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D7.8. EIP Practice Abstracts
No full textThe FERTIMANURE project’s main objective is to develop, integrate, test, and validate innovative nutrient management strategies to efficiently recover mineral nutrients and other relevant products with agronomic value from animal manure, to finally obtain reliable and safe fertilisers that can compete in the European fertilisers market.
The aim of the EIP practice abstracts is to ensure uptake by farmers by outlining the benefits and practical recommendations for the use of the produced BBFs and TMFs.
The resulting innovative knowledge and easily accessible end-user material from this project will feed into the EIP AGRI (The agricultural European Innovation Partnership) website for broad dissemination. The end-user material to be produced contains a substantial number of summaries for practitioners in the EIP common format ("practice abstracts"), including the characteristics of the project (e.g., contact details of partners, etc.). This is the third and last set of practice abstracts produced by FERTIMANURE, containing the last outcomes/recommendations which are ready for practice.H2020 (Grant no. 862849
Resiliència i estratègies d’afrontament en l’esport: una anàlisi comparativa entre esportistes amateurs i d’alt rendiment
No full textCurs 2023-2024El present estudi té com a objectiu determinar si els atletes d'alt rendiment tenen un nivell de resiliència més elevat respecte als esportistes amateurs, detectar quines estratègies d'afrontament s'utilitzen més segons el seu nivell de competició i si poden relacionar-se amb els seus nivells de resiliència. Amb aquesta finalitat s'analitzen 44 esportistes, 24 d'aficionat i 20 d'alt rendiment, d'entre 18 i 35 anys. L'escala utilitzada per avaluar la resiliència ha estat l'escala de resiliència del context esportiu (ERCD) desenvolupada per Vigario et al. (2009) a part d'utilitzar una petita enquesta de creació pròpia per preguntar per les estratègies que fan servir els esportistes. Els resultats obtinguts mostren que els esportistes d'alt rendiment tenen nivells de resiliència més elevats que els aficionats. On s’ha pogut observar diferències més significatives ha sigut en el factor de competències personals, ja que els atletes d'alt rendiment han mostrat puntuacions més altes en comparació amb els amateurs. A més, s'ha vist que les estratègies d'afrontament no estan relacionades amb els nivells de resiliència dels esportistes.The aim of this research is to determine if high performance athletes have a higher level of resilience compared to amateur athletes and to detect which coping strategies are most used according to their level of competition and if they can relate to their levels of resilience. For this purpose, 44 athletes, 24 at the amateur level and 20 at the high performance level, aged between 18 and 35, are analyzed. The scale used to assess resilience has been the Sports Context Resilience Scale (ERCD) developed by Vigario et al. (2009) apart from using a small self-created survey to ask for the strategies used by athletes.The results obtained show that high performance athletes have higher levels of resilience than amateurs. Where we saw more significant differences was in the personal skills factor, as high-performance athletes showed higher scores compared to amateurs. Furthermore, it has been seen that coping strategies are not related to athletes' levels of resilience
Intrahospital Mortality and Survival of Patients with Advanced Chronic Illnesses in a Tertiary Hospital Identified with the NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© Tool
No full textBackground: Between 69% and 82% of patients with advanced chronic illness require palliative care (PC). The NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© tool can identify these individuals. Tools to estimate survival are available, but have limited predictive ability, and therefore we sought to assess if NECPAL could improve survival prediction.
Objective: To describe hospital mortality, survival rates, and related variables in a sample of inpatients identified with the NECPAL tool.
Design: Cross-sectional study with longitudinal cohort follow-up. Sociodemographic and clinical data were analyzed. A predictive model (Cox regression analysis) was performed to assess survival.
Setting/subjects: Patients admitted to a tertiary hospital. Included patients were considered to be especially affected by their chronic condition and NECPAL+ patients (surprise question [SQ]+ plus ≥1 of the tool's other three criteria). Patients were classified into three subgroups: non-NECPAL (either SQ- or not meeting any additional NECPAL criteria); NECPAL I-II (SQ+ with one to two additional criteria); and NECPAL III (SQ+ with all three additional criteria).
