Universidad de Alcalá

Fraile-Martinez O., García-Montero C., Pekarek T., Bujan J., Barrena-Blázquez S., Pena-Burgos E.M., López-González L., Pekarek L., Díaz-Pedrero R., De León-Luis J.A., Bravo C., Álvarez-Mon M., Saez M.A., García-Honduvilla N., Ortega M.A.

Background: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a vascular disorder common among pregnant women, due to the impairment in the venous function associated with the mechanical, hemodynamical, and hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. CVD is linked to venous hypertension, inflammation, oxidative stress, and hypoxia, which alter placental structure and function, as demonstrated in previous works. The placenta fulfills several roles in fetal development and maternal well-being by mediating nutrient exchange; acting as a mechanical, chemical, and immunological shield; and producing essential hormones, making it crucial to investigate the effects of CVD in this organ. Patients and methods: This work specifically analyzes the gene expression of circadian markers (CLOCK, BMAL1, PER1, and PER2), epigenetic regulators (HAT1 and associated molecules like histones H3, H4, RBBP7, and ASF1), and the anti-aging protein KLOTHO in placental tissue of pregnant women with CVD (CVD-PW, N = 98) compared to healthy pregnant controls (HC-PW, N = 82), using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to determine protein expression. Results: Our study demonstrates that the placentas of CVD-PW exhibit the reduced gene and protein levels of circadian regulators (clock, bmal1, per1, and per2), increased expression of hat1 and related proteins (h3, h4, rbbp7, and asf1), and decreased klotho expression, indicative of accelerated aging. Conclusions: These findings highlight profound molecular disturbances in the placentas of women with CVD, offering insights into the disease’s pathophysiology and potential implications for maternofetal well-being. While this study deepens our understanding of the relationship between CVD and placental dysfunction, further research is required to fully elucidate these mechanisms and their long-term effects.

Pimentel R., Callapez P.M., Barroso-Barcenilla F., Ozkaya de Juanas S., dos Santos V.F.

Cáceres Estévez I., Haya Rodriguez L., Haro Perdiguero E., Moreno Tovar F.J., Montalvo Lobo D., Nieto Botella L., González S., López Sánchez A.

There is a need for new technologies in photoprotection. The negative effects of solar exposure on the skin have been amply demonstrated and there is an urgency for the development of alternative photoprotective approaches. In this respect, natural extracts represent the most interesting and promising source. Among them, Aspalathus linearis extracts appear to be an excellent candidate due to supporting evidence, their multiple beneficial biological effects, and their robust toxicological profile. Here, we first explored the photoprotective properties of two different Aspalathus linearis extracts (fermented and unfermented) individually, and then in combination, in a simplified model assessing Normal Human Dermal Fibroblast survival after UVB radiation. Surprisingly, we found the fermented extract to be more photoprotective than the unfermented one. In addition, a specific combination of the two extracts showed a synergistic effect. By HPLC and FRAP analyses, we observed that the photoprotective effect did not correlate with the amount of Aspalathus linearis main characteristic metabolites nor with the antioxidant capacity of the ingredients. Finally, an additional photoprotective effect was observed when Aspalathus linearis extracts were combined with a Polypodium leucotomos extract (Fernblock®), a well-known botanical ingredient with demonstrated photoprotection activities. Thus, this work provides a solid scientific basis for the inclusion of this technology in future topical and systemic photoprotective strategies.

Téllez L., Rincón D., Payancé A., Jaillais A., Lebray P., Rodríguez de Santiago E., Clemente A., Paradis V., Lefort B., Garrido-Lestache E., Prieto R., Iserin L., Tallegas M., Garrido E., Torres M., et. al.

Fontan-type surgery is used as a palliation for congenital heart disease with univentricular physiology but may, in the long term, lead to advanced chronic liver disease. This study assessed the accuracy of conventional non-invasive models in assessing liver fibrosis and introduces a new risk score employing non-invasive tools.

Pérez Expósito R.E., Ortega Núñez M.A., Buján Varela M.J., Vega Rodríguez R.M., Ortíz Chércoles A.I., La Torre Escuredo B.J.

