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Co-benefits of nature-based solutions: A health impact assessment of the Barcelona Green Corridor (Eixos Verds) plan
No full textIntroduction: The Green Corridors Plan (Eixos Verds Plan), proposed by the Barcelona City Council, aims to enhance urban well-being, environmental sustainability, and resilience by transforming one in every three streets into green corridors. Although initially designed for city-wide implementation, only the first phase, focused on the centric Eixample district, has been completed, and the overall plan implementation has been postponed. Our aim is to evaluate the health co-benefits of implementing the Green Corridors plan citywide, focusing on the direct effects of increased exposure to greenness and the impact of temperature reduction on mortality. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive Health Impact Assessment (HIA) considering direct effects of expanding green spaces (GS) and the impact on temperature reduction. Preventable mortality at the census tract level for adult residents was estimated, and to address uncertainties, we performed Monte Carlo iterations. We computed the percentage increase in GS (land use) and tree cover and converted them into Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to conduct the HIA, employing a Generalized Additive Model (GAM). We used the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) coupled with the urban parameterizations "Building Effect Parameterization" (BEP) and "Building Energy Model" (BEM) for temperature modelling. Hourly temperatures from 25/06/2015 to 25/07/2015 were simulated, both with and without Green Corridors Plan implementation. Results: City-wide implementation of the Green Corridors plan would increase average GS by 3.64 % (IQR: 2.17 % - 4.40 %) and NDVI by 0.286 (IQR: 0.256-0.304) per census tract. This could potentially prevent 178 premature deaths annually (95 % CI: 116-247), equating to 13 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants (95 % CI: 9-19). The average daily temperature reduction per census tract was estimated at 0.05 °C, with a maximum reduction of 0.42 °C. Temperature reduction could potentially prevent 5 deaths during the simulated month. Additionally, we estimated a mean decrease in the thermal stress of 0.11 °C, reaching up to 1.48 °C at its peak. Conclusion: The Green Corridors plan can make significant contributions to a healthier urban environment. To address climate and especially heat impacts, complementary strategies to achieve more substantial temperature reduction are needed. Overall, our findings underscore the potential of nature-based solutions (NbS), exemplified by the Green Corridors Plan, in creating more sustainable and health-promoting urban environments.We acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the “Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2019-2023” Program (CEX2018-000806-S); support from the Generalitat de Catalunya through the CERCA Program; support from Centro de Investigación Biomédica en red (CIBER) Epidemiología y Salud Pública; support from the European Union’s, Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON) under GA No 101094639 - THE URBAN BURDEN OF DISEASE ESTIMATION FOR POLICY MAKING (UBDPolicy); support from the GoGreenRoutes through the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (grant number 869764); support from the Barcelona City Council through the Agreement 23S04664 - Impacte en salut de la implementació del Pla d’Eixos Verds and support from the European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator project: Integrated System Analysis of Urban Vegetation and Agriculture (grant number 818002)
Characterisation of the tumour microenvironment and PD-L1 granularity reveals the prognostic value of cancer-associated myofibroblasts in non-invasive bladder cancer
No full textHigh-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) presents high recurrence and progression rates. Despite the use of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin gold-standard immunotherapy and the recent irruption of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 drugs, we are missing a comprehensive understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that may help us find biomarkers associated to treatment outcome. Here, we prospectively analyzed TME composition and PD-L1 expression of tumor and non-tumoral tissue biopsies from 73 NMIBC patients and used scRNA-seq, transcriptomic cohorts and tissue micro-array to validate the prognostic value of cell types of interest. Compared to non-tumoral tissue, NMIBC presented microvascular alterations, increased cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) and myofibroblast (myoCAF) presence, and varied immune cell distribution, such as increased macrophage infiltration. Heterogeneous PD-L1 expression was observed across subsets, with macrophages showing the highest expression levels, but cancer cells as the primary potential anti-PD-L1 binding targets. Unbiased analysis revealed that myoCAF and M2-like macrophages are specifically enriched in high-grade NMIBC tumors. The topological distribution of these two cell types changed as NMIBC progresses, as shown by immunofluorescence. Only myoCAFs were associated with higher rates of progression and recurrence in three independent cohorts (888 total patients), reaching prediction values comparable to transcriptomic classes, which we further validated using tissue micro-array. Our study provides a roadmap to establish the landscape of the NMIBC TME, highlighting myoCAFs as potential prognostic markers
Assessment tools addressing avoidable care transitions in older adults: a systematic literature review
No full textPurpose: The phenomenon of avoidable care transitions has received increasing attention over the last decades due to its frequency and associated burden for the patients and the healthcare system. A number of assessment tools to identify avoidable transitions have been designed and implemented. The selection of the most appropriate tool appears to be challenging and time-consuming. This systematic review aimed to identify and comprehensively describe the assessment tools that can support stakeholders' care transition decisions on older adults. Methods: This study was conducted as part of the TRANS-SENIOR research network. A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, and CENTRAL. No restrictions regarding publication date and language were applied. Results: The search in three electronic databases revealed 1266 references and screening for eligibility resulted in 58 articles for inclusion. A total of 48 assessment tools were identified covering different concepts, judgement processes, and transition destinations. We found variation in the comprehensiveness of the tools with regard to dimensions used in the judgement process. Conclusion: All tools are not comprehensive with respect to the dimensions covered, as they address only one or a few perspectives. Although assessment tools can be useful in clinical practice, it is worth it to bear in mind that they are meant to support decision-making and supplement the care professional¿s judgement, instead of replacing it. Our review might guide clinicians and researchers in choosing the right tool for identification of avoidable care transitions, and thus support informed decision-making.Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL. This work was supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions [Grant No. 812656]. The study's funder had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, or preparation of the manuscript. Authors were not precluded from accessing data in the study, and they accepted responsibility for submitting for publication
Sistemas de inteligencia artificial para la síntesis del conocimiento: marcos teóricos y revisiones de la literatura.