Results: Of the 602 inpatients, 236 (39.2%) were included. Of these, 49 (20.3%) died during hospitalization: 14 (13.3%) were NECPAL I-II; 34 (35.1%) were NECPAL III; and none were non-NECPAL (p 85 years (HR: 2.52 [1.46-4.35]). At six months, the NECPAL had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.7 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.632-0.765), and at 24 months, the NECPAL AUC was 0.717 (95% CI: 0.650-0.785).
Conclusions: The NECPAL CCOMS-ICO© tool can improve the prediction of mortality. The presence of all three NECPAL criteria (NECPAL III) increases the tool's predictive ability
The SEMA3F-NRP1/NRP2 axis is a key factor in the acquisition of invasive traits in in situ breast ductal carcinoma
No full textBackground: A better understanding of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is urgently needed to identify these preinvasive lesions as distinct clinical entities. Semaphorin 3F (SEMA3F) is a soluble axonal guidance molecule, and its coreceptors Neuropilin 1 (NRP1) and NRP2 are strongly expressed in invasive epithelial BC cells.
Methods: We utilized two cell line models to represent the progression from a healthy state to the mild-aggressive or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) stage and, ultimately, to invasive cell lines. Additionally, we employed in vivo models and conducted analyses on patient databases to ensure the translational relevance of our results.
Results: We revealed SEMA3F as a promoter of invasion during the DCIS-to-invasive ductal carcinoma transition in breast cancer (BC) through the action of NRP1 and NRP2. In epithelial cells, SEMA3F activates epithelialmesenchymal transition, whereas it promotes extracellular matrix degradation and basal membrane and myoepithelial cell layer breakdown.
Conclusions: Together with our patient database data, these proof-of-concept results reveal new SEMA3F-mediated mechanisms occurring in the most common preinvasive BC lesion, DCIS, and represent potent and direct activation of its transition to invasion. Moreover, and of clinical and therapeutic relevance, the effects of SEMA3F can be blocked directly through its coreceptors, thus preventing invasion and keeping DCIS lesions in the preinvasive state
Análisis multidimensional para una terapia personalizada con plasma rico en plaquetas autólogo en pacientes con heridas complejas
No full textPrograma de Doctorat: Medicina i Ciències biomèdiquesLas heridas cutáneas complejas son difíciles de cicatrizar y su incidencia ha aumentado debido al envejecimiento poblacional y las comorbilidades. Aunque existen terapias avanzadas para su tratamiento, solo un 50-60% de las heridas curan. El plasma rico en plaquetas (PRP) autólogo, obtenido de la sangre del paciente, ha mostrado buenos resultados, pero no se ha determinado qué pacientes se benefician más de esta terapia. Esta tesis doctoral evaluó la eficacia del PRP en heridas según su causa, identificó factores influyentes en su efectividad y analizó su mecanismo de acción en el proceso de cicatrización. Los resultados sugieren que el PRP es seguro y eficaz, aunque su éxito depende de factores específicos de la herida y del paciente. La personalización de la terapia, basada en características individuales y la capacidad del PRP para promover la angiogénesis, es crucial para mejorar los resultados en el tratamiento de heridas complejas.Les ferides cutànies complexes són difícils de cicatritzar, i la seva incidència ha augmentat a causa de l'envelliment de la població i les comorbiditats. Tot i que existeixen teràpies avançades, només un 50-60% de les ferides curen. El plasma ric en plaquetes (PRP) autòleg, obtingut de la sang del pacient, ha demostrat resultats prometedors, però encara no s'ha determinat el perfil de pacients que en poden beneficiar més. Aquesta tesi doctoral va avaluar l'eficàcia del PRP en funció de l'origen de la ferida, va identificar factors que influencien la seva efectivitat i va examinar els mecanismes de cicatrització. Els resultats suggereixen que el PRP és segur i efectiu, tot i que l'èxit depèn de característiques específiques de la ferida i del pacient. La personalització de la teràpia amb PRP, tenint en compte factors individuals i la capacitat del PRP per promoure l'angiogènesi, és essencial per millorar els resultats en el tractament de ferides complexes.Complex skin wounds are difficult to heal, and their incidence has increased due to population aging and comorbidities. Although advanced therapies exist, only about 50-60% of wounds show improvement. Autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP), derived from the patient's blood, has shown promising results, yet the profile of patients who benefit most remains unclear. This research evaluated the effectiveness of PRP for wounds based on their origin, identified factors influencing its efficacy, and examined its healing mechanisms. Findings suggest that PRP is safe and effective, though success depends on specific wound and patient characteristics. Personalizing PRP therapy, considering individual factors and PRP's ability to promote angiogenesis, is essential to improve outcomes in treating complex wounds
