Spontaneous and perturbation-based EEG cortical excitability markers are associated with plasma p-tau181 concentration in healthy middle-aged adults.

In early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition can induce neuronal hyperactivity, thereby potentially triggering activity-dependent neuronal secretion of phosphorylated tau (p-tau), ensuing tau aggregation and spread. Therefore, cortical excitability is a candidate biomarker for early AD detection. Moreover, lowering neuronal excitability could potentially complement strategies to reduce Aβ and tau buildup.

Brain oscillatory activity evoked by chirp modulated tones in healthy children.

Aim: To describe the features of cortical oscillatory activity and neuronal synchronization by monitoring responses evoked by chirp-modulated tone (CMT) and look for relationships with cognition in healthy children.

Methods: We recruited 23 healthy children, 1-18 years old, assessed their cognitive abilities and recorded the cortical oscillatory activity evoked by CMTs. We obtained descriptive statistics and looked for correlations with cognitive abilities.

Fused oxazepine-naphthoquinones as novel cytotoxic agents with diverse modes of action in yeast.

The naphthoquinone moiety is commonly found in numerous natural cytotoxic compounds with diverse and pleiotropic modes of action (MOAs). The moiety can exist as a standalone pharmacophore or combined with other pharmacophores to enrich their MOAs. Here, we report that the synthetic fusion of naphthoquinones and oxazepines provides potent cytotoxic compounds with diverse MOAs.

Identification of a new spliceogenic variant causing severe primary coenzyme Q deficiency.

Background And Aims: Primary Coenzyme Q (CoQ) deficiency caused by defects is a clinically heterogeneous mitochondrial condition characterized by reduced levels of CoQ in tissues. Next-generation sequencing has lately boosted the genetic diagnosis of an increasing number of patients. Still, functional validation of new variants of uncertain significance is essential for an adequate diagnosis, proper clinical management, treatment, and genetic counseling.

Automatic imitation of intransitive actions in macaws.

Automatic imitation is the involuntary tendency of humans to copy others' actions even when counterproductive. We examined the automatic imitation of actions in blue-throated macaws (), employing a stimulus-response-compatibility task. After training seven macaws to perform two different actions with legs and wings upon specific hand commands, the subjects were divided into a compatible and incompatible group.

Design of Natterins-based peptides improves antimicrobial and antiviral activities.

The biochemical analysis of animal venoms has been intensifying over the years, enabling the prediction of new molecules derived from toxins, harnessing the therapeutic potential of these molecules. From the venom of the fish , using methods for predicting antimicrobial and cell-penetrating peptides, two peptides from Natterins with promising characteristics were synthesized and subjected to and analysis. The peptides were subjected to stability tests and antimicrobial assays, cytotoxicity in murine fibroblast cells, antiviral assays against the Chikungunya virus, and the toxicity on was also evaluated.

Changing Patterns of Lung Cancer Mortality in Andalusia: Insights From Age-period-cohort Analysis and Historical Smoking Trends.

Introduction: Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer death worldwide. This study examines lung cancer mortality trends in Andalusia, Spain, from 2003 to 2022, focusing on gender differences and the influence of age, period and cohort effects.

Material And Methods: This longitudinal ecological study analyzed lung cancer mortality data in Andalusia from 2003 to 2022, using age-period-cohort (A-P-C) and joinpoint regression models.

CARABELA-COPD: A Novel Approach for the Transformation and Improvement of the Healthcare Process in COPD Management in Spain.

Introduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious global health problem that is ranked third among the leading causes of death worldwide. However, underdiagnosis remains common, especially in Spain. The CARABELA-COPD initiative aims to address these issues by optimizing processes across the diverse healthcare settings in Spain.

Recovery and purification of acetic acid from extremely diluted solutions using a mixed bed ion exchange resin - technical feasibility.

A downstream process for the recovery and purification of acetic acid (AA) from an extremely diluted solution (100 mg L) also containing a mixture of contaminating inorganic salts in the form of bicarbonates, phosphates, sulfates and chlorides (DPM medium) has been developed, showing its technical feasibility. The process involves two successive steps based on the use of a mixed bed ion exchange (IEX) resin. The first step, a demineralization treatment to remove the inorganic anions that could potentially interfere with the recovery and purification of AA, involves a combined treatment of calcium precipitation, acidification with the Amberlite IR-120 resin and treatment with the Amberlite MB20 mixed bed resin.

Range of Motion and Muscle Stiffness Differences in Junior Tennis Players with and without a History of Shoulder Pain.

Background: Due to its significant unilateral predominance, tennis can provoke functional and morphological asymmetries that develop over time and may result in undesired morphological alterations.

Hypothesis/purpose: The goals of this study were a) to assess glenohumeral range of motion and muscular stiffness in young tennis players with and without a history of shoulder pain and b) to examine interlimb asymmetries in these variables in both groups. It was hypothesized that players with a history of shoulder pain would show a reduced glenohumeral internal rotation (IR) and total arc of motion (TAM) and increased stiffness in internal rotator muscles compared to those without shoulder pain.

Mechanistic Studies on the Gold-Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroalkylation of Ynamides to Indenes.

An in-depth experimental and computational study to rationalize the mechanism underlying the gold-catalyzed intramolecular hydroalkylation of ynamides to indenes is reported. Evaluating the reactivity of a set of deuterated ynamides and gold complexes allowed to get valuable insights into the mechanism of this reaction, while DFT calculations allowed to determine a plausible reaction pathway for this unprecedented transformation. This pathway involves the activation of the ynamide followed by a [1,5]-hydride shift from the highly reactive, in situ generated keteniminium ion, and a subsequent cyclization before deprotonation followed by a final protodeauration.

