Simple Preparation of Metal-Impregnated FDM 3D-Printed Structures.

Modifying the natural characteristics of PLA 3D-printed models is of interest in various research areas in which 3D-printing is applied. Thus, in this study, we describe the simple impregnation of FDM 3D-printed PLA samples with well-defined silver nanoparticles and an iron metal salt. Quasi-spherical and dodecahedra silver particles were strongly attached at the channels of 3D-printed milli-fluidic reactors to demonstrate their attachment and interaction with the flow, as an example. Furthermore, Fenton-like reactions were successfully developed by an iron catalyst impregnated in 3D-printed stirrer caps to induce the degradation of a dye and showed excellent reproducibility.

Concordance between two intrapersonal psychological resilience scales: how should we be measuring resilience?

BACKGROUND: While resilience has generated a lot of interest in mental health, operationalizing the construct of resilience remains an important challenge. This study aims to evaluate the concordance of two resilience scales that evaluate intrapersonal aspects of resilience in adolescents. METHODS: Cross-sectional evaluation of internal consistency, concordance, and correlation of the Individual Protective Factors Index Questionnaire (IPFI) and the Adolescent Resilience Scale (ARS) in sixth grade students of three low-income public schools in Colombia. RESULTS: 325 adolescents (41.5% female) participated in the study (72.5% response rate). Mean age was 12.1 years (standard deviation [SD]: 1.04). Of a possible score from 1-4, the mean adjusted IPFI score was 3.3 (SD: 0.3; Cronbach's alpha: 0.87). Of a possible score from 21-105, the total ARS score was 76.4 (SD 13.0; Cronbach's alpha: 0.82); both distributions were non-normal and left-skewed. The Lin's concordance correlation coefficient was 0.34 and the Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.52 (p-value < 0.0001 for both). Notably, 10 adolescents (3.1% of the sample) had a score in the lowest quartile in one of the two instruments, and a score in the highest quartile in the other instrument. CONCLUSIONS: There was low concordance between the scales, with notable lack of overlap in who was identified as having "low" levels of resilience. To better elucidate and operationalize the construct of resilience, studies using resilience scales should consider greater focus in understanding what aspects of the construct are being measured and how they relate to meaningful variables (well-being, risk of illness, etc.).

Encefalopatía hepática / Hepatic encephalopathy

En pacientes con enfermedad hepática aguda o crónica la encefalopatía es una complicación progresiva, aunque la mayoría de las veces reversible, que puede reducir la expectativa de vida y deteriorar su calidad. En cuanto a la patogénesis, se han planteado diferentes hipótesis, la más aceptada de las cuales ha sido la neurotoxicidad por amonio, que incluso podría explicar otras como la del edema de los astrocitos y la toxicidad por manganeso. La clasificación actual de la encefalopatía hepática, propuesta en el Congreso Mundial de Gastroenterología en 1998, se basa en la naturaleza de la disfunción hepática y en la duración y características de las manifestaciones neurológicas. Para su diagnóstico, que es principalmente de exclusión, se requiere un buen conocimiento clínico; sin embargo, actualmente se cuenta con los criterios de West Haven para clasificar su gravedad. El tratamiento de los pacientes con este síndrome, para controlar las manifestaciones neurológicas y mejorar la calidad de vida, se basa en aplicar diferentes medidas como la dieta proteica, los disacáridos no absorbibles y la administración de antibióticos; sin embargo, la principal medida terapéutica es el control de los factores precipitantes de la encefalopatía. El objetivo de este artículo fue revisar los conceptos recientes sobre la encefalopatía hepática, con especial énfasis en su patogénesis, clasificación, diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Encephalopathy is a progressive but reversible complication in patients with acute or chronic hepatic disease. It can reduce the expectancy of life and affect its quality. The most accepted pathogenic theory to explain this syndrome is that of the ammonium toxicity, which may also explain other hypotheses such as edema of the astrocytes, and magnesium toxicity. The present classification system for hepatic encephalopathy was proposed in 1998 at the World Congress of Gastroenterology. It is based on the nature of the hepatic dysfunction, and the characteristics of the neurological manifestations. In order to make the diagnosis, a good clinical knowledge is necessary, since it is based mainly on the exclusion of other diseases. The West Haven criteria are presently used to classify the severity of its clinical presentation. To control the manifestations of this syndrome and to improve the quality of life of patients, different therapeutic measures are used, namely: a diet that includes proteins, non-absorbable disaccharides, and the administration of antibiotics; however, the most important therapeutic measure is to control the precipitating factors. The aim of this article was to review recent concepts on hepatic encephalopathy, with emphasis on its pathogenesis, classification, diagnosis, and treatment.