La impresión 3D de alimentos como una tecnología facilitadora para las personas que viven con disfagia y sus cuidadores
No full textPrograma de Doctorat: Cures Integrals i Servies de SalutEl envejecimiento está directamente relacionado con un incremento de patologías y problemas de salud, siendo las alteraciones relacionadas con la deglución las de mayor prevalencia, con una estimación entre el 27% al 93% de la población por encima de los 64 años que afecta las esferas biopsicosociales de la propia persona, de la familia y sus cuidadores, desencadenando una baja calidad de vida percibida por un aislamiento social, familiar o laboral, fobias, cansancio nutricional y psicológico, entre otros factores. El uso de la impresión 3D en alimentación, se perfila como una alternativa terapéutica que facilita la preparación y diseño de dietas con todas las garantías nutricionales que necesita la persona, ofreciendo seguridad, calidad y disfrute de una gran variedad de sabores, olores y presentaciones sensoriales. A partir de nuestra misión como profesionales de la salud, de velar y mejorar el bienestar biopsicosocial de las personas, se diseñó un estudio cuasi experimental mediante un programa de alimentación alternativo basado en la impresión 3D para analizar los efectos que podría tener en la calidad de vida percibida, desde una perspectiva bio-psico-social, de las personas que viven con disfagia y sus cuidadores. La metodología mixta consistió en la recogida de datos cuantitativos mediante escalas internacionales, comparando la calidad de vida percibida pre y post-intervención y; a nivel cualitativo, mediante entrevistas individualizadas y grupos focales, post-intervención, recopilando datos relacionados con la vivencia, los sentimientos, las sensaciones y las percepciones de los participantes ante el uso de esta tecnología. Los resultados apuntan a una mejoría de la calidad de vida percibida de las personas que viven con disfagia y sus cuidadores, porque el uso de alimentos impresos con tecnología 3D les proporciona seguridad, tranquilidad y alegría, placer y ganas de comer, con una mayor autonomía y una mejor integración social, familiar o laboral.Aging is directly linked to an increase in diseases and health problems, with alterations related to swallowing being the most prevalent, affecting an estimated 27% to 93% of the population above 64 years. These issues can impact the biopsychosocial spheres of the individual, their family, and caregivers, leading to a perceived low quality of life due to social, familial, or labor isolation, phobias, nutritional fatigue, psychological fatigue, and other factors. The use of 3D printing in food preparation offers a therapeutic alternative that facilitates the design and preparation of diets with all the necessary nutritional guarantees, providing security, quality, and enjoyment of a wide variety of flavours, aromas, and sensory presentations. As healthcare professionals, our mission is to ensure and improve the biopsychosocial well-being of individuals. We designed a quasi-experimental study using an alternative nutrition program based on 3D printing to analyse the effects it could have on the perceived quality of life, from a bio-psychosocial perspective, of individuals living with dysphagia and their caregivers. The mixed methodology consisted of collecting quantitative data using international scales, comparing the perceived quality of life pre- and post-intervention, and, qualitatively, through individual interviews and focus groups post-intervention, gathering data related to the experience, feelings, sensations, and perceptions of participants versus the use of this technology. The results indicate an improvement in the perceived quality of life of individuals living with dysphagia and their caregivers, as the use of 3D-printed foods provides them with security, tranquillity, and joy, pleasure, and a desire to eat, with increased autonomy and better social, familial, or labour integration
Human proteome-wide characterization of highly mutated regions presented by HLA class I
No full textCurs 2023-2024Tumor evolution is influenced by the interaction between cancer cells and the patient’s adaptive immune
system, which shapes the tumor growth and the landscape of observed somatic variants. However, the overall
