Lipidomics signature in post-COVID patient sera and its influence on the prolonged inflammatory response.

BACKGROUND: The ongoing issues with post-COVID conditions (PCC), where symptoms persist long after the initial infection, highlight the need for research into blood lipid changes in these patients. While most studies focus on the acute phase of COVID-19, there's a significant lack of information on the lipidomic changes that occur in the later stages of the disease. Addressing this knowledge gap is critical for understanding the long-term effects of COVID-19 and could be key to developing personalized treatments for those suffering from PCC. METHODS: We employed untargeted lipidomics to analyze plasma samples from 147 PCC patients, assessing nearly 400 polar lipids. Data mining (DM) and machine learning (ML) tools were utilized to decode the results and ascertain significant lipidomic patterns. RESULTS: The study uncovered substantial changes in various lipid subclasses, presenting a detailed profile of the polar lipid fraction in PCC patients. These alterations correlated with ongoing inflammation and immune response. Notably, there were elevated levels of lysophosphatidylglycerols (LPGs) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), and reduced levels of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), suggesting these as potential lipid biomarkers for PCC. The lipidomic signatures indicated specific anionic lipid changes, implicating antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in inflammation. Associations between particular medications and symptoms were also suggested. Classification models, such as multinomial regression (MR) and random forest (RF), successfully differentiated between symptomatic and asymptomatic PCC groups using lipidomic profiles. CONCLUSIONS: The study's groundbreaking discovery of specific lipidomic disruptions in PCC patients marks a significant stride in the quest to comprehend and combat this condition. The identified lipid biomarkers not only pave the way for novel diagnostic tools but also hold the promise to tailor individualized therapeutic strategies, potentially revolutionizing the clinical approach to managing PCC and improving patient care.

Complicaciones asociadas a la nutrición parenteral en los enfermos con infección por SARS-CoV-2 / Parenteral nutrition-associated complications in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection

Introducción: se desconoce si los pacientes diagnosticados de infección respiratoria aguda por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) presentan más riesgo de complicaciones asociadas a la nutrición parenteral (NP). Objetivo: conocer la incidencia, los factores de riesgo y la mortalidad de las complicaciones asociadas a la NP en esta población. Métodos: estudio de cohortes prospectivo de 87 pacientes diagnosticados de infección por SARS-CoV-2. Se analizan la tasa de incidencia de las complicaciones y las odds ratio (OR) de diferentes factores. Resultados: la edad ≥ 65 años (OR: 2,52, IC 95 %: 1,16 a 5,46), los antecedentes de obesidad (OR: 3,34, IC 95 %: 2,35 a 4,33) y el tratamiento con propofol (OR: 2,45, IC 95 %: 1,55 a 3,35) o lopinavir/ritonavir (OR: 4,98, IC 95 %: 3,60 a 6,29) se asociaron al desarrollo de hipertrigliceridemia. Los pacientes con obesidad (OR: 3,11, IC 95 %: 1,10 a 8,75) o dislipemia (OR: 3,22, IC 95 %: 1,23 a 8,40) y los tratados con propofol (OR: 5,47, IC 95 %: 1,97 a 15,1) presentaron mayor riesgo de infección asociada al catéter (IAC). No se observó ningún factor de riesgo relacionado con el desarrollo de hiperglucemia. La mortalidad fue mayor en los pacientes con IAC (46,7 % vs. 10,8 %, p = 0,014). El riesgo de mortalidad fue superior en los enfermos de ≥ 65 años (OR: 2,74, IC 95 %: 1,08 a 6,95) o con IAC (OR: 3,22, IC 95 %: 1,23 a 8,40). Conclusiones: la incidencia de complicaciones asociadas a la NP en pacientes diagnosticados de infección por SARS-CoV-2 es elevada. El riesgo de mortalidad es superior en los enfermos mayores de 65 años o con IAC (AU)

