Two-Year Longitudinal Outcomes of Subjective Cognitive Decline in Hispanics Compared to Non-hispanic Whites.

BACKGROUND: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), considered a preclinical dementia stage, is less understood in Hispanics, a high-risk group for dementia. We investigated SCD to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) progression risk, as well as baseline and longitudinal features of depressive symptoms, SCD complaints, and objective cognitive performance among Hispanics compared to non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). METHODS: Hispanic (n = 23) and NHW (n = 165) SCD participants were evaluated at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Evaluations assessed function, depressive symptoms, SCD, and objective cognitive performance. RESULTS: Hispanics were at increased risk of progression to MCI (OR: 6.10, 95% CI 1.09-34.20, P = .040). Hispanic participants endorsed more depressive symptoms at baseline (P = .048) that worsened more longitudinally (OR: 3.16, 95% CI 1.18-8.51, P = .023). Hispanic participants had increased SCD complaints on the Brief Cognitive Rating Scale (BCRS) (ß = .40 SE: .17, P = .023), and in specific BCRS domains: concentration (ß = .13, SE: .07, P = .047), past memory (ß = .13, SE: .06, P = .039) and functional abilities (ß = .10, SE: .05, P = .037). In objective cognitive performance, Hispanic ethnicity associated with decline in MMSE (ß = -.27, SE: .13, P = .039), MoCA (ß = -.80 SE: .34, P = .032), Trails A (ß = 2.75, SE: .89, P = .002), Trails B (ß = 9.18, SE: 2.71, P = .001) and Guild Paragraph Recall Delayed (ß = -.80 SE: .28, P = .005). Conclusions: Hispanic ethnicity associated with a significantly increased risk of 2-year progression of SCD to MCI compared to NHW. This increased risk associated with increased depressive symptoms, distinctive SCD features, and elevated amnestic and non-amnestic objective cognitive decline. This supports further research to refine the assessment of preclinical dementia in this high-risk group.

The relationship between anxiety and levels of Alzheimer's disease plasma biomarkers.

Anxiety is highly prevalent in Alzheimer's disease (AD), correlating with CSF/PET biomarkers and disease progression. Relationships to plasma biomarkers are unclear. Herein, we compare levels of plasma biomarkers in research participants with and without anxiety at cognitively normal, mild cognitive impairment, and AD dementia stages. We observed significantly higher plasma tau/Aß42 ratio in AD participants with anxiety versus those without, but did not observe differences at other stages or plasma biomarkers. No such relationships were evident with depression. These results support a unique pathophysiological relationship between anxiety and AD that can be reflected in plasma biomarkers, suggestive of heightened neurodegeneration.

Enhanced Timeliness and Co-Administration of Meningitis B Vaccination in Children: Impact of Funding in Valencian Community, Spain.

Public funding of vaccines may enhance vaccination rates, co-administration, and timeliness. The impacts of including the serogroup B meningococcus vaccine (MenB) into the national immunisation schedule on vaccination rates, co-administration rates, and timeliness were assessed using a population-based pre-funding (2022) and post-funding (2023) study design. MenB vaccination rates improved after funding and were in line with previously funded vaccines. Co-administration rates also increased significantly. Timely administration increased, protecting children at an early age. Public funding has a positive impact on vaccine accessibility and early protection. Consistent population characteristics highlight the role of funding.

Effectiveness of nirsevimab introduction against respiratory syncytial virus in the Valencian Community: A preliminary assessment.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents a high burden of disease in children and the primary cause of hospitalization, especially in children under 1 year old. In the Valencian Community (Spain), nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, was introduced for the RSV 2023-2024 season as a universal pre-exposure prophylaxis for high-risk children and those under 6 months old. This study examines its impact, coverage, and effectiveness. The campaign achieved 88.5 % coverage and 73.7 % of effectiveness. Analysis of over 27,000 susceptible children (over 24,000 immunized), showed that those immunized exhibited a threefold reduction in RSV incidence compared to non-immunized ones. To prevent one case, the number needed to immunize (NNI) was 63. Hospitalizations due to acute respiratory infections were almost two times lower in immunized children compared to non-immunized ones (0.9 % vs 1.6 %, respectively). These first results showcase the preliminary positive impact of this public health intervention.

Drivers of Memory Loss Underreport in Mild Cognitive Impairment Due to Alzheimer Versus Vascular Disease.

