2. Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU

Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD) represents a rare condition marked by an abnormal mobility pattern of cilia and flagella, resulting in impaired mucociliary clearance. This deficiency leads to recurrent infections and persistent inflammation of the airways. While previous studies have indicated heightened oxidative stress levels in the exhaled breath condensate of pediatric PCD patients, the assessment of oxidative stress within the affected respiratory tissue remains unexplored. Aims: To assess the oxidative status of human nasal epithelial cells (NECs) in PCD patients. Methods: Thirty-five PCD patients and thirty-five healthy control subjects were prospectively included in the study. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), glutathione (GSH), intracellular Ca2+, plasma membrane potential, and oxidative damage in lipids and proteins were measured. In addition, apoptosis and mitochondrial function were analyzed by flow cytometry in NECs. Results: NECs from PCD patients showed reduced levels of apoptosis (p = 0.004), superoxide anion (O2 −, p = 0.018), peroxynitrite (ONOO−, p = 0.007), nitric oxide (NO, p = 0.007), mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide (mtH2O2, p < 0.0001), and mitochondrial superoxide anion (mtO2 −, p = 0.0004) and increased mitochondrial mass (p = 0.009) compared to those from healthy individuals. No significant differences were observed in oxidized proteins (p = 0.137) and the oxidized/reduced lipid ratio (p = 0.7973). The oxidative profile of NEC cells in PCD patients, according to their ciliary motility, recurrent otitis, recurrent pneumonia, atelectasis, bronchiectasis, and situs inversus, showed no statistically significant differences in the parameters studied. Conversely, patients with chronic rhinosinusitis exhibited lower levels of ONOO− than PCD patients without this condition, with no significant differences related to other symptoms. Conclusions: Our findings strongly suggest the presence of a redox imbalance, specifically leaning toward a reductive state, in PCD patients.

Nearly all patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) report ear-nose-throat (ENT) symptoms. However, scarce evidence exists about how ENT symptoms relate to pulmonary disease in PCD. We explored possible associations between upper and lower respiratory disease among patients with PCD in a multicentre study. Methods We included patients from the ENT Prospective International Cohort (EPIC-PCD). We studied associations of several reported ENT symptoms and chronic rhinosinusitis (defined using patient-reported information and examination findings) with reported sputum production and shortness of breath, using ordinal logistic regression. In a subgroup with available lung function results, we used linear regression to study associations of chronic rhinosinusitis and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) accounting for relevant factors. Results We included 457 patients (median age 15 years, interquartile range 10-24 years; 54% males). Shortness of breath associated with reported nasal symptoms and ear pain of any frequency, often or daily hearing problems, headache when bending down (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.29-3.54) and chronic rhinosinusitis (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.57-3.38) regardless of polyp presence. Sputum production associated with daily reported nasal (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.20-4.09) and hearing (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.10-3.64) problems and chronic rhinosinusitis (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.48-3.07). We did not find any association between chronic rhinosinusitis and FEV1. Conclusion Reported upper airway symptoms and signs of chronic rhinosinusitis associated with reported pulmonary symptoms, but not with lung function. Our results emphasise the assessment and management of upper and lower respiratory disease as a common, interdependent entity among patients with PCD.

The QL block is a high-level locoregional anesthesia technique, which aims to provide analgesia to the abdomen. Several approaches of the QL block have been studied to find out which one allows a greater distribution of the injectate. The aim of this study is to compare the traditional interfascial QL block (IQL) with a new latero-ventral approach (LVQL). We hypothesize that this new approach could be safer and easier to perform, since the injectate is administered more superficially and further away from vital structures. Our second objective is to assess whether a higher volume of injectate (0.6 mL/kg) could reach the ventral branches of the last thoracic nerves, leading to a blockade of the cranial abdomen. Six thawed canine cadavers (12 hemiabdomens) were used for this purpose. Both approaches were performed in all cadavers. A combination of methylene blue/iopromide was administered to each hemiabdomen, randomly assigned to the LVQL or IQL. No differences were found regarding the ease of perform the LVQL with respect to IQL. The results show that both techniques reached the ventral branches from L1 to L3, although only the IQL consistently stained the sympathetic trunk (5/6 IQL vs. 1/6 LVQL). The use of a higher volume did not enhance a more cranial distribution of the injectate.

