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Essential Oils as Bioinsecticides Against Blattella germanica (Linnaeus, 1767): Evaluating Its Efficacy Under a Practical Framework
No full textConcerns about the negative effects of traditional insecticides and increasing insecticide resistance have prompted the exploration of botanical alternatives like essential oils (EOs). The registration of biocides is a mandatory procedure, and some regions have established a special status for compounds that meet specific low-risk criteria, which includes certain EOs. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of sixteen EOs, both registered as low-risk biocides and/or standard biocides, against the German cockroach, Blattella germanica. A topical application was performed with undiluted EOs (15 µL) on the dorsal surface of awake cockroaches. The results showed significant variations in efficacy, as follows: thyme, sweet orange, and lavender oils were the most effective, achieving 100% mortality within 24 h and a less than 30 s knockdown effect. In contrast, linseed and cottonseed oils were the least effective, resulting in 70% and 40% 24 h mortality. Remarkably, some EOs registered as low-risk biocides performed as well as the ones registered as standard biocides, suggesting that this category does not have to always be at odds with efficacy. Future research should adopt practical, application-driven approaches to ensure bioinsecticides balance performance and safety, meeting both regulatory and consumer demand
Protective Efficacy of Decreasing Antigen Doses of a Chlamydia abortus Subcellular Vaccine Against Ovine Enzootic Abortion in a Pregnant Sheep Challenge Model
No full textBackground/Objective: Chlamydia abortus, the cause of ovine enzootic abortion, is a zoonotic bacterial pathogen and one of the most infectious causes of foetal death in sheep worldwide. Although the disease can be controlled using commercial inactivated and live whole-organism vaccines, there are issues with both, particularly concerning efficacy and safety. Recently, we have described the development of a new COMC (chlamydial outer membrane complex) vaccine based on a detergent-extracted outer membrane protein preparation of the pathogen, which can be delivered in a single inoculation and is both efficacious and safe. Methods: In this study, we have evaluated the COMC vaccine further in a dose–response titration of the chlamydial antigen content of the vaccine (from 20 to 2.5 µg in seven experimental groups) using an established pregnant sheep challenge model. Results: No obvious dose–response relationship was observed across the groups, with a single abortion event occurring in four of the groups and three in the lowest dose group (2.5 µg). No abortions occurred in the 15 and 10 µg groups. The abortion rates (0–14%) were significantly below that of the challenge control group (33%). A similar reduction in bacterial shedding of infectious organisms following parturition was observed in the vaccinated groups compared to the challenge control group, which is important in terms of reducing potential transmission to naive animals. Conclusions: The results show that a dose of 10 µg antigen in the vaccine will be optimal in terms of maximising efficacy, reducing shedding at parturition, and ensuring it is cost-effective to produce for commercial manufactur
A Superior and accessible cavitand receptor for the binding of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes in water
No full textA water-soluble receptor based on resorcin[4]arene featuring 8 solubilising carboxylate units (BC4) has been obtained in a straightforward manner without chromatographic purifications. BC4 is soluble in water in a wide range of pH, and is able to accommodate guests of different sizes and shapes, including monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, providing enhanced binding capabilities with respect to previously reported analogues. The molecular recognition events within BC4 are sensitive to subtle changes in guest shape and size, as illustrated by disparate exchange kinetics observed among the guests testedWe are grateful for financial support from grants PID2020-113181GB-I00, TED2021-130573B-I00, PID2023-146498NB-I00, and REQ2021_B_05 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. We thank AGAUR/Generalitat de Catalunya for funding (2021SGR623) and for a pre-doctoral fellowship to R. L. (2020
FI_B 00132)Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with the RS
Caracterització poblacional de la tortuga de rierol al riu Orlina : perspectives de futur
No full textThe Mediterranean pond turtle (Mauremys leprosa) is one of the two freshwater turtles of the
Iberian Peninsula, also distributed in North Africa and southern France. In the past, its
populations suffered a sharp decline due to human impact, including habitat fragmentation
and loss, capture, and indiscriminate trade. Currently protected by law in Spain, it is
considered a vulnerable species, although expanding in Catalonia. However, threats persist,
and with climate change, its future remains uncertain.
This study analyses the conservation status of M. leprosa in the Orlina River (Alt Empordà),
characterizing the population based on size and sex structure, sex ratio, age classes
proportions (juveniles/adults), biometrics, population size, and dynamics. Current data are
compared with those from previous years: 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2008.