Objetivo: evaluar con un modelo animal de osteoartrosis (conejos raza Nueva Zelanda) la eficacia del tratamiento con viscosuplementos activos (ácido hialurónico cargado con nanopartículas (NPs) que encapsulan compuestos o fármacos antiinflamatorios. Material y métodos: estudio experimental compuesto de 5 grupos de conejos a los que se realizó la sección del ligamento cruzado anterior y resección del menisco interno para desencadenar cambios degenerativos y usarlo como modelo de osteoartrosis. Los grupos se dividieron en osteoartrosis sin tratamiento (I), tratamiento con ácido hialurónico (AH) comercial (II), tratamiento con AH con nanopartículas vacías (III), tratamiento con AH con nanopartículas que encapsulan dexametasona (IV) y tratamiento con AH con nanopartículas que encapsulan cúrcuma (V). En los grupos II a V se realizó la infiltración del compuesto correspondiente espaciándolas una semana.Se realizó un análisis histológico macroscópico mediante una escala basada en la clasificación de Outerbridge para la artrosis. Resultados: Observamos que dicho modelo de osteoartrosis es reproducible y se aprecian cambios degenerativos similares a los que se encuentran en el ser humano. Los grupos a los que se infiltró ácido hialurónico con nanopartículas cargadas con curcumina (V), seguido del grupo de dexametasona (IV) presentaron macroscópicamente menos fibrilación, exposición de hueso subcondral y esclerosis (mejor puntuación en la escala) que los grupos de control (I) (osteoartrosis sin tratamiento), el grupo (II) tratado con ácido hialurónico comercial y el de ácido hialurónico con nanopartículas sin fármaco (III). Conclusiones: El uso de viscosuplementos activos podría tener un efecto adicional al tratamiento convencional de ácido hialurónico por su efecto antioxidante y antiinflamatorio, siendo el grupo más prometedor el de las nanopartículas que encapsulan curcumina y en segundo lugar el de dexametasona. Objective: to evaluate with an animal model of osteoarthritis (New Zealand rabbits) the effectiveness of treatment with active viscosupplements (hyaluronic acid loaded with nanoparticles (NPs) that encapsulate anti-inflammatory compounds or drugs. Material and methods: experimental study composed of 5 groups of rabbits in which section of the anterior cruciate ligament and resection of the internal meniscus were performed to trigger degenerative changes and use it as a model of osteoarthritis. The groups were divided into osteoarthrosis without treatment (I), treatment with commercial hyaluronic acid (HA) (II), treatment with HA with empty nanoparticles (III), treatment with HA with nanoparticles encapsulating dexamethasone (IV) and treatment with HA with nanoparticles that encapsulate curcumin (V). In groups II to V, the infiltration of the corresponding compound was carried out spaced one week apart.Macroscopic histological analysis was performed using a scale based on the Outerbridge classification for osteoarthritis. Results: We observed that this osteoarthritis model is reproducible and degenerative changes similar to those found in humans are observed.The groups that were infiltrated with hyaluronic acid with curcumin-loaded nanoparticles (V), followed by the dexamethasone group (IV) presented macroscopically less fibrillation, exposure of subchondral bone and sclerosis (better score on the scale) than the control groups (I) (osteoarthritis without treatment), group (II) treated with commercial hyaluronic acid and hyaluronic acid with nanoparticles without drug (III). Conclusions: The use of active viscosupplements could have an additional effect to conventional hyaluronic acid treatment due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect. The most promising group was hyaluronic acid with nanoparticles that encapsulate curcumin and the second group was the one that encapsulates dexamethasone.

Collaboration L., Aaij R., Abdelmotteleb A.S., Abellan Beteta C., Abudinèn F.J., Ackernley T., Adefisoye A.M., Adeva B., Adinolfi M., Adlarson P.H., Agapopoulou C., Aidala C., Ajaltouni Z., Akar S., Akiba K., et. al.

Measurements are presented of the cross-section for the central exclusive production of J/\psi\to\mu^+\mu^-J/ψ→μ+μ− and \psi(2S)\to\mu^+\mu^-ψ(2S)→μ+μ− processes in proton-proton collisions at \sqrt{s} = 13 \ \mathrm{TeV}s=13TeV with 2016–2018 data. They are performed by requiring both muons to be in the LHCb acceptance (with pseudorapidity 2<\eta_{\mu^±} < 4.52<ημ±<4.5) and mesons in the rapidity range 2.0 < y < 4.52.0<y<4.5. The integrated cross-section results are \sigma_{J/\psi\to\mu^+\mu^-}(2.0<y_{J/\psi}<4.5,2.0<\eta_{\mu^{±}} < 4.5) = 400 ± 2 ± 5 ± 12 \mathrm{pb}, \ \sigma_{\psi(2S)\to\mu^+\mu^-}(2.0<y_{\psi(2S)}<4.5,2.0<\eta_{\mu^{±}} < 4.5) = 9.40 ± 0.15 ± 0.13 ± 0.27 \mathrm{pb},σJ/ψ→μ+μ−(2.0<yJ/ψ<4.5,2.0<ημ±<4.5)=400±2±5±12pb,σψ(2S)→μ+μ−(2.0<yψ(2S)<4.5,2.0<ημ±<4.5)=9.40±0.15±0.13±0.27pb, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic and due to the luminosity determination. In addition, a measurement of the ratio of \psi(2S)ψ(2S) and J/\psiJ/ψ cross-sections, at an average photon-proton centre-of-mass energy of 1\ \mathrm{TeV}1TeV, is performed, giving$ = 0.1763 ± 0.0029 ± 0.0008 ± 0.0039,$ where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic and the third due to the knowledge of the involved branching fractions. For the first time, the dependence of the J/\psiJ/ψ and \psi(2S)ψ(2S) cross-sections on the total transverse momentum transfer is determined in pppp collisions and is found consistent with the behaviour observed in electron-proton collisions.

