Dust events characterization from visibility, trends and Dust Adversity Index in the Canary Islands for the period 1980-2022.

Dust events in the Canary Islands have been documented since the late 19th century. However, during the past few years, several severe dust episodes have occurred in the Canary Islands, resulting in significant impacts on various sectors, such as aviation, air quality, and health, among others. These recent severe events have drawn the attention of both scientists and the general population, raising questions about whether these episodes are now more frequent and more severe. This study analyzes 483 dust events recorded in the Canary Islands over the last 40 years. Data analysis reveals that the average number of dust event days per year is approximately 24 days, and these events have an average duration of 1.8 days, both of which show a statistically significant decreasing trend over the series. Seasonal examination indicates that events occurring in the first and fourth quarters of the year have twice the duration of those in the other quarters. Furthermore, on an annual basis, events in the first quarter exhibit negative trends in both average and minimum visibilities. This suggests that dust events in the Canary Islands are becoming shorter in duration but more intense in terms of visibility. In this article, the Dust Adversity Index (DAI) is introduced to objectively compare the severity of events. Finally, anomalies in geopotential have been utilized to determine the prevailing synoptic patterns during dust events. It is evident that the dominant synoptic pattern during the first and fourth quarters of the year consists of a low cut-off system located to the west of the Canary Islands and a high-pressure system to the north of the Iberian Peninsula.

Use of sugammadex in prevention of post-operative urinary retention in minimally invasive hernia surgery.

PURPOSE: Post-operative urinary retention (POUR) is a known complication of hernia surgery. Minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair (IHR) is typically done under general anesthesia with neuromuscular blockade (NMB), which is commonly reversed with an anticholinesterase inhibitor paired with an anticholinergic agent. Sugammadex is a unique NMB reversal agent that does not have to be paired with an anticholinergic. We sought to explore the role of sugammadex in reducing the rate of POUR following these procedures. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively at a single institution between February 2016 and October 2019. We identified and studied patients who underwent minimally invasive IHR and received either sugammadex or neostigmine/glycopyrrolate for NMB reversal. The primary endpoint was POUR requiring bladder catheterization. Secondary endpoints included post-operative and 30-day readmissions. RESULTS: 274 patients were included in this study (143 received neostigmine and glycopyrrolate, 131 sugammadex). The sugammadex patients were on average 5 years older than the neostigmine/ glycopyrrolate patients (63.2 vs 58.2, p = 0.003), and received less median intravenous fluids (IVF) (900 ml vs 1000 ml; p = 0.015). There was a significant difference in the rate of POUR between the sugammadex and neostigmine/glycopyrrolate patients (0.0% vs 8.4%, p ≤ 0.001). The difference remained significant after controlling for age and IVF. The odds of POUR for those who received neostigmine/glycopyrrolate were 25 × higher than the odds of those who received sugammadex. CONCLUSION: The results of this study reflect the protective role of sugammadex against POUR in minimally invasive IHR cases.

A quality improvement intervention on surgical prophylaxis impact in antibiotic consumption and cost in selected surgical procedures.

BACKGROUND: Improper compliance with antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) in surgery is associated with an increased risk of surgical site infection (SSI), and impacts the efficiency of healthcare. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the impact of an intervention in compliance with AP in selected surgical procedures and its effect on antibiotic consumption and cost. METHODS: A prospective interventional study was performed in a community hospital from January to December 2022. The baseline period was considered January-April 2022 and the intervention period May-December 2022. All patients who underwent cesarean section, appendectomies, hernia surgery, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), abdominoplasty, and cholecystectomy during the study period were selected. The intervention includes staff education, pharmacy interventions, monitoring the quality of prescriptions and feedback, and improved role of anesthesia staff, and department champions. RESULTS: The study involved 192 and 617 surgical procedures in the baseline and intervention periods respectively. The compliance with timing, selection, dose, and discontinuation achieved 100%, 99.2%, and 97.6% from baseline figures of 92.7%, 95.8%, and 81.3%, respectively. The antibiotic consumption was reduced by 55.1% during the intervention with a higher contribution of other antibiotics (94.1% reduction) in comparison with antibiotics as per policy (31.2% reduction). The cost was reduced by 47.2% (antibiotic as per policy 31.9%, other antibiotics 94.2%). CONCLUSION: The implemented strategy was effective in improving the quality of antibiotic prophylaxis with a significant impact in reducing antibiotic consumption and cost.

