Search Results (14,735)

Electric mobility is emerging as a crucial solution to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate environmental impact. In Ecuador, the transportation sector significantly contributes to CO₂ emissions. However, the transition to electric vehicles faces several challenges, including high initial costs, insufficient charging infrastructure, and limited battery range. This highlights the need for effective public policies and local economic incentives. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of electric mobility in Andean regions, with a particular focus on Ecuador. It employs a systematic literature review (SLR) adapted from Kitchenham’s methodology, incorporating a multicriteria hierarchical analysis to rank journals according to their relevance. The goal is to assess the growth, implementation, and limitations of electric mobility in Andean countries. Three key research questions are addressed: (i) What are the benefits associated with the transition to electric transportation in Andean countries, with a special focus on Ecuador? (ii) What are the current challenges in transitioning to electric mobility? (iii) What recent public policies are promoting electric transportation? The analysis reveals that the transition to electric mobility could significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, it faces notable challenges due to the insufficient demand for studies in electromobility plans and methodologies for defining charging points. The SLR includes a review of over 90 articles published in high-impact journals over the past six years, providing a solid foundation for decision-making in the current landscape and suggesting strategies to overcome the obstacles faced by government institutions. Finally, the study presents the reality of an installed charging infrastructure in Ecuador and the development of electric mobility in the region. Full article

Background: Unilateral lung agenesis (ULA) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the complete absence of one lung, often accompanied by cardiovascular, skeletal, or gastrointestinal malformations. Despite its clinical significance, evidence of prevalence, anatomical variants, and outcomes remain fragmented. This systematic review aimed to synthesize existing data on ULA’s prevalence, anatomical classifications, diagnostic approaches, and clinical implications. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, five databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus, and EMBASE) were searched from inception to January 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed case reports, case series, and observational studies on ULA in humans. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Narrative synthesis was performed due to methodological heterogeneity. Results: Thirty-two studies (137 participants) were included. Right-sided ULA predominated (58%), with poorer prognoses due to mediastinal distortion. Cardiovascular anomalies (40%) were the most common comorbidity. Diagnostic modalities included chest radiography (85%), CT (70%), and bronchoscopy (25%). Schneider-Boyden scale was used to classify the included studies. Risk of bias assessment revealed 65% of studies as low risk, 28% as moderate, and 7% as high risk. Conclusions: ULA necessitates multidisciplinary management, particularly in cases with associated anomalies. Left-sided ULA correlates with better outcomes, emphasizing the role of early imaging. Limitations include reliance on case reports and inconsistent reporting of anatomical variants. Future research should adopt standardized classifications and longitudinal designs to improve evidence quality. Open science framework (OSF): 10.17605/OSF.IO/XVQSP. Full article

Four human sialidases (hNEUs, E.C 3.2.1.18) have been identified. Each is an exosialidase identified as either NEU1, NEU2, NEU3, or NEU4. They exhibit differences in structure, subcellular distribution, substrate specificity, and the diseases with which they are associated. Similarly, microbial sialidases (NAs) may catalyze the release of sialyl residues from the same sialoglycoconjugates as hNEUs, even though they have low sequence homology with human NEUs. Use of sequence homology, plus the crystalline structure of human NEU2, has provided researchers with the basis for developing inhibitors that may differentiate between them. While microbial-induced diseases that use sialidase to complete their infectious cycle have been the driving force behind interrogation of possible NA inhibitors, errors affecting expression of functional hNEUs and their correlation with clinical problems has led to study of the sialidases per se. Information gained about sialidase structure, function, mechanism of action, mutations affecting expression, and their role(s) in disease, has provided the information about the different sialidases needed for development of specific therapies. Full article

