Biomimetic hydroxyapatite/collagen composite drives bone niche recapitulation in a rabbit orthotopic model.

Synthetic osteoinductive materials that mimic the human osteogenic niche have emerged as ideal candidates to address this area of unmet clinical need. In this study, we evaluated the osteoinductive potential in a rabbit orthotopic model of a magnesium-doped hydroxyapatite/type I collagen â€‹(MHA/Coll) composite. The composite was fabricated to exhibit a highly fibrous structure of carbonated MHA with 70% (±2.1) porosity and a Ca/P ratio of 1.5 (±0.03) as well as a diverse range of elasticity separated to two distinct stiffness peaks of low (2.35 â€‹± â€‹1.16 â€‹MPa) and higher (9.52 â€‹± â€‹2.10 â€‹MPa) Young's Modulus. Data suggested that these specific compositional and nanomechanical material properties induced the deposition of de novo mineral phase, while modulating the expression of early and late osteogenic marker genes, in a 3D in vitro model using human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs). When tested in the rabbit orthotopic model, MHA/Col1 scaffold induction of new trabecular bone mass was observed by DynaCT scan, only 2 weeks after implantation. Bone histomorphometry at 6 weeks revealed a significant amount of de novo bone matrix formation. qPCR demonstrated MHA/Coll scaffold full cellularization in vivo and the expression of both osteogenesis-associated genes (Spp1, Sparc, Col1a1, Runx2, Dlx5) as well as hematopoietic (Vcam1, Cd38, Sele, Kdr) and bone marrow stromal cell marker genes (Vim, Itgb1, Alcam). Altogether, these data provide â€‹evidence of the solid osteoinductive potential of MHA/Coll and its suitability for multiple approaches of bone regeneration.

Ergonomic evaluation, with the RULA method, of greenhouse tasks of trellising crops.

BACKGROUND: The present study uses the RULA method to define the most favourable working conditions to lower climbing greenhouse plants, the most problematic task involved in trellising crops. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to prevent potential musculoskeletal disorders to the upper limbs in workers performing this task. METHODS: The variety of scenarios involving this task was simulated in the laboratory to evaluate different working heights, crop weights, and types of guides handled. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: From the 2,544 tests made, only some ergonomically favourable conditions were found to be met when the work was done at a height of 1.4 m, although heights of between 1.2 and 1.6 m could prove acceptable. Furthermore, the study shows the importance of the type of hanger needed to perform the work correctly, of the group of hangers tested; ergonomically acceptable handling was possible only with the new-generation ones having the lock device. In the case of using other types of hangers, it is recommended not to support weights greater than 2 kg. In addition to the above recommendations, it is considered vital to guarantee the correct organization of the workday to include recovery times from the earliest working hours, given the repetitive nature of the work, as well as to promote training sessions to avoid incorrect postures, especially regarding the limbs, trunk, wrist, and neck.

Eating disorder detection through personality traits and self-concept.

The current scientific evidence suggests that certain dimensions of the personality and self-concept act as risk factors of eating disorder (ED). However, there is little investigation that explores the different elements involved in both groups of variables together and in an exhaustive way. Our aim is to be able to discriminate between individuals diagnosed with ED and controls free of symptoms according to these personality traits and selfconcept. To accomplish our objective, the Inventory of Eating Disorders 2 (EDI-2), Inventory of Personality NEO Revised (NEO-PI-R) and Self-Concept Form-5 (AF-5) were administered to a sample composed of 69 cases of ED and 89 controls, and an analysis of logistic regression was carried out. The pattern obtained could correctly classify 96.2% of the people diagnosed with ED and, consistent with the previous research, it should work in the same way to detect people at risk of developing ED in the future.

