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Invasive alien species and climate change are two of the main current threats to conservation of biodiversity worldwide. Their effects have been extensively studied individually, but we know less about their combined effect. This study analyzes the population changes in the plant community of the high mountain legume shrub habitat of Tenerife over 10 years (between 2009 and 2018), using alien herbivore exclusion plots distributed over two sectors with different patterns of climate. Our outcomes show contrasting effects of herbivory and climate in plant communities, with significant shifts in community composition. The dominant species, Teide broom (Spartocytisus supranubius), is negatively affected by both climate and alien herbivores, leading to a regression of its abundance. In contrast, a formerly rare species, Pterocephalus lasiospermus, is benefiting from warmer temperatures and from herbivore presence owing to its low palatability. Simultaneously, some thermal native species from the neighboring pine forest are invading the alpine ecosystem. We conclude that the alpine habitat is changing very quickly and differently according to whether it is in warmer or colder sectors of the summit of Tenerife. This work reveals the need to simultaneously consider multiple drivers to understand the response of mountain ecosystems to global change.

Models of disease spread in networks typically focus on exploring various measures to reduce the spread of disease across individuals within a network. However, the topology of the underlying network plays an important role in determining the best time to implement mitigation measures to achieve better results. In this article we show the behavior of the well-known SIR (susceptible-infected-removed) and SIS (susceptible-infected-susceptible) models over networks with both scale-free and dense structure with power-law topology P ( k ) ∼ k - ζ with 1 < ζ < ∞ . Focusing on the maximum number of infected individuals ( I max ) and the number of days before it emerges, i.e., the speed at which infected individuals increase. We show that as the network structure becomes dense, i.e., the number of connections among the individuals within the network increases and ζ approaches one, I max tends to be higher and it emerges rapidly. In those cases, implementing quick mitigation measures is very important. In this sense, we found that mitigation measures like social distancing can help to reduce the amount of infected individuals, specially when ζ ≥ 3 . Moreover, for ζ bellow three, social distancing loses its effectiveness as mitigation measure. Graphic abstract In left, the scheme of the Susceptible-Infected-Removed and Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible models are illustrated. In right, the solution of the classical SIR and SIS models is showed, denotting graphically the maximum number of infected individuals ( I max ) and the number of days before it is reached