No full textPresentación de las fases y los procedimientos principales del uso de inteligencias artificiales generativas para trabajos y publicaciones académicas, con especial dedicación a la producción de síntesis del conocimiento: marcos teóricos y revisiones de la literatura. Presentación de procedimientos para rapid review y meta síntesis narrativas. Procesos de evaluación de sistemas de IA. Presentación de funcionalidades de Perplexity y Phind y sistemas especializados de IA para el entorno académicos. Procedimientos prácticos. Aspectos ético
Guidelines for releasing a variant effect predictor
No full textComputational methods for assessing the likely impacts of mutations, known as variant effect predictors (VEPs), are widely used in the assessment and interpretation of human genetic variation, as well as in other applications like protein engineering. Many different VEPs have been released, and there is tremendous variability in their underlying algorithms, outputs, and the ways in which the methodologies and predictions are shared. This leads to considerable difficulties for users trying to navigate the selection and application of VEPs. Here, to address these issues, we provide guidelines and recommendations for the release of novel VEPs.MD and J Frazer are supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2022-140793NA-I00). KLL received funding from the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF18OC0033950). DMM received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (R35GM133613). RO and DSM are supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Neurodegeneration Challenge Network (CZI2018-191853). LM, LMS, and FPR received funding from the NIH (RM1HG010461), and FPR also received funding from NIH grant UM1HG011989. J Foreman received funding from the Wellcome Trust (WT223718/Z/21/Z). AMG received funding from the NIH (R35GM150465). BL received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 883742). DSM received funding from the NIH (1R01CA260415). AFR received funding from the NIH (UM1HG011969, RM1HG010461, R01HG013025) and grant funding from the Australian Government. JAM is supported by the ERC (grant agreement No. 101001169) and by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Human Genetics Unit core grant (MC_UU_00035/9)
Understanding social inequalities in childhood asthma: Quantifying the mediating role of modifiable early-life risk factors in seven european birth cohorts
No full textBackground: Children growing up in disadvantaged socioeconomic circumstances (SECs) have an increased risk of asthma. Objective: To increase our understanding of the pathways to inequalities in asthma and potential targets for intervention by (1) examining how the social patterning of asthma and its early-life risk factors varies across countries and (2) quantifying the mediation of observed inequalities by early-life risk factors. Methods: We used data for 107,884 mother-child dyads from 7 European birth cohorts across 6 countries. Maternal education was the primary exposure measure of early-life SECs. The outcome was current asthma in childhood (3-12 years). Inequalities were examined using multivariable regression and random effects meta-analysis. The mediating effects of early-life risk factors (maternal smoking during pregnancy, adverse birth outcomes, and breastfeeding duration) were examined using counterfactual mediation analysis. Results: In meta-analysis, children of mothers with low/medium versus high education had a 17% (95% confidence interval: 8%-27%, I2 = 21.6%) increased risk of asthma. Cohort-specific risk ratios ranged between 1.07 (0.97-1.18, Danish National Birth Cohort, Denmark) and 1.61 (1.08-2.40, study on the pre- & early postnatal determinants of child health & development, France). The early-life risk factors were similarly socially patterned, but with greater heterogeneity across cohorts (I2 range = 66.2%-95.3%). The mediation analysis suggested that these factors play a relevant role in mediating observed inequalities (proportion mediated range: 0.08-0.72). Conclusions: There was a consistent tendency for children from disadvantaged SECs to be at greater risk of asthma in the European cohorts examined. Our results suggest that early-life risk factors partially mediate these disparities and, therefore, that public health interventions in the perinatal period may help to address inequalities in asthma
La influència del soroll en la percepció d'inseguretat ciutadana en l'àrea metropolitana de Barcelona: dades de l'enquesta de victimització de l'àrea metropolitana de Barcelona, edició 2024
No full textTreball de Fi de Grau en Criminologia i Polítiques Públiques de Prevenció. Curs 2024-2025Tutor: Martí Rovira SopeñaLa percepció d’inseguretat i el soroll són fenòmens que, tot i tenir implicacions molt diferents, han anat adquirint un pes creixent tant en la societat com en l’àmbit acadèmic. En els darrers anys, tots dos han estat objecte d’un interès cada vegada més gran a escala internacional, tot i que sovint s’han estudiat per separat i des de disciplines diferents.