Comorbilidades en pacientes hospitalizados por enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. Análisis comparativo de los estudios ECCO y ESMI / Comorbidities in patients hospitalized due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A comparative analysis of the ECCO and ESMI studies

Antecedentes y objetivos. La presencia de enfermedades asociadas es muy frecuente en los pacientes hospitalizados por exacerbación de EPOC. Hemos estudiado las comorbilidades de pacientes ingresados por la enfermedad en los servicios de Medicina Interna españoles y hemos valorado las variaciones con respecto a un estudio previo (estudio ECCO), realizado 2 años antes. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio de cohortes, transversal y multicéntrico. Se incluyeron pacientes hospitalizados por exacerbación de EPOC en los servicios de Medicina Interna españoles. A todos los pacientes se les estudió la presencia de comorbilidades mediante el índice de Charlson y un cuestionario con afecciones relevantes no incluidas en este índice. Además, se recogieron datos espirométricos, sobre la duración de la enfermedad o el tratamiento domiciliario, entre otras variables. Resultados. Se estudiaron 1.004 pacientes (398 en el estudio ECCO y 606 en el ESMI), un 89,4% eran varones, con una edad media de 73 años (DE: 9,5 años). Los pacientes del estudio ESMI obtuvieron mayores puntuaciones en el índice de Charlson (3,04 vs. 2,71; p<0,01), y presentaron una mayor prevalencia de cardiopatía isquémica (17 vs. 22,0%; p<0,05), insuficiencia cardiaca (26,9 vs. 35,5%; p<0,002), enfermedad vascular periférica (12,6 vs. 17,4%; p<0,02), hipertensión arterial (54,8 vs. 65,6%; p<0,001), diabetes mellitus (29,4 vs. 37%; p<0,02) e insuficiencia renal (6,5 vs. 16,8%; p<0,0001). Conclusiones. Este estudio confirma la elevada prevalencia de enfermedades asociadas en los pacientes con EPOC que ingresan en los servicios de Medicina Interna españoles, así como el aumento de comorbilidades(AU)

Backgrounds and objectives. The presence of associated diseases is very frequent in patients hospitalized due to exacerbation of COPD. We have studied the comorbidities of patients admitted due to the disease in the Spanish Internal Medicine Services and we have evaluated the variations in regards to a previous study (ECCO study) performed two years earlier. Patients and methods. A cross-sectional, multicenter and cohort study was performed. Patients hospitalized due to exacerbation of COPD in Spanish Internal Medicine Services were enrolled. All the patients were studied for the presence of comorbidity using the Charlson index and a questionnaire with relevant conditions not included in this index. Furthermore, spirometric data were collected on the duration of the disease or home treatment, among other variables. Results. A total of 1004 patients (398 in the ECCO study and 606 in the ESMI study) were studied. Of these, 89.4% were males, with mean age of 73 years (SD: 9.5 years). The patients of the ESMI study obtain higher scores on the Charlson index (3.04 vs. 2.71; P<0.01), and had a greater prevalence of ischemic heart disease (17 vs. 22.0%; P<0.05), heart failure (26.9 vs. 35.5%; P<.002), peripheral vascular disease (12.6 vs. 17.4%; P<.02), arterial hypertension (54.8 vs. 65.6%; P<.001), diabetes mellitus (29.4 vs. 37%; P<.02) and renal failure (6.5 vs. 16.8%; P<.0001). Conclusions. This study confirms the elevated prevalence of associated diseases in patients with COPD who are admitted to the Spanish Internal Medicine Services and the increase of comorbidities(AU)

[Comorbidities in patients hospitalized due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A comparative analysis of the ECCO and ESMI studies]. / Comorbilidades en pacientes hospitalizados por enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. Análisis comparativo de los estudios ECCO y ESMI.