Inflammatory cytokines, particularly interferon-γ (IFN-γ), are markedly elevated in the peripheral blood of patients with immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis (ICI-M). Endomyocardial biopsies from these patients also show GBP-associated inflammasome overexpression. While both factors are implicated in ICI-M pathophysiology, their interplay and cellular targets remain poorly characterized. Our aim was to elucidate how ICI-M-associated cytokines affect the viability and inflammatory responses of endothelial cells (ECs) and cardiomyocytes (CMs) using human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived models. ECs and CMs were differentiated from the same hiPSC line derived from a healthy donor. Cells were exposed either to IFN-γ alone or to an inflammatory cytokine cocktail (CCL5, GZMB, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α). We assessed large-scale transcriptomic changes via microarray and evaluated inflammatory, apoptotic, and cell death pathways at cellular and molecular levels. hiPSC-ECs were highly sensitive to cytokine exposure, displaying significant mortality and marked transcriptomic changes in immunity- and inflammation-related pathways. In contrast, hiPSC-CM showed limited transcriptional changes and reduced susceptibility to cytokine-induced death. In both cell types, cytokine treatment upregulated key components of the inflammasome pathway, including regulators (GBP5, GBP6, P2X7, NLRC5), a core component (AIM2), and the effector GSDMD. Increased GBP5 expression and CASP-1 cleavage mirrored the findings found elsewhere in endomyocardial biopsies from ICI-M patients. This hiPSC-based model reveals a distinct cellular sensitivity to ICI-M-related inflammation, with endothelial cells showing heightened vulnerability. These results reposition endothelial dysfunction, rather than cardiomyocyte injury alone, as a central mechanism in ICI-induced myocarditis. Modulating endothelial inflammasome activation, particularly via AIM2 inhibition, could offer a novel strategy to mitigate cardiac toxicity while preserving antitumor efficacy. Full article

Background: Urban loneliness is rising worldwide and is a recognised public-health threat. Nature-Based Social Prescriptions (NBSPs), guided group activities in natural settings, are being piloted in six cities through the EU project RECETAS. However, in new contexts such as Marseille, its implementation is constrained by professionals’ limited knowledge of the concept. Objectives: (i) Exploring how professionals in Marseille (France) conceptualise NBSPs; (ii) Identifying perceived facilitators and barriers to implementing NBSPs among residents facing social isolation and loneliness. Methods: Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with health, social-care, and urban–environment professionals selected via network mapping and snowball sampling. Verbatim transcripts underwent inductive thematic analysis informed by Social Representation Theory, with double coding to enhance reliability. Results: Five analytic themes emerged: (1) a holistic health paradigm linking nature, community, and well-being; (2) stark ecological inequities with limited green-space access in deprived districts; (3) work challenges due to the urgent needs of individuals facing significant socio-economic challenges in demanding contexts; (4) a key tension between a perceived top-down process and a preference for participatory approaches; (5) drivers and obstacles: strong professional endorsement of NBSPs meets significant systemic and institutional constraints. Conclusions: Professionals endorse NBSPs as a promising approach against loneliness, provided programmes tackle structural inequities and adopt participatory governance. Results inform the Marseille RECETAS pilot and contribute to global discussions on environmentally anchored health promotion. Full article

In light of the increasing focus on global climate change and environmental issues, countries around the world are collaboratively working towards the establishment of a low-carbon economy (LCE). As the most populous developing nation, China is proactively advocating for low-carbon economic development as a means to achieve sustainable growth. Nevertheless, the efficiency of the low-carbon economy (LCEE) exhibits considerable variation across different regions within China. This article seeks to explore the regional disparities in LCEE throughout the country and to identify the factors that contribute to these variations. Firstly, this paper examines the advancements in LCEE research, concentrating on an analysis of 30 Chinese provinces. Employing the Multi-directional Efficiency Analysis (MEA) framework alongside the global Malmquist (GM) index, this study evaluates the efficiency of the low-carbon economy across the 30 provinces from 2010 to 2021. Secondly, by integrating spatial autocorrelation analysis techniques, the research encompasses a multifaceted examination, including spatiotemporal analysis, regional disparities, driving factors, and potential for improvement. The findings indicate significant discrepancies in LCEE among various provinces in China. Notably, LCEE tends to be higher in the eastern coastal regions, attributed to their advanced economic development, whereas the western inland areas generally exhibit lower efficiency levels due to comparatively limited economic progress. Thirdly, LCEE exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity, with clear high–high and low–low clustering patterns, revealing systemic coordination gaps between eastern coastal and central/western regions. Fourthly, from the decomposition results of the global Malmquist index, it can be seen that efficiency change (EC) is less than 1 and technology change (TC) is greater than 1, which promotes the improvement of LCEE. Technical efficiency is the main factor affecting the improvement of LCEE. Full article

