The global biogeography and environmental drivers of fairy circles.

Fairy circles (FCs) are regular vegetation patterns found in drylands of Namibia and Western Australia. It is virtually unknown whether they are also present in other regions of the world and which environmental factors determine their distribution. We conducted a global systematic survey and found FC-like vegetation patterns in 263 sites from 15 countries and three continents, including the Sahel, Madagascar, and Middle-West Asia. FC-like vegetation patterns are found in environments characterized by a unique combination of soil (including low nutrient levels and high sand content) and climatic (arid regions with high temperatures and high precipitation seasonality) conditions. In addition to these factors, the presence of specific biological elements (termite nests) in certain regions also plays a role in the presence of these patterns. Furthermore, areas with FC-like vegetation patterns also showed more stable temporal productivity patterns than those of surrounding areas. Our study presents a global atlas of FCs and provides unique insights into the ecology and biogeography of these fascinating vegetation patterns.

Plastic ingestion by two cetacean groups: Ziphiidae and Delphinidae.

The presence of plastic in our environment is having a massive impact on today's marine biota. Whales and dolphins are becoming sentinels of litter pollution as plastic entanglement and ingestion affect them with unknown consequences. Although information exists about this anthropogenic interaction, the compilation of this data on metastudies is difficult due to the use of varied methodologies. A combination of our own data as well as a review of historical data was used to complete an extensive study of how cetaceans are interacting with macro and micro-litter at a global level. Here, we identify the plastic uptake by two cetacean families: Ziphiidae and Delphinidae, thus allowing for a better understanding in order to offer a global overview of their current status. Additionally, analysis was run on the plastic found in the digestive contents of stranded specimens of two Cuvier's beaked whales and fourteen striped dolphins in the Alboran Sea, in the Western Mediterranean, a hotspot for marine megafauna. Out of 623 stranded cetaceans from datasets, beaked whales displayed the highest concentration of macro, meso and microplastic in the Western Pacific Ocean. Regarding striped dolphins, Eastern Spain was the location with the highest plastic ingestion. Moreover, deep divers such as beaked whales ingested more plastic than striped dolphins which could be as a consequence of their feeding behavior or habitat. Thus, this overview provides useful information concerning conservation issues on how cetacean hotspots are highly affected by marine plastic ingestion.

MicotoXilico: An Interactive Database to Predict Mutagenicity, Genotoxicity, and Carcinogenicity of Mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by certain filamentous fungi. They are common contaminants found in a wide variety of food matrices, thus representing a threat to public health, as they can be carcinogenic, mutagenic, or teratogenic, among other toxic effects. Several hundreds of mycotoxins have been reported, but only a few of them are regulated, due to the lack of data regarding their toxicity and mechanisms of action. Thus, a more comprehensive evaluation of the toxicity of mycotoxins found in foodstuffs is required. In silico toxicology approaches, such as Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) models, can be used to rapidly assess chemical hazards by predicting different toxicological endpoints. In this work, for the first time, a comprehensive database containing 4360 mycotoxins classified in 170 categories was constructed. Then, specific robust QSAR models for the prediction of mutagenicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity were generated, showing good accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and specificity. It must be highlighted that the developed QSAR models are compliant with the OECD regulatory criteria, and they can be used for regulatory purposes. Finally, all data were integrated into a web server that allows the exploration of the mycotoxin database and toxicity prediction. In conclusion, the developed tool is a valuable resource for scientists, industry, and regulatory agencies to screen the mutagenicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity of non-regulated mycotoxins.

Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk: an update of the recommendations of the Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Working Group of the Spanish Society of Diabetes (SED, 2021). / Diabetes mellitus y riesgo cardiovascular: actualización de las recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo de Diabetes y Enfermedad Cardiovascular de la Sociedad Española de Diabetes (SED, 2021).

