Liquid crystal wave plate operating close to 18†THz.

Controlling the properties of mid- and far-infrared radiation can provide a means to transiently alter the properties of materials for novel applications. However, a limited number of optical elements are available to control its polarization state. Here we show that a 15-µm thick liquid crystal cell containing 8CB (4-octyl-4'-cyanobiphenyl) in the ordered, smectic A phase can be used as a phase retarder or wave plate. This was tested using the bright, short-pulsed (∼1 ps) radiation centered at 16.5 µm (18.15 THz) that is emitted by a free electron laser at high repetition rate (13 MHz). These results demonstrate a possible tool for the exploration of the mid- and far-infrared range and could be used to develop novel metamaterials or extend multidimensional spectroscopy to this portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Translating NIA-AA criteria into usual practice: Report from the ReDeMa Project.

INTRODUCTION: Biomarker-informed criteria were proposed for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) in 2011; however, the adequacy of this criteria has not been sufficiently evaluated. METHODS: ReDeMa (Red de Demencias de Madrid) is a regional cohort of patients attending memory and neurology clinics. Core cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers were obtained, NIA-AA diagnostic criteria were considered, and changes in diagnosis and management were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 233 patients were analyzed (mean age 70 years, 50% women, 73% AD). The diagnostic language was modified significantly, with a majority assumption of NIA-AA definitions (69%). Confidence in diagnosis increased from 70% to 92% (p < 0.0005) and management was changed in 71% of patient/caregivers. The influence of neurologist's age or expertise on study results was minimal. DISCUSSION: The NIA-AA criteria are adequate and utile for usual practice in memory and neurology clinics, improving diagnostic confidence and significantly modifying patient management. HIGHLIGHTS: Alzheimer's disease (AD) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers increase diagnostic certainty regardless of the neurologist.AD CSF biomarkers lead to changes in disease management .Biomarker-enriched, 2011 NIA-AA diagnostic criteria are adequate for usual practice.

Walkability and socio-economic status in relation to walking, playing and sports practice in a representative Spanish sample of youth: The PASOS study.

PURPOSE: Physical activity (PA) provides multiple health-related benefits in children and adolescents, however, at present, the majority of young people are insufficiently physically active. The aim of this study was to evaluate if neighborhood walkability and/or socio-economic status (SES) could affect the practice of walking, play outdoors and sports practice in a representative sample of Spanish children and adolescents. METHODS: A sample of 4092 youth (aged 8-16 years old) from 245 primary and secondary schools in 121 localities from each of the 17 Spanish autonomous communities participated in the study. Walk Score was used to evaluate walkability of the neighborhood and household income was used as an indicator of SES. A 7-item self-reported validated questionnaire, was used to assess PA levels, and in a subsample of 10% of the participants, randomly selected from the entire sample, PA was objectively measured by accelerometers. RESULTS: Youth from more walkable areas reported more minutes walking per day compared with those from less walkable neighborhoods (51.4 vs 48.8 minutes, respectively). The lowest average minutes spent in playing outdoors was found among participants from low-SES and low-walkable neighborhoods. Neighborhood SES influenced on the participation in team sports during the weekend, being this participation higher in high SES neighborhoods. CONCLUSION: Providing high walkable environments seems a good strategy to promote PA regardless SES levels. It seems that improving the walkability is a key component to partially overcome the SES inequalities, especially in urban areas with low SES. High-SES environments can offer better sports facilities and more organized physical activities than low-SES ones.

Relationship between addictions and obesity, physical activity and vascular aging in young adults (EVA-Adic study): a research protocol of a cross-sectional study.

