Alberto Sols Biomedical Research Institute
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A picture guide to cancer progression and evolutionary accumulation models: systematic critique, plausible interpretations, and alternative uses
No full textCancer progression and evolutionary accumulation models were developed to discover dependencies in the irreversible acquisition of binary traits from cross-sectional data. They have been used in oncology and virology but also in widely different problems such as malaria progression. These methods have been applied to predict future states of the system, identify routes of feature acquisition, and improve patient stratification, and they hold promise for evolutionary-based treatments. New methods continue to be developed. But these methods have shortcomings, which are yet to be systematically critiqued, regarding key evolutionary assumptions and interpretations. After an overview of available methods, we focus on why inferences might not be about the processes we intend. Using fitness landscapes, we highlight difficulties arising from bulk sequencing, from conflating lines of descent, path of the maximum, and mutational profiles, and from the idea of exclusivity. We show that bulk sequencing can severely limit interpretation as inferring within-cell restrictions is only warranted under very strong assumptions. We suggest that limitations and opportunities from bulk sequencing be recognised and exploited explicitly; the methods remain valuable for patient stratification, and we underline opportunities for addressing dependencies due to frequency dependent selection. This review identifies major standing issues, recommends turning inferences into actionable insights for translational impact —which requires careful consideration of empirical entities for causally-justified interpretations—, assessing method performance with entity-appropriate simulations, and should encourage the use of these methods in other areas with a better alignment between entities and model assumption
Effect of precursor on the solar photocatalytic production of hydrogen using C3N4
No full textThe production of hydrogen via photocatalytic water splitting with semiconductors is considered an eco-friendly alternative to reduce the use of traditional fossil fuels. Diverse photocatalytic semiconductors have been studied for water splitting, highlighting graphitic carbon nitride (C3N4) as one of the most promising due to its good characteristics of light harvesting and photocatalytic activity. In the present work, C3N4 photocatalysts were synthesized by thermal decomposition of different precursors, namely, urea, melamine and dicyandiamide. These materials were subsequently tested for hydrogen production under simulated solar light irradiation. For this purpose, triethanolamine, lactic acid or ethanol were selected as scavengers to improve hydrogen production. Using Pt as cocatalyst, all the scavengers yielded significant hydrogen production. The best results were obtained with the photocatalyst sample prepared from urea and using triethanolamine as a scavenger (810 µmol H2·gcat−1·h−1), while with lactic acid and ethanol, 427 and 114 µmol H2·gcat−1·h−1 were obtained respectively. This order of production, based on the scavenger used, was due to the reactivity of the hydroxyl groups present in the molecular structure and the adsorption capacity on the catalyst surface. Triethanolamine stood out due to its multiple reactive sites, maximizing the capture of photogenerated holes. Based on the band structure of the C3N4 and the radicals detection, it seems confirmed that the triethanolamine molecules consume the photo-generated holes from the valence band, thus improving the reduction of the water molecules by the photogenerated electrons located on the conduction band of C3N4. This semiconductor is postulated as a promising material for constructing novel photocatalysts, where not only the suitable band edge is a key factor for continuous hydrogen production, but also its electrochemical properties and its behavior when exposed to radiation need to be analyzedThe authors acknowledge Spanish State Research Agency and FSE + for funding (PID2022-141056OB-I00/MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033; TED2021-129948B-I00). L. Gudiño thanks to Spanish MCI (FPI-PRE2020-093998 grant). The authors thank the Research Support Services of the University of Extremadura (SAIUEx
Exploring the role of a Mediterranean transhumance drove road as shelter for amphibian breeding
No full textAmphibians face global population declines due to environmental degradation and habitat loss, particularly impacting breeding water bodies. Thus, we hypothesise that water bodies associated with traditional pastoralist practices, such as those along drove roads used for transhumance (e.g. ponds and troughs), may play a crucial role in supporting amphibian assemblages. Conducted in one of the main drove roads still in use in Spain (the Conquense Drove Road, hereafter CDR), this study evaluated the conservation condition and contribution of the CDR water bodies to amphibian breeding assemblages at a landscape scale. We also explored the influence of landscape (land use cover) and local (water body characteristics) variables on the occurrence of breeding amphibians within and outside the CDR. Results confirm that the CDR provides a significantly higher proportion of functional water bodies to the landscape compared to its surroundings, providing highly valuable refuges for amphibians against threats caused by land use intensification. This key function of the CDR in the maintenance of amphibian breeding points persists despite the observed lack of continuity of water bodies along its route. Ponds and the most naturalized troughs (the minority of them) were identified as the most