BACKGROUND: We examined drivers of self and study partner reports of memory loss in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from Alzheimer (AD-MCI) and vascular disease (Va-MCI). METHODS: We performed retrospective cross-sectional analyses of participants with AD-MCI (n=2874) and Va-MCI (n=376) from the National Alzheimer Coordinating Center data set. Statistical analysis utilized 2-sided t test or the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Compared with AD-MCI, Va-MCI subjects (24.5% vs. 19.7%, P =0.031) and study partners (31.4% vs. 21.6%, P <0.0001) were more likely to deny memory loss. Black/African Americans were disproportionately represented in the group denying memory loss in AD-MCI (20.0% vs. 13.2%, P <0.0001) and Va-MCI (33.7% vs. 18.0%, P =0.0022). Study partners of participants with these features also disproportionately denied memory loss: female (AD-MCI: 60.1% vs. 51.7%, P =0.0002; Va-MCI: 70.3% vs. 52.3%, P =0.0011), Black/African American (AD-MCI: 23.5% vs. 11.98%, P <0.0001; Va-MCI: 48.8% vs. 26.5%, P =0.0002), and <16 years of education (AD-MCI only: 33.9% vs. 16.3%, P =0.0262). In AD-MCI and Va-MCI, participants with anxiety were disproportionately represented in the group endorsing memory loss (AD: 28.2% vs. 17.4%, P <0.0001; Va: 31.5% vs. 16.1%, P =0.0071), with analogous results with depression. CONCLUSION: The findings would suggest extra vigilance in interview-based MCI detection of persons at-risk for self-based or informant-based misreport.

Difference in mortality rates in hospitalized COVID-19 patients identified by cytokine profile clustering using a machine learning approach: An outcome prediction alternative.

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causing an acute respiratory disease that can eventually lead to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). An exacerbated inflammatory response is characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which leads to a cytokine release syndrome also known as cytokine storm associated with the severity of the disease. Considering the importance of this event in the immunopathology of COVID-19, this study analyses cytokine levels of hospitalized patients to identify cytokine profiles associated with severity and mortality. Using a machine learning approach, 3 clusters of COVID-19 hospitalized patients were created based on their cytokine profile. Significant differences in the mortality rate were found among the clusters, associated to different CXCL10/IL-38 ratio. The balance of a CXCL10 induced inflammation with an appropriate immune regulation mediated by the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-38 appears to generate the adequate immune context to overrule SARS-CoV-2 infection without creating a harmful inflammatory reaction. This study supports the concept that analyzing a single cytokine is insufficient to determine the outcome of a complex disease such as COVID-19, and different strategies incorporating bioinformatic analyses considering a broader immune profile represent a more robust alternative to predict the outcome of hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Impact of COVID-19 on Short- and Medium-Term Prescription of Enteral Nutrition in the General Population vs. Older People in the Community of Madrid, Spain.

We aimed to analyse the impact of COVID-19 during 2020 and 2021 on the prescription of enteral nutritional support and its expenditure in the Community of Madrid, Spain, compared to pre-pandemic data from 2016 in the general population vs. elderly. We analysed official electronic prescriptions of all public hospitals of the Community of Madrid. The population over 75 years of age have the higher prescription of nutritional supplements (p < 0.001 vs. other age groups), with no differences between the 45−64 age group compared to the 65−74 age group (χ2 = 3.259, p = 0.196). The first wave of COVID-19 or the first time there was a real awareness of the virus in Spain is similar in a way to the first peak of prescription of enteral nutrition in March 2020. The second peak of prescription was observed in the over 75 age group in July 2020, being more pronounced in December 2020 and March−April of the following year (F = 7.863, p = 0.041). The last peaks correspond to summer 2021 and autumn of the same year (p = 0.031­year 2021 vs. 2020, p = 0.011­year 2021 vs. 2019), where a relationship between increased prescription of enteral nutrition and COVID-19 cases is observed. High-protein and high-calorie dietary therapies were the most prescribed in patients with or without diabetes. All of this entailed higher cost for the Community of Madrid. In conclusion, COVID-19 significantly affected the prescription of nutritional support, especially in the population over 75 years of age.

Incorporation of Caprylic Acid into a Single Cell Oil Rich in Docosahexaenoic Acid for the Production of Specialty Lipids.

