Color naming in Tsimane'-Spanish bilinguals indicates that differential experience with content domains affects lexical access.

A standard assumption in the bilingual language processing literature is that the ease of access of a word in a language is determined by the speaker's overall proficiency in the language. Alternatively, it could be that proficiency varies across semantic categories of the bilingual's two languages. Here, we investigated lexical access in color terms in Tsimane'-Spanish bilinguals. Given that color terms are generally more frequent in Spanish than Tsimane', participants may have better lexical access for color words in Spanish despite being overall more proficient in Tsimane'. Twenty-two Tsimane'-Spanish bilinguals took part in a picture naming task where participants labeled colors and animals. Participants were equally fast and accurate at naming animals in Tsimane' and Spanish. However, participants were faster and more accurate at naming colors in Spanish than Tsimane' except for the three color words that are most frequent (jaibes ~ white, tsincus ~ black, jaines ~ red) in Tsimane', for which they were equally fast in both Tsimane' and Spanish. These results suggest that category-specific proficiency is a better predictor for lexical access than overall proficiency.

Assessment of Drug Interactions with Online Electronic Checkers in Multi-Pathological Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Multi-pathological patients are at high risk of drug interactions and side effects. We aimed to assess the usefulness of 3 online drug interaction checkers. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, carried out in the Medicine Department of Hospital General of Castellon, Spain, in February 2020, we assessed drug interaction detection with 3 online electronic checkers, Drugs.com, Lexicomp®, and Medscape, and compared results obtained with the 3 tools. From every hospitalized patient, we obtained the list of drugs he or she had been taking until admission. Bivariable tests were used for analysis. p values <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: We included data from 134 patients; 68 (51%) were male; median (and interquartile range) of their age was 82 (76-88) years. A total of 1,082 substance drugs were entered in the checkers. The number of highest grade interactions found with every program was Drugs.com 85, Lexicomp® 33, and Medscape 67. Positive correlations were found between age and number of drug substances prescribed (p = 0.009) and between number of drug substances prescribed and interactions found with any of the 3 checkers (p < 0.001 in all 3 cases). Regarding highest grade interactions, agreement among all 3 checkers was poor. CONCLUSIONS: The 3 online checkers we assessed found a large number of interactions. The 3 programs gave very discrepant results. Impact on Practice Statements: The analyzed programs, Drugs.com, Lexicomp®, and Medscape Interactions, found a large number of drug interactions in the studied patients. The 3 programs gave very discrepant results among them.

Within subject variability of HDL-cholesterol in HIV-infected patients.

Background and objective: Within-subject variability of cardiovascular risk factors may influence the development of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to improve knowledge on HDL-cholesterol variability and its clinical significance in HIV-infected patients, a population at high risk of cardiovascular disease.Methods: This was a cohort study to quantify the variability of HDL-cholesterol between two consecutive visits and to determine factors associated with such variability, in a group of HIV-infected patients.Results: A total of 307 patients were included, mean ± standard deviation of their age was 45.1 ± 8.5 years, and 225 of them (73.3%) were male. The absolute difference (after squaring and root squaring) of serum HDL-cholesterol level between the first and the second visit was 12.1 ± 9.2 mg/dL. In 65 patients (21.2%) the absolute value of the difference between both serum HDL-cholesterol level results were 20 mg/dL or higher. In a multivariable analysis the number of cigarettes smoked per day showed a significant, negative, correlation with the absolute difference in serum HDL-cholesterol level between the two visits (P = 0,009).Conclusions: Within-subject variability of HDL-cholesterol was substantial among our HIV-infected patients. Smoking was inversely correlated with such variability.

Intravitreal dexamethasone implant Ozurdex in the treatment of diabetic macular edema in patients not previously treated with any intravitreal drug: a prospective 12-month follow-up study.

Objective: To evaluate the mid-long-term efficacy and safety of the dexamethasone intravitreal (DEX) implant (Ozurdex1) in naïve patients with diabetic macular edema (DME).Methods: Prospective and single-center study conducted on consecutive patients with a diagnosis of DME, who received a DEX implant and were followed up for at least 12 months. The main outcomes measurements were the mean change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and in foveal thickness (FT) as compared to the baseline values.Results: Of the 84 screened patients 50 were included in the study. The BCVA significantly improved from 52.4 (20.4) letters at baseline to 62.6 (15.6), 61.2 (18.4), 61.6 (18.6), 60.6 (19.0), and 60.6 (18.8) at 2, 4, 6, 12 months and end of follow-up period, respectively (repeated measures ANOVA and the Greenhouse-Geisser correction; p = .0008). At the end of the follow-up period, a gain of BCVA of ≥5, ≥10, and ≥15 letters were observed in 26 (52.0%), 18 (36.0%), and 16 (32.0%) patients, respectively. The mean FT was significantly reduced from 446.0 (139.9) µm at baseline to 327.2 (103.6) at the end of follow-up (repeated measures ANOVA and the Greenhouse-Geisser correction; p = .0008). During the study follow-up, the patients receive a mean of 3.4 (2.9-3.9) implants. Of the 32 phakic eyes at baseline, 17 (53.1%) either developed new lens opacity or progression of an existing opacity.Conclusion: In eyes with DME not previously treated with intravitreal drugs, DEX implants provide meaningful functional and anatomical benefits, and these results are sustained mid-long-term.