Optimism as a key factor in coping with the common cold.

Objective: The optimism trait is considered one of the most important psychological factors in protecting and promoting health. This study aims to investigate whether trait optimism may help to cope better with the common cold by reducing the subjective perception of cold symptoms and affecting the immune response. Methods: To do so, 212 volunteers from the Pittsburg Cold Study 3 within the Common Cold Project were exposed to Rhinovirus (RV39). On the 5 days following the inoculation, a daily symptoms scale, nasal wash, and blood samples were collected to assess Jackson Symptoms (nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, chills, and malaise) and control the Immune System response to infection (concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-α). Results: Results showed that approximately 30% of the inoculated participants were finally diagnosed with a common cold, showing higher Jackson Symptom severity and Immune System Response (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNFα and IFNα). Importantly, moderation regression analyses showed that higher optimism scores were related to lower Jackson Symptom severity and TNFα response to infection in cold-diagnosed participants. Conclusions: Our results provide important evidence for the protective role of optimism, a trait factor that promotes a better perception of wellbeing and less need for immune system resources to successfully cope with the common cold.

Identification of Neural Crest and Neural Crest-Derived Cancer Cell Invasion and Migration Genes Using High-throughput Screening and Deep Attention Networks.

Background: Cell migration and invasion are well-coordinated processes in development and disease but remain poorly understood. We previously showed that highly migratory neural crest (NC) cells share a 45-gene panel with other cell invasion phenomena, including cancer. To identify critical genes of the 45-gene panel, we performed a high-throughput siRNA screen and used statistical and deep learning methods to compare NC- versus non-NC-derived human cell lines. Results: We find 14 out of 45 genes significantly reduces c8161 melanoma cell migration; only 4 are shared with HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells (BMP4, ITGB1, KCNE3, RASGRP1). Deep learning attention network analysis identified distinct cell-cell interaction patterns and significant alterations after BMP4 or RASGRP1 knockdown in c8161 cells. Addition of recombinant proteins to the culture media identified 5 out of the 10 known secreted molecules stimulate c8161 cell migration, including BMP4. BMP4 siRNA knockdown inhibited c8161 cell invasion in vivo and in vitro ; however, its addition to the culture media rescued c8161 cell invasion. Conclusion: A high-throughput screen and deep learning rapidly distilled a 45-gene panel to a small subset of genes that appear critical to melanoma cell invasion and warrant deeper in vivo functional analysis for their role in driving the neural crest.

Does Including Facebook Training Improve the Effectiveness of Computerized Cognitive Training? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether implementing a Facebook training program improves the effectiveness of computerized cognitive training (CCT) in older adults. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, double single-blind trial with parallel groups. SETTING: Community centers. SUBJECTS: Eighty-six adults between 60 and 90 years old. INTERVENTIONS: Nine face-to-face 60-min sessions of CCT with VIRTRAEL for all participants. The experimental group received an additional 30 min of Facebook training per session. MAIN MEASURES: Attention (d2 Test of Attention); learning and verbal memory (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised); working memory (Letter-Number Sequencing test), semantic and abstract reasoning (Similarities and Matrix Reasoning tests); and planning (Key Search test). RESULTS: There was a significant Group*Time interaction in the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised-Trial 3, Letter-Number sequencing, and Matrix tests. Between groups, post-hoc analyses showed a difference in Matrix reasoning (p < .001; d = 0.893) at post-intervention in favor of the experimental group. Significant main effects of time were found in the CCT group between baseline and 3-month follow-up for Concentration (F = 26.431, p ≤ .001), Letters and Numbers (F = 30.549, p ≤ .001), Learning (F = 38.678, p ≤ .001), Similarities (F = 69.885, p ≤ .001), Matrix (F = 90.342, p ≤ .001), and Key Search (F = 7.904, p = .006) tests. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of CCT with VIRTRAEL, a freely accessible tool with broad applicability, resulted in enhanced attention, verbal learning, working memory, abstract and semantic reasoning, and planning among older adults. These improvements were sustained for at least three months post-training. Additional training in Facebook did not enhance the effectiveness of CCT.

[Breast restoration by the lipomodeling technique after breast sequelae following complications of reduction mammoplasty]. / Rattrapage des séquelles esthétiques de réduction mammaire par la technique du lipomodelage.

