Rocío González-Soltero

Objectives: Oral malocclusion affects a large portion of the population, impacting both function and aesthetics. Recent advances in orthodontics offer a variety of treatment options, including traditional fixed appliances (FA) and, more recently, clear aligners (CA). This systematic review aims to synthesize and critically evaluate current evidence on oral microbiological changes during orthodontic treatment, with a focus on CA. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus. Keywords included: (“Bacteria” OR “Microbio*”) AND (“Orthodontic aligners” OR “Invisalign”). The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420240628072), and the final search was completed on October 15, 2024. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias. Primary outcomes included changes in oropharyngeal microbiota (salivary, lingual, gingival, and pharyngeal) and functional diversity (e.g., alpha and beta diversity, metabolic pathways). Results: Twelve studies met inclusion criteria. Findings revealed that CA use leads to time‐dependent shifts in the oral microbiome, with notable changes in beta diversity within 24 h. Over periods from 1 to 12 months, CA users exhibited more favorable oral health outcomes compared to FA users, including lower plaque index (PI), reduced gingival inflammation (GI), and decreased probing pocket depth (PPD). These improvements are likely to be due to the easier hygiene maintenance of CA. Conclusion: Clear aligners appear to promote better oral microbiological balance and periodontal health than FA, likely due to easier hygiene maintenance and reduced plaque accumulation, with consistently lower levels of Streptococcus mutans observed in subjects undergoing CA therapy.

Introducción. La rápida integración de la inteligencia artificial (IA) en la educación biomédica ha generado una necesidad urgente de un marco que sirva de guía para el estudiantado y para el personal académico. En España, las instituciones están adoptando la IA con rapidez, pero sin una orientación regulatoria o pedagógica homogénea. Se requieren enfoques estructurados que permitan priorizar competencias my abordar los desafíos éticos, legales y educativos emergentes. Métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio Delphi coordinado por la UEM, utilizando REDCap para gestionar las rondas iterativas. El proyecto recibió apoyo financiero de la Sociedad Española de Educación Médica (SEDEM). Expertos en educación médica, algunos con conocimientos específicos en IA, participaron en una serie de cuestionarios en línea. A través de retroalimentación anonimizada, los participantes evaluaron, refinaron y priorizaron un conjunto de áreas donde el impacto de la IA resulta esencial. Resultados. Los expertos coincidieron en la necesidad de habilidades más allá de la alfabetización técnica, destacando el pensamiento crítico, la interpretación de resultados generados por IA, la conciencia sobre sesgos y la responsabilidad profesional. Las consideraciones éticas y legales, especialmente las relacionadas con la privacidad, la transparencia y la toma de decisiones, fueron altamente priorizadas. También subrayaron el carácter transversal de la IA, sugiriendo que las competencias deben integrarse en todo el currículo y no tratarse como contenidos aislados. Discusión. A pesar de la heterogeneidad institucional, el consenso convergió en áreas que equilibran la innovación con salvaguardas éticas. Los resultados respaldan el desarrollo de un marco competencial capaz de guiar el diseño curricular, orientar la formación del profesorado y promover un uso responsable y basado en la evidencia de la IA, sin comprometer la autonomía profesional.

Background and aims: Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide; studies have described it as a multifactorial disease that involves biological, psychological, and environmental factors. This systematic review explores the role of vitamins B ₉ , B ₁₂ , and D in depression, particularly emphasizing their biological effects, genetic variant interactions, and potential treatment implications. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in Web of Science (WOS) and PubMed up to 15th June 2025. This review included 24 studies from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, and case reports and examined the associations between genetic variants involved in vitamins B ₉ , B ₁₂ , and D metabolism; their biological processes; and outcomes in depression. Following the PRISMA criteria, researchers analyzed and extracted data independently; this resulted in the inclusion of 24 eligible papers (14 of vitamins B ₉ and B ₁₂ and 10 of vitamin D). Results: Studies varied widely in design and methodology. Deficiencies in vitamins B ₉ (folate) and B ₁₂ (cobalamin) are associated with decreased neurotransmitter biosynthesis, higher homocysteine levels, and increased depressive symptoms. Vitamin D deficiency has also been associated with mood regulation through its effects on neurotransmission. Genetic variants, particularly in the MTHFR gene, have been associated with significant influence on individual susceptibility to depression in some populations, highlighting the interaction between genetics and micronutrient bioavailability and the need for further studies with diverse populations, larger study samples, and the inclusion of more genetic variants. Conclusion: This systematic review emphasizes the role of vitamins B ₉ , B ₁₂ , and D and genetic variants associated with the development of depression. Regardless of the encouraging findings that supplementation with vitamins B ₉ , B ₁₂ , and D could support depressive symptomatology, additional research is needed to propose therapeutic guidelines. Personalized strategies considering dietary, genetic and environmental factors could enhance treatment results for individuals with depression.