Romano E., Domínguez-Rodríguez G., Mannina L., Cifuentes A., Ibáñez E.

This study introduces a novel pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) strategy utilizing biobased solvents to simultaneously extract non-polar and polar compounds with antioxidant and anticholinergic properties from burdock roots. The influence of altitude and weeding on the bioactive composition of three burdock root ecotypes was evaluated: two from 150 m (one subjected to weeding during growth and another not subjected to weeding) and one from 800 m without weeding. A simplex-centroid mixture design identified 100% 2-methyltetrahydrofuran as the optimal solvent for PLE, offering superior extraction of bioactive compounds due to its ability to form strong hydrogen bonds with phenolic groups. Extraction at 100 °C was found to be optimal, avoiding the low yields and undesirable reactions observed at 40 °C and 160 °C, respectively. Altitude emerged as the most significant factor influencing bioactivity and composition, with roots from 800 m exhibiting the highest bioactivity. Key bioactive compounds included caffeoylquinic acids, caryophyllene oxide, spathulenol, and bisnorallocholanic acid. At 150 m, weeding reduced anticholinergic capacity but increased antioxidant synthesis, though the levels were lower than those observed at higher altitudes. These findings highlight that burdock roots grown at high altitudes without weeding produce extracts rich in antioxidant and neuroprotective compounds, offering significant potential for functional ingredient development.

Quintana-Barcia P., Ribas J., Rodriguez D., Chinchero H.F., Rico-Secades M.

Celiberto F.G., Gatto G.

We study the semi-inclusive hadroproduction of doubly bottomed tetraquarks (Xbb¯qq¯) as well as fully bottomed ones (T4b), to which we collectively refer as “bottomoniumlike” states. We rely upon the variable-flavor number-scheme fragmentation at leading power, where a single parton perturbatively splits into the corresponding Fock state, which then hadronizes into the color-neutral, observed tetraquark. To this end, we build new sets of /-evo consistent, hadron-structure oriented collinear fragmentation functions, which we name and parametrizations. They extend and supersede the corresponding versions recently derived in previous works. The first family describes the fragmentation of doubly heavy tetraquarks and is based on an improved version of the Suzuki model for the heavy-quark channel. The second family depicts the fragmentation of fully heavy tetraquarks and embodies initial-scale inputs for gluon and heavy-quark channels, both of them calculated by the hands of potential nonrelativistic QCD. As a phenomenological application, we provide novel predictions for tetraquark-plus-jet high-energy distributions, computed within the NLL/NLO+ hybrid factorization from (sym), at 14 and 100 TeV FCC. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Lancharro Zapata Á., Aguado del Hoyo A., Sánchez Gómez de Orgaz M.D., Ortega M.A., León Luís J.A.

Background/Objectives: Liver elastography is increasingly used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) as a non-invasive, radiation-free, reproducible technique for assessing liver stiffness. This technique demonstrates substantial advantages over conventional ultrasound in diagnosing diffuse liver diseases by providing quantitative measures of tissue elasticity. This article aims to describe the most critical milestones for performing liver elastography ultrasound point-of-care, a tool increasingly used to complement traditional ultrasound in the study of the liver in intensive care units where the population is very susceptible to manipulation. Methods: Techniques such as point-shear wave elastography (pSWE) and two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) have become key in evaluating conditions such as hypoxic-ischemic liver disease, cholestatic diseases, storage and metabolic disorders, or infectious liver conditions. However, despite its usefulness, performing elastography in neonates, particularly in those weighing less than 1000 g or in high-frequency oscillatory ventilation, presents notable challenges, including the extreme sensitivity of neonates to touch, noise, and temperature changes and the difficulty in obtaining accurate measurements due to limited hepatic depth. Results: Key factors for the success of sonoelastography in this population include minimizing contact time, adjusting mechanical and thermal indices to meet biosecurity guidelines, and ensuring patient comfort and stability during the procedure. Despite these challenges, elastography has proven helpful in routine clinical practice. Conclusions: The growing evidence on elastography has provided standardized reference values, further enhancing its clinical applicability in NICU settings.

Gallardo L.O., Aiger Vallés M., Cativiela-Campos B., Domingo-Valero L., Barrasa Á., Alique M., López-Granero C.