This document is an update to the clinical practice recommendations for the management of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in diabetes mellitus. The consensus has been developed by a multidisciplinary team made up of members of the Cardiovascular Risk Group of the Spanish Diabetes Society (SED). The work is a necessary update as, since the last review three years ago, there have been many clinical trials that have studied the cardiovascular outcomes of numerous drugs in the diabetic population. We believe that this guideline update may be of interest to all clinicians treating patients with diabetes.

Cuticular Structures in Micropterous Crickets (Orthoptera, Gryllidae, Petaloptilini, Gryllomorphini).

Orthoptera is a very diverse group that has colonized practically all terrestrial ecosystems on the planet. They have adapted to live in the endogenous environment as well as in caves so that some species exhibit troglomorphic characteristics. This group has been extensively studied due to its economic and social importance; however, many basic morphological and biological questions remain to be solved. In this study, a comparative morphological study by scanning electron microscopy of different structures of eight species of micropteran crickets of the tribes Gryllomorphini and Petaloptilini, whose tegmina had lost their flight and song functionality was carried out. Special emphasis was placed on the tegmina and their possible relationship to reproductive functions. In addition, to assess troglomorphism in the genus Petaloptila, the biometric parameters of six other species have been considered. Actualization of the lifestyle of the studied species has also been carried out. The results show structures not previously described in this group (gland openings, setae, pores, or group of campaniform sensilla). Structures not previously described in this group have been detected, and tegmina (glandular openings and devoured tegmina) seem to confer a role in reproduction. Troglomorphisms are only observed in species of the subgenus Zapetaloptila. Statistically, significant differences have been found in characters such as cephalic elongation, ocular reduction, greater length of appendages, and depigmentation.

Diabetes mellitus y riesgo cardiovascular. Actualización de las recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo de Diabetes y Riesgo Cardiovascular de la Sociedad Española de Diabetes (SED, 2018) / Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk: Update of the recommendations of the Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease working group of the Spanish Diabetes Society (SED, 2018)

El presente documento es una actualización de las recomendaciones de práctica clínica para el manejo de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular en la diabetes mellitus. Este consenso está elaborado por los miembros del Grupo de Riesgo Cardiovascular de la Sociedad Española de Diabetes (SED). Se han propuesto y actualizado las intervenciones sobre el estilo de vida, tratamiento farmacológico indicado para alcanzar los objetivos terapéuticos según los niveles de HbA1c, grado de obesidad, hipertensión arterial, hiperlipemia, insuficiencia cardiaca, antiagregación plaquetaria, insuficiencia renal y diabetes en el anciano, así como nuevos biomarcadores de interés en la evaluación del riesgo cardiovascular. El trabajo es una actualización de las intervenciones y objetivos terapéuticos; además, se señala la necesidad de la inclusión de los especialistas en Endocrinología, Metabolismo y Nutrición en las Unidades de Rehabilitación Cardiaca para el control y seguimiento de esta población

This document is an update to the clinical practice recommendations for the management of cardiovascular risk factors in diabetes mellitus. The consensus is made by members of the Cardiovascular Risk Group of the Spanish Diabetes Society. We have proposed and updated interventions on lifestyle, pharmacological treatment indicated to achieve therapeutic objectives according to the levels of HbA1c, degree of obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart failure, platelet antiagregation, renal insufficiency, and diabetes in the elderly, as well as new biomarkers of interest in the evaluation of cardiovascular risk in individuals with diabetes mellitus. The work is an update of the interventions and therapeutic objectives in addition, it is noted the need for the inclusion of specialists in Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition in Cardiac Rehabilitation Units for the control and monitoring of this population

Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk: Update of the recommendations of the Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease working group of the Spanish Diabetes Society (SED, 2018). / Diabetes mellitus y riesgo cardiovascular. Actualización de las recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo de Diabetes y Riesgo Cardiovascular de la Sociedad Española de Diabetes (SED, 2018).