La percepció d’inseguretat s’ha vinculat tradicionalment amb variables com l’edat, el gènere, la situació socioeconòmica o el context residencial. D’altra banda, els estudis sobre el soroll s’han centrat principalment en analitzar-ne les causes i els efectes en la salut física i mental. Tanmateix, són escassos els treballs que han abordat la possible relació entre el soroll ambiental i la percepció d’inseguretat, integrant variables explicatives que puguin matisar aquesta relació.
Per aquest motiu, l’objectiu d’aquest treball és analitzar si el soroll condiciona la percepció d’inseguretat a l’Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB). Per fer-ho, s’utilitzaran les dades de l’Enquesta de Victimització de l’Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona de l’any 2024, i s’incorporaran al model d’anàlisi variables com l’edat, el gènere, el nivell socioeconòmic, amb l’objectiu de comprendre millor la interacció entre context sonor i percepcions ciutadanes.The perception of insecurity and noise are phenomena that, despite having very different implications, have been gaining increasing relevance both in society and in academic research. In recent years, both have attracted growing interest at an international level, although they have often been studied separately and from different disciplinary perspectives.
The perception of insecurity has traditionally been linked to variables such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, or residential context. In contrast, studies on noise have mainly focused on its causes and effects on physical and mental health. However, few studies have addressed the potential relationship between environmental noise and the perception of insecurity, while also integrating explanatory variables that may influence this relationship.
For this reason, the main objective of this study is to analyse whether noise influences the perception of insecurity in the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB). To this end, data from the 2024 Barcelona Victimization Survey will be used, and the analysis will include variables such as age, gender, socioeconomic level, and residential situation in order to better understand the interaction between the acoustic environment and citizens’ perceptions
'Los unos y los otros' en el sector sanitario, y las dificultades de la gobernanza del sistema de salud
No full textEl texto que sigue focaliza la falta de gobernanza de nuestro sistema sanitario, y la pretensión de cada una de las partes que en él intervienen, de hacer valer sus intereses, subrogándose, en aquella, la clave para entender la dificultad de reformar el sistema español de salud. Todo ello se refleja en las pretensiones de unos y otros que se creen igualmente legitimados para hacer prevalecer objetivos propios por encima de los colectivos
A survey on variable neighborhood search for sustainable logistics
No full textSustainable logistics aims to balance economic efficiency, environmental responsibility, and social well-being in supply chain operations. This study explores the use of Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS), a metaheuristic optimization method, in addressing sustainable logistics challenges and provides insights into the potential it has to support them by delivering efficient solutions that align with global sustainability goals. The review identifies key trends, including a significant increase in research since 2019, with a strong focus on routing, scheduling, and location problems. Hybrid approaches, combining VNS with other methods, and multiobjective optimization to address trade-offs between sustainability goals are prominent. The most frequently applied VNS versions align closely with those commonly used in the broader literature, reflecting similar adoption proportions. In recent years, a noticeable increase in studies incorporating adaptation mechanisms into VNS frameworks has emerged. This trend is largely driven by the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence approaches across numerous fields of science and engineering, highlighting the need for more dynamic and intelligent optimization techniques. However, important research gaps remain. These include limited consideration of uncertainty and dynamic logistics systems, underrepresentation of social sustainability, and a lack of standardized benchmarks for comparing results. Future work should address these challenges and explore emerging applications.This research was funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and Unión Europea NextGenerationEU/PRTR grant number RYC2021-032954-I
Ablation of Glut1 drives oxidative phosphorylation and enhances antihumor activity in CD8+ T Cells
No full textThe thesis explores the potential of Glut1 ablation to enhance the antitumor activity of CD8+ T cells by inducing a metabolic shift from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation. Glut1-KO CD8+ T cells exhibited significantly improved antitumor effects both in vitro and in vivo, highlighting their enhanced ability to target solid tumors and their potential application in CAR T cell therapy. RNA sequencing data revealed that the absence of Glut1 not only triggers a metabolic transition in CD8+ T cells but also elucidates how metabolism can influence T cell cytokine secretion and subsets, thereby affecting immune function. These findings provide valuable insights and establish a novel direction for clinical research aimed at optimizing CAR T cell therapies for solid tumor treatment.La tesis explora el potencial de la ablación de Glut1 para mejorar la actividad antitumoral de las células T CD8+ mediante la inducción de un cambio metabólico de la glucólisis a la fosforilación oxidativa. Las células T CD8+ con Glut1-KO mostraron efectos antitumorales significativamente mejorados tanto in vitro como in vivo, destacando su mayor capacidad para atacar tumores sólidos y su posible aplicación en la terapia con células CAR T. Los datos de secuenciación de ARN revelaron que la ausencia de Glut1 no solo desencadena una transición metabólica en las células T CD8+, sino que también esclarece cómo el metabolismo puede influir en la secreción de citocinas y en los subconjuntos de células T, afectando así la función inmunológica. Estos hallazgos proporcionan información valiosa y establecen una nueva dirección para la investigación clínica enfocada en la optimización de las terapias con células CAR T para el tratamiento de tumores sólidos.Programa de Doctorat en Biomedicin