Air pollution and its effects on population health are currently among the most important public health issues. It is well established that the impact of air pollution on health is exceedingly high, although it ignores its real scope and effects on the aging process because studies on air quality have largely focused on younger age groups. Herein, we emphasize the relevance of air quality to the behavioral aging process, taking into account the place of residence - rural or urban. We raise the following question: Can air quality and residential settings modulate cognitive, emotional and social behaviors during the aging? Some studies have analyzed the role of residential settings and air pollution in the context of a behavioral frame in elderly people. Based on the analyzed literature, this revision concluded that air pollutants affect cognitive function, increasing the risk of dementia as well as depression and anxiety emotional responses. In addition, social networks and inclusion can modulate and mitigate the effects observed during the aging in rural areas that are exposed to less contamination. Although there is no consensus, it seems that some observed behavioral effects are sex-dependent, as women are more vulnerable to air pollution. Additionally, we examined why older adults are vulnerable to the health effects of Particulate Matter (PM) exposure and highlighted the importance of social health in this context. Environmental agents could be the key to understanding the susceptibility and variability observed during aging in behavioral symptoms. Although cognitive decline is related to increased age, it is not a manipulated factor. Efforts should be centered on locating factors implicated in the aging process that could be susceptible to manipulation or variation, such as the choice of the place of residence and the air that we are breathing. Given the significant societal impact of PM, research and policy regulations should be closely aligned and collaborative.

Díez-Gutiérrez E., Trujillo Vargas J., Perlado-Lamo de Espinosa I., Palomo-Cermeño E., Mateos-Toro L., Pérez-Robles A., García-Salas L., Romero Acosta K.

The aim of this research is to find out whether education students and professionals are aware of the seriousness of climate change and the environmental crisis and whether they receive training to deal with it in their professional future. More specifically, this study aims to analyze if they are aware of the degrowth proposal and consider they should train themselves and future generations in it to tackle this ecosystemic crisis profoundly. The methodology used was qualitative, through focused semi-structured in-depth interviews. The results of the data analysis, carried out with Atlas.ti, are structured around four dimensions: (a) Climate change, sustainability-consumption-social implications, (b) Growth, degrowth, collapse, (c) Personal attitudes towards caring for the planet and (d) Educating/training for degrowth. It is concluded that there is a general awareness concerning degrowth as a relevant issue and a possible alternative, but this is not applied in educational and curricular practice. The need to review the initial training plans for future teachers to introduce these elements is discussed. A limitation of this study is the scarcity of literature on degrowth in education and the need to expand the research sample in order to generalize the findings obtained in the research.

Sádaba-Campo N., Gómez-Moreno H.

This article addresses the impact of generative artificial intelligence on the creation of composite sketches for police investigations. The automation of this task, traditionally performed through artistic methods or image composition, has become a challenge that can be tackled with generative neural networks. In this context, technologies such as Generative Adversarial Networks, Variational Autoencoders, and Diffusion Models are analyzed. The study also focuses on the use of advanced tools like DALL-E, Midjourney, and primarily Stable Diffusion, which enable the generation of highly detailed and realistic facial images from textual descriptions or sketches and allow for rapid and precise morphofacial modifications. Additionally, the study explores the capacity of these tools to interpret user-provided facial feature descriptions and adjust the generated results accordingly. The article concludes that these technologies have the potential to automate the composite sketch creation process. Therefore, their integration could not only expedite this process but also enhance its accuracy and utility in the identification of suspects or missing persons, representing a groundbreaking advancement in the field of criminal investigation.

Del Valle H., Rodríguez-Navarro A.B., Moclán A., García-Medrano P., Cáceres I.

Abstract Bone diagenesis is a complex process that modifies bone components in response to burial conditions. These modifications help to understand deposit formation and classify fossils by stratigraphy. The combined techniques of X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement and infrared spectroscopy were used to study the bone diagenetic processes along the complete stratigraphic sequence of Galería site (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain). Eleven chemometric indices considering the different bone components (phosphates, carbonates, organic phase), together with the apatite unit cell parameters and cell volume were evaluated by 9 machine learning algorithms for bone diagenesis/stratigraphic classification. The results showed differences along the stratigraphic sequence due to changes in the apatite structure chemistry (i.e., F− and OH−), producing a gradual shift of the unit cell volume (from 531.9 to 526.1 Å3) from GII to GIV associated with coupled dissolution–precipitation processes. Two diagenetic pathways are indicated: The lowest unit (GII) is characterized by leaching and carbonate loss in bone, suggesting an acidic and wet burial environment with the formation of authigenic phosphate minerals. The uppermost units (GIII-GIV) show bone apatite undergoing F− and CO3 incorporation, suggesting a slightly alkaline and drier environment. These differences enabled the development of classification models to understand deposit formation dynamics and also recontextualize dissociated fossil bones.

González Herrera M.R., Giralt Escobar S.