Background: it is unknown whether patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to COVID-19 are at greater risk of developing complications associated with parenteral nutrition (PN). Aim: to describe the incidence, risk factors, and clinical impact of complications in patients with ARDS-COVID-19 receiving PN. Methods: a prospective cohort study of 87 patients with ARDS-COVID-19 infection. The incidence of complications and odds ratios of risk factors were analysed. Results: age ≥ 65 years (OR, 2.52, 95 % CI: 1.16 to 5.46), obesity (OR, 3.34, 95 % CI: 2.35 to 4.33) and treatment with propofol (OR, 2.45, 95 % CI: 1.55 to 3.35) or lopinavir/ritonavir (OR, 4.98, 95 % CI: 3.60 to 6.29) were risk factors for hipertriglyceridemia. Obesity (OR, 3.11, 95 % CI: 1.10 to 8.75), dyslipidemia (OR, 3.22, 95 % CI: 1.23 to 8.40) or treatment with propofol (OR, 5.47, 95 % CI: 1.97 to 15.1) were risk factors for intravascular catheter-related infection. No risk factors were described for hiperglycemia. Mortality was higher in patients with intravascular catheter-related infection (46.7 % vs 10.8 %, p = 0.014). Mortality risk was higher in older patients (OR, 2.74, 95 % CI: 1.08 to 6.95) or patients with intravascular catheter-related infection (OR, 3.22, 95 % CI: 1.23 to 8.40). Conclusions: the incidence of complications associated with PN in patients with COVID-19-related ARDS is frequent. The mortality risk is higher in older patients or those with catheter-related infection (AU)

Valorization of poly(lactic acid) wastes via mechanical recycling: Improvement of the properties of the recycled polymer.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biobased polymer that represents one of the most interesting alternatives to fossil-fuel based polymers in food packaging applications. Most of the PLA used in food packaging is used only once and then discarded, even though the PLA types used in packaging have good properties and stability. Therefore, it seems reasonable to consider the possibility of recycling the used polymer through a mechanical recycling process. The main aims of this work are to study the effect of the mechanical recycling on the properties of PLA and the usefulness of different upgrading methods to obtain recycled PLA with improved properties. A commercial type of PLA was subjected to accelerated thermal, photochemical and hydrolytic aging and then reprocessed. During reprocessing, aged PLA was blended with virgin PLA and a commercial chain extender was added. Results point out that recycling causes the degradation of PLA, and negatively affects the thermal stability and mechanical properties. However, addition of virgin PLA, and the chain extender, led to an increase of up to 9% in the intrinsic viscosity and 8% in the Vickers hardness of the recycled material. These results suggest that mechanically recycled PLA with improved performance can be obtained, a fact which might improve the recyclability of PLA and thus the environmental impact of this material.

CCR-CARESS score for predicting operative mortality in patients with colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess factors associated with outcomes after surgery for colorectal cancer and to design and internally validate a simple score for predicting perioperative mortality. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgery for primary invasive colorectal cancer in 22 centres in Spain between June 2010 and December 2012 were included. Clinical variables up to 30 days were collected prospectively. Multiple logistic regression techniques were applied and a risk score was developed. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was applied and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC, with 95 per cent c.i.) was estimated. RESULTS: A total of 2749 patients with a median age of 68·5 (range 24-97) years were included; the male : female ratio was approximately 2 : 1. Stage III tumours were diagnosed in 32·6 per cent and stage IV in 9·5 per cent. Open surgery was used in 39·3 per cent, and 3·6 per cent of interventions were urgent. Complications were most commonly infectious or surgical, and 25·5 per cent of patients had a transfusion during the hospital stay. The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 1·9 (95 per cent c.i. 1·4 to 2·4) per cent. Predictive factors independently associated with mortality were: age 80 years or above (odds ratio (OR) 2·76), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 3·62) and palliative surgery (OR 10·46). According to the categorical risk score, a patient aged 80 years or more, with COPD, and who underwent palliative surgery would have a 23·5 per cent risk of death within 30 days of the intervention. CONCLUSION: Elderly patients with co-morbidity and palliative intention of surgery have an unacceptably high risk of death.