Background: Behavioral and substance addictions are prevalent health problems that, alongside obesity, are linked to reduced physical activity and increased sedentary time. Similarly, arterial stiffness and vascular aging are processes that begin gradually at an early age and are closely associated with morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. The main objective of this study is to analyze how addictions are related to obesity and body fat distribution, physical activity, sedentary time, arterial stiffness and vascular aging, as well as sleep quality, cognitive function and gender differences in young adults aged between 18 and 34 years. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive observational study will analyze data from 500 subjects (250 men and 250 women) aged 18-34 without cardiovascular disease, selected by simple random sampling with replacement from the urban population of the city center of Salamanca (34,044 people aged 18-34, with 18,450 women and 15,594 men). Behavioral and substance addictions, as well as sleep quality and cognitive impairment will be assessed using questionnaires. The Pittisburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will be used to measure sleep quality and the Ford questionnaire will be used to measure insomnia in response to stress. For obesity, weight, height, waist and hip circumference, body composition will be measured with the Inbody 230® impedance meter. For physical activity and sedentary time, we will use the Actigraph® accelerometer alongside the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Marshall questionnaire. The Sphygmocor System® will be used for pulse wave analysis and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), while the Vasera VS-2000® will measure cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Vascular aging will be calculated with the 10th and 90th percentiles of cfPWV or baPWV. Demographic, analytical variables will be collected, as will data to assess vascular, cardiac, renal, and brain injury. Discussion: Addictions are on the rise in today's society, affecting the mental health and well-being of those who suffer from them, generating important social problems such as job loss, family dysfunction, debt and social isolation. Together with obesity, they are prevalent health problems in young adults and are associated with lower physical activity and higher sedentary time. Meanwhile, arterial stiffness and vascular aging are processes that begin gradually at an early age and determine morbidity and mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases. The results of this project will allow us to understand the situation regarding behavioral and substance addictions in young adults. Better understanding of these addictions will in turn facilitate the development of more effective prevention strategies and intervention programs, which can then reduce the negative impact at both the individual and societal levels. Clinical trial registration: [ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05819840].

Winged resistance: Storks and gulls increase carriage of antibiotic resistance by shifting from paddy fields to landfills.

Waterbirds are vectors for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance across environments, with some species increasingly reliant on highly anthropized habitats for feeding. However, data on the impact of their feeding habits on the carriage of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are still scarce. To fill this gap, we examined the microbiota (16S rRNA amplicon gene sequencing) and the prevalence of ARG (high-throughput qPCR of 47 genes) in faeces from white storks (Ciconia ciconia) and lesser black-backed gulls (Larus fuscus) feeding in highly (landfill) and less (paddy fields) polluted habitats. Faecal bacterial richness and diversity were higher in gulls feeding upon landfills and showed a greater abundance of potential pathogens, such as Staphylococcus. In contrast, faecal bacterial communities from storks were similar regardless of habitat preferences, maybe due to a less intense habitat use compared to gulls. In addition, birds feeding in the landfill carried a higher burden of ARGs compared to the surrounding soil and surface waters. Network analysis revealed strong correlations between ARGs and potential pathogens, particularly between tetM (resistance to tetracyclines), blaCMY (beta-lactam resistance), sul1 (sulfonamide resistance) and members of the genera Streptococcus, Peptostreptococcus, and Peptoclostridium. Our work demonstrates how transitioning from paddy fields to landfills fosters the carriage of ARGs and potential pathogens in the bird gut, shedding light on the ecological role of these avian vectors in antimicrobial resistance dissemination.

Leakage of plastics and other debris from landfills to a highly protected lake by wintering gulls.

GENERAL CONTEXT: Gulls ingest plastic and other litter while foraging in open landfills, because organic matter is mixed with other debris. Therefore, gulls are potential biovectors of plastic pollution into natural habitats, especially when they concentrate in wetlands for roosting. NOVELTY: We quantified, for the first time, the flow of plastic and other anthropogenic debris from open landfills to a natural lake via the movement of gulls. We focused on Fuente de Piedra, an inland closed-basin lake in Spain that is internationally important for biodiversity. METHODOLOGY: In 2022, we sampled gull pellets regurgitated in the lake by lesser black-backed gulls Larus fuscus that feed on landfills, as well as their faeces, then characterized and quantified debris particles of ≥0.5 mm. By combining GPS and census data from 2010 to 2022, together with plastic quantification based on FTIR-ATR analysis, we estimated the average annual deposition of plastic and other debris by the wintering gull population into the lake. MAIN RESULTS: 86 % of pellets contained plastics, and 94 % contained other debris such as glass and textiles. Polyethylene (54 %), polypropylene (11.5 %) and polystyrene (11.5 %) were the main plastic polymers. An estimated annual mean of 400 kg of plastics were moved by gulls into the lake. Only 1 % of plastic mass was imported in faeces. DISCUSSION: Incorporating the biovectoring role of birds can provide a more holistic view of the plastic cycle and waste management. Biovectoring is predictable in sites worldwide where gulls and other waterbirds feed in landfills and roost in wetlands. We discuss bird deterrence and other ways of mitigating debris leakage into aquatic ecosystems.

