Outcome of treatment of MDR-TB or drug-resistant patients treated with bedaquiline and delamanid: Results from a large global cohort.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends countries introduce new anti-TB drugs in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. The aim of the study is to prospectively evaluate the effectiveness of bedaquiline (and/or delamanid)- containing regimens in a large cohort of consecutive TB patients treated globally. This observational, prospective study is based on data collected and provided by Global Tuberculosis Network (GTN) centres and analysed twice a year. All consecutive patients (including children/adolescents) treated with bedaquiline and/or delamanid were enrolled, and managed according to WHO and national guidelines. Overall, 52 centres from 29 countries/regions in all continents reported 883 patients as of January 31st 2021, 24/29 countries/regions providing data on 100% of their consecutive patients (10-80% in the remaining 5 countries). The drug-resistance pattern of the patients was severe (>30% with extensively drug-resistant -TB; median number of resistant drugs 5 (3-7) in the overall cohort and 6 (4-8) among patients with a final outcome). For the patients with a final outcome (477/883, 54.0%) the median (IQR) number of months of anti-TB treatment was 18 (13-23) (in days 553 (385-678)). The proportion of patients achieving sputum smear and culture conversion ranged from 93.4% and 92.8% respectively (whole cohort) to 89.3% and 88.8% respectively (patients with a final outcome), a median (IQR) time to sputum smear and culture conversion of 58 (30-90) days for the whole cohort and 60 (30-100) for patients with a final outcome and, respectively, of 55 (30-90) and 60 (30-90) days for culture conversion. Of 383 patients treated with bedaquiline but not delamanid, 284 (74.2%) achieved treatment success, while 25 (6.5%) died, 11 (2.9%) failed and 63 (16.5%) were lost to follow-up.

Interface-inspired formulation and molecular-level perspectives on heat conduction and energy storage of nanofluids.

Aiming for the introduction of stability requirements in nanofluids processing, an interface-based three-step method is proposed in this work. It is theory-based design framework for nanofluids that aims for a minimum tension at the solid-liquid interface by adjusting the polar and dispersive components of the base fluid to meet those of disperse nanomaterial. The method was successfully tested in the preparation of aqueous nanofluids containing single-walled carbon nanotubes that resulted to be stable and to provide good thermal properties, i.e. thermal conductivity increases by 79.5% and isobaric specific heat by 8.6% for a 0.087 vol.% load of nanotubes at 70 °C. Besides, a system for these nanofluids was modelled. It was found to be thermodynamically consistent and computationally efficient, providing consistent response to changes in the state variable temperature in a classical Molecular Dynamics environment. From an analysis of the spatial components of the heat flux autocorrelation function, using the equilibrium approach, it was possible to elucidate that heat conduction through the host fluid is enhanced by phonon propagation along nanotubes longitudinal axes. From an analysis of the structural features described by radial distribution functions, it was concluded that additional heat storage arises from the hydrophobic effect.

Factors associated with bronchiectasis in patients with uncontrolled asthma; the NOPES score: a study in 398 patients.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have reported a high prevalence of bronchiectasis in patients with uncontrolled asthma, but the factors associated with this condition are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of bronchiectasis in uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma and to identify risk factors and their correlation with bronchiectasis in these patients. METHODS: This is a prospective study of data from consecutive patients with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma. Diagnosis of bronchiectasis was based on high-resolution computed tomography. A prognostic score was developed using a logistic regression model, which was used to determine the factors associated with bronchiectasis. RESULTS: A total of 398 patients (60% with severe asthma) were included. The prevalence of bronchiectasis was 28.4%. The presence of bronchiectasis was associated with a higher frequency of chronic expectoration (OR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.49-5.84; p = 0.002), greater severity of asthma (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.29-4.57; p = 0.006), at least one previous episode of pneumonia (OR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.03-5.69; p = 0.044), and lower levels of FeNO (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97-0.99; p = 0.016). The NOPES score was developed on the basis of these variables (FeNO[cut off point 20.5 ppb], Pneumonia, Expectoration and asthma Severity), and it ranges from 0 to 4 points, where 0 means "no risk" and 4 corresponds to "high risk". The NOPES score yielded an AUC-ROC of 70% for the diagnosis of bronchiectasis, with a specificity of 95%. CONCLUSIONS: Almost a third of the patients with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma had bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis was related to the severity of asthma, the presence of chronic expectoration, a previous history of pneumonia, and lower levels of FeNO. The NOPES score is an easy-to-use scoring system with a high prognostic value for bronchiectasis in patients with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma.

On-line thermal dependence study of the main solar cell electrical photoconversion parameters using low thermal emission lamps.

This paper presents a non-conventional methodology and an instrumental system to measure the effect of temperature on the photovoltaic properties of solar cells. The system enables the direct measurement of the evolution of open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current intensity in relation to a continuously decreasing temperature. The system uses a high-intensity white light-emitting diode light source with low emissions of radiation in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, resulting in a reduced heating of the photovoltaic devices by the irradiation source itself. To check the goodness of the system and the methodology designed, several measurements were performed with monocrystalline silicon solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, and thin-film amorphous silicon solar cells, showing similar tendencies to those reported in the literature.