Sphingomonas paucimobilis keratitis in a patient with neurotrophic keratopathy and severe neurosensory hypoacusis: Treatment with penetrating keratoplasty and amniotic membrane grafting.

We describe a case of a man with neurotrophic keratitis of unknown ethiology, who developed a massive stromal melting during treatment of a persistent epithelial defect. A tectonic keratoplasty combined with amniotic membrane grafting was made. Host cornea specimen was analyzed, and Sphingomonas paucimobilis was isolated.

Typhlitis as a complication of influenza in a patient with advanced HIV infection.

The authors report the case of an HIV-infected patient who presented with typhlitis as a complication of typical influenza. To the best of their knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature with such an association of clinical conditions.

Sarcoidosis presenting with acute dacryoadenitis.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disorder, pathologically characterized by noncaseating epithelioid granulomas. We report a case of the disease that presented with acute dacryoadenitis followed by acute parotitis.

Increased homocysteine plasma level is associated with shortened prothrombin time in HIV-infected patients.

OBJECTIVE: To find factors associated with increased homocysteine plasma level in HIV-infected patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, carried out as a supplementary task to the standard care of HIV-infected patients. The possible association of increased homocysteine plasma level with blood analyses results was assessed with a multiple linear regression analysis, using the automatic linear modeling available in SPSS version 22. RESULTS: A total of 145 patients were included. Creatinine was higher than normal in 7 patients (5%), prothrombin time was shortened in 36 patients (25%), and a monoclonal gammopathy was detected in 2 patients (1%). In the regression analysis, an association was found between high homocysteine plasma level and the following variables: low prothrombin time (ß coefficient -0.286, confidence interval -1.1854 to -0.754, p < 0.001), high creatinine (coefficient 9.926, confidence interval 6.351-15.246, p < 0.001), low folic acid (coefficient -0.331, confidence interval -0-483 to -0.187, p < 0.001), and low vitamin B12 (coefficient -0.007, confidence interval -0.01 to -0.001, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: An association was found between increased homocysteine plasma level and shortened prothrombin time.

Alkaptonuria Presenting with Impressive Osteoarticular Changes and Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Alkaptonuria, or ochronosis, a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder, causes an excess of homogentisic acid that results in dark pigmentation, calcification, and inflammation of cartilaginous and other tissues. Cardiovascular complications are also typical of the disease. We report the case of a 78-year-old male who presented with impressive osteoarticular changes and aortic stenosis associated with alkaptonuria.

Comparison of extracorporeal shock wave therapy with botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis (PF). DESIGN: Open label, prospective, randomized study. RESULTS: A total of 72 patients were included. In all participants the median (and interquartile range) of the visual analog scale (VAS) of pain result, when taking the first steps, was 8 (6-9) points before treatment and 6 (4-8) points after treatment (p < 0.001). In the group of patients that received ESWT, the median (and interquartile range) of improvement in the VAS of pain result, when taking the first steps, was 2 (1-4) points, and in the group of patients that received BoNT-A the same result was 1 (0-2) points (p = 0.009). In the group of patients that received ESWT, the median (and interquartile range) of improvement in the Roles and Maudsley scale of pain result was 1 (0-1) points, and in the group of patients that received BoNT-A the same result was 0 (0-1) points (p = 0.006). In a multivariate analysis use of ESWT and lower weight were associated with improvement of pain with treatment in at least one of the three VAS of pain scales used in the study. CONCLUSION: ESWT was superior to BoNT-A in the control of pain in patients with PF. Implications for Rehabilitation Plantar fasciitis is characterized by pain at the calcaneal origin of the plantar fascia, exacerbated by weight bearing after prolonged periods of rest. Although studies comparing extracorporeal shock wave therapy or botulinum toxin type A to placebo suggest a superiority of the first one, no reliable data exist about it. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy was superior to botulinum toxin type A in the control of pain in patients with PF.

The new oral anticoagulants: Reasonable alternatives to warfarin.

