Maria Victoria

Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor and shows marked molecular and clinical heterogeneity. Molecular subgrouping guides prognosis and treatment but remains scarce in low- and middle-income countries. We analyzed 84 pediatric MB cases from Argentina using a cost-effective, integrative workflow combining low- and high-complexity techniques. Tumors were classified following 2021 WHO guidelines, assessing links between molecular groups, risk, histology, location, and overall survival (OS). Non-WNT/non-SHH tumors predominated (60.7%), followed by SHH-activated (27.4%) and WNT-activated (10.7%). SHH TP53 − tumors were more common in infants, while WNT tumors occurred only in older children/adolescents. Group-specific alterations included CTNNB1 and chromosome 6 changes in WNT tumors, and MYCN and i17q in non-WNT/non-SHH tumors. SHH TP53 + tumors correlated with very high biological risk and poor OS, whereas WNT tumors had favorable outcomes. Low-cost methods resolved 90% of cases; NanoString clarified the remainder, achieving 98.8% precision. This first molecular characterization of pediatric MB in Argentina demonstrates that a tiered, conventional-tools-based approach can deliver high diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value, supporting its integration into routine care in resource-limited settings.

Background and Objectives: Chronic kidney disease is characterized by the progressive loss of functioning nephrons due to structural and functional alterations in the kidneys. It is clinically defined through the presence of a glomerular filtration rate below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or persistent kidney damage lasting at least three months. Patients undergoing haemodialysis frequently present with sarcopenia and frailty. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of intradialytic exercise on sarcopenia and frailty in individuals with chronic kidney disease. Materials and Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Electronic searches were executed in PubMed, PEDro, Scopus, and Dialnet. Eligible studies included adults (≥18 years) on haemodialysis who engaged in exercise interventions compared with passive control groups. Exclusion criteria included any conditions conflicting with the inclusion criteria, systematic reviews, study protocols, and articles not meeting the PICO framework or contradictory to the inclusion criteria. Outcomes of interest were sarcopenia and frailty, assessed through measures of physical function and muscle strength. Methodological quality was appraised using the PEDro scale, and risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Most interventions consisted of aerobic training, resistance training, or combined exercise programs. Across studies, exercise interventions consistently improved physical function and muscle strength, although no significant effects on body composition were observed. Conclusions: This systematic review provides evidence that intradialytic exercise may produce clinically relevant improvements in sarcopenia by enhancing muscle strength and functional performance, as measured by tests such as the sitting-to-standing test. These results suggest that intradialytic exercise could be beneficial for patients with chronic kidney disease.

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Fixed-bed adsorption is widely employed in the scaling-up of liquid-phase adsorption processes because it offers significant operational advantages over batch systems. However, conventional approaches for scaling up adsorption columns are subject to important limitations. In this regard, the Axial Dispersion Model (ADM) coupled with the Pore Volume and Surface Diffusion Model (PVSDM) provides a framework capable of overcoming these constraints. In this study, ADM–PVSDM was applied predictively using equilibrium relationships and diffusion coefficients obtained from batch experiments. Model validity was assessed against nine experimental breakthrough curves, yielding an average deviation of 7.6% in breakthrough time. Furthermore, the model successfully predicted system behavior across a feed-flux range of 18–174 g h−1m−2. The integration of ADM–PVSDM was supported by the characterization of the Mass Transfer Zone (MTZ), which underpins the scaling approach proposed herein. The predicted breakthrough curves were also used to estimate MTZ length and velocity, which ranged from 0.97 to 8.7 cm and from 0.56 × 10−3 to 20 × 10−3 cm min−1, respectively, with mean percentage deviations of 6.4% and 7.3%. These predictions enabled the development of a methodology which is capable of scaling adsorption columns over a wide operational range while requiring substantially fewer experiments compared to conventional scaling methods. Finally, it was demonstrated that commonly used empirical models, such as the Bohart–Adams model, failed to predict breakthrough curves with sufficient accuracy, thus rendering them unsuitable for developing this scaling methodology.

