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D) per liter (functional unit) of treated wastewater releases 0.14 kg CO2 eq. If the energy is provided by a wind turbine or a solar panel the processes emit 0.020 kg CO2 eq and 0.019 kg CO2 eq, respectively. A comparison of the impact based on the grid mix used in different countries is also made, which has pointed out the relevance of this input on the sustainability of the environmental electrochemical technologies.