The methodology used was Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) with custom-made traps. This
allowed for the identification of sex, age class, and biometric measurements. Recapture data
were entered into the MARK™ program along with data from previous years, enabling the
estimation of population size and superpopulation for the period 2001-2024, as well as
population dynamics through survival, capture probability, and recruitment parameters.
The population structure was graphically compared across years and for the entire period
using population pyramids by size and group (juveniles, males, and females). The sex ratio
and juvenile-to-adult proportion were statistically tested using the chi-square test and Fisher’s
exact test. Biometric data and population estimates were compared between years using
ANOVA.
The results show a well-structured but aging population, with larger adult individuals and fewer
juveniles compared to other years. The sex ratio in 2024 is more skewed towards males tan
the first decade of the 2000s. Population estimates indicate a slight decline over the study
period, although not statistically significant.
The conservation of aquatic ecosystems and connectivity between populations are key to the
future survival of M. leprosa in Alt Empordà1
Los primates también juegan con muñecas
No full textCada vez conocemos más la riqueza en el juego de nuestros primos biológicos, los primates. Hacen el avión, malabarismos e incluso transportan y cuidan de palos y piedras como si se tratara de muñecas. Además, ponen cara de juego. En un reciente estudio, llevado a cabo en el área protegida Otoch Ma'ax Yetel Kooh en Yucatán, México, hemos explorado el juego social de los monos araña de Geoffroy (Ateles geoffroyi). La investigación, publicada en el International Journal of Primatology, nos ofrece una visión detallada del papel de la edad, el sexo y las expresiones faciales en estos monos americano
Empirical comparison of post-processing debiasing methods for machine learning classifiers in healthcare
No full textMachine learning classifiers in healthcare tend to reproduce or exacerbate existing health disparities due to inherent biases in training data. This relevant issue has brought the attention of researchers in both healthcare and other domains, proposing techniques that deal with it in different stages of the machine learning process. Post-processing methods adjust model predictions to ensure fairness without interfering in the learning process nor requiring access to the original training data, preserving privacy and enabling the application to any trained model. This study rigorously compares state-of-the-art debiasing methods within the family of post-processing techniques across a wide range of synthetic and real-world (healthcare) datasets, by means of different performance and fairness metrics. Our experiments reveal the strengths and weaknesses of each method, examining the trade-offs between group fairness and predictive performance, as well as among different notions of group fairness. Additionally, we analyze the impact on untreated attributes to ensure overall bias mitigation. Our comprehensive evaluation provides insights into how these debiasing methods can be optimally implemented in healthcare settings to balance accuracy and fairnessThis work was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 874739, LongITools. This work was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No 848158, EarlyCauseOpen Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Natur
Repeated Administrations of Polyphenolic Extracts Prevent Chronic Reflexive and Non-Reflexive Neuropathic Pain Responses by Modulating Gliosis and CCL2-CCR2/CX3CL1-CX3CR1 Signaling in Spinal Cord-Injured Female Mice
No full textNeuropathic pain after spinal cord injury lacks any effective treatments, often leading to chronic pain. This study tested whether the daily administration of fully characterized polyphenolic extracts from grape stalks and coffee could prevent both reflexive and non-reflexive chronic neuropathic pain in spinal cord-injured mice by modulating the neuroimmune axis. Female CD1 mice underwent mild spinal cord contusion and received intraperitoneal extracts in weeks one, three, and six post-surgery. Reflexive pain responses were assessed weekly for up to 10 weeks, and non-reflexive pain was evaluated at the study's end. Neuroimmune crosstalk was investigated, focusing on glial activation and the expression of CCL2/CCR2 and CX3CL1/CX3CR1 in supraspinal pain-related areas, including the periaqueductal gray, rostral ventromedial medulla, anterior cingulate cortex, and amygdala. Repeated treatments prevented mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, and also modulated non-reflexive pain. Moreover, they reduced supraspinal gliosis and regulated CCL2/CCR2 and CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling. Overall, the combination of polyphenols in these extracts may offer a promising pharmacological strategy to prevent chronic reflexive and non-reflexive pain responses by modifying central sensitization markers, not only at the contusion site but also in key supraspinal regions implicated in neuropathic pain. Overall, these data highlight the potential of polyphenolic extracts for spinal cord injury-induced chronic neuropathic painThis work was supported by grants from the University of Girona [MPCUdG2016/087] and La MARATÓ de TV3 Foundation [201705.30.31] in Catalonia, as well as funding from Masaryk University [MUNI/A/1563/2023] in Brno, Czech Republi
Optimization of the Website for Smart Tourism Destination: A Case Study of Bogota