This study analyzed the use of a toolbox to evaluate the impact of agricultural activity on the water quality/status classification of a hydro-agricultural reservoir (Lage reservoir, Southern Portugal). The framework integrated the quantification of a group of 51 pesticides and ecotoxicological endpoints with organisms from different trophic categories (the bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri, the microalga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata, and the crustaceans Daphnia magna and Thamnocephalus platyurus) at two sampling points in the reservoir (Lage (L) and Lage S (LS)) between 2018 and 2020. Over the three-year study, we quantified 36 of the 51 pesticides analyzed in the Lage reservoir. Total concentrations increased successively from 0.95 µg L⁻¹ to 1.99 and 2.66 µg L⁻¹. Among these, the pesticides most frequently detected were terbuthylazine (100% of detection) and metolachlor (83% of detection), with maximum concentrations of 115.6 and 85.5 µg L⁻¹, respectively. Samples from the LS site showed higher toxicity, where A. fischeri presented 30 min EC₅₀ values of 39–51%. Microalgae growth was consistently inhibited, correlating with agricultural activity, mainly the application of herbicides and insecticides, while D. magna feeding rates revealed no inhibitory effects in the Lage samples. The results highlight that although the detected pesticide levels were below regulatory limits, they still induced toxic effects in the tested organisms. The potential ecological status of the reservoir was classified as moderate, and the integration of the proposal toolbox allowed refinement of the classification of water status. The results demonstrated that this integrated approach, combining multiple assessment methods, establishes a more robust water quality evaluation methodology, allowing it to be used as a tool complementary to the WFD methodology. This proposal not only identified existing pollution impacts but also enabled (1) early detection of the toxic effects of emerging contaminants to prevent ecological damage; (2) proactive management through specific actions to restore water status; and (3) improved sustainable water use. Full article

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) play a crucial role in the continuous monitoring and coordination of disaster relief operations, providing real-time information that aids in decision-making and resource allocation. However, optimizing the deployment of multi-UAV systems in disaster-stricken areas presents a significant challenge. This challenge arises due to conflicting objectives, such as maximizing coverage while minimizing energy consumption, critical to ensuring prolonged operational capability in dynamic and unpredictable environments. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a novel successive deployment method specifically designed for optimizing UAV placements in complex disaster relief scenarios. The overall optimization problem is decomposed into two NP-hard subproblems: the coverage problem and the Energy Consumption (EC) problem. To achieve maximum coverage of the affected area, we employ the Strong Weiszfeld (SW) algorithm to determine optimal UAV placement. Simultaneously, to minimize energy consumption while maintaining optimal coverage performance, we utilize the Steepest Descent with Goldstein (SDG) algorithm. This dual-algorithmic approach is tailored to balance the trade-offs between wide-area coverage and energy efficiency. We validate the effectiveness of the proposed SW + SDG method by comparing its performance against traditional deployment strategies across multiple scenarios. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining extensive coverage, and outperforms conventional algorithms. This not only ensures a more sustainable and long-lasting operational network but also enhances deployment efficiency and stability. These findings suggest that the SW + SDG algorithm is a robust and versatile solution for optimizing multi-UAV deployments in dynamic, resource-constrained environments, providing a balanced approach to coverage and energy efficiency. Full article