suitable habitats, supporting species such as Discoglossus galganoi, Pleurodeles waltl, Epidalea calamita, Hyla molleri, Pelobates cultripes, Pelodytes punctatus, and Pelophylax perezi. Only the latter two were found in troughs. While pond creation and restoration should be prioritized due to their higher suitability for amphibians, we demonstrated that troughs still serve as complementary habitats and refuges if properly managed. We recommend ensuring a minimum hydroperiod, promoting the development of sediment and macrophytes, and implementing access ramps for terrestrial wildlifeThis work was financially supported by the European Union Life Program (project LIFE CAÑADAS, LIFE 18 NAT/ES/000930). Christian Arnanz is supported by a predoctoral grant, “Formación de Personal Investigador” (PRE2020–668094732; associated with project ClimaRiskinPond PID2019-104580GA-I00) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033 and by the European Social Fund (ESF) under the motto “Investing in your future
Completeness in local positive logic
No full textWe develop the basic model theory of local positive logic, a new logic that mixes positive logic (where negation is not allowed) and local logic (where models omit types of infinite distant pairs). We study several basic model theoretic notions such as compactness, positive closedness (existential closedness) and completeness (irreducibility)Rodríguez Fanlo has carried out this work at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem while supported by the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities & Council for Higher Education Excellence Fellowship Program for International Postdoctoral Researchers and partially supported by STRANO PID2021-122752NB-I
Uso del código TEP para el manejo de los pacientes con tromboembolia de pulmón aguda sintomática
No full textTesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Medicina. Fecha de Lectura: 27-03-2025Background: the effect of a Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) in the short-term prognosis of patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) lacks clarity. We therefore aimed at evaluating the effect of a PERT team on short-term mortality among patients with acute PE.
Methods: we retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with acute symptomatic PE enrolled in a single-center registry between 2007 and 2022. We used propensity score matching to compare treatment effects for patients with similar predicted probabilities of receiving management by the PERT team. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 30 days following the diagnosis of PE. The secondary outcome was 30-day PE-related mortality.
Results: of the 2,902 eligible patients who had acute symptomatic PE, 223 (7.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.7%-8.7%) were managed by the PERT team. Two hundred and seven patients who were treated by the PERT were matched with 207 patients who were not. Matched pairs did not show a statistically significant lower all-cause (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% CI, 0.63-1.89) or PE-related death (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.47-3.62) for PERT management compared with no PERT management through 30 days after diagnosis of PE.
Conclusions: our results suggest that multidisciplinary care of patients with acute symptomatic PE by a PERT team is not associated with a significant reduction in short-term all-cause or PE-related mortalit
Un estudio sobre el liderazgo preferido por la generación Z para su desarrollo profesional en España
No full textTesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Empresariales, Departamento Organización de Empresas. Fecha de Lectura: 04-03-202
Efectos del tabaco sobre la arteria pulmonar: el rol de los receptores nicotínicos
No full textTesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Medicina. Fecha de Lectura: 07-03-2025El humo de tabaco es el principal factor de riesgo en el desarrollo de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). Estudios previos de nuestro laboratorio explican los efectos directos del tabaco a nivel molecular sobre la reactividad de la arteria pulmonar, comprometiendo su capacidad para regular el tono vascular, así como su implicación directa en el desarrollo de hipertensión pulmonar (HP) independiente de enfisema. El objetivo de este trabajo es profundizar en estos estudios y contribuir con un mayor conocimiento de las vías moleculares que tienen lugar en las células del músculo liso de arteria pulmonar al ser expuestas a humo de tabaco. Finalmente, se plantea proponer dianas terapéuticas para prevenir o minimizar el desarrollo de la HP en estos pacientes fumadores.
Nuestros resultados revelan por primera vez la expresión de receptores nicotínicos (nAChR) funcionales en células de músculo liso de arteria pulmonar (hPASMC). Nuestros datos demuestran además que la nicotina del humo de tabaco señaliza a través de estos receptores, provocando una disfunción en la contractilidad de la arteria pulmonar mediada por un aumento significativo en los niveles de calcio citoplasmático y de especies reactivas de oxígeno (ROS). Estos cambios resultan en una disfunción del citoesqueleto y en un aumento de la oxidación de la guanilato ciclasa soluble (sGC); efectos que impactan directamente en la reactividad de la arteria.
En paralelo, nuestros hallazgos también ensalzan el papel señalizador de la mitocondria más allá de su función energética, en su implicación en la homeostasis del calcio y del estrés oxidativo. La regulación recíproca de estas moléculas sugiere la implicación del eje mitocondria-retículo endoplasmático en esta cascada de señalización. Estos descubrimientos son de gran relevancia ya que asientan las bases de las vías de señalización conocidas y proponen otras vías no canónicas.