There exists an increasing interest from consumers and scientific community in developing edible-natural-biodegradable coatings to replace commercial wax-based coatings for maintaining postharvest quality of vegetables. In this work, the effectiveness of guar gum coating on various quality characteristics of Roma tomato at 22±2°C over a 20 d storage period was investigated. Tomatoes were covered with a 1.5% guar gum coating plasticized with glycerol at 30% and stored at 22±2°C and 40% RH for 20-d. Tomatoes covered with edible coating significantly enhanced firmness and reduced weight loss, delayed changes on soluble-solids-content, retarded loss of total acidity, and decreased respiration rate compared with uncoated-control fruit. Sensory analysis by trained panelists revealed that the use of the edible coating influenced the acceptability of tomatoes. There were significant differences on the scores given by panelists when comparing the coated and uncoated tomatoes. It was concluded that guar gum affected favorably the physicochemical, microbial, and sensorial quality properties of Roma tomato and therefore could be beneficial in delaying the ripening process at 22±2°C.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the application of an alginate–chitosan (A–Ch) coating on the bioactive compounds and the antioxidant capacity of fresh figs ( Ficus carica ), collected at two maturity stages (referred to as stages III and IV), and stored for 15 days at 6 °C. The composition of the internal atmosphere of the figs, as well as the polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity, was analyzed at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 days, respectively. The sensory quality of coated and uncoated figs, stored for 15 days, was also assessed. Fresh figs were used as a reference in the sensory quality evaluation. The A–Ch coating caused considerable modifications in the internal atmosphere of the figs at the two maturity stages evaluated. The ripening process was delayed as O 2 was reduced and CO 2 concentrations were increased. Further, the total polyphenol content of the figs and, also, identified individual polyphenols, were preserved by the application of the A–Ch coating. Anthocyanins, in particular cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, were the most abundant bioactive compound. Uncoated figs also exhibited higher antioxidant capacity than coated figs at maturity stage III, whereas in coated figs antioxidant capacity was kept constant along storage period regardless of their maturity stage. Interestingly, the coated figs stored for 15 days at 6 °C showed a high acceptability in the sensory evaluation, being similar to fresh figs. Therefore, the A–Ch coating could be an excellent post-harvest technology useful in preserving not only the organoleptic and sensory attributes but also bioactive components of figs during storage at low temperature.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare cutaneous sarcoma in which complete surgical excision is standard treatment, although some tumors are initially unresectable. Neoadjuvant imatinib has been proposed in these cases, but data on its histopathological and molecular effects and long-term outcomes remain limited. To evaluate the clinical, histopathological and molecular impacts of neoadjuvant imatinib prior to modified Mohs surgery (MMS) in locally advanced DFSP. Single-center, retrospective study. After a mean of 10 months of neoadjuvant imatinib, partial tumor size reduction was observed in 60% of patients (mean reduction 37.8%), while the remaining cases showed disease stabilization; no complete responses were recorded. All tumors exhibited marked volumetric and consistency reduction, with histology revealing extensive hypocellular hyaline regression and attenuated CD34 and nestin expression. Persistence of COL1A1–PDGFB fusion transcripts was detected in post-treatment samples. Following MMS, local recurrence occurred in 30% of patients at long-term after a mean of 10.8-year follow-up since the last surgery. Neoadjuvant imatinib in locally advanced DFSP results in tumor volume reduction without decreasing the final surgical defect. The histological response is typically patchy and may compromise detection of residual disease, potentially increasing the risk of local recurrence.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Motoric Cognitive Risk (MCR) syndrome, describe associated risk factors and to determine the risk of progression to cognitive impairment after three years of follow-up, in a sample of Mexican older adults. A prospective panel study of health and aging in Mexico. Baseline and follow-up information was obtained from the Mexican Health and Aging Study’s 2012 and 2015 waves. A total of 726 subjects aged 60 years or older with normal cognition at baseline were classified into 4 groups: 1) with MCR, 2) with memory complaint only, 3) with slow gait speed only and, 4) without MCR. Cox regression analysis controlling for confounder factors was performed to determine the risk of progression to cognitive impairment in the MCR group. Data such as gait speed, functional status and cognitive performance (standardized by age and sex in Mexican population) was collected. MCR prevalence was 14.3%. When compared with non-MCR subjects, the presence of MCR was associated with older age (p<0.01), lower educational status (p=0.05), having two or more comorbidities (p<0.05) and diabetes mellitus diagnosis (p<0.05). At follow-up and after adjusting for confounders, MCR was associated with a 2.4-fold increased risk (95% CI: 1.28-4.26, p=.000) of cognitive impairment. MCR syndrome increases the risk of cognitive impairment in Mexican older adults. Simple measurements such as gait evaluation in subjects with memory complaints could allow early identification of those at risk of developing cognitive impairment.

Background. In adult female mosquitoes, the renal (Malpighian) tubules play an important role in the post-prandial diuresis, which removes excess ions and water from the hemolymph of mosquitoes following a blood meal. After the post-prandial diuresis, the roles that Malpighian tubules play in the processing of blood meals are not well described. Methods. We used a combination of next-generation sequencing (paired-end RNA sequencing) and physiological/biochemical assays in adult female Asian tiger mosquitoes ( Aedes albopictus ) to generate molecular and functional insights into the Malpighian tubules and how they may contribute to blood meal processing (3–24 h after blood ingestion). Results/Discussion. Using RNA sequencing, we sequenced and assembled the first de novo transcriptome of Malpighian tubules from non-blood-fed (NBF) and blood-fed (BF) mosquitoes. We identified a total of 8,232 non-redundant transcripts. The Malpighian tubules of NBF mosquitoes were characterized by the expression of transcripts associated with active transepithelial fluid secretion/diuresis (e.g., ion transporters, water channels, V -type H + -ATPase subunits), xenobiotic detoxification (e.g., cytochrome P450 monoxygenases, glutathione S -transferases, ATP-binding cassette transporters), and purine metabolism (e.g., xanthine dehydrogenase). We also detected the expression of transcripts encoding sodium calcium exchangers, G protein coupled-receptors, and septate junctional proteins not previously described in mosquito Malpighian tubules. Within 24 h after a blood meal, transcripts associated with active transepithelial fluid secretion/diuresis exhibited a general downregulation, whereas those associated with xenobiotic detoxification and purine catabolism exhibited a general upregulation, suggesting a reinvestment of the Malpighian tubules’ molecular resources from diuresis to detoxification. Physiological and biochemical assays were conducted in mosquitoes and isolated Malpighian tubules, respectively, to confirm that the transcriptomic changes were associated with functional consequences. In particular, in vivo diuresis assays demonstrated that adult female mosquitoes have a reduced diuretic capacity within 24 h after a blood meal. Moreover, biochemical assays in isolated Malpighian tubules showed an increase in glutathione S -transferase activity and the accumulation of uric acid (an end product of purine catabolism) within 24 h after a blood meal. Our data provide new insights into the molecular physiology of Malpighian tubules in culicine mosquitoes and reveal potentially important molecular targets for the development of chemical and/or gene-silencing insecticides that would disrupt renal function in mosquitoes.