The increasing integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education has highlighted their potential to support writing instruction. However, research examining how ICT is used to teach writing, as well as the factors influencing this use across educational stages, remains limited. Accordingly, this study investigates differences in ICT-related training and the use of ICT for writing instruction among language and literature teachers in primary and secondary education, together with the internal and external factors shaping such use. A survey based on an ad hoc questionnaire was completed by 360 Spanish teachers. The results revealed significant differences between educational stages in both ICT-related training and the use of ICT for teaching writing. Primary school teachers tended to focus on low-level writing processes (e.g., spelling), whereas secondary school teachers placed greater emphasis on higher-level writing skills and more advanced ICT-based activities, despite the overall limited use of ICT for instructional purposes. Internal and external factors varied across educational levels and were positively associated with ICT integration; however, self-efficacy emerged as the main significant predictor of ICT use for writing instruction. Overall, the study identifies key barriers to ICT integration and suggests practical strategies to enhance its use in writing instruction, including targeted teacher training in ICT-supported writing practices and professional development initiatives aimed at strengthening teachers’ self-efficacy.

This work is devoted to the synthesis and comprehensive study of activated carbons (ACs) obtained from agricultural wastes—specifically corn cob (C) and onion (O)—for the effective removal of paracetamol (PCM) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) from aqueous media. The synthesis was carried out by chemical activation using H3PO4, HNO3, and NaOH as activating agents, which made it possible to obtain materials with a clearly defined microporous structure (microporous fraction Vmicro/Vtotal = 0.75–0.81) and specific surface chemistry. Particular attention was paid to studying the kinetics and equilibrium of adsorption in both single-component and binary (two-pollutant) systems. It was established that the equilibrium time is 8 h, and the experimental data are best described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. During binary adsorption tests, the competitive behavior was observed for certain materials, such as the corn-derived carbon activated with HNO3 (AC-CN) and the onion-derived carbon activated with HNO3 (AC-ON), where molecules compete for active sites. Conversely, synergistic effects were identified in other systems, controlled by specific surface-functional groups and hydration effects. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 29.4 mg∙g−1 for PCM on the AC-CN sample. Adsorption mechanisms, including multilayer isotherm profiles and the competition between pollutant and water molecules, were interpreted using quantum chemical calculations within the framework of Density Functional Theory (DFT). These calculations revealed that partial deprotonation and intense solvation of SMX molecules at natural pH reduce their adsorption capacity. In contrast, the PCM structure favors π-π interactions and the formation of strong hydrogen bonds with oxygen-containing groups on the carbon surface. These results demonstrate the high potential of using agro-industrial waste to create a new generation of selective adsorbents with tailored surface properties.

Purpose: Bortezomib (BTZ) is widely used in multiple myeloma (MM), but its toxicity shows marked interindividual variability. This study aimed to identify pharmacogenetic and clinical factors associated with BTZ-related adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Methods: A retrospective and prospective observational study was conducted in 127 MM patients treated with BTZ-based regimens. Polymorphisms in CYP enzymes and ABCB1 were genotyped using qPCR. Associations between genetic variants, treatment response, and ADRs were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses with Benjamini–Hochberg correction. Results: ADRs occurred in 98.4% of patients, most commonly gastrointestinal toxicity (49%), general toxicity (46%), and peripheral neuropathy (39%). Women showed higher rates of gastrointestinal toxicity and non-peripheral neurotoxicity. Multivariate analysis identified the ABCB1 C1236T A/G genotype as protective against gastrointestinal toxicity, while the CYP3A4 intermediate metabolizer phenotype was associated with increased psychiatric toxicity. TP53 mutations were independently associated with hematologic and renal toxicity. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed earlier onset of peripheral neuropathy and respiratory toxicity in CYP3A4 intermediate and poor metabolizers. Conclusions: Genetic variation in ABCB1 and CYP3A4, together with clinical factors such as TP53 mutation and sex, may contribute to interindividual variability in BTZ safety in MM. These findings should be considered exploratory given the sample size and require confirmation in larger cohorts. Nonetheless, they suggest a potential role for pharmacogenomics in supporting future approaches to treatment personalization.

Faculty of Health Sciences, State University of Milagro, Milagro 091050, Ecuador

by Juan Rodríguez-Mansilla Jaime Becerra Fernández María Victoria Martín Hidalgo-Barquero Blanca González-Sánchez and

Center for Research and Development in Food Science and Technology (CIDCA, CCT-CONICET), National University of La Plata, La Plata RA1900, Argentina