Effects of prenatal exposure to multiple heavy metals on infant neurodevelopment: A multi-statistical approach.

Prenatal exposure to heavy metals poses risks to fetal brain development, yet the joint effects of these metals remain unclear, with inconsistent findings across statistical models. This study investigates the joint effect of prenatal exposure to cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) on infant neurodevelopment using various statistical approaches. The study included 400 mother-infant pairs.

Real-Time Emotion Recognition for Improving the Teaching-Learning Process: A Scoping Review.

Emotion recognition (ER) is gaining popularity in various fields, including education. The benefits of ER in the classroom for educational purposes, such as improving students' academic performance, are gradually becoming known. Thus, real-time ER is proving to be a valuable tool for teachers as well as for students.

Urinary tartaric acid as a biomarker of wine consumption and cardiovascular risk: the PREDIMED trial.

Background And Aims: Moderate wine consumption has been associated with lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in older populations. However, wine consumption information through self-reports is prone to measurement errors inherent to subjective assessments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between urinary tartaric acid, an objective biomarker of wine consumption, and the rate of a composite clinical CVD event.

Active disturbance rejection control for four-wire inverters in standalone renewable resources-based microgrid - islanded microgrids ADRC-based control.

This paper presents an active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) approach for three-phase four-legs voltage source inverters (FL-VSIs) in a standalone renewable energy resources (RES)-based islanded microgrid. The key purpose of the proposed approach is to improve the control robustness against load-side disturbances, power supply parameters uncertainties, and faulty operating conditions. Indeed, a notable benefit of ADRC is its ability to operate effectively without the need for precise knowledge of disturbance characteristics or accurate modeling and FL-VSI parameters.

Rare Gold-Catalyzed 4-- Cyclization for Ring Expansion of Propargylic Aziridines toward Stereoselective ()-Alkylidene Azetidines, via Diborylalkyl Homopropargyl Amines.

We report an uncommon 4-- cyclization of -tosyl homopropargyl amines, catalyzed by [AuCl(PEt)]/AgOTf, to prepare stereoselective ()-2-alkylidene-1-tosylazetidine compounds. The reaction outcome contrasts with the gold-catalyzed cyclization of -tosyl homopropargyl amines containing a methyl group at the propargylic position that provides substituted 2,3-dihydropyrroles via a 5-- mechanism. The access to -tosyl homopropargyl amines is possible by the regioselective nucleophilic attack of α-diboryl alkylidene lithium salts to propargylic aziridines.

SIRARIS: Survey of internal mammary radiotherapy among radiation oncologists from Italy & Spain.

Background: Clinical guidelines for internal mammary chain (IMC) irradiation are not uniformly accepted, with notable differences between countries. This survey examines IMC irradiation practices among radiation oncologists in Italy and Spain.

Materials And Methods: An online survey was distributed to radiation oncologists via Google Forms.

Challenges and Future Perspectives in Photocatalysis: Conclusions from an Interdisciplinary Workshop.

Photocatalysis is a versatile and rapidly developing field with applications spanning artificial photosynthesis, photo-biocatalysis, photoredox catalysis in solution or supramolecular structures, utilization of abundant metals and organocatalysts, sustainable synthesis, and plastic degradation. In this Perspective, we summarize conclusions from an interdisciplinary workshop of young principal investigators held at the Lorentz Center in Leiden in March 2023. We explore how diverse fields within photocatalysis can benefit from one another.

Diagnosing probable urinary tract infections in nursing home residents without indwelling catheters: a narrative review.

Background: Overdiagnosis of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is one of the most common reasons for the unnecessary use of antibiotics in nursing homes, increasing the risk of missing serious conditions. Various decision tools and algorithms aim to aid in UTI diagnosis and the initiation of antibiotic therapy for residents. However, due to the lack of a clear reference standard, these tools vary widely and can be complex, with some requiring urine testing.

Sex Differences in the Absorption, Disposition, Metabolism, and Excretion of Grape Seed Proanthocyanidins in Prepubescent Rats.

Scope: The absorption, disposition, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of phenolic compounds are key factors in determining their bioactivity. The group demonstrates that the ADME of a Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract (GSPE) depends on sex in adult rats and specifically, methylated metabolites are only quantified in brain male adult rats. The aim of this study is to determine whether these differences exist before puberty.

Effectiveness and Acceptability of Targeted Text Message Reminders in Colorectal Cancer Screening: Randomized Controlled Trial (M-TICS Study).

Background: Mobile phone-based SMS text message reminders have the potential to improve colorectal cancer screening participation rates.

Objective: This study assessed the effectiveness and acceptability of adding targeted SMS text message reminders to the standard procedure for those who picked up but did not return their screening kit at the pharmacy within 14 days in a colorectal cancer screening program in Catalonia, Spain.

Methods: We performed a randomized control trial among individuals who picked up a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) kit for colorectal cancer screening at the pharmacy but did not return it within 14 days.

Cu-Catalyzed Enantioselective Borylative Desymmetrization of 1-Vinyl Cyclobutanols and Axial-to-Point Chirality Transfer in a Diastereoconvergent/Stereoretentive Allylation Scenery.

Cu-catalyzed asymmetric allylic borylation of 3,3'-disubstituted 1-vinylcyclobutan-1-ols renders axially chiral allylborane systems, with high asymmetric induction for both enantiomers, by precise selection of the cis or trans substrate. The enantioenriched alkylidenecyclobutanes served as chiral platform to prove the conceptually challenging transference of the axial-to-point chirality through two new stereocenters and one pseudoasymmetric carbon generated via diastereoconvergent allylation of aldehydes, without enantioselective erosion.