Standardized driving cycles such as the FTP-75 fail to represent traffic conditions in cities like Guayaquil, where high congestion and varied driving behaviors are not captured by external models. This study aimed to develop representative driving cycles for the city’s most congested urban routes, covering the north, south, center, and west zones. Using the direct method, real-world trips were conducted with an M1-category vehicle equipped with an OBDLINK MX+ device, allowing real-time data collection. Driving data were processed through OBDWIZ software Version 4.30.1 and statistically analyzed using Minitab. From pilot tests, the appropriate sample size was estimated, and normality tests were applied to determine the correct measures of central tendency. The final representative cycles were constructed using a weighting criteria method. The results provided quantified evidence of variations in average speed, idle time, and acceleration patterns across the routes, which were transformed into representative driving cycles. These cycles provide a more accurate basis for emission modeling, vehicle certification, and transport policy design in congested cities such as Guayaquil, and this is the applied impact that is highlighted in our contribution. Furthermore, the developed cycles provide a foundation for future research on emission modeling and the design of sustainable transport strategies in Latin American cities. Full article

Juglans neotropica Diels, classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List, plays a crucial role in the resilience of Andean montane forests in southern Ecuador—a megadiverse region encompassing coastal, Andean, and Amazonian ecosystems. This study examines how climatic, edaphic, and topographic gradients influence the species’ phenotypic traits across six source localities—Tibio, Merced, Tundo, Victoria, Zañe, and Argelia—all of which are localities situated in the provinces of Loja and Zamora Chinchipe. By integrating long-term climate records, slope mapping, and soil characterization, we assessed the effects of temperature, precipitation, humidity, soil moisture, and terrain steepness on leaf presence, fruit maturation, and tree architecture. Over the past 20 years, temperature increased by 1.5 °C (p < 0.01), while precipitation decreased by 22%, disrupting local edaphoclimatic balances. More than 2000 individuals were measured in forest stands, with estimated ages ranging from 11 to 355 years. ANOVA results revealed that Tundo and Victoria exhibited significantly greater DBH, height, and volume (p ≤ 0.05), with Victoria showing a 30% larger DBH than Argelia, the lowest-performing provenance. Soils ranged from loam to sandy loam, with slopes exceeding 45% and pH levels from slightly acidic to neutral. These findings confirm the species’ pronounced phenotypic plasticity and ecological adaptability, directly informing site-specific conservation strategies and long-term forest management under shifting climatic conditions. Full article

BaTiO₃ (BT)-based lead-free ceramics are regarded as highly promising candidates for solid-state electrocaloric (EC) cooling devices due to their large spontaneous polarizations, shiftable Curie temperatures, and environmental friendliness. This review summarizes recent progresses in the design and optimization of BT-based EC ceramics. Key aspects include thermodynamic principles of the EC effect (ECE); structural phase transitions; and strategies such as constructing relaxor ferroelectrics, multi-phase coexistence, etc. Finally, future research directions are proposed, including the exploration of local microstructural evolution, polarization flip mechanisms, and bridging material design and device integration. This work aims to provide insights into the development of high-performance BT-based materials for solid-state cooling devices. Full article

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that can induce systemic and ocular complications. Among the latter, an increase in central corneal thickness (CCT) has been reported, potentially affecting endothelial function and increasing the risk of ocular disease. This study aimed to determine the impact of DM on CCT and to assess its correlation with diabetes duration and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. A systematic literature search was conducted in Web of Science (1980–2025) following a PICO-based strategy. Observational studies evaluating CCT in diabetic patients were included. Data were analyzed using a random-effects model. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed with χ² test, p values, and I² index. Publication bias was evaluated using Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s regression test. Twenty-nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Diabetic patients showed significantly higher CCT values compared to controls, particularly in those with long-standing DM (p < 0.001) and poor glycemic control (HbA1c, p < 0.001). Egger’s regression suggested an association between increasing CCT, disease duration, and HbA1c levels, while funnel plot asymmetry indicated potential publication bias. CCT appears to increase in patients with long-term DM and inadequate glycemic control. These findings highlight the relevance of CCT assessment as a potential indicator of corneal changes in diabetic patients. Full article