Estos hallazgos podrían marcar una diferencia significativa en la salud de las personas expuestas al humo de tabaco y mejorar su calidad de vida. El estudio de estas rutas moleculares, liderado por el descubrimiento de la expresión de los nAChR en la arteria pulmonar abre la puerta a desarrollar nuevos enfoques terapéuticos dirigidos a mitigar los efectos negativos del tabaquismo en la arteria pulmonar, lo que potencialmente ayudaría a reducir el riesgo de desarrollar HP secundaria a EPO
Coupling hyperspectral imaging and deep learning to detect bloom-forming toxic cyanobacteria in mixed assemblages
No full textCyanobacterial blooms, particularly those dominated by toxin-producing species, pose critical risks to ecosystems and public health. Monitoring strategies have evolved significantly in the last decades, but still lack near real-time capabilities for effective risk estimations. This study explores the potential of combining hyperspectral imagery (HSI) with machine learning and deep learning to detect the presence of specific cyanobacterial taxa in complex mixtures, even when present at low proportions. This work simulates a real-world scenario in which different cyanobacterial taxa coexist in varying proportions. A HSI library was created from pure cyanobacterial cultures and combined in binary mixtures of three species representative of bloom-forming potentially toxic cyanobacterial genera: Microcystis aeruginosa, Chrysosporum ovalisporum, and Dolichospermum crassum. Reflectance spectra from the visible to near-infrared (VIS-NIR) range of each image were extracted, randomly grouped and filtered. The resulting spectra were preprocessed and used to develop Random Forest (RF) and Neural Network (NN) classification models intended to classify these mixtures. Hyperparameter optimization was performed to achieve the best configuration. Learning curves and classification metrics were utilized to monitor the overall training process as well as the model performance. The resulting models demonstrated remarkable performance, achieving 91–95 % accuracy in classifying pure and mixed assemblages, and 85–90 % in defining the proportion of each species, with NNs consistently outperforming RFs by 4–6 % in both tasks. Even cyanobacteria present at low proportions (e.g., 6 %) were effectively detected and quantified. These findings have important implications for improving and automating cyanobacterial monitoring and risk assessment in current water management strategiesThe authors would like to thank the EU, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) for funding, in the frame of the collaborative international consortium AIHABs financed under the ERA-NET AquaticPollutants Joint Transnational Call (GA N◦ 869178). Agencia Estatal de Investigación (Spain) funded the project through the grant PCI2021–121915. We also thank the Department of Computer Architecture and Automation from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, for providing access to the hyperspectral camer
The EU’s FIMI Turn: How the European Union External Action Service Reframed the Disinformation Fight
Get PDFThis article critically examines the strategic decision of the European Union External Action Service (EEAS) to reframe the concept of misinformation as Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference. The EEAS, particularly its Strategic Communications Division, has been at the forefront of combating disinformation within the EU. Initially mandated by the European Council in 2015 to counter Russian disinformation campaigns, the EEAS pioneered the framing of this complex phenomenon as an external threat, significantly shaping subsequent European perceptions and policies. While the Covid-19 pandemic and the surge of accompanying disinformation originally shifted the EU focus towards a more regulatory approach, culminating in the approval of the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine soon after prompted a return to geopolitical considerations, reinstating both the disinformation-as-external-threat dimension and, therefore, the prominent role of the EEAS. This research argues that the EEAS, which recognizes the limitations of the EU in effectively countering the phenomenon of misinformation, adopted the framing of Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference to both make the problem more manageable and align it with its mandate. Through this reframing, the EEAS has addressed disinformation similarly to traditional security threats, such as cyberattacks, thereby aligning with existing security paradigms and the competencies and limitations granted by the EUThe article is part of the Horizon Europe research project Reclaiming Liberal Democracy in Europe
(RECLAIM, Grant agreement: 101061330) and the Jean Monnet action Future of Europe Communication in
times of Pandemic Disinformation (FUTEUDISPAN, Ref: 101083334‐JMO‐2022‐CHAIR), both of them
funded by the European Union. Publication of this article in open access was made possible through the
institutional membership agreement between the Universidad Loyola Andalucía and Cogitatio Press
Universidad Loyola Andalucía has also funded the proofreadin
Aprendizaje Profundo y Transferencia Radiativa de Calor
No full textTesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Física Teórica de la Materia Condensada. Fecha de Lectura: 23-04-202