A randomized controlled trial of a 10 week group psychotherapeutic treatment added to standard medical treatment in patients with functional dyspepsia.

OBJECTIVE: Epidemiological evidence suggests an association between psychological factors and functional dyspepsia (FD). Yet few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of psychological interventions have been conducted for FD. We conducted an RCT to evaluate the efficacy of psychotherapy among chronic FD. METHODS: One hundred fifty-eight consecutive patients with FD were randomized to medical therapy plus psychotherapy consisted in 8 group and 2 individual sessions focused on teaching techniques for coping with FD (intensive treatment (IT); n=76) or medical therapy alone (conventional treatment (CT); n=82). Patients completed validated self-reported questionnaires before and after the 10-week treatment and 6 months later. Linear mixed-effects models were used, in intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: At the end of treatment period, statistically significant improvements were observed for IT compared with CT for dyspepsia-related quality of life (DRQoL). DRQoL mean changes of 6.09 and 3.54 were obtained in IT and CT patients, respectively (p=<0.0001); and SS mean changes of 11.55 and 4.57 were obtained in IT and CT patients, respectively (p=0.0013). Those improvements, measured by minimum clinically important difference (MCID), were clinically significant (DRQoL: 77% of the IT patients exceeded the MCID vs. the 45% of the CT; SS: 75% vs. 48%). Six months after treatment, those statistically significant improvements persisted for DRQoL (p=0.0067) and for SS (p=0.0405). Clinical improvements persisted for SS (63% vs. 41%). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that adding psychotherapy to standard medical therapy improves short-term outcomes in patients with FD and may have long-term effects as well. The cost-effectiveness of intensive therapy needs to be evaluated. Registration number and name of trial registry: NCT01802710.

Predictors of hospital admission in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors predictive of hospital admission among patients attending an emergency department (ED) with exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to determine if these were consistent with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) recommendations. DESIGN: In a prospective cohort of 2487 COPD patients with exacerbations conducted in 16 EDs, clinical data were obtained and physical examination and blood gas analyses were performed on arrival at the ED and at decision time about hospitalisation. Multivariate analyses were performed using hospital admission as the dependent measure. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, factors predictive of hospital admission on ED arrival were previous hospitalisation for COPD exacerbation (OR 2.03, 95%CI 1.32-3.11), resting dyspnoea (OR 3.05, 95%CI 2.39-3.88) and altered blood gas (PaO2 = 45-60 mmHg, OR 2.7, 95%CI 2.12-3.44; PaO2 < 45 mmHg, OR 3.24, 95%CI 2.14-4.92; PaCO2 = 56-65 mmHg, OR 2.35, 95%CI 1.58-3.51; and PaCO2 > 65 mmHg, OR 6.98, 95%CI 4.03-12.09). The predictive capacity of the model using variables available at decision time was better than for those at ED arrival (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve 0.89 and 0.83). These factors are included in the GOLD recommendations. CONCLUSION: Among COPD patients presenting to the ED with exacerbation, factors immediately associated with episode severity were independent predictors of hospitalisation. Our criteria for hospitalisation are in line with GOLD recommendations.

VEGF reverts the cognitive impairment induced by a focal traumatic brain injury during the development of rats raised under environmental enrichment.

The role of VEGF in the nervous system is extensive; apart from its angiogenic effect, VEGF has been described as a neuroprotective, neurotrophic and neurogenic molecule. Similar effects have been described for enriched environment (EE). Moreover, both VEGF and EE have been related to improved spatial memory. Our aim was to investigate the neurovascular and cognitive effects of intracerebrally-administered VEGF and enriched environment during the critical period of the rat visual cortex development. Results showed that VEGF infusion as well as enriched environment induced neurovascular and cognitive effects in developing rats. VEGF administration produced an enhancement during the learning process of enriched animals and acted as an angiogenic factor both in primary visual cortex (V1) and dentate gyrus (DG) in order to counteract minipump implantation-induced damage. This fact revealed that DG vascularization is critical for normal learning. In contrast to this enriched environment acted on the neuronal density of the DG and V1 cortex, and results showed learning enhancement only in non-operated rats. In conclusion, VEGF administration only has effects if damage is observed due to injury. Once control values were reached, no further effects appeared, showing a ceiling effect. Our results strongly support that in addition to neurogenesis, vascularization plays a pivotal role for learning and memory.