Glycans play a crucial role in modulating cellular interactions and disease progression. In the colon, they serve as key mediators between host cells, the microbiome, and the immune system. During tumorigenesis, however, glycans undergo significant alterations that not only influence oncogenic pathways but are also affected by changes in cell signaling, creating a self-perpetuating cycle. These feedback loops drive several cancer hallmarks, including sustained proliferative signaling and immune escape, thereby promoting disease progression. One prominent alteration in colorectal cancer is increased sialylation - the enrichment of sialic acid-containing glycans - which is strongly linked to tumor development, progression, and poor prognosis. Truncated O-glycan structures, such as the Sialyl-Tn (STn) antigen, are rarely presented in healthy colon tissue but are commonly associated with oncogenic transformation and immune evasion. Both commensal and pathogenic bacteria in the colon exploit host sialylated glycans as adhesion sites and nutrient sources. This interaction modulates local immune responses and inflammation, contributing to a complex and dynamic interplay that, when disrupted, accelerates cancer progression. This mini-review discusses the role of sialylated cancer-associated glycans in colorectal cancer, emphasising their involvement in tumor progression, metastasis, and interactions with the gut microbiome. Furthermore, it highlights emerging therapeutic strategies that target these glycans.

Data literacy, the ability to understand and effectively communicate with data, is crucial for researchers to interpret and validate data. However, low reproducibility in biomedical research is nowadays a significant issue, with major implications for scientific progress and the reliability of findings. Recognizing this, funding bodies such as the European Commission emphasize the importance of regular data management practices to enhance reproducibility. Establishing a standardized framework for statistical methods and data analysis is essential to minimize biases and inaccuracies. The FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) aim to enhance data interoperability and reusability, promoting transparent and ethical data practices. The study presented here aimed to train postgraduate students at the Universidad Europea de Madrid in data literacy skills and FAIR principles, assessing their application in master thesis projects. A total of 46 participants, including students and mentors, were involved in the study during the 2022–2023 academic year. Students were trained to prioritize FAIR data sources and implement Data Management Plans (DMPs) during their master’s thesis. An 11-item questionnaire was developed to evaluate the FAIRness of research data, showing strong internal consistency. The study found that integrating FAIR principles into educational curricula is crucial for enhancing research reproducibility and transparency. This approach equips future researchers with essential skills for navigating a data-driven scientific environment and contributes to advancing scientific knowledge.

La inteligencia artificial generativa (IAG), con aplicaciones como ChatGPT, se ha convertido en una interesante herramienta en el ámbito de la educación biomédica. Entre sus bondades destaca la simplificación y mejora del proceso enseñanza-aprendizaje, favoreciendo la búsqueda de información, la creación y actualización de contenido, la simulación de escenarios clínicos, la atención personalizada o la evaluación inmediata. Sin embargo, son muchos los riesgos que comporta una herramienta tan novedosa y disruptiva. Debido a ello, con el objetivo de evaluar estas amenazas, utilizamos los Principios Éticos de la UNESCO y el Reglamento de la Unión Europea sobre Inteligencia Artificial, concluyendo que el principal riesgo de estas aplicaciones deriva de su potencial capacidad discriminatoria, especialmente en referencia a la evaluación y categorización de los estudiantes; también, de la aparición de diferentes sesgos técnicos, de la falta de equidad, de control, de transparencia y de privacidad, o del plagio y la falsa autoría.

This study examined the association between genetic variations in the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene and the composition of gut microbiota in a Spanish population. The VDR gene plays a role in mediating the effects of vitamin D on gut microbiota composition. We analyzed 87 healthy participants from the Spanish Caucasian population and found that the genetic variations were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Through metataxonomic sequencing, we identified that the GG genotype from the VDR polymorphism rs731236 seems to be associated with the opportunistic genus Solobacterium, indicating that genetic variations may influence the composition of gut microbiota.