impact of the immune system on the genetic variants observed in human tumors remains unclear. This
study aimed to investigate regions of human proteome, here referred to as hotspot regions, that are highly
presented by HLA class I molecules. The analysis was based on the presentation estimates obtained for all
potential neoepitopes generated from 74 million missense variants and evaluating 246 human HLA class I
alleles. Our first objective was to establish a clear definition of hotspot regions to later detect them within
protein coding genes. We identified 13.974 hotspot regions, their coordinates, lengths and distribution within
the human proteome. To achieve a better comprehension of these regions, we analyzed their biochemical
properties and sequence composition, which revealed patterns of amino acid enrichment and depletion, specific
sequence motifs, and their associations with features such as intrinsically disordered regions.Academic tutor: Mireia Olivella Garcí
Single-cell transcriptomics reveals key cell types, pathways and targets in skin tissue associated with HS and PPP
No full textCurs 2023-2024Abstract
Motivation: The skin is of paramount importance to human health and well-being due to its multifaceted roles such as
biophysical and immunological protection through a complex cellular network established early in embryonic development.
Inflammatory skin diseases encompass a diverse group of conditions characterized by dysregulated immune responses and
inflammation within the skin. In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to profile the transcriptomes of in total 23
skin biopsies from patients with pustular psoriasis (PSO), hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), and palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP).
Analyzing skin inflammation at the single-cell transcriptomic level is essential for uncovering the molecular mechanisms and
cellular crosstalk that drive the inflammatory response in the skin. This knowledge is crucial for designing targeted therapies
that can improve patient outcomes, while also providing insights into the common and distinct patterns among these diseases,
which can aid in the development of more specialized treatments. By profiling individual cells from skin biopsies, the
study identified distinct cellular populations, signaling pathways and cellular crosstalk that may contribute to the pathogenesis
of these conditions. The analysis highlights the heterogeneity within and between disease states, with a particular focus
on immune cell dynamics and interactions within the skin's microenvironment.
Results: These datasets were leveraged to compare cell states across the three mentioned diseases. Key findings include
the identification of significant differences in cell type composition across the diseases, with B cells and neutrophils showing
distinct patterns of abundance. Additionally, ligand-receptor interaction analysis revealed potential signaling pathways, such
as those involving TGFβ1, that could play crucial roles in disease progression. The IL-36 cytokine family exhibited diseasespecific
expression, with PSO showing a pronounced inflammatory profile. Additionally, differential expression of key cytokines
and chemokines highlighted potential molecular drivers of inflammation in these conditions. The study emphasizes
the utility of scRNA-seq in uncovering disease-specific cellular behaviors and molecular targets, providing insights that could
inform future therapeutic strategies
Hybrid approach to classify pediatric cases with acute myeloid leukemia
No full textCurs 2023-2024Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare heterogeneous disease with an unfavorable prognosis. It is
characterized by a high risk of relapse, which higlights the importance of accurately identifying AML and its subtypes in
order to implement appropriate treatments.
Differences in blast morphology, immunophenotype, as well as in cytogenetic and molecular aberrations make AML a
heterogeneous disease. The identification of structural chromosomal abnormalities (SCAs) could help to classify AML
patients into different subtypes with different outcomes, which would allow the application of more targeted treatments.
However, SCAs do not always allow for the classification of all AML patients, because not all samples present fusions
related to a characterized AML subtype, either because the fusion is not yet well studied or because the characterized
fusion could not be detected with the used technique. These cases are grouped together by not having a characterized
subtype, although they may have a different prognosis. Therefore, there is a need to better characterize those patients
to offer them more tailored treatments.