Supplementation with ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate after resistance training in post-acute care patients with sarcopenia: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of adding ß-hydroxy-ß- methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation to a 12-week exercise-based rehabilitation program in older adults with sarcopenia after discharge from a post-acute geriatric rehabilitation unit. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with two parallel groups. The intervention group received 3 g/day of Ca-HMB and participated in a 12- week resistance training program (3 sessions/week). The control group received a placebo and followed the same training program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were the improvements of handgrip strength and physical performance assessed through the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and 4-meter gait speed; and handgrip strength. All variables were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: After completing the 12-week exercise program, the intervention group showed significant improvements in SPPB-Balance (1.3, 95 %CI 0.3 to 2.4) and total SPPB score (2.2, 95 %CI 0.4 to 4.0). Intra-group analysis demonstrated gains in the SPPB-Chair Stand (0.7 points, 95 %CI 0.0 to 1.4) and total SPPB score (2.1 points, 95 %CI 0.3 to 3.9) in the intervention group. Improvements in handgrip strength were observed in women (3.7 kg, 95 %CI: 0.2 to 7.3) at the end of the intervention, and persisted at the 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the supplementation of 3 g/day of Ca-HMB with resistance exercise may significantly enhance muscle strength and physical performance among older women with sarcopenia after recent hospitalization. Given this study's limitations, the intervention's effectiveness cannot be drawn, and further studies are needed.

Plantar keratoderma-like crusted scabies in an immunocompetent infant after topical steroids.

A healthy 6-month-old girl presented with plantar keratoderma-like lesions unresponsive to topical corticosteroids. Nocturnal pruritus in 13 relatives, presence of burrows on clinical exam, and the positive scabies preparation led to the diagnosis of crusted scabies. She was successfully treated with topical and oral scabicides. Crusted scabies is a severe form of Sarcoptes scabiei infection uncommon in immunocompetent subjects, in whom previous corticosteroid use may favor its occurrence.

Molecular detection and associated risk factors of Anaplasma marginale, A. ovis and A. platys in sheep from Algeria with evidence of the absence of A. phagocytophilum.

Anaplasma species are obligate intracellular rickettsial pathogens that cause significant diseases in animals and humans. Despite their importance, limited information on Anaplasma infections in Algeria has been published thus far. This study aimed to assess the infection rate, characterize Anaplasma species, and identify associated risk factors in selected sheep farms across Oum El Bouaghi region in Algeria. In 2018, we collected 417 blood samples from sheep (Ovis aries) and performed molecular characterization of Anaplasma species infecting these animals. This characterization involved the use of 16S rRNA, msp2, rpoB, and msp5 genes, which were analyzed through nested PCR, qPCR, cPCR, DNA sequencing, and subsequent phylogenetic analysis. Our findings revealed infection rates of 12.7 % for Anaplasma species detected, with Anaplasma ovis at 10.8 %, Anaplasma marginale at 1.7 %, and Anaplasma platys at 0.2 %. Interestingly, all tested animals were found negative for Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Statistical analyses, including the Chi-square test and Fisher exact test, failed to establish any significant relationships (p > 0.05) between A. ovis and A. platys infections and variables such as age, sex, sampling season, and tick infestation level. However, A. marginale infection exhibited a significant association with age (p < 0.05), with a higher incidence observed in lambs (5.2 %) compared to other age groups. Remarkably, this study represents the first molecular detection of A. platys and A. marginale in Algerian sheep. These findings suggest that Algerian sheep may serve as potential reservoirs for these pathogens. This research contributes valuable insights into the prevalence and characteristics of Anaplasma infections in Algerian sheep populations, emphasizing the need for further investigation and enhanced surveillance to better understand and manage these diseases.

Perceived Quality of Life Is Related to a Healthy Lifestyle and Related Outcomes in Spanish Children and Adolescents: The Physical Activity, Sedentarism, and Obesity in Spanish Study.