No full textPurpose: This study aims to analyze key factors influencing Smart Tourism Destinations' website positioning. It provides a framework for destinations seeking to become STDs, optimizing digital presence, enhancing tourist experience, and strengthening competitiveness through usability, accessibility, interactivity, and credibility strategies. Design/methodology/approach: The study will employ innovative netnographic methods, focusing on qualitative research, to examine the interaction between virtual communities and a destination's websites. This unique approach will be preceded by a theoretical exploration to understand the composition of an STD website, uncovering the key factors contributing to boosting the tourism sector's competitiveness through its online presence. Findings: The qualitative results of this study will provide a model for the web positioning of any STD. By correlating the conceptual framework with quantitative findings, the study will determine the percentage level of each STD, identifying its specific needs, areas for improvement, and accolades that can serve as a benchmark for other cities. These findings will be instrumental in guiding future website development strategies for STDs. Originality/ Significance: This study proposes theoretical, highly practical, and actionable alternatives that enhance the impact of the technological dimension in developing a destination's website. It will provide a comprehensive guide on the necessary components for positioning a destination's branding in the global tourism network, emphasizing the tourism product offered by the destination. These proposals empower the tourism industry to take control of its online presence and reputation, delivering tangible benefitsThe European Union has funded this study -Next Generation EU, the Spanish Ministry of Universities, and the University of Girona, throug María Zambrano Postdoctoral fellowship to Daissy Moya Sánchez. This research was funded by the Multidisciplinary Tourism Laboratory (GRHCS058) of the University of Girona. Reference number: AGAUR 2021 SGR 0057
Postpandemic social work in education and community with children and young people in Catalonia (Spain)
No full textThe outbreak of COVID-19 has generated learning based on the perspective of Community Socio-educational Resilience (CSER) applied to social work aimed at children, adolescents and young people. This article analyses the evaluations of children, young people and practitioners in Catalonia (Spain), with the aim of identifying factors that enhance and limit the socio-educational practices developed during the pandemic. Likewise, it aims to define proposals for improvement that will enable adverse situations to be addressed. For this purpose, 30 interviews with practitioners (n=37) and 5 focus groups with children, adolescents, young people and teachers (n=36) were conducted between July 2021 and April 2022. An inductive-deductive thematic content analysis was carried out on the data collected. Findings: The results highlight, as the main strength, the development of a proactive and positive attitude of the agents involved in the practices; as a weakness, the imposition of restrictive COVID measures; and as a proposal for improvement, the importance of increasing the capacity for adaptation and organisation of social and educational actions. Applications: We conclude with the need to consider all of this as learning from a past situation and as principles to protect us from possible future challenges that may be encountered
Impact of personalized tracheostomy tubes using 3d models in polytrauma patients: a single center, randomized, prospective, controlled clinical trial
No full textBackground: Polytrauma is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide,
frequently requiring tracheostomies for prolonged airway management, particularly those
with severe injuries necessitating mechanical ventilation. Standard tracheostomy tubes
(TT) often fail to adapt to individual anatomy, leading to complications such as tracheal
stenosis, tracheomalacia or airway obstruction. Recent advancements in medical
imaging and 3D printing technologies offer the possibility of customizing TTs to fit the
unique anatomy of each patient, potentially reducing complications and improving
outcomes. Utilizing high-resolution CT scans, 3D-printed TTs tailored to each patient’s
specific anatomy could represent a paradigm shift in airway management for this highrisk
population.
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate whether customized TTs, designed from
patient-specific 3D models based on routine CT scans, reduce complications compared
to standard TTs. Secondary objectives include assessing the impact of these
personalized TTs on hospitalization duration and the need for tube replacements. By
leveraging routine imaging data, this approach seeks to streamline the integration of 3D
printing into clinical practice without adding significant costs or additional diagnostic
procedures.
Design: A single center, randomized, prospective, controlled clinical trial will be
conducted.
Participants and Methods: 156 polytrauma patients requiring tracheostomy and
meeting inclusion criteria will be randomized into two groups: one receiving customized
TTs and the other receiving standard TTs. Patients will be followed from the immediate
postoperative period during their hospital stay and up to six months post-surgical
tracheostomy to monitor complications, hospital stay length, and the number of TT
replacements. This comprehensive follow-up aims to capture both early and late
complications, as well as assess recovery trajectories. Data will be analyzed using
descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate methods to evaluate efficacy and potential
confounders