La pandemia Covid-19 supuso un fuerte impulso al teletrabajo y la formación virtual. El alumnado y el personal empleado tuvieron que desarrollar nuevas competencias para adaptarse al formato on-line. Ante esta situación, si bien han proliferado los estudios sobre los efectos de la pandemia tanto en el ámbito laboral como en el educativo, es poca la literatura acerca de su impacto en las prácticas curriculares. El presente estudio aborda el análisis, desde la perspectiva empresarial, de las competencias requeridas para la realización de teleprácticas eficaces. Se elaboró una encuesta exploratoria para conocer la opinión de las empresas que habían acogido estudiantes en prácticas on-line acerca de su intención de mantener esta modalidad en el futuro y de las competencias que más valoraban en su desempeño. A partir de esta, se ha realizado un análisis descriptivo de los resultados obtenidos, seguido de una prueba de proporciones Chi-Cuadrado. A continuación, se ha desarrollado un análisis factorial exploratorio y ejecutado un análisis de componentes principales (PCA). El objetivo era detectar relaciones de interdependencia entre las distintas competencias y, así, sintetizar la información mediante la creación de factores que las agrupan. Asimismo, se ha realizado un análisis cualitativo del contenido de la pregunta abierta sobre otras competencias requeridas. Los resultados del estudio introducen la singularidad competencial de las teleprácticas y permiten vislumbrar la necesidad de seguir investigando para crear un modelo eficaz que mejore la empleabilidad de los futuros egresados.

In this paper, the consequences of the lack of definition of so-called hybrid threats is explored. Special attention was paid to the importance of the work already completed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the European Union (EU) regarding the ever evolving types of actions associated with hybrid threats in the so called grey zone. The latter can be thought of as activities undertaken by one state that are harmful to another, albeit not legal acts of war, sometimes referred to as a malevolent manifestation of the concept of peace. The vastly different experiences of democratic and authoritarian states acting in the grey zone was also examined. In addition, the law applicable to hybrid threats was studied to determine if the legal framework is sufficiently adapted to repel state-sponsored and nonstate- sponsored hybrid threats. In addition, the use of the European Convention on Human Rights in the struggle against hybrid threats in Europe and the limits to how state parties can react to hybrid threats established by this treaty was analysed. Lastly, the international rules of attribution of responsibility and difficulties associated with their application with respect to hybrid threats was considered. This article is structured in two parts. The first part explores the difficulty of defining hybrid threats, while the second presents the legal framework used to counter such threats, both at the international and European levels.

Pimobendan is an inotropic and vasodilator drug with no sympathomimetic effects. This study aimed to evaluate the haemodynamic effects of pimobendan during anaesthesia in healthy senior dogs. A prospective, randomised, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted. Thirty-three dogs (median [range]: 9 [7, 12] years) were anaesthetised for surgical procedures. The dogs were randomly allocated into two groups: eighteen dogs received intravenous pimobendan at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg (PIMOBENDAN), and fifteen dogs received intravenous saline solutions at a dose of 0.2 mL/kg (PLACEBO). Data were recorded before, 1 min, 10 min, and 20 min after injection. Velocity-time integral (VTI), peak-velocity (PV), and mean-acceleration (MA) were measured using an oesophageal Doppler monitor (ODM). Heart rate and mean arterial pressure were also registered. The data were analysed using a two-way ANOVA for trimmed means. Statistical differences were considered if p < 0.05. Twenty minutes after injection, the VTI (13.0 cm [10.4, 22.3]), PV (95.0 [83.0, 160]m/s), andMA (12.6 [9.40, 17.0]m/s2)were significantly higher in the PIMOBENDAN group compared to the PLACEBO group (VTI: 10.5 [6.50, 17.4] cm, PV: 80.0 [62.0, 103] m/s and MA: 10.2 [7.00, 16.0] ms2). No significant differences were observed in the rest of the variables. Using pimobendan during anaesthesia increases VTI, PV, and MA, as measured by an ODM.