BACKGROUND: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial for safeguarding the well-being and quality of life perception, appropriate growth, and development of children and adolescents, while also mitigating the risk of future adult-onset diseases. OBJECTIVE: To assess associations between perceived quality of life and healthy lifestyle and related outcomes in Spanish children and adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of 8-16-year-old children and adolescents (n = 3534) were included in the nationwide study of Physical Activity, Sedentarism, and Obesity in Spanish Youth (PASOS). Data were collected through (1) questionnaires on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), healthy lifestyle outcomes (dietary intake, physical fitness, sleep, and screen time), and (2) anthropometric measurements for weight status assessment. Data were analysed by logistic regression, using the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as the grouping variable. RESULTS: Participants with a lower HRQoL were those with a lower adherence to the MedDiet and lower achievement of the recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables. They were also less likely to follow the recommendations for screen time and sleep (with the exception of the weekend) compared to participants with a higher HRQoL. Participants with a lower HRQoL showed a lower healthy weight status and poorer physical fitness than those with a higher HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy eating habits, healthy weight status (normal weight), appropriate sleep time, physical fitness, and limited screen time play a crucial role in the perceived quality of life in children and adolescents.

Increase in Vascular Function Parameters According to Lifestyles in a Spanish Population without Previous Cardiovascular Disease-EVA Follow-Up Study.

The aim of this longitudinal descriptive observational study was to analyze the influence of different lifestyles on arterial stiffness (AS) throughout five years of follow-up and to describe the differences by sex in a Spanish adult population without cardiovascular disease at the start of the study. A random stratified sampling by age and sex was used to obtain 501 subjects included in the initial assessment. No cardiovascular disease was allowed in the subjects. The average age was 55.9 years, and 50.3% were women. A total of 480 subjects were analyzed again five years later. Alcohol and tobacco consumption were collected with standardized questionnaires. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed with the Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS) questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed with the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and sedentary time was assessed with the Marshall Sitting Questionnaire (MSQ). AS was assessed by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and central augmentation index (CAIx) with SphygmoCor System®, and ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) with Vasera VS-1500®. Increases in vascular function measures per year of follow-up were: cfPWV = 0.228 ± 0.360 m/s, baPWV = 0.186 ± 0.308 m/s, CAVI = 0.041 ± 0.181 m/s, and CAIx = 0.387 ± 2.664 m/s. In multiple regression analysis, positive association was shown between an increase in baPWV and tobacco index (ß = 0.007) and alcohol consumption (ß = 0.005). Negative association was shown between CAVI and Mediterranean diet score (ß = -0.051). In multinomial logistic regression analysis, the OR of tobacco index of subjects with a cfPWV increase >P75 was OR = 1.025 and of subjects classified between P25 and P75 was OR = 1.026 regarding subjects classified with an increase P75 was OR = 1.006 regarding subjects classified with an increase P75, and an OR = 0.841 was found of subjects classified between P25-75 regarding subjects classified with an increase

Biovectoring of plastic by white storks from a landfill to a complex of salt ponds and marshes.

Research into plastic pollution has extensively focused on abiotic vectors, overlooking transport by animals. Opportunistic birds, such as white storks (Ciconia ciconia) often forage on landfills, where plastic abounds. We assess plastic loading by ingestion and regurgitation of landfill plastic in Cadiz Bay, a major stopover area for migratory white storks in south-west Spain. On average, we counted 599 storks per day moving between a landfill and a complex of salt ponds and marshes, where they regurgitated pellets that each contained a mean of 0.47 g of plastic debris, dominated by polyethylene. Modelling reliant on GPS tracking estimated that 99 kg and >2 million particles of plastic were biovectored into the wetland during 2022, with seasonal peaks that followed migration patterns. GPS data enabled the correction of field censuses and the identification of plastic deposition hotspots. This study highlights the important role that biovectoring plays in plastic transport into coastal wetlands.

Antioxidant and antidiabetic activity and phytoconstituents of lichen extracts with temperate and polar distribution.