Dabigatran (a direct thrombin inhibitor) and rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban (direct activated factor X inhibitors) are increasingly being used in clinical practice. Compared with vitamin K antagonists, they are more convenient, do not require laboratory monitoring, have limited drug and food interactions, and have fixed dosages suitable for most patients. But the shortcomings of these agents can jeopardize their efficacy and increase the risk of bleeding. Their future role in preventing and treating thromboembolic disease will depend on building clinical experience, but current evidence indicates that they are reasonable alternatives to vitamin K antagonists.

Actitud de los alumnos del Grado de Medicina de una universidad pública española ante la utilización del inglés como lengua vehicular de la enseñanza / Opinion of medical students of a Spanish public university on using English as the teaching language

OBJETIVO: Diversas universidades españolas han implantado recientemente programas de docencia de Medicina en inglés, como legua vehicular. Sin embargo existen pocos datos sobre la opinión que sobre dichos programas tienen los alumnos que reciben esa modalidad de docencia. Con el presente estudio pretendemos conocer la actitud de dichos alumnos ante ese tipo de enseñanza. MÉTODO: Estudio transversal. Basado en un cuestionario enviado por correo electrónico a los alumnos de tercer curso del Grado de Medicina de la Universitat Jaume I de Castellón, los cuales van a cursar en los meses siguientes la asignatura Enfermedades Infecciosas en inglés como idioma docente. RESULTADOS: Se envía el cuestionario a 78 alumnos, de los cuales 49 (63%) son mujeres y 29 (37%) son varones. Lo responden un total de 58 alumnos (74,4%). De los 58 alumnos que lo responden, 41 (70,7%) lo hacen durante las primeras 24 horas en que el cuestionario está disponible. Las respuestas indican que a 33 alumnos (56,9%) les parece bien o muy bien recibir la docencia de la asignatura en inglés; pero a 16 alumnos (27,6%) les parece mal o muy mal recibir ese tipo de docencia. Por otra parte, 39 alumnos (67,2%) consideran que van a tener que dedicar más tiempo del habitual a estudiar la asignatura por el hecho de impartirse en inglés. CONCLUSIÓN: La mayoría de los alumnos del estudio consideran positiva la docencia en inglés, si bien una proporción no despreciable de los mismos la consideran negativa

OBJECTIVE: Several universities in Spain have recently developed educational programs using English as the teaching language. Notwithstanding, there are scant data on the opinion of students about those programs. The aim of this study is to determine the attitude of the students who receive those programs towards that modality of education. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted, based on a questionnaire forwarded by e-mail to Third-Year students of the Medical Degree at Jaume I University of Castellon, Spain, as these students are going to study the Infectious Diseases assignment using English as the educational language in the next few months. RESULTS: The study questionnaire was sent to 78 students, 49 of them (63%) female and 29 (37%) male. The questionnaire was answered by 58 students (74.4%), ofwhich, 41 (70.7%) answered the questionnaire within the first 24hours after being available. The responses show that 33 students (56.9%) are in favour of the teaching program developed in English, with 16 students (27.6%) against that modality of teaching. Moreover, 39 students (67.2%) consider that they will have to spend more time than usual to prepare that subject because it is taught in English. CONCLUSIÓN: Most participants in this study consider it positive to receive their medical education in English, but a significant proportion of them consider that modality of teaching as negative

Particle sizes of colloids to be used in sentinel lymph node radiolocalization.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate particle size distribution and possible effects of colloid concentration and time after its preparation on the particle sizes of albumin nanocolloid (Nanocoll), rhenium sulfide nanocolloid (Nanocis) and tin colloid (Hepatate). METHODS: All three kits were prepared according to the manufacturers' instructions using the following volumes of decayed Tc generator eluate: 1.5 ml, 3.5 ml and 5.0 ml (albumin nanocolloid); 1.0 ml, 2.0 ml and 3.0 ml (rhenium sulfide nanocolloid); 3.0 ml, 5.0 ml and 9.0 ml (tin colloid). The particle sizes were determined by photon correlation spectroscopy inmediately after preparation, then at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h and 4 h (all three kits) and at 6 h (Nanocoll and Hepatate). Each measurement was performed in three different preparations. RESULTS: The particle sizes of the three colloids did not change significantly after preparation throughout their period of validity. For Nanocoll, 95% of the particles were between 3 and 16 nm, approximately (mean around 8 nm). Small (< or =1 nm) but significant variations on the mean diameter were found depending on the volume of pertechnetate used in the preparation. For Nanocis, 95% of the particles were between 8 and 68 nm, approximately (mean around 23-25 nm). In this kit, there were no significant differences among colloidal suspensions prepared with different volumes of pertechnetate. For Hepatate, 95% of the particles were between 33 and 255 nm, approximately (mean, around 72-90 nm). The upper limit and the mean size increase with the volume of eluate used were from 190 nm and 73 nm (3 ml) to 255 nm and 85 nm (9 ml). CONCLUSIONS: The particle sizes of Nanocoll, Nanocis and Hepatate are very stable throughout their period of validity. For Nanocoll, 95% of particles have a diameter <16 nm, with a mean diameter around 8 nm. There are small (< or =1 nm) but significant variations on the mean diameter depending on the volume of pertechnetate used in its preparation. For Nanocis, 95% of particles have a diameter <70 nm, with a mean around 24 nm, and are independent of the volume of pertechnetate used in their preparation. For Hepatate, the upper size limit for 95% of particles is between 190 and 255 nm, with a mean between 72 and 88 nm, depending on the volume of pertechnetate used in its preparation. This tin colloid could be a good candidate for evaluating clinical suitability in sentinel node localization.