Consenso sobre los criterios de legibilidad de los folletos de educación para la salud / Consensus on the legibility criteria of health education leaflets

Fundamento. Identificación de los aspectos más relevantes que establecen las recomendaciones sobre la legibilidad folletos de educación para la salud. Material y métodos. Metodología Delphi con objeto de conseguir entre los expertos un consenso sobre los criterios de legibilidad en el diseño y la edición de folletos de educación para la salud. Resultados. Diecisiete expertos llegaron a un acuerdo sobre las principales recomendaciones para asegurarla legibilidad de los folletos de educación para la salud. Son las siguientes: a) Sobre el contenido y el diseño del texto: estructurar el texto con títulos, subtítulos, explicación del mensaje y conclusión. b) Sobre la construcción del texto: utilizar frases simples y concisas, ofrecer esquemas y ejemplos, destacando gráficamente las ideas principales; c) Sobre la comprensión léxica: utilizar palabras sencillas y evitar el lenguaje técnico y abreviaturas. d) Sobre la tipografía: usar un tipo de fuente fácil de leer. Conclusiones. Hay un alto grado de consenso con respecto a cómo deben ser elaborados los folletos de educación para la salud. La lista de recomendación es podría ser utilizada como instrumento para revisar y mejorar el diseño de materiales de educación para la salud. En general, es necesario implicar a los destinatarios de los folletos a colaborar en la redacción y diseño de los mismos (AU)

Background. To identify the most relevant aspects thatguarantee the readability, clarity and simplicity of writtenhealth education materials.Material and methods. Delphi methodology in orderto reach a state of consensus among health educationexperts on criteria of legibility in the design and publicationof informative material and literature.Results. Seventeen experts reached agreement on theprincipal recommendations for ensuring the legibilityof health education materials. They were as follows:a) text content and layout: to structure the text usinga title or subtitle, message explanation and conclusion;b) text construction: to use simple and concisesentences, diagrams and examples, and graphicallyhighlighting the principal ideas; c) lexical comprehension:to use simple words and avoid technical languageand abbreviations; d) typography: to use an easyto-read font.Conclusions. There is a high degree of consensus regardingthe way health education materials should bedrawn up. This list of recommendations could be usedas an instrument for reviewing and improving the designof health education materials. In general, it is recommendedto identify the users of the leaflets andinvolve them in the writing and design(AU)

The value of an immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients with chronic posterior uveitis revisited: utility of the new IGRAs.

PURPOSE: To explore the utility of a specific immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a population of immunosuppressed idiopathic chronic posterior uveitis patients, by means of a tuberculosis-specific interferon-gamma release assay. DESIGN: Prospective, interventional case series. METHODS: A total of 31 referred patients with severe idiopathic chronic uveitis or panuveitis and 52 controls were screened for a specific immune response to tuberculosis. After ruling-out specific uveitis entities, presumed tuberculosis-related uveitis was initially considered when ophthalmologic findings were consistent with tubercular uveitis, and a specific immune response to M. tuberculosis confirmed by QuantiFERON, despite inability to detect M. tuberculosis. Clinical responses to antitubercular treatment were recorded. RESULTS: The prevalence of an immune response to M. tuberculosis was 15.38% in controls and 32.25% in uveitis patients (OR=2.619, P=0.07). Two patients were QuantiFERON indeterminate (6.4%). After excluding seven specific uveitis entities (OR=3.66, P=0.03), eight QuantiFERON-positive and one QuanTIFERON-negative uveitis patients were initially treated for presumed tuberculosis-related uveitis. All but one had no evidence of active systemic involvement. None had been previously diagnosed with tuberculosis, but unsuccessfully treated with immunosuppressors. After a 9-month tuberculostatic treatment, seven QuantiFERON -positive and one QuantiFERON-negative patients exhibited decreased intraocular inflammation, visual acuity improvement, and no relapses. Estimated QuantiFERON sensitivity and specificity were 82 and 100%, respectively, with a PPV=100% and an NPV=86%. CONCLUSIONS: QuantiFERON was useful for antituberculous treatment decision-making in chronic posterior uveitis immunosuppressed patients from areas with an intermediate-high prevalence of tuberculosis.