This document is an update to the clinical practice recommendations for the management of cardiovascular risk factors in diabetes mellitus. The consensus is made by members of the Cardiovascular Risk Group of the Spanish Diabetes Society. We have proposed and updated interventions on lifestyle, pharmacological treatment indicated to achieve therapeutic objectives according to the levels of HbA1c, degree of obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart failure, platelet antiagregation, renal insufficiency, and diabetes in the elderly, as well as new biomarkers of interest in the evaluation of cardiovascular risk in individuals with diabetes mellitus. The work is an update of the interventions and therapeutic objectives in addition, it is noted the need for the inclusion of specialists in Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition in Cardiac Rehabilitation Units for the control and monitoring of this population.

Asociación de obesidad general y abdominal con hipertensión, dislipemia y presencia de prediabetes en el estudio PREDAPS / Association of general and abdominal obesity with hypertension, dyslipidemia and prediabetes in the PREDAPS study

Introducción y objetivos: Algunas medidas antropométricas muestran mayor capacidad que otras para discriminar la presencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Este trabajo estima la magnitud de la asociación de diversos indicadores antropométricos de obesidad con hipertensión, dislipemia y prediabetes (glucemia basal o glucohemoglobina alteradas). Métodos: Análisis transversal de la información recogida en 2.022 sujetos del estudio PREDAPS (etapa basal). Se definió obesidad general como índice de masa corporal ≥ 30 kg/m2 y obesidad abdominal con 2 criterios: a) perímetro de cintura (PC) ≥ 102 cm en varones/PC ≥ 88 cm en mujeres, y b) índice cintura/estatura (ICE) ≥ 0,55. La magnitud de la asociación se estimó mediante regresión logística. Resultados: La hipertensión arterial mostró la asociación más alta con la obesidad general en mujeres (OR = 3,01; IC95%, 2,24-4,04) y con la obesidad abdominal según el criterio del ICE en varones (OR = 3,65; IC95%, 2,66-5,01). La hipertrigliceridemia y los valores bajos de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de alta densidad mostraron la asociación más alta con obesidad abdominal según el criterio del ICE en mujeres (OR = 2,49; IC95%, 1,68-3,67 y OR = 2,70; IC95%, 1,89-3,86) y la obesidad general en varones (OR = 2,06; IC95%, 1,56-2,73 y OR = 1,68; IC95%, 1,21-2,33). La prediabetes mostró la asociación más alta con obesidad abdominal según el criterio del ICE en mujeres (OR = 2,48; IC95%, 1,85-3,33) y con obesidad abdominal según el criterio del PC en varones (OR = 2,33; IC95%, 1,75-3,08). Conclusiones: Los indicadores de obesidad abdominal mostraron la mayor asociación con la presencia de prediabetes. La relación de los indicadores antropométricos con hipertensión y con dislipemia mostró resultados heterogéneos (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Some anthropometric measurements show a greater capacity than others to identify the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. This study estimated the magnitude of the association of different anthropometric indicators of obesity with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and prediabetes (altered fasting plasma glucose and/or glycosylated hemoglobin). Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of information collected from 2022 participants in the PREDAPS study (baseline phase). General obesity was defined as body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity was defined with 2 criteria: a) waist circumference (WC) ≥ 102 cm in men/WC ≥ 88 cm in women, and b) waist-height ratio (WHtR) ≥ 0.55. The magnitude of the association was estimated by logistic regression. Results: Hypertension showed the strongest association with general obesity in women (OR, 3.01; 95%CI, 2.24-4.04) and with abdominal obesity based on the WHtR criterion in men (OR, 3.65; 95%CI, 2.66-5.01). Hypertriglyceridemia and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol showed the strongest association with abdominal obesity based on the WHtR criterion in women (OR, 2.49; 95%CI, 1.68-3.67 and OR, 2.70; 95%CI, 1.89-3.86) and with general obesity in men (OR, 2.06; 95%CI, 1.56-2.73 and OR, 1.68; 95%CI, 1.21-2.33). Prediabetes showed the strongest association with abdominal obesity based on the WHtR criterion in women (OR, 2.48; 95%CI, 1.85-3.33) and with abdominal obesity based on the WC criterion in men (OR, 2.33; 95%CI, 1.75-3.08). Conclusions: Abdominal obesity indicators showed the strongest association with the presence of prediabetes. The association of anthropometric indicators with hypertension and dyslipidemia showed heterogeneous results (AU)