BACKGROUNDS AND OBJECTIVES: The presence of associated diseases is very frequent in patients hospitalized due to exacerbation of COPD. We have studied the comorbidities of patients admitted due to the disease in the Spanish Internal Medicine Services and we have evaluated the variations in regards to a previous study (ECCO study) performed two years earlier. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicenter and cohort study was performed. Patients hospitalized due to exacerbation of COPD in Spanish Internal Medicine Services were enrolled. All the patients were studied for the presence of comorbidity using the Charlson index and a questionnaire with relevant conditions not included in this index. Furthermore, spirometric data were collected on the duration of the disease or home treatment, among other variables. RESULTS: A total of 1004 patients (398 in the ECCO study and 606 in the ESMI study) were studied. Of these, 89.4% were males, with mean age of 73 years (SD: 9.5 years). The patients of the ESMI study obtain higher scores on the Charlson index (3.04 vs. 2.71; P<0.01), and had a greater prevalence of ischemic heart disease (17 vs. 22.0%; P<0.05), heart failure (26.9 vs. 35.5%; P<.002), peripheral vascular disease (12.6 vs. 17.4%; P<.02), arterial hypertension (54.8 vs. 65.6%; P<.001), diabetes mellitus (29.4 vs. 37%; P<.02) and renal failure (6.5 vs. 16.8%; P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the elevated prevalence of associated diseases in patients with COPD who are admitted to the Spanish Internal Medicine Services and the increase of comorbidities.

[Study of the comorbidities in hospitalized patients due to decompensated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease attended in the Internal Medicine Services. ECCO Study]. / Estudio de las comorbilidades en pacientes hospitalizados por descompensación de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica atendidos en los servicios de Medicina Interna. Estudio ECCO.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate comorbidity in patients hospitalized due to COPD in the Internal Medicine services. METHODS: An observational, prospective and multicenter study. The Charlson index and a specific questionnaire were used. RESULTS: A total of 398 patients, 353 men (89%), with mean age of 73.7 years (8.9) and mean FEV(1) of 43.2% (12.5), were included. The most frequent comorbidities were: arterial hypertension (55%), arrhythmias (27%) and diabetes mellitus (26%). A total of 27% suffered heart failure, 17% coronary disease and 9% previous myocardial infarction. The number of associated chronic diseases was 3.6 (1,8). Score on Charlson index was 2.72 (2). CONCLUSIONS: The patients hospitalized due to decompensated COPD had an elevated comorbidity.

Comorbidity and gender-related differences in patients hospitalized for COPD. The ECCO study.

RATIONALE: Patients hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation are usually of advanced age, with functional deterioration, and suffering an increased number of associated conditions, but little is known about gender differences. Our hypothesis is that the frequency and type of comorbidities differ in male and female COPD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicentre study of patients hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation. All of them had COPD confirmed by baseline forced spirometry with a bronchodilator test. Comorbidity information was collected using the Charlson index, and an ad hoc questionnaire that included other common conditions not included in the Charlson index. RESULTS: We studied 398 patients, 353 men (89%) and 45 women (11%), with a mean (S.D.) age of 73.7 (8.9) years and a percent predicted FEV(1) of 43.2 (12.5). The mean score of the Charlson index was 2.7 (2.0), with no differences by gender; in contrast, the mean number of all comorbid conditions assessed was 3.7 (1.7) in men and 1.8 (1.8) in women (p < 0.05). Overall, 55% of the patients had arterial hypertension, 26% diabetes mellitus, 27% chronic heart failure, and 17% ischemic heart disease. Female COPD patients had a lower prevalence of ischemic heart disease (p = 0.008) and alcoholism (p = 0.03), but presented more frequently with chronic heart failure (p = 0.03), osteoporosis (p = 0.007) and diabetes mellitus without complications (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities are common in patients hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation, but their relative distribution varies by gender. The exclusive use of the Charlson index underestimates comorbidities in COPD patients.

Pericardial tamponade in a patient with polymyalgia rheumatica.

We report a patient who developed pericarditis and pericardial tamponade coinciding with polymyalgia rheumatica onset. Our patient did not show any clinical sign of vasculitis; temporal artery biopsies were negative for giant cell arteritis. Pericardial biopsy in our case shows inflammatory perivascular lymphocytary infiltrates thus we believe pericardial effusion has an inflammatory-immunologic origin. Cardiac manifestations are exceptional in polymyalgia rheumatica, though it should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with pericarditis over 50 years. The recognition of this uncommon manifestation is very important due to the good response to corticosteroid treatment.