Intraperitoneal immunotherapy represents a novel strategy for the management of peritoneal metastases (PM). Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has remained the gold standard of treatment for patients with PM, yet despite optimal treatment, recurrence rates remain high and long-term survival poor. From Coley’s toxins to immune checkpoint inhibitors, the wide variety of anticancer immunotherapeutic strategies are now garnering attention for control of regional disease of the peritoneal cavity. Early studies with vaccine-based therapies, adoptive cell transfer, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and chimeric T cells with tumor-specific antigen receptors (CAR-T cells) are being performed, showing promise for control of peritoneal spread and induction of lasting anticancer immunity. In addition, catumaxomab, a trifunctional antibody, has been approved for intraperitoneal immunotherapy in Europe for the control of malignant ascites in patients with epithelial cell adhesion molecule positive cancers. We review a brief history of immunotherapy and current modalities under investigation for intraperitoneal use in the treatment of PM.

BackgroundMinimally invasive surgery is playing an increasing role in the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal and gynaecological malignancies as the data show reduced morbidity, faster recovery and similar oncological outcome when compared to open procedures.Materials and methodsThe American Society of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies (ASPSM) conducted a retrospective study to analyse peritonectomy procedures and HIPEC done via the laparoscopic route. A database with standard clinical and pathological parameters was set up and distributed amongst ASPSM members. Rate of relapse, morbidity and mortality were the primary endpoints of the study.ResultsA total of 90 patients from 7 centres around the world were identified. Sixty percent were female. Mean age was 50 years. Peritoneal carcinomatosis from appendiceal origin was the most common diagnosis in a 64.9% of patients and colon origin was diagnosed in 16.5% of patients. Mean peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was 4.1 (0–10). Forty-one percent of patients had a bowel resection. Mean operative time was 4.7 h (2.5–8). All patients had a complete cytoreduction and HIPEC. Grade 3 and 4 morbidity was 3.0 and 6.5%, respectively. The most common reason for re-operation was an internal hernia in 2 out of 5 cases. Operative mortality and re-admission rates were 0 and 5%, respectively. Mean hospital stay was 7.4 days (1–18). At a mean follow-up of 31.6 months, 15/90 patients have a disease relapse but loco-regional relapse was identified in only five patients.ConclusionsAnalysis of these data suggests that minimally invasive approach for peritonectomy procedures and HIPEC is feasible, safe and should be considered as part of the armamentarium for highly selected patients with peritoneal surface malignancies with limited tumour burden, defined as PCI of 10 or less and borderline tumours as low-grade pseudomyxoma and benign multicystic mesothelioma.

Using waste such as prickly pear ( Opuntia lasiacantha P.) peel to obtain value-added compounds such as pectin is possible with emerging technologies. This study used the Taguchi optimization model to maximize the extraction of chelating-soluble pectin (CSP) through an ohmic heating (OH) process. The maximum pectin yield obtained was 3.32% under the best processing conditions, and the galacturonic acid content was 726.26 mg/g, as well as a range of pectin with a low degree of esterification. The electric field and sodium hexametaphosphate concentration significantly affected the quality and yield of CSP. Additionally, the flow of electrical current during pectin extraction was governed by the concentration of added sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), which acted as an electrolyte and chelating agent for CSP. The use of OH in the recovery of CSP from red prickly pear with potential application and care of the proportions of GalA and %yield is presented as an effective option for the recovery of value-added additives from agro-industrial waste.