Beyond the Operating Room: The Reality of Gender Disparities in Neurosurgical Education Starting in Medical School.

Objective: Despite the growing number of female medical students, there remains a significant disparity between the number of female and male neurosurgeons. This study aims to determine if this trend is also evident among medical students, examine how various medical schools worldwide are addressing this issue, and propose potential solutions.

Methods: The data includes anonymous baseline information from congress registrations, the abstract submission system, and two surveys designed to assess student experiences before and after the congress.

Interplay of human macrophage response and natural resistance of ( .) to pentavalent antimony.

Unlabelled: Macrophages are the principal host cells of . in human infection and play a critical role in controlling infection and enabling parasite survival and persistence. Nevertheless, understanding of drug resistance in leishmaniasis has primarily focused on the parasite.

Identification of metabolic and protein markers representative of the impact of mild nitrogen deficit on agronomic performance of maize hybrids.

Introduction: A better understanding of the physiological response of silage maize to a mild reduction in nitrogen (N) fertilization and the identification of predictive biochemical markers of N utilization efficiency could contribute to limit the detrimental effect of the overuse of N inputs.

Objectives: We integrated phenotypic and biochemical data to interpret the physiology of maize in response to a mild reduction in N fertilization under agronomic conditions and identify predictive leaf metabolic and proteic markers that could be used to pilot and rationalize N fertilization.

Methods: Eco-physiological, developmental and yield-related traits were measured and complemented with metabolomic and proteomic approaches performed on young leaves of a core panel of 29 European genetically diverse dent hybrids cultivated in the field under non-limiting and reduced N fertilization conditions.

Association between human leukocyte antigen class II-DR-DQ and narcolepsy: a case control study.

Study Objectives: Narcolepsy is a neurologic disorder characterized by irresistible sleep attacks. Although its etiology is unknown, it is strongly associated with genetic variances in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) complex. We investigated the association of HLA class II-DR-DQ alleles in a sample of patients with narcolepsy-cataplexy (narcolepsy type 1 [NT1]) and patients with narcolepsy without cataplexy (narcolepsy type 2) with a control group.

[XVI Post-ECTRIMS Meeting: review of the new developments presented at the 2023 ECTRIMS Congress (II)].

The XVI Post-ECTRIMS meeting was held in Seville on 20 and 21 October 2023, where expert neurologists in multiple sclerosis (MS) summarised the main new developments presented at the ECTRIMS 2023 congress, which took place in Milan from 11 to 13 October. The aim of this article is to summarise the content presented at the Post-ECTRIMS Meeting, in an article in two parts. This second part covers the health of women and elderly MS patients, new trends in the treatment of cognitive impairment, focusing particularly on meditation, neuroeducation and cognitive rehabilitation, and introduces the concept of fatigability, which has been used to a limited extent in MS.

[XVI Post-ECTRIMS Meeting: review of the new developments presented at the 2023 ECTRIMS Congress (I)].

The XVI Post-ECTRIMS meeting took place in Seville on 20 and 21 October 2023. This meeting was attended by neurologists specialising in multiple sclerosis (MS) from Spain, who shared a summary of the most interesting innovations at the ECTRIMS congress, which had taken place in Milan the previous week. The aim of this article is to summarise new developments related to the pathogenesis, diagnosis and prognosis of MS.

High prevalence of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses in blood donors during a dengue outbreak and an endemic period in Colombia.

Objective: Arboviruses pose a challenge in ensuring the supply of pathogen-free blood components because they are not routinely screened in blood banks, and blood components from infected asymptomatic donors could be transfused. This study aimed to detect and characterize arboviral infections in Colombian blood donors.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, the prevalence of dengue (DENV), Zika (ZIKV), and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses and co-infections of blood donors were compared between an epidemic period (November 2019-February 2020,  = 462) and an endemic period (November 2021-August 2022,  = 1,119).

Managing multiple sclerosis in individuals aged 55 and above: a comprehensive review.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) management in individuals aged 55 and above presents unique challenges due to the complex interaction between aging, comorbidities, immunosenescence, and MS pathophysiology. This comprehensive review explores the evolving landscape of MS in older adults, including the increased incidence and prevalence of MS in this age group, the shift in disease phenotypes from relapsing-remitting to progressive forms, and the presence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy. We aim to provide an updated review of the available evidence of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) in older patients, including the efficacy and safety of existing therapies, emerging treatments such as Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTKs) inhibitors and those targeting remyelination and neuroprotection, and the critical decisions surrounding the initiation, de-escalation, and discontinuation of DMTs.

Identification of a Potential Entry-Fusion Complex Based on Sequence Homology of African Swine Fever and Vaccinia Virus.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) belongs to the family of , part of the group of nucleocytoplasmic large DNA viruses (NCLDV). Little is known about the internalization of ASFV in the host cell and the fusion membrane events that take place at early stages of the infection. Poxviruses, also members of the NCLDV and represented by vaccinia virus (VACV), are large, enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses.

Emplacement and associated sedimentary record of the Jurassic submarine salt allochthon of the Wurzeralm (Eastern Alps, Austria).

A fossil salt sheet emplaced in the Jurassic in submarine conditions is described in the Eastern Alps of Austria, providing unique insights into the emplacement of similar submarine structures and their potential control on depositional systems. The salt sheet is a plug-fed extrusion emplaced due to squeezing of a salt diapir under compression. The preserved mylonitic shear fabric in the evaporites indicates radial, south-directed emplacement of the salt sheet.