BACKGROUND: Complications of reduction mammoplasty can lead to aesthetic sequelae, which are known to be difficult and delicate to treat, and only a few articles deal with this subject. PURPOSE: The objective of this article is to present and analyze our experience of lipomodeling for the secondary management of aesthetic sequelae occurring after a complication of reduction mammoplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An uniform and consecutive series of 22 female patients, operated with the lipomodeling technique from December 2003 to March 2019 by the last author, to correct aesthetic sequelae after secondary complications of reduction mammoplasty was studied analyzing the efficiency and the tolerance of this technique. RESULTS: The results showed 86.4% of very good results and 13.6% of good results. Seventeen patients (77.3%) were highly satisfied with the postoperative outcome, and 5 patients were satisfied (22.7%). The number of procedures varied from 1 to 3: 15 patients (68.2%) underwent only one session of lipomodeling, 5 patients (22.7%) underwent two sessions, and 2 patients (9.1%) underwent three sessions. The mean time between two interventions was 4 months (3-12). No patient of this series initiates any medico-legal proceeding towards the first surgeon. CONCLUSION: After this study, lipomodeling, in association with ancillary procedures, seems to be an effective and safe solution to correct aesthetic sequelae following secondary complications of reduction mammoplasty. It should have a key role for the correction of these sequelae. An effective and appropriate care of these patients leads to good results and patients' final satisfaction, and manages to avoid any medico-legal proceeding, always badly lived as much for the patient as for the first surgeon.

Long-Term Outcome of Staged Socket Surgery for Acquired Anophthalmos.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term outcomes of staged volume rehabilitation for acquired anophthalmos. METHODS: Case-note review of patients who had preceding i) eye removal without implant, ii) eye removal with an intraconal implant, but ball-related problems, or iii) removal of exposed implant. Secondary interventions were a) a first-time ball implant, b) dermis-fat graft, c) ball repositioning, d) ball replacement after prior removal, or e) orbital floor implantation. RESULTS: Secondary volume-augmenting surgery was performed in 175 sockets at a mean age of 42.7 years (range 2-91), with 62% secondary ball implants, 3% dermis-fat grafts, 6% ball repositioning, 19% ball replacement after prior removal for exposure, and 10% having orbital floor implantation. After this surgery, further volume enhancement was required in 21% of sockets, this being 40% for spheres ≤18 mm diameter, in contrast to 6% for those ≥20 mm ( p < 0.001). Exposure or malposition of the secondary implant occurred in 8% (12/151) and was unrelated to implant type, size, wrapping, or prior irradiation. Tertiary surgery addressed lining deficiency (18%) or eyelid malposition (25%). Overall, 92/175 (53%) had tertiary surgery to improve cosmesis and comfort, with 49% (36/92) being related to small implants. At a mean follow-up of 9.1 years, 82% of sockets had adequate volume, 79% had excellent lining, and 93% were comfortable. Prosthetic fit was satisfactory in 96% of cases, and 97% reported improved cosmesis. CONCLUSION: Over half of the sockets having planned 2-stage volume enhancement may need further procedures, especially after small-volume secondary implants, but, with meticulous surgery, reasonable long-term results can be achieved with few complications.

[Artículo traducido] Manejo de metástasis sintomáticas de columna: un enfoque multidisciplinario basado en un diagrama de flujo / Management of symptomatic spine metastases: A multidisciplinary approach based flow-chart

Describimos un algoritmo para el manejo de las metástasis espinales en el que la importancia de los parámetros individuales varía dependiendo del momento en el que se contemplan.Cada paciente sigue su propio proceso secuencial «personal» que no necesariamente considera todos los parámetros cada vez, ya que algunos pueden ser irrelevantes a la hora de elegir el tipo de tratamiento para ese individuo. Por ejemplo, un paciente en mal estado general con una puntuación ASA alta generalmente no es candidato para la cirugía, independientemente de la naturaleza del tumor primario o del número de metástasis. Para este paciente, el elemento más importante sería la sensibilidad del tumor al tratamiento adyuvante. Del mismo modo, un paciente con lesión aguda y progresiva de la médula espinal se sometería a descompresión quirúrgica y estabilización sin considerar una intervención más agresiva.(AU)