The objective of this research was to characterize the chemical composition of ethanolic extracts of the lichen species Placopsis contortuplicata, Ochrolechia frigida, and Umbilicaria antarctica, their antioxidant activity, and enzymatic inhibition through in vitro and molecular docking analysis. In total phenol content, FRAP, ORAC, and DPPH assays, the extracts showed significant antioxidant activity, and in in vitro assays for the inhibition of pancreatic lipase, α-glucosidase, and α-amylase enzymes, together with in silico studies for the prediction of pharmacokinetic properties, toxicity risks, and intermolecular interactions of compounds, the extracts evidenced inhibitory potential. A total of 13 compounds were identified by UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS in P. contortuplicata, 18 compounds in O. frigida, and 12 compounds in U. antarctica. This study contributes to the knowledge of the pool of bioactive compounds present in lichens of temperate and polar distribution and biological characteristics that increase interest in the discovery of natural products that offer alternatives for treatment studies of diseases related to oxidative stress and metabolic syndrome.

Plasma miR-486-5p Expression Is Upregulated in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Broader Low-Voltage Areas.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide, affecting 1% of the population over 60 years old. The incidence and prevalence of AF are increasing globally, representing a relevant health problem, suggesting that more advanced strategies for predicting risk stage are highly needed. miRNAs mediate several processes involved in AF. Our aim was to identify miRNAs with a prognostic value as biomarkers in patients referred for AF ablation and its association with LVA extent, based on low-voltage area (LVA) maps. In this study, we recruited 44 AF patients referred for catheter ablation. We measured the expression of 84 miRNAs in plasma from peripheral blood in 3 different groups based on LVA extent. Expression analysis showed that miR-486-5p was significantly increased in patients with broader LVA (4-fold, p = 0.0002; 5-fold, p = 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that miR-486-5p expression could predict atrium LVA (AUC, 0.8958; p = 0.0015). Also, miR-486-5p plasma levels were associated with AF-type (AUC, 0.7137; p = 0.0453). In addition, miR-486-5p expression was positively correlated with LVA percentage, left atrial (LA) area, and LA volume (r = 0.322, p = 0.037; r = 0.372, p = 0.015; r = 0.319, p = 0.045, respectively). These findings suggest that miR-486-5p expression might have prognostic significance in LVA extent in patients with AF.

Mortality reduction in older COVID-19-patients hospitalized in Spain during the second pandemic wave from the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic followed a two-wave pattern in most countries. Hospital admission for COVID-19 in one wave or another could have affected mortality, especially among the older persons. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the admission of older patients during the different waves, before SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was available, was associated with a different mortality. We compared the mortality rates of patients hospitalized during 2020 before (first wave) and after (second wave) July 7, 2020, included in the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry, a large, multicenter, retrospective cohort of patients admitted to 126 Spanish hospitals for COVID-19. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to control for changes in either the patient or disease profile. As of December 26, 2022, 22,494 patients had been included (17,784 from the first wave and 4710 from the second one). Overall mortality was 20.4% in the first wave and 17.2% in the second wave (risk difference (RD) - 3.2%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) - 4.4 to - 2.0). Only patients aged 70 and older (10,973 patients: 8571 in the first wave and 2386 in the second wave) had a significant reduction in mortality (RD - 7.6%; 95% CI - 9.7 to - 5.5) (unadjusted relative risk reduction: 21.6%). After adjusting for age, comorbidities, variables related to the severity of the disease, and treatment received, admission during the second wave remained a protective factor. In Spain, patients aged 70 years and older admitted during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significantly lower risk of mortality, except in severely dependent persons in need of corticosteroid treatment. This effect is independent of patient characteristics, disease severity, or treatment received. This suggests a protective effect of a better standard of care, greater clinical expertise, or a lesser degree of healthcare system overload.

Exploring the diversity of tick-borne pathogens: The case of bacteria (Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Coxiella and Borrelia) protozoa (Babesia and Theileria) and viruses (Orthonairovirus, tick-borne encephalitis virus and louping ill virus) in the European continent.

