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This review summarizes the recent findings on the development of different types of single and multitarget nanoparticles for disease detection and drug delivery to the brain, focusing on promising active principles encapsulated and nanoparticle surface modification and functionalization. Functionalized nanoparticles have emerged as promising tools for the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders, offering a novel approach to addressing complex neurological challenges. They can act as drug delivery vehicles, transporting one or multiple therapeutic agents across the blood–brain barrier and precisely releasing them at the site of action. In diagnostics, functionalized nanoparticles can serve as highly sensitive contrast agents for imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scans. By attaching targeting ligands to the nanoparticles, they can selectively accumulate in the affected areas of the brain, enhancing the accuracy of disease detection. This enables early diagnosis and monitoring of conditions like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases. While the field is still evolving, functionalized nanoparticles represent a promising path for advancing our ability to diagnose and treat brain disorders with greater precision, reduced invasiveness, and improved therapeutic outcomes.

Major depressive disorder is a widespread condition with antidepressants as the main pharmacological treatment. However, some patients experience concerning adverse reactions or have an inadequate response to treatment. Analytical chromatographic techniques, among other techniques, are valuable tools for investigating medication complications, including those associated with antidepressants. Nevertheless, there is a growing need to address the limitations associated with these techniques. In recent years, electrochemical (bio)sensors have garnered significant attention due to their lower cost, portability, and precision. Electrochemical (bio)sensors can be used for various applications related to depression, such as monitoring the levels of antidepressants in biological and in environmental samples. They can provide accurate and rapid results, which could facilitate personalized treatment and improve patient outcomes. This state-of-the-art literature review aims to explore the latest advancements in the electrochemical detection of antidepressants. The review focuses on two types of electrochemical sensors: Chemically modified sensors and enzyme-based biosensors. The referred papers are carefully categorized according to their respective sensor type. The review examines the differences between the two sensing methods, highlights their unique features and limitations, and provides an in-depth analysis of each sensor.

The use of digital technology by educators has received increasingly higher focus in the recent years. In spite of this, students with disabilities still face many accessibility obstacles while using digital technologies. In this context, this paper has the main goal of identifying the accessibility barriers faced by the community of blind students and highlighting the main factors that hinder this community from accessing learning objects. For this purpose, initially, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted, with which it was possible to collect the main accessibility problems identified by the scientific community. In order to complement and detail the information obtained in the SLR, a questionnaire was submitted to blind students, in which it was possible to discover new difficulties from a practical point of view. Finally, the accessibility barriers found in the SLR and in the questionnaire responses were analyzed and the results obtained were related to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the main document that explains how to make web content accessible for people with disabilities. This work seeks to explain the main factors that hinder or prevent access to learning objects in teaching-learning systems, promote a discussion on alternatives for improving these resources, identify gaps and guide more detailed studies on the subject.

This study examines the presence of \"Effective Communication\" (EC) and \"Teamwork/Cooperative Learning\" (TW&CL) competencies in undergraduate university programmes using a blue entrepreneurship approach, within the framework of a social and sustainable economy. As seen in previous studies, these two competencies are highly relevant to promote sustainable and blue entrepreneurship in undergraduate programmes. Eighty-one curricula were collected in nine Spanish public universities in southern Spain. QUAN (qual)→QUAL mixed methodology was used, which included a qualitative analysis and a quantitative comparative analysis form, aiming to build theoretical frameworks through explanatory diagrams to understand how EC and TW&CL are promoted in university programmes. The study found that EC and TW&CL competencies are highly valued and widely incorporated in university curricula. The qualitative analysis revealed the components and interconnections of these competencies, highlighting the importance of effective communication, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary teamwork. The survey shows the complementary nature of EC and TW&CL and suggests their integration in educational contexts. This study therefore contributes to the recognition of these specific competences in university degrees by providing data on their presence, type and relationships, so that educational institutions can better prepare students for future careers.

In this study, an electrochemical method is presented for the direct determination of tyramine in beer samples. A multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was developed for the detection and quantification of tyramine at a low potential of 0.53 V. The electrochemical process and sensor parameters were thoroughly investigated to establish optimal analysis conditions. The method demonstrated a linear response range from 3 to 9 µM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.34 µM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 1 µM. The developed sensor was successfully applied to commercial beer samples for tyramine analysis. The results were compared with those obtained using the standard high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique, highlighting the sensor’s potential for tyramine determination in aqueous food samples without the need for complex sample preparation.