In this study, we propose a hybrid approach to identify diverse AML subtypes. This method integrates the initial
identification of specific gene fusions with a second classification based on the gene expression profiles of the samples,
using RNAseq data. We have developed a pipeline using Nextflow, to establish a bioinformatic workflow that permits
the execution of multiple tools in a specific order to execute data processing. In this particular case, the integration of
multiple tools is used to identify gene fusions and quantify the reads of each gene in the sample. This hybrid approach,
provides a gene set that enables differentiation between healthy controls and AML patients, as well as the identification
of SCAs and a gene expression profile to classify the different AML subgroups. This pipeline could potentially improve
the classification of AML patients and help to better stratify patients into different risk groups.Academic tutor: Malu Calle Rosignan
Population structure and spatial distribution of mycobacterium tuberculosis in Catalonia
No full textCurs 2023-2024Abstract
Motivation: Even though Catalonia is a low-incidence area for tuberculosis (TB) transmission, high migration flow can make it a focal point for various Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) lineages. This study analyzed the population structure, geographical distribution, and hotspot locations of MTBC lineages/sublineages in Catalo-nia.
Methods: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of 791 clinical MTBC strains enabled the construction of a Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic tree based on employing the General Time Reversible evolutionary model with gamma distribution for nucleotide substitution, and strains were typed into lineages and sublineages according to specific SNPs profiles. A logistic regression model was employed to analyze clinical phenotype associated with dominant MTBC lineages. The global Fisher’s exact test evaluated the distribution of lineages, including the assessment of migration factors. Post hoc Fisher’s exact test assessed the linkage between the country of origin and MTBC line-age. SatScan analysis identified hotspot areas for MTBC lineages across the study region.
Results: WGS analysis revealed seven MTBC lineages in Catalonia: L4 (82.9%), L3 (6.8%), L2 (3.4%), L1 (2.6%), L6 (1.4%), M. bovis (1.9%), and L5 (0.3%). Within predominant Lineage 4, L4.1.2/Haarlem, L4.3/LAM, and L4.10/PGG3 sublineages were most prevalent. The L1/EAI, L2/Beijing, and L3/CAS exhibited localized distributions and adhered to the migrant community, while the L4.1.2/Haarlem, L4.3/LAM, and L4.10/PGG3 are almost ubiquitous in Catalonia. The L3/CAS and L4.10/PGG3 were significantly associated with extrapulmonary TB, while L4.1.2/Haarlem was linked with sputum smear-positive TB cases. Recent migrants from India and Pakistan showed a significantly higher risk of L3/CAS. Overall, the L4/Euro-American predominantly spreads among Spanish-born patients and long-term migrants with Senegalese and Moroccan migrants having 1.1- and 1.2-fold higher risks for L4.1.2/Haarlem and L4.10/PGG3 respectively. Migrants from Argentina, Venezuela, Senegal, Morocco, and Roma-nia demonstrated significant associations with L4.3/LAM, with aORs of 2.4, 2.4, 2.0, 1.6, and 1.1, respectively. Hotspots with multiple MTBC lineages involvement were identified in 9 counties Vallès Occidental, Barcelonès, Baix Llobregat, Garraf. Alt Penedès, Maresme, Moianès, Vallès Oriental, and Baix Camp, underscoring the need for targeted public health interventions. The L4.10/PGG3 exhibits a high propensity to form clusters compared to other lineages in Catalonia.
Conclusion: In Catalonia, the L4/Euro-American dominates, particularly L4.1.2/Haarlem, L4.3/LAM, and L4.10/PGG3, each with distinct epidemiological profiles. Spatial analysis pinpointed transmission hotspots, high-lighting regional variability in MTBC lineage distribution. Targeted public health interventions are crucial in these high-risk areas and among certain migrant populations to mitigate TB transmission dynamics.Academic tutor: Josep M. Serrat Jurad