Written narratives to understand the experience of individuals living with fibromyalgia.

Purpose: To explore the experiences of individuals with fibromyalgia (FM) through written narratives (WN) and to preliminarily investigate the potential value of these narratives for healthcare professionals in assessing the overall perceived severity and disability experienced by individuals with FM.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 46 participants with a FM diagnosis. They were asked to complete a WN task that aimed to capture their personal experiences.

Photoperiod-Dependent Effects on Blood Biochemical Markers of Phenolic-Enriched Fruit Extracts.

Fruits are rich in bioactive compounds, such as (poly)phenols, and their intake is associated with health benefits, although recent animal studies have suggested that the photoperiod of consumption influences their properties. Fruit loss and waste are critical issues that can be reduced by obtaining functional fruit extracts. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain phenolic-enriched extracts from eight seasonal fruits that can modulate blood biochemical parameters and to investigate whether their effects depend on the photoperiod of consumption.

Effects of C-reactive protein rapid testing and communication skills training on antibiotic prescribing for acute cough. A cluster factorial randomised controlled trial.

This cluster randomised clinical trial carried out in 20 primary care centres in Barcelona was aimed at assessing the effect of a continuous intervention focused on C-reactive protein (CRP) rapid testing and training in enhanced communication skills (ECS) on antibiotic consumption for adults with acute cough due to lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). The interventions consisted of general practitioners and nurses' use of CRP point-of-care and training in ECS separately and combined, and usual care. The primary outcomes were antibiotic consumption and variation of the quality-adjusted life years during a 6-week follow-up.

Last-Century Forest Dynamics in a Highland Pyrenean National Park and Implications for Conservation.

Ecological records from before and after the creation of natural parks are valuable for informing conservation and management but are often unavailable. High-resolution paleoecological studies may bridge the gap and provide the required information. This paper presents a 20th-century subdecadal reconstruction of vegetation and landscape dynamics in a national park of the Pyrenean highlands.

Towards understanding post-COVID-19 condition: A systematic meta-analysis of transcriptomic alterations with sex-specific insights.

Background: Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC), characterized by lingering symptoms post-acute COVID-19, poses clinical challenges, highlighting the need to understand its underlying molecular mechanisms. This meta-analysis aims to shed light on the transcriptomic landscapes and sex-specific molecular dynamics intrinsic to PCC.

Methods: A systematic review identified three studies suitable for comprehensive meta-analysis, encompassing 135 samples (57 PCC subjects and 78 recovered subjects).

Computational and experimental microfluidics: Total analysis system for mixing, sorting, and concentrating particles and cells.

Body fluids can potentially indicate the presence of non-small cancer cells. Studying these fluids is an emerging field that could be crucial for cancer detection and monitoring treatment effectiveness. Meanwhile, the examination of fluids on a microscopic level is part of the field of microfluidics.

Use of the Phylobone database for the annotation of bone extracellular matrix proteins in reindeer ().

Bone extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins play a key role in bone formation and regeneration, including structural and regulatory functions. The Phylobone database consists of 255 ECM protein groups from 39 species and can be used to support bone research. Here, we gathered bone ECM proteins from reindeer (), a member of the Cervidae family.

Repositioning of the Antihyperlipidemic Drug Fenofibrate for the Management of Infections.

Fenofibrate is a fibric acid derivative used as an antihyperlipidemic drug in humans. Its active metabolite, fenofibric acid, acts as an agonist to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), a transcription factor involved in different metabolic pathways. Some studies have reported the potential protective role of this drug in cell lines and in vivo models against bacterial and viral infections.

A nationwide survey of the current status of radiation oncology teaching in Spanish medical schools.

Background: The present study was designed to collect information on the current status of radiation oncology (RO) teaching in undergraduate medical schools in Spain.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with the support of the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR). An anonymous questionnaire was sent in two waves, one month apart, between January and June 2022, to all Medical Schools and affiliated Institutions having radiotherapy departments throughout the country.

On the Stability of Electrohydrodynamic Jet Printing Using Poly(ethylene oxide) Solvent-Based Inks.

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) jet printing of solvent-based inks or melts allows for the producing of polymeric fiber-based two- and three-dimensional structures with sub-micrometer features, with or without conductive nanoparticles or functional materials. While solvent-based inks possess great material versatility, the stability of the EHD jetting process using such inks remains a major challenge that must be overcome before this technology can be deployed beyond research laboratories. Herein, we study the parameters that affect the stability of the EHD jet printing of polyethylene oxide (PEO) patterns using solvent-based inks.

α-Boryl Carbanions: The Influence of Geminal Heteroatoms in C-C Bond Formation.

The wide applications of alpha-boryl carbanions in selective coupling with organohalides, imines/carbonyls and conjugated unsaturated substrates has become an interesting tool for organic synthesis. Strategically, the inclusion of heteroatoms, such as Si, S, N, F, Cl, Br and I in the alpha position opens a new venue towards multifunctionalities in molecular design. Here, a conceptual and practical view on powerful carbanions, containing α-silicoboron, α-thioboron, α-haloboron and α-aminoboron is given, as well as a prespective on their efficient application for selective electrophilic trapping.

The significance of information variables in polydrug use by adolescents: insights from a cross-sectional study in Tarragona (Spain).

Substance use, especially among adolescents, is a significant public health concern, with profound implications for physical and psychological development. This study aimed to evaluate the quantity and sources of information available to adolescents regarding polydrug use. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Tarragona involving adolescents with an average age of 16.