Ticks are the main vectors for the transmission of bacterial, protist and viral pathogens in Europe affecting wildlife and domestic animals. However, some of them are zoonotic and can cause serious, sometimes fatal, problems in human health. A systematic review in PubMed/MEDLINE database was conducted to determine the spatial distribution and host and tick species ranges of a selection of tick-borne bacteria (Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Coxiella spp., and Rickettsia spp.), protists (Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.), and viruses (Orthonairovirus, and flaviviruses tick-borne encephalitis virus and louping ill virus) on the European continent in a five-year period (November 2017 - November 2022). Only studies using PCR methods were selected, retrieving a total of 429 articles. Overall, up to 85 species of the selected tick-borne pathogens were reported from 36 European countries, and Anaplasma spp. was described in 37% (159/429) of the articles, followed by Babesia spp. (34%, 148/429), Borrelia spp. (34%, 147/429), Rickettsia spp. (33%, 142/429), Theileria spp. (11%, 47/429), tick-borne flaviviruses (9%, 37/429), Orthonairovirus (7%, 28/429) and Coxiella spp. (5%, 20/429). Host and tick ranges included 97 and 50 species, respectively. The highest tick-borne pathogen diversity was detected in domestic animals, and 12 species were shared between humans, wildlife, and domestic hosts, highlighting the following zoonotic species: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia divergens, Babesia microti, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia burgdorferi s.s., Borrelia garinii, Borrelia miyamotoi, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus, Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia monacensis and tick-borne encephalitis virus. These results contribute to the implementation of effective interventions for the surveillance and control of tick-borne diseases.

Assessment of obesity stigma and discrimination among Spanish subjects with a wide weight range: the OBESTIGMA study.

Introduction: This study aims to assess the extent of rejection and instances of stigmatization linked to obesity within the Spanish population, encompassing a diverse spectrum of weights ranging from normal weight to morbid obesity. Additionally, the study seeks to identify the primary factors influencing these experiences and further examines the impact of bariatric surgery on such dynamics. Materials and methods: Multicenter observational study with involving a total of 1,018 participants who were recruited from various Obesity Units. Negatives attitudes towards people with obesity were assessed through three questionnaires: (i) Antifat Attitudes Scale (AFA), (ii) Stigmatizing Situations Inventory (SSI) and (iii) Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS). Subjects were categorized into four groups based on their BMI and history of prior bariatric surgery. Results: The cumulative score across all questionnaires (AFA, SSI and WBIS) exhibited a progressive increase, from participants with normal weight to those with obesity (p < 0.001 for all). Within the AFA questionnaire, males showed more rejection towards people with obesity than women, also perceiving obesity as a disease linked to a lack of willpower (p = 0.004 and p = 0.030, respectively). The overall SSI score was negatively associated with age (r = -0.080, p = 0.011), with young participants encountering more stigmatizing experiences than their adult counterparts. Neither employment status nor educational demonstrated a significant association with any of the questionnaires. Interestingly, patients who underwent lost weight following bariatric surgery did not exhibit improved outcomes. Conclusion: Individuals with obesity demonstrate a heightened level of aversion towards the disease compared to those with normal weight. Concurrently, the incidence of stigmatizing encounters displays a concerning escalation among younger individuals.

The effect of vitrification on blastocyst mitochondrial DNA dynamics and gene expression profiles.

PURPOSE: Does vitrification/warming affect the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and the gene expression profile of blastocysts? METHODS: Prospective cohort study in which 89 blastocysts were obtained from 50 patients between July 2017 and August 2018. mtDNA was measured in a total of 71 aneuploid blastocysts by means of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Transcriptomic analysis was performed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) in an additional 8 aneuploid blastocysts cultured for 0 h after warming, and 10 aneuploid blastocysts cultured for 4-5 h after warming. RESULTS: A significant decrease in mtDNA content just during the first hour after the warming process in blastocysts was found (P < 0.05). However, mtDNA content experimented a significantly increased along the later culture hours achieving the original mtDNA levels before vitrification after 4-5 h of culture (P < 0.05). Gene expression analysis and functional enrichment analysis revealed that such recovery was accompanied by upregulation of pathways associated with embryo developmental capacity and uterine embryo development. Interestingly, the significant increase in mtDNA content observed in blastocysts just after warming also coincided with the differential expression of several cellular stress response-related pathways, such as apoptosis, DNA damage, humoral immune responses, and cancer. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating in humans, a modulation in blastocysts mtDNA content in response to vitrification and warming. These results will be useful in understanding which pathways and mechanisms may be activated in human blastocysts following vitrification and warming before a transfer.