[Analysis of admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Andalusia in 2000]. / Análisis de los ingresos por enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en Andalucía, año 2000.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Andalusia during 2000. METHODS: All patients with DRG codes 088 and 541, which would receive ICD-9 codes 491, 492, 493.2, 494 and 496 in the cause of admission field, were extracted from the Minimum Basic Data Set for Andalusia. We compiled descriptive statistics from these data, calculated the cost per day of hospitalization for our own hospital, and then extrapolated to estimate the cost for Andalusia. RESULTS: COPD exacerbations generated 10,386 admissions in 2000, leading to 117,011 days of hospitalization. Eighty-three percent of the patients were men and the mean age was 70 12 years. The average hospital stay was 11 10 days. Huelva was the province with the shortest hospital stay (9 days). Mortality was 6.7%. The minimum expenditure generated was E 27 million, not counting the cost of intensive care unit admissions. CONCLUSIONS: Admissions due to COPD have great impact on the Andalusian health care system. Further studies are needed to evaluate alternatives to hospitalization.

Análisis de los ingresos por enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en Andalucía, año 2000 / Analysis of admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Andalusia in 2000

OBJETIVO: Analizar el impacto que han tenido los ingresos por enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) en Andalucía durante el año 2000. MÉTODOS: Se seleccionaron del Conjunto Mínimo Básico de Datos de Andalucía 2000 todos los pacientes con el código GRD 088 y aquellos con GRD 541 que tuvieran como causa de ingreso algunos de estos códigos CIE-9: 491, 492, 493.2, 494 y 496. Con estos datos se realizó un estudio descriptivo. Posteriormente, se realizó el cálculo del coste de una estancia en nuestro centro y se extrapoló al resto de Andalucía, calculando el coste mínimo generado. RESULTADOS: Durante el año 2000 hubo 10.386 ingresos por reagudización de EPOC, lo que generó 117.011 estancias. El 83 per cent de los ingresos fueron varones. La edad media fue de 70 ñ 12 años. La estancia media fue de 11 ñ 10 días. La provincia con la estancia menor fue Huelva con 9 días. La mortalidad fue del 6,7 per cent. El gasto sanitario mínimo generado fue de 27 millones de euros (4.500 millones de pesetas), sin contar con las estancias de UCI. CONCLUSIONES: Los ingresos por EPOC generan un gran impacto asistencial y económico en la sanidad andaluza. Son necesarios estudios que valoren otras alternativas al ingreso (AU)

Experimental study of precipitating systems; computerised analysis of the optical transmittance and associated noise.

The change of the transmittance in a precipitant system has been measured by using a focused laser beam into a precipitation cell in which the precipitate was generated by an injection technique. We have monitored the evolution of the transmittance on several precipitation processes with different chemicals (PbI2, PbSO4, BaSO4 and BaC2O4) and quantities of precipitated mass (20.0, 17.5, 15.0, 12.5 and 10.0 mg). The noise associated to the transmittance signal has been obtained by a numerical procedure based on computer analysis, finding that it provides information about particle shape features and nucleation kinetics.

[Community-acquired bacteremic pneumonia in the elderly]. / Neumonía bacteriémica de origen comunitario en el anciano.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the risk factors associated with the development of bacteremic community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly (BCPE) and its clinical and prognostic aspects. METHODS: We studied 36 BCPE and 72 patients with community-acquired pneumonia and negative blood cultures as control group. RESULTS: The presence of the following risk factors was more common in cases than in control subjects: alcoholism, malnutrition, diabetes and chronic renal insufficiency. The multivariate analysis demonstrated that the malnutrition (OR:3.3; CI95%:1.4-7.8) and diabetes (OR:2.5; CI95%:1.1-6.7) were independent risk factors significantly related to the development of BCPE. The presence of chills, tachycardia, tachypnea, decreased level of consciousness and hypotension blood pressure were more common in case subjects. The microbial agents implicated more frequently were S. pneumoniae and gram-negative bacilli. The bilateral involvement and two or more affected lobes on chest radiograph were more common in the cases of BCPE. The mortality rate was higher in case subjects (22.2% vs. 2.8%; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We stress the relevance of the bacteremia as prognostic factor in the community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly.

Neumonía bacteriémica de origen comunitario en el anciano / Bacteremic community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly

Objetivos: Para analizar los aspectos clínicos y pronósticos y los factores asociados al desarrollo de la neumonía bacteriémica de origen comunitario en el anciano (NBA). Métodos: Estudiamos 36 casos de NBA diagnosticados en nuestro centro en un periodo de 2 años. Se incluyó 2 pacientes, por cada caso de NBA, con neumonía adquirida en la comunidad con hemocultivo repetidamente negativo. Resultados: Los factores asociados al desarrollo de bacteriemia fueron etilismo crónico, malnutrición, diabetes mellitus e insuficiencia renal crónica. Tras análisis multivariante sólo la malnutrición (OR: 3,3; IC95%: 1,4-7,8) y la diabetes mellitus (OR: 2,5; IC95%: 1,1-6,7) se mostraron como factores de riesgo independientes. Los pacientes con NBA presentaron mayor proporción de escalofríos, taquicardia, taquipnea, disminución del nivel de conciencia e hipotensión arterial. Los gérmenes más frecuentemente aislados fueron S. pneumoniae y bacilos gram negativos. La NBA se asoció con afectación radiográfica de 2 o más lóbulos pulmonares, y a la presencia de infiltrados bilaterales. La mortalidad fue mayor en los casos de NBA (22,2% vs. 2,8%; p<0,001). Conclusiones: Se destaca la importancia de la bacteriemia como factor pronóstico en la neumonía de la comunidad del anciano (AU)