Marine macroalgae are excellent sources of bioactive compounds recognized by their pharmaceutical and biomedical potential. A subcritical water extraction (SWE) was applied to the macroalga Codium tomentosum, and the extract was used to prepare phytosomes. A Box–Behnken design was applied to optimize the entrapment efficiency. These phytosomes were further modified with DSPE-PEG (2000)-maleimide and apolipoprotein E and characterized by dynamic light scattering, UV spectrophotometry, octanol/water partition coefficient, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. As proof of concept, prototypes of functional food tailored to the elderly were produced. Yogurts were fortified with seaweed extract or phytosomes, and physicochemical properties and proximal composition (pH, acidity, syneresis, moisture, peroxides, proteins, total lipids, sugar content, ash, and mineral composition) were analyzed. The antioxidant and the inhibition capacity of two brain enzymes, cholinesterases (AChE and BuChE), involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, were also evaluated in the final prototypes. Despite their unappealing sensory characteristics, the results are promising for integrating marine extracts with potential neuroprotective effects into functional foods.

This document was developed within the framework of the EU‐FORA fellowship programme, which aims to improve expertise in food risk assessment through training to ensure awareness for future risk analysis needs. The work aimed to study extracts obtained from macroalgae to be used as functional additives and discusses issues related to their efficacy and chemical safety. Macroalgae have promising potential as a source of bioactive compounds for functional foods due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective and anticancer properties. However, ensuring safety is of paramount importance due to concerns about the presence of endogenous and exogenous contaminants, such as heavy metals, organic pollutants and other elements like arsenic and iodine.

Abstract Background The impact of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has many facets. This ecological study analysed age-standardized incidence rates by economic level in Barcelona. Methods We evaluated confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Barcelona (Spain) between 26 February 2020 and 19 April 2020. Districts were classified according to most recent (2017) mean income data. The reference for estimating age-standardized cumulative incidence rates was the 2018 European population. The association between incidence rate and mean income by district was estimated with the Spearman rho. Results The lower the mean income, the higher the COVID-19 incidence (Spearman rho = 0.83; P value = 0.003). Districts with the lowest mean income had the highest incidence of COVID-19 per 10 000 inhabitants; in contrast, those with the highest income had the lowest incidence. Specifically, the district with the lowest income had 2.5 times greater incidence of the disease, compared with the highest-income district [70 (95% confidence interval 66–73) versus 28 (25–31), respectively]. Conclusions The incidence of COVID-19 showed an inverse socioeconomic gradient by mean income in the 10 districts of the city of Barcelona. Beyond healthcare for people with the disease, attention must focus on a health strategy for the whole population, particularly in the most deprived areas.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term oncological outcomes and toxicity profile based on 24 years of follow-up in patients with localized very high-risk prostate cancer (VHR PCa) treated with a combination of high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) and pelvic external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 87 patients with VHR PCa, classified according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) criteria, who received HDR-BT and EBRT. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) was administered to 72 patients (82.8%). The primary endpoints were biochemical control and cancer-specific survival (CSS), while the secondary endpoints included local control rates, tumor-free survival (TFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related toxicity. Results: The 24-year biochemical control rate was 68% (standard deviation [SD]: ±4%), while CSS and TFS at 24 years were 82% (SD ±4%) and 78% (SD ±4%), respectively. Local control rates remained at 98% at 24 years. Furthermore, the OS rate at 24 years was 30%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified the T category in the TNM classification as the only factor significantly associated with biochemical control, with 24-year rates of 69%, 71%, and 50% for patients with T-classifications of ≤T2c, T3a, and T3b-T4, respectively (p = 0.024). Notably, no grade ≥3 late toxicities were observed during the follow-up period. Conclusions: The 24-year outcomes support the viability and therapeutic efficacy of EBRT combined with a conformal HDR-BT boost for patients with VHR PCa.

The aging process is closely linked to cognitive decline, and numerous studies have demonstrated a decrease in both the quality and quantity of sleep in the general population. Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) is a plant rich in bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, and essential oils, which are responsible for its neuroprotective and antidepressant properties. Its positive effects on the sleep quality are probably, at least in part, attributable to the presence of rosmarinic acid, which modulates γ-aminobutyric acid transaminase activity. This review aimed to investigate the effects of M. officinalis on cognition and sleep quality in human clinical trials. For cognition, studies have shown that the plant improved cognitive performance and mood. In elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s disease, extracts standardized in rosmarinic acid stabilized cognitive functions and reduced neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation. Regarding sleep, a combination of lemon balm and valerian significantly improved sleep quality in postmenopausal women. Isolated lemon balm extracts also reduced sleep disorders in cardiac patients. When compared to citalopram, lemon balm enhanced the quality of life, including sleep quality. It is concluded that lemon balm has the potential to improve cognition and sleep quality; however, robust evidence is needed, as more rigorous trials are required.