We described an algorithm for the management of spinal metastases in which the importance of single parameters varies depending on when they are contemplated.Each patient follows his own «personal» sequential process which does not necessarily consider all the parameters each time as some may be irrelevant for the purpose of choosing the type of treatment for that single individual. For instance, a patient in general poor condition with a high ASA score is usually not a candidate for surgery, regardless of the primary tumor nature or the number of metastases. For this patient, the most important element would be the sensitivity of the tumor to adjuvant treatment. Similarly, a patient with acute and progressive spinal cord injury would undergo surgical decompression and stabilization without considering a more strenuous intervention.(AU)

Management of symptomatic spine metastases: A multidisciplinary approach based flow-chart / Manejo de metástasis sintomáticas de columna: un enfoque multidisciplinario basado en un diagrama de flujo

Describimos un algoritmo para el manejo de las metástasis espinales en el que la importancia de los parámetros individuales varía dependiendo del momento en el que se contemplan.Cada paciente sigue su propio proceso secuencial «personal» que no necesariamente considera todos los parámetros cada vez, ya que algunos pueden ser irrelevantes a la hora de elegir el tipo de tratamiento para ese individuo. Por ejemplo, un paciente en mal estado general con una puntuación ASA alta generalmente no es candidato para la cirugía, independientemente de la naturaleza del tumor primario o del número de metástasis. Para este paciente, el elemento más importante sería la sensibilidad del tumor al tratamiento adyuvante. Del mismo modo, un paciente con lesión aguda y progresiva de la médula espinal se sometería a descompresión quirúrgica y estabilización sin considerar una intervención más agresiva.(AU)

We described an algorithm for the management of spinal metastases in which the importance of single parameters varies depending on when they are contemplated.Each patient follows his own «personal» sequential process which does not necessarily consider all the parameters each time as some may be irrelevant for the purpose of choosing the type of treatment for that single individual. For instance, a patient in general poor condition with a high ASA score is usually not a candidate for surgery, regardless of the primary tumor nature or the number of metastases. For this patient, the most important element would be the sensitivity of the tumor to adjuvant treatment. Similarly, a patient with acute and progressive spinal cord injury would undergo surgical decompression and stabilization without considering a more strenuous intervention.(AU)

The dose-response effect of time between emergency admission and inpatient care on mortality.

To analyse mortality associated to emergency admissions on weekends, differentiating whether the patients were admitted to the Internal Medicine department or to the hospital as a whole. Retrospective follow-up study of patients discharged between 2015 and 2019 in: (a) the Internal Medicine department (n = 7656) and (b) the hospital as a whole (n = 83,146). Logistic regression models were fitted to analyse the risk of death, adjusting for age, sex, severity, Charlson index, sepsis, pneumonia, heart failure and day of admission. Cox models were also adjusted for the time from admission until normal inpatient care. There was a significant increase in mortality for patients admitted in weekends with short stays in Internal Medicine (48, 72 and 96 h: OR = 2.50, 1.89 and 1.62, respectively), and hospital-wide (OR = 2.02, 1.41 and 1.13, respectively). The highest risk in weekends occurred on Fridays (stays ≤ 48 h: OR = 3.92 [95% CI 2.06-7.48]), being no significative on Sundays. The risk increased with the time elapsed from admission until the inpatient department took over care (OR = 5.51 [95% CI 1.42-21.40] when this time reached 4 days). In Cox models patients reached HR = 2.74 (1.00-7.54) when the delay was 4 days. Whether it was Internal Medicine or hospital-wide patients, the risk of death associated with emergency admission in WE increased with the time between admission and transfer of care to the inpatient department; consequently, Friday was the day with the highest risk while Sunday lacked a weekend effect. Healthcare systems should correct this serious problem.

Management of symptomatic spine metastases: A multidisciplinary approach based flow-chart. / [Artículo traducido] Manejo de metástasis sintomáticas de columna: un enfoque multidisciplinario basado en un diagrama de flujo.

We described an algorithm for the management of spinal metastases in which the importance of single parameters varies depending on when they are contemplated. Each patient follows his own «personal¼ sequential process which does not necessarily consider all the parameters each time as some may be irrelevant for the purpose of choosing the type of treatment for that single individual. For instance, a patient in general poor condition with a high ASA score is usually not a candidate for surgery, regardless of the primary tumor nature or the number of metastases. For this patient, the most important element would be the sensitivity of the tumor to adjuvant treatment. Similarly, a patient with acute and progressive spinal cord injury would undergo surgical decompression and stabilization without considering a more strenuous intervention.