Burnout syndrome, caused by chronic unmanaged stress, is common among health sciences students, and dental students in clinical training are particularly vulnerable due to the intense cognitive, emotional, and practical demands. This multicenter cross-sectional study assessed burnout and related factors in 312 students in their 8th–10th semesters at three Ecuadorian universities using the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a questionnaire on physical and emotional symptoms. High emotional exhaustion affected 79.5% of students, high depersonalization 54.5%, and low personal accomplishment 11.5%, with an overall burnout prevalence of 8.01%. No statistically significant associations were found with university or academic semester, although students studying or working more than 30 h per week showed a non-significant trend toward higher risk (OR = 3.39; p = 0.208), and the model’s predictive capacity was low (AUC = 0.645). Frequently reported physical symptoms included lower back pain (41.35%), neck pain (35.9%), and headaches (30.45%). These findings reveal that burnout, often accompanied by physical discomfort, affects a significant number of dental students, highlighting the need for institutional strategies such as psychological support and curricular adjustments to reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Full article

The metabolism of antibiotics, antidepressants, and cardiovascular drugs has been investigated widely over the last few decades. The aim of this study was to develop an efficient analytical protocol based on the combination of electrochemistry (EC) and mass spectrometry for the identification of electrochemical products (potential pharmacologically active metabolites) of selected drugs (enalapril, metronidazole, midazolam, propranolol, venlafaxine). The electrochemical mimicry of the oxidative phase I and II metabolism was achieved in a thin-layer cell equipped with different working electrodes (magic diamond (MD), glassy carbon (GC), gold (Au), platinum (Pt)). The structures of the electrochemically generated metabolites were elucidated based on accurate mass ion data and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments. The in silico prediction of the main sites of selected drugs’ metabolism was performed using Biotransformer 3.0, GLORYx, and Xenosite software. Moreover, incubation with liver microsomes (LMs) was performed to examine the proposed metabolic pathways of target compounds. The data from in vitro experiments agreed with the data from electrochemical oxidation, which predicted some potential metabolites found in the real samples from patients. For enzymatic incubation, N-dealkylation, O-demethylation, and hydroxylation were the metabolic pathways involved mainly in their metabolism. Their in vitro phase II metabolites were identified as glucuronic acid conjugates. Finally, different in vivo phase I and II metabolites were identified for the studied drugs, including metabolic pathways for in vivo phase I N-demethylation, N-dealkylation, O-demethylation, and hydroxylation, while the metabolic pathways for in vivo phase II metabolites were identified as glucuronic acid conjugates. Full article

Background/Objectives: In Ecuador, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the second leading cause of death after ischemic heart disease. Genetic variability in protein-coding genes, single nucleotide variants (SNVs), influences the response to antidiabetic drugs. The frequency of SNVs varies among different populations, so studying the ancestral proportions among SNVs is important for personalized medicine in the treatment of T2DM. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of Native American, European, and African (NATAM, EUR, and AFR) ancestry in 23 allelic variants of the seven genes that encode the relevant enzymes that metabolize antidiabetic drugs in an Ecuadorian population. Methods: Twenty-three allelic variants of seven genes were analyzed in 297 patients with T2DM from Ecuador, and the molecular ancestry of the samples was analyzed considering three ancestral groups, NATAM, EUR, and AFR using 90 ancestry informative markers (AIMs). Allele and ancestry distributions were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation. Results: The Ecuadorian population presents NATAM (61.33%), EUR (34.48%), and AFR (2.60%) ancestry components. CYP2C8*1 and CYP2C9*1 were positively related to NATAM ancestry, while CYP2C8*4 and CYP2C9*2 were positively related to EUR ancestry. CYP2C19*17 was positively correlated to AFR ancestry. The correlation of SLC22A1 variants such as A in rs594709 was positively correlated with NATAM, while GAT in rs72552763 was positive for EUR. The G variant of rs628031 of the SLC22A1 gene was positively correlated with NATAM and negatively correlated with EUR. The C variant of rs2076828 of the SLC22A3 gene was positively correlated with NATAM ancestry. Conclusions: In the Ecuadorian population, a predominance of Native American ancestry has been observed. Among the allelic variants related to enzymes that metabolize antidiabetic drugs, a relationship has been observed between this ancestral component and variants of the CYP2C8*1, CYP2C9*1, SLC22A1 (rs594709 and rs628031), and SLC22A3 (rs2076828) genes. This information is fundamental for the development of strategies for the implementation of personalized medicine programs for Latin American patients. Full article