Self-Reinforced Biocomposites Made from Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV): An Innovative Approach to Sustainable Packaging Production through Melt Processing.

The production of self-reinforced composites allows for a targeted tailoring of the property profile for specific applications and offers the physical-mechanical advantages of a synergistic combination of the two components with a high value in terms of their end-of-life scenarios. This study deals with the preparation and evaluation of self-reinforced biocomposites of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) with PHBV microparticles produced for the first time by industry-oriented melt processing. First, microparticles with a size of 4 μm were prepared and characterized by using the miniemulsion/evaporation technique.

Chitosan Nanoparticles, a Novel Drug Delivery System to Transfer Squalene for Hepatocyte Stress Protection.

The Mediterranean diet is a well-known dietary pattern that has gained considerable popularity worldwide for its ability to prevent the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This is largely attributed to the use of virgin olive oil as the primary source of fat, which contains a substantial amount of squalene, a natural antioxidant. In order to enhance the delivery of squalene and amplify its effects due to its highly hydrophobic nature, herein, squalene has been incorporated into chitosan nanoparticles.

Diagnosis and management of septic arthritis. A current concepts review.

Correct diagnosis and treatment of septic arthritis (SA) are essential to achieve satisfactory results and avoid lifelong consequences. Diagnosing septic arthritis is not always easy, which is why new biomarkers have been sought. Another difficulty in diagnosis is the increase in septic arthritis due to Kingella Kingae, which does not show the same signs and symptoms as classic infections.

Perceived quality of padel users: adaptation and validation of the QPadel assessment tool.

Introduction: Padel is currently an emerging sport that has experienced significant growth, enjoying popularity and widespread accessibility among the population. However, the padel context lacks a tool to assess the perceived quality of users in padel facilities and sports services. This study aims to adapt and validate an evaluation tool based on a literature review.

Linguistic Validation of a British-English Version of the SAMANTA Questionnaire and HMB-VAS Tool: A Step Toward Improved Diagnosis of Heavy Menstrual Bleeding.

Background: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is a common disorder interfering with physical, emotional and social domains, and overall quality of life (QoL). The Heavy Menstrual Bleeding-Visual Analog Scale (HMB-VAS) tool, including the VAS for menstrual bleeding intensity (VAS-Int) and the VAS for its interference with daily activities (VAS-Imp), is useful for HMB screening. The SAMANTA questionnaire (SAMANTA-Q) was developed and psychometrically validated in Spanish to easily identify women with HMB.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Efficacy in Improving Clinical, Neuropsychological, and Quality of Life in Women Victims of Violence.

Background: The number of female victims of violence has significantly increased in recent years, resulting in physical, mental, and social damage.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapeutic model compared with narrative exposure therapy (NET) as treatments for clinical improvement, neuropsychological outcomes, and quality of life in women who have experienced violence.

Methods: A randomized experimental study was conducted, involving 120 women exposed to physical, psychological, and sexual violence, who were assigned to either an EMDR or NET group.

Dataset on the quality of life and neurocognitive effects of prophylactic cranial irradiation, with and without hippocampal avoidance, in small-cell lung cancer patients.

This article presents data collected from 15 patients diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer who received prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI), with or without hippocampal avoidance. Patient assessments included two specific questionnaires related to quality of life and an extensive neurocognitive evaluation. The evaluation covered various domains: verbal short-term memory, working memory, visuoconstructive abilities, visuospatial memory, semantic memory, verbal fluency, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, selective and divided attention, and processing speed.

School autonomy with accountability as a cross-national policy model: diverse adoptions, practices and impacts.

This special issue examines the policy model of School Autonomy with Accountability (SAWA) and its diverse configurations . The focus is on understanding how SAWA reforms shape governance practices and influence educational systems in different educational settings. Drawing on a range of theoretical perspectives, the issue explores how political factors, administrative traditions, and local professional frameworks shape the adoption and evolution of these policies.

Do we interpret ambiguity and feel according to how we define ourselves? Relationships between self-perception, interpretation biases, and their role on emotional symptoms.

Introduction: In today's fast-paced world, depression and anxiety are the most prevalent health problems, generating high economic and social burdens. Interpretation biases seem to play a pivotal role in this emotional problems, influencing how individuals interpret emotionally ambiguous information. These interpretation biases can emerge due to the activation of latent schemas related to how individuals perceive themselves.

Needs assessment of people living with cognitive impairment/dementia, a requirement of comprehensive psychogeriatric assessment and person-centered care. Empirical validation of the model in a community study.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment and dementia are part of a continuum that progressively leads to functional impairment and dependency. Dementia is a paradigmatic example of chronic and complex psychogeriatric diseases, requiring a comprehensive assessment. The authors underline the importance of implementing a formal assessment of needs (whether met or unmet) as an essential element of comprehensive assessment.

Effects of prior air pollution exposure on functional recovery after a myocardial infarction.

Air pollution is a major cardiovascular risk factor leading to higher rates of heart failure and myocardial infarction (MI), but its effects on functional recovery after an MI remain unknown. Cardiac rehabilitation is a cornerstone of post-MI care and leads to better performance and quality of life, but its benefits may be hampered in heavily polluted environments. To assess the effect of different pollutants on post-MI rehabilitation, we included 137 post-MI patients from 7 Spanish hospitals that were enrolled in a cardiac rehabilitation program who underwent two cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) within a 12-week period.