Oestrogens treatment is often used to induce oestrus behaviour in anoestrous mares to aid in the collection of stallion semen and as recipient mares to receive embryos when combined with progesterone. However, there are no studies to describe the effect of dose and individual mare on the intensity and duration of the response, in both anoestrous and cyclic mares. In Experiment 1, 13 anoestrous mares were treated with one of five doses of oestradiol benzoate (OB) (1, 1.5, 2, 3 and 4 mg) per mare in five consecutive treatment periods (n = 65), to determine the response in terms of endometrial oedema and oestrous behaviour. Experiment 2 and 3 used 3 mg of OB in cyclic mares to confirm or deny the presence of an active corpus luteum (CL). There was a dose rate of OB and individual mare effect (p < 0.05) on the intensity and persistence of endometrial oedema and oestrous behaviour. A total of 2 mg OB was enough to induce endometrial oedema and oestrous behaviour within 48 h in most mares. Mares with an active CL did not show endometrial oedema following treatment of 3 mg OB.

The present experiment aimed at determining whether the timing of the maternal recognition of pregnancy (MRP) was specific to individual mares by determining when luteostasis, a failure to return to oestrus, reliably occurred in individuals following embryo reduction. Singleton (n = 150) and synchronous twin pregnancies (n = 9) were reduced in 10 individuals (5–29 reductions/mare) at pre-determined time points within days 10 (n = 20), 11 (n = 65), 12 (n = 47), 13 (n = 12) or 14 (n = 15) of pregnancy. Prior to embryo reduction, the vesicle diameter was measured in 71% (106/150) of the singleton pregnancies. The interovulatory interval (IOI) was recorded on 78 occasions in seven of the mares in either non-pregnant cycles (n = 37) or those in which luteolysis followed embryo reduction (n = 41). The earliest time post-ovulation at which the embryo reduction resulted in luteostasis in an individual was 252 h (mid-Day 10). Consistency in luteostasis following embryo reduction showed individual variation between mares (272–344 h). Binary logistic regression analysis showed an individual mare effect (p < 0.001) and an effect of the interval post-ovulation at which embryo reduction was undertaken (p < 0.001). However, there was no significant effect of vesicle diameter at the time of embryo reduction (p = 0.099), nor a singleton or twin pregnancy (p = 0.993), on the dependent of luteolysis or luteostasis. The median IOI between individual mares varied significantly (p < 0.05) but was not correlated to the timing of MRP. The timing of MRP varied between the mares but was repeatable in each individual. The factors and mechanisms underlying the individuality in the timing of MRP were not determined and warrant further study.

Oestrus ovis is an obligate parasite that causes myiasis in domestic ruminants, being commonly found in the Mediterranean area. From 2009 to 2019 a total of 3476 heads of culling sheep and goats from the Mediterranean coast of Spain were examined for the presence of O. ovis. The total prevalence was 56.3%, significantly higher in sheep than in goats (61.2% and 43%, respectively). Differences were found in the mean annual prevalence, with the highest value being registered in 2018 (61.7%) and the lowest in 2012 (50.3%). Autumn, for sheep, and winter, for goats, were the seasons with the highest number of infested specimens. Temperature, but not rainfall, was found to be associated with prevalence (p < 0.05). Most L1 were found in the anatomic region I (septum, meatus, and ventral conchae), while L2 and L3 were mainly located in regions II (nasopharynx, ethmoid labyrinth, and dorsal conchae), and III (sinuses). The overall intensity was 12.8 larvae per head, significantly higher in sheep (13.3) than in goats (3.5). Our results confirm the high prevalence of O. ovis in sheep and goats in this geographic area over the last decade, with the trend increasing in recent years in association with higher mean temperatures.

Fasciolosis is caused by F. hepatica and F. gigantica. It is of economic and zoonotic importance. Several strategies for control of fasciolosis are being used; these include vaccination of animals that are at risk and control of the snails that carry the parasite. Several types of vaccines, such as recombinant cathepsin, mixed recombinant vaccine, fatty-acid-binding proteins, a cocktail of recombinant and fatty-acid-binding vaccines, nucleic acid-based vaccines and gene-silencing methods have been reported to show efficacy ranges of 32-75%, 52-79%, 8-36%, 43-68%, 74-100% and 90% respectively. These are currently undergoing experimental testing against fasciolosis. The study described in this paper was carried out to discover the comparative efficacy of these vaccines in the enhancement of the immune response in order to find the most effective method so that future research could focus on the development of that type of vaccine. Besides immunization, control of the intermediate host of the parasite (snail) is also an effective way to control fasciolosis. Snails are controlled through the use of physical, chemical and biological methods. The most effective of these is biological control using Sphaerodema urinator as a predator of snails.