Pretransplantation risk factors for graft loss after liver transplantation in cirrhotic patients; effect of cytomegalovirus serologic status.

This study analyzes the effect of the preoperative variables of donors and recipients on graft survival after liver transplantation (LT). Preoperative data from a cohort of 122 cirrhotic patients who underwent primary LT were evaluated prospectively. The influence of these variables as risk factors for graft loss was assessed. During follow-up (median: 33 (19-59) months) there were 38 (31.1%) graft losses (22 deaths and 16 retransplantations). Variables that showed statistical association with graft loss on univariate analysis (P<0.150) were: positivity of the CMV serologic status of the donor (P=0.028), the UNOS score of recipient (P=0.048) and advanced donor age (P=0.124). When these variables were introduced into the multivariate study, the CMV serologic status of the donor was the only variable that was independently associated with graft loss (relative risk=2.97, 95% confidence interval=1.05-8.39; P=0.039). Donor CMV-seropositivity is a significant pretransplantation determinant for graft loss in liver transplant recipients.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Novel Lamellar Barium Derivative: Ba(VOPO(4))(2).4H(2)O. Synthetic Pathways for Layered Oxovanadium Phosphate Hydrates M(VOPO(4))(2).nH(2)O.

A unified synthetic strategy has allowed us to rationalize the preparative chemistry of the layered oxovanadium phosphates M(VOPO(4))(2).nH(2)O. Thus, we have been able to isolate as single phases with reasonable yields both all the previously characterized phosphates and a new solid containing Ba(2+) cations as guest species as well as to prepare new related derivatives involving arsenate anions. In order to organize the experimental results, we have used two complementary models: a simple restatement of the partial charge model (PCM), and the valence matching principle (VMP) (derived from the bond valence method). The crystal structure of the new barium lamellar derivative, Ba(VOPO(4))(2).4H(2)O, has been solved from X-ray single crystal data. The cell is monoclinic (space group Pn; Z = 1) with a = 6.3860(3) Å, b = 12.7796(9) Å, c = 6.3870(5) Å, and beta = 90.172(6) degrees. Its structure, like it occurs with the other members of the M(VOPO(4))(2).nH(2)O family, can be thought of as derived from that of the well-known lamellar solid VOPO(4)(.)2H(2)O. Ba(2+) cations are located in the interlamellar space with an environment defined by 12 oxygen atoms. A comparative study of this family shows significant crystallochemical correlations with the radius of the guest cations.

Synthetic Strategies To Obtain V-P-O Open Frameworks Containing Organic Species as Structural Directing Agents. Crystal Structure of the V(IV)-Fe(III) Bimetallic Phosphate [H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(3)](2)[H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2)][Fe(III)(H(2)O)(2)(V(IV)O)(8)(OH)(4)(HPO(4))(4)(PO(4))(4)].4H(2)O.

A general synthetic approach to rationalize the solution preparative chemistry of oxovanadium phosphates containing organic species as structural directing agents is presented. Careful attention is payed to the hydrolysis and condensation processes involving the ionic species in solution, and a simple restatement of the partial charge model (PCM) has been used in order to organize the experimental results. The structure of a new V(IV)-Fe(III) bimetallic oxovanadium phosphate, [H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(3)](2)[H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2)] [Fe(III)(H(2)O)(2)(V(IV)O)(8)(OH)(4)(HPO(4))(4)(PO(4))(4)].4H(2)O, has been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction methods. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n and the cell dimensions are as follows: a = 14.383(3) Å, b = 10.150(2) Å, c = 18.355(4) Å, and beta = 90.39(3) degrees (Z = 2). The existence of a complex intercrossing channel system, including a very large channel of 18.4 Å of diameter (in which both water molecules and ethylenediamine species are located), is the more interesting feature of this structure. Thermal decomposition, including the dehydration/rehydration process, has been studied by thermal analysis and variable temperature X-ray powder diffraction techniques. A complementary SEM study of the different intermediate decomposition products is presented.