Diabetes mellitus y riesgo cardiovascular: recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo Diabetes y Enfermedad Cardiovascular de la Sociedad Española de Diabetes (SED, 2015) / Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk: Working group recommendations of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease of the Spanish Society of Diabetes (SED, 2015)

El presente documento actualiza las recomendaciones de práctica clínica del manejo de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) en la diabetes mellitus (DM). Es un consenso médico realizado por un panel de expertos independiente de la Sociedad Española de Diabetes (SED). Se han propuesto y actualizado varios consensos de diferentes sociedades científicas o médicas con el fin de mejorar los resultados terapéuticos. La valoración del RCV en la población general puede carecer de sensibilidad para la evaluación individual en determinados grupos de riesgo como los diabéticos. Se revisan los factores de riesgo tradicionales y no tradicionales, así como las estrategias de intervención para el control de los FRCV en los pacientes diabéticos como la dieta, el control ponderal, el ejercicio físico, los hábitos tóxicos, el control glucémico, tensional y lipídico, así como la antiagregación plaquetaria. Confiamos en que estas pautas ayuden a los médicos en la toma de decisiones en su actividad asistencial. Se expone una actualización de los conceptos más relevantes y de mayor interés clínico-práctico y, a su vez realista, para reducir el RCV de los diabéticos como se venía haciendo regularmente por parte del Grupo de Enfermedad Cardiovascular de la SED

The present paper updates the Clinical Practice Recommendations for the management of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in diabetes mellitus. This is a medical consensus agreed by an independent panel of experts from the Spanish Society of Diabetes (SED). Several consensuses have been proposed by scientific and medical Societies to achieve clinical goals. However, the risk score for general population may lack sensitivity for individual assessment or for particular groups at risk, such as diabetics. Traditional risk factors together with non-traditional factors are reviewed throughout this paper. Intervention strategies for managing CVRF in the diabetic patient are reviewed in detail: balanced food intake, weight reduction, physical exercise, smoking cessation, reduction in HbA1c, therapy for high blood pressure, obesity, lipid disorders, and platelet anti-aggregation. It is hoped that these guidelines can help clinicians in the decisions of their clinical activity. This regular update by the SED Cardiovascular Disease Group of the most relevant concepts, and of greater practical and realistic clinical interest, is presented in order to reduce CVR of diabetics

[Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk: Working group recommendations of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease of the Spanish Society of Diabetes (SED, 2015)]. / Diabetes mellitus y riesgo cardiovascular: recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo Diabetes y Enfermedad Cardiovascular de la Sociedad Española de Diabetes (SED, 2015).

The present paper updates the Clinical Practice Recommendations for the management of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in diabetes mellitus. This is a medical consensus agreed by an independent panel of experts from the Spanish Society of Diabetes (SED). Several consensuses have been proposed by scientific and medical Societies to achieve clinical goals. However, the risk score for general population may lack sensitivity for individual assessment or for particular groups at risk, such as diabetics. Traditional risk factors together with non-traditional factors are reviewed throughout this paper. Intervention strategies for managing CVRF in the diabetic patient are reviewed in detail: balanced food intake, weight reduction, physical exercise, smoking cessation, reduction in HbA1c, therapy for high blood pressure, obesity, lipid disorders, and platelet anti-aggregation. It is hoped that these guidelines can help clinicians in the decisions of their clinical activity. This regular update by the SED Cardiovascular Disease Group of the most relevant concepts, and of greater practical and realistic clinical interest, is presented in order to reduce CVR of diabetics.