Neuropatía mentoniana: un difícil diagnóstico topográfico / Numb chin syndrome: a difficult topographic diagnosis

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Hematoma epidural espinal espontáneo y síndrome de Brown-Séquard / Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma and Brown-Séquard syndrome

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Prevalencia del tabaquismo y actitud frente al mismo entre los médicos de Atención Primaria / Prevalence of smoking and attitude towards it among Primary Care Physicians

Fundamento: El tabquismo es la principal causa de enfermedad evitable y el médico juega un papel fundamental en su tratamiento y prevención. Se realizó un estudio para conocer la prevalencia de médicos fumadores en Atención Primaria (AP) y su actitud ante el tabaquismo. Métodos: estudio descriptivo. Se envió una encuesta anónima elaborada para tal fin, a 186 médicos de centros de salud de dos Áreas Sanitarias. Resultados: de 186 encuestas enviadas se obtuvieron 148 respuestas. Edad media, 47,87+/-6,24 años, siendo 58 (39%) varones. El 18,2% (27) eran fumadores y el 43,2% (63), exfumadores. El 80.2% (118) conceden mucha importancia a la función modélica que ejercen ante sus pacientes. El 87,3% (105) de no fumadores frente al 38,4% (11) de fumadores creen que el hecho de que el médico fume influye en su actitud ante el tabaco (p=0,001). El 51% aconsejan siempre a sus pacientes dejar de fumar. El 95,3% (141) consideran que se debería abordar el tabaquismo en AP pero el 37,2% (55) no lo hacen por falta de tiempo. El 71% (20) de los médicos con presión asistencial <35 pacientes/día realizan abordaje al tabaquismo frente al 54% (30) de los que tienen una presión >45 pacientes/día (p=0,357). Conclusiones: la prevalencia de fumadores entre los encuestados es inferior a la población general. Consideran que la función modélica que ejercen es muy importante. La mayoría declaran que el abordaje al tabaquismo debe realizarse en Atención Primaria pero un número importante no lo hace argumentando falta de tiempo (AU)

Background: smoking is the primary cause of avoidable disease and death and the physician plays a fundamental role in its treatment and prevention. A study was made to learn the prevalence of physicians who smoke in Primary Care (PC) and their attitude towards smoking. Methods: descriptive study. An anonymous survey elaborated for this purpose was sent to 186 physiciands in the Health Care Site of two Health Care Areas. Results: a total of 148 answers were obtaine from 186 surveys sent. Mean age 47.87+/-6.24 years, with 58 (39%) men. Of these, 18,2% (27) smoked and 43.2% (63) were ex-smokers and 80.2% (118) considered the model function they have with their patients are very important. A total of 87.3% (105) of non-smokers versus 38.4%(11) of smokers believe that the fact that the physician smokers has an influence on their attitude towards tovaco (p=0.001). Fifty-one percent always recommended that their patients should stop smoking; 95,3% (141) consider that the smoking habit should be dealth with in Primary Care, however, 37,2% (55) do not do so due to lack of time. In regards to dealing with the question of smoking, 71% (20) of those physicians who have a care quota of <35 patients/day do so versus 54% (30) of those who have a quota of >45 patients/day (p=0.357). Conclusions: the prevalence of smokers among those surveyed is less in the general population. We consider that the model function of the physician is very important. Most declare that the approach to smoking should be made in Primary Car, however a significant number do not do so due to lack of time (AU)