Salt-rich versus salt-poor structural scenarios in the central Northern Calcareous Alps: implications for the Hallstatt facies and early Alpine tectonic evolution (Eastern Alps, Austria).

One of the most remarkable features of the central Northern Calcareous Alps (Eastern Alps, Austria) is the widespread presence of Upper Triassic deep-water carbonates (the Hallstatt facies) and Permo-Triassic evaporites resting on deep-water Middle Jurassic strata and their underlying Upper Triassic shallow-water carbonate platform successions. The Hallstatt facies and accompanying evaporites have been classically interpreted to originate either from a location south of the time-equivalent carbonate platforms, or to have been deposited in deeper water seaways within the broad platform domain. To date, this dispute has been addressed mostly through the analysis of Triassic and Jurassic facies distribution in map view, which, however, is subject to some degree of ambiguity and subjectivity.

Genetic control of abiotic stress-related specialized metabolites in sunflower.

Background: Abiotic stresses in plants include all the environmental conditions that significantly reduce yields, like drought and heat. One of the most significant effects they exert at the cellular level is the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, which cause extensive damage. Plants possess two mechanisms to counter these molecules, i.

Autophagy gene expression in skeletal muscle of older individuals is associated with physical performance, muscle volume and mitochondrial function in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA).

Autophagy is an essential component of proteostasis and a key pathway in aging. Identifying associations between autophagy gene expression patterns in skeletal muscle and physical performance outcomes would further our knowledge of mechanisms related with proteostasis and healthy aging. Muscle biopsies were obtained from participants in the Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging (SOMMA).

Use of consumer wearables to monitor and predict pain in patients with sickle cell disease.

Background: In sickle cell disease (SCD), unpredictable episodes of acute severe pain, known as vaso-occlusive crises (VOC), disrupt school, work activities and family life and ultimately lead to multiple hospitalizations. The ability to predict VOCs would allow a timely and adequate intervention. The first step towards this ultimate goal is to use patient-friendly and accessible technology to collect relevant data that helps infer a patient's pain experience during VOC.

Prospective Assessment of Bone Metabolism Biomarkers and Survival in Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer Patients Treated with Radium-223: The PRORADIUM Study.

Background: Radium-223 is an active therapy option for bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The lack of adequate biomarkers for patient selection and response assessment are major drawbacks for its use.

Objective: To assess the prognostic value of bone metabolism biomarkers (BMBs) in ra-223-treated mCRPC patients.

Understanding the use/non-use of an internet-based intervention complementing standard depression treatment: A qualitative study of user's experiences.

Introduction: There is sufficient evidence about the effectiveness of internet-based interventions; however, the users' level of adoption and utilization remains low, with this phenomenon requiring adequate explanation.

Objective: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the users' perceptions and experience of a web-based program (ASCENSO), designed to complement (usual) in-person depression treatment.

Method: Twelve participants of the ASCENSO program, comprised of adult individuals ( = 44.

Organ xenotransplantation acceptance in veterinary students: A multicentric opinion study in Spain.

Background: The shortage of available transplant organs has made it necessary to search for alternatives, one of which is xenotransplantation. However, the use of animal organs could face rejection from society and the personnel involved in its implementation.

Objectives: (a) to analyze the attitudes of Veterinary Degree students in six Spanish Universities towards xenotransplantation; and (b) to determine the factors that affect its acceptance.

[15th Post-ECTRIMS Meeting: a review of the latest developments presented at the 2022 ECTRIMS Congress (Part II)].

Introduction: On 4 and 5 November 2022, Madrid hosted the 15th edition of the Post-ECTRIMS Meeting, where neurologists specialised in multiple sclerosis outlined the latest developments presented at the 2022 ECTRIMS Congress, held in Amsterdam from 26 to 28 October.

Aim: To synthesise the content presented at the 15th edition of the Post-ECTRIMS Meeting, in an article broken down into two parts.

Development: This second part describes the new developments in terms of therapeutic strategies for escalation and de-escalation of disease-modifying therapies (DMT), when and in whom to initiate or switch to highly effective DMT, the definition of therapeutic failure, the possibility of treating radiologically isolated syndrome and the future of personalised treatment and precision medicine.

The dynamics of pattern matching in camouflaging cuttlefish.

Many cephalopods escape detection using camouflage. This behaviour relies on a visual assessment of the surroundings, on an interpretation of visual-texture statistics and on matching these statistics using millions of skin chromatophores that are controlled by motoneurons located in the brain. Analysis of cuttlefish images proposed that camouflage patterns are low dimensional and categorizable into three pattern classes, built from a small repertoire of components.

[15th Post-ECTRIMS Meeting: a review of the latest developments presented at the 2022 ECTRIMS Congress (Part I)].

Introduction: On 4 and 5 November 2022, Madrid hosted the 15th edition of the Post-ECTRIMS Meeting, where neurologists specialised in multiple sclerosis (MS) outlined the most relevant novelties presented at the 2022 ECTRIMS Congress, held in Amsterdam from 26 to 28 October.

Aim: To synthesise the content presented at the 15th edition of the Post-ECTRIMS Meeting, in an article broken down into two parts.

Development: In this first part, the initial events involved in the onset of MS, the role played by lymphocytes and the migration of immune system cells into the central nervous system are presented.