Diabetes mellitus y riesgo cardiovascular: recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo Diabetes y Enfermedad Cardiovascular de la Sociedad Española de Diabetes (SED, 2015) / Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk: Working group recommendations of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease of the Spanish Society of Diabetes (SED, 2015)

El presente documento actualiza las recomendaciones de práctica clínica del manejo de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV) en la diabetes mellitus (DM). Es un consenso médico realizado por un panel de expertos independiente de la Sociedad Española de Diabetes (SED). Se han propuesto y actualizado varios consensos de diferentes sociedades científicas o médicas con el fin de mejorar los resultados terapéuticos. La valoración del RCV en la población general puede carecer de sensibilidad para la evaluación individual en determinados grupos de riesgo como los diabéticos. Se revisan los factores de riesgo tradicionales y no tradicionales, así como las estrategias de intervención para el control de los FRCV en los pacientes diabéticos como la dieta, el control ponderal, el ejercicio físico, los hábitos tóxicos, el control glucémico, tensional y lipídico, así como la antiagregación plaquetaria. Confiamos en que estas pautas ayuden a los médicos en la toma de decisiones en su actividad asistencial. Se expone una actualización de los conceptos más relevantes y de mayor interés clínico-práctico y, a su vez realista, para reducir el RCV de los diabéticos como se venía haciendo regularmente por parte del Grupo de Enfermedad Cardiovascular de la SED

The present paper updates the Clinical Practice Recommendations for the management of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in diabetes mellitus. This is a medical consensus agreed by an independent panel of experts from the Spanish Society of Diabetes (SED). Several consensuses have been proposed by scientific and medical Societies to achieve clinical goals. However, the risk score for general population may lack sensitivity for individual assessment or for particular groups at risk, such as diabetics. Traditional risk factors together with non-traditional factors are reviewed throughout this paper. Intervention strategies for managing CVRF in the diabetic patient are reviewed in detail: balanced food intake, weight reduction, physical exercise, smoking cessation, reduction in HbA1c, therapy for high blood pressure, obesity, lipid disorders, and platelet anti-aggregation. It is hoped that these guidelines can help clinicians in the decisions of their clinical activity. This regular update by the SED Cardiovascular Disease Group of the most relevant concepts, and of greater practical and realistic clinical interest, is presented in order to reduce CVR of diabetics

[Diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular risk: Working group recommendations of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease of the Spanish Society of Diabetes (SED, 2015)]. / Diabetes mellitus y riesgo cardiovascular: recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo Diabetes y Enfermedad Cardiovascular de la Sociedad Española de Diabetes (SED, 2015).

The present paper updates the Clinical Practice Recommendations for the management of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in diabetes mellitus. This is a medical consensus agreed by an independent panel of experts from the Spanish Society of Diabetes (SED). Several consensuses have been proposed by scientific and medical Societies to achieve clinical goals. However, the risk score for general population may lack sensitivity for individual assessment or for particular groups at risk, such as diabetics. Traditional risk factors together with non-traditional factors are reviewed throughout this paper. Intervention strategies for managing CVRF in the diabetic patient are reviewed in detail: balanced food intake, weight reduction, physical exercise, smoking cessation, reduction in HbA1c, therapy for high blood pressure, obesity, lipid disorders, and platelet anti-aggregation. It is hoped that these guidelines can help clinicians in the decisions of their clinical activity. This regular update by the SED Cardiovascular Disease Group of the most relevant concepts, and of greater practical and realistic clinical interest, is presented in order to reduce CVR of diabetics.

Ab initio molecular dynamics study of water oxidation reaction pathways in mono-Ru catalysts.

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations with an adaptive biasing potential are carried out to study the reaction path in mononuclear Ru catalysts for water oxidation of the type [(Ar)Ru(X)(bpy)](+) with different aromatic ligands (Ar). The critical step of the O-O bond formation in the catalytic cycle starting from the [(Ar)Ru(O)(bpy)](2+) intermediate is analyzed in detail. It is shown that an explicit inclusion of the solvent environment is essential for a realistic description of the reaction path. Clear evidence is presented for a concerted reaction in which the O-O bond formation is quickly followed by a proton transfer leading to a Ru-OOH intermediate and a hydronium ion. An alternative path in which the approaching water first coordinates to the metal centre is also investigated, and it is found to induce a structural instability of the catalyst with the breaking of the aromatic ligand coordination bond.