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: New sources of docosahexaenoic acid have recently been investigated aiming at infant formula fortification and dietary supplementation, among which the single cell oil with 40-50% of this acid. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: For this purpose, such an oil was blended with caprylic acid in amount substance ratio ranging from 1:1 to 5:1 and the blends were interesterified using either Novozym 435 or Lipozyme TL IM as the catalyst. The influence of the amount of excess free caprylic acid in the substrate, as well as the type of enzyme on the triacylglycerol rearrangement resulting from the synthesis of the structured lipids were evaluated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The regiospecific lipase Lipozyme TL IM seemed to induce transesterification among single cell oil triacylglycerols preferably by acidolysis with caprylic acid, which was directly proportional to the ratio of this acid in the substrate. In reactions catalyzed by the non-regiospecific lipase Novozym 435, a higher incorporation of caprylic acid into single cell oil triacylglycerols was observed than when using Lipozyme TL IM, independently of the oil/caprylic acid molar ratio. NOVELTY AND SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTION: These results revealed the importance of combining the choice of the type of lipase, either regiospecific or not, with the amount ratios of free fatty acids and the substrate in acidolysis when aiming to produce structured lipids as a source of docosahexaenoic acid.

The cochlea of the Sima de los Huesos hominins (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain): New insights into cochlear evolution in the genus Homo.

The cochlea contains taxonomic and phylogenetic information and its morphology is related with hearing abilities among fossil hominins. Data for the genus Homo is presently limited to early Homo and the early Neandertals from Krapina. The present study of the middle Pleistocene hominins from the Sima de los Huesos (SH) provides new evidence on cochlear evolution in the genus Homo. We compared the absolute length, proportional lengths of each turn, number of turns, size and shape of the cross-section of the basal turn, volume, curvature gradient, and thickness of the cochlea between extant Pan troglodytes, extant Homo sapiens, Homo neanderthalensis and the SH hominins. The SH hominins resemble P. troglodytes in the proportionally long basal turn, the small size and round shape of the cross-section of the basal turn, the small cochlear volume and the low cochlear thickness. The SH hominins resemble Neandertals and H. sapiens in their long cochlear length and in the proportionally short third turn. Homo neanderthalensis and H. sapiens share several features, not present in the SH hominins, and that likely represent homoplasies: a larger volume, larger size and oval shape of the cross-section of the basal turn and higher cochlear thickness. Later Neandertals show a derived proportionally shorter apical turn. Changes in cochlear volume in Homo cannot be fully explained by variation in body mass or cochlear length but are more directly related to changes in the cross-sectional area of the basal turn. Based on previous studies of the outer and middle ear in SH hominins, changes in the outer and middle ear preceded changes in the inner ear, and the cochlea and semicircular canals seem to have evolved independently in the Neandertal clade. Finally, the small cochlear volume in the SH hominins suggests a slightly higher upper limit of hearing compared with modern humans.

Laboratory and field evaluation of acetic acid-based lures for male Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri.

The Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is a vector of a pathogen associated with greening and thus a major problem in citriculture worldwide. Lures are much needed for improving ACP trapping systems for monitoring populations and surveillance. Previously, we have identified acetic acid as a putative sex pheromone and measured formic acid- and propionic acid-elicited robust electroantennographic responses. We have now thoroughly examined in indoor behavioral assays (4-way olfactometer) and field tests the feasibility of these three semiochemicals as potential lures for trapping ACP. Formic acid, acetic acid, and propionic acid at appropriate doses are male-specific attractants and suitable lures for ACP traps, but they do not act synergistically. An acetic acid-based homemade lure, prepared by impregnating the attractant in a polymer, was active for a day. A newly developed slow-release formulation had equal performance but lasted longer, thus leading to an important improvement in ACP trap capture at low population densities.

Situación bucal de pobladores con discapacidades en el distrito de SanLuis - Lima / Dental Status of people with special needs from the District of San Luis - Lima

Objetivo: Establecer el estado de la salud bucal de personas con diversas discapacidades, residentes en un distrito de clase media-baja de la ciudad de Lima. Materiales y métodos: Se examinó a residentes registrados en la Oficina Municipal de Atención de la Persona con Discapacidad - OMAPED, de San Luis, como parte de la primera fase del desarrollo del Sistema de atención Odontológico Especializado a implementar. La clasificación utilizada, incluía la discapacidad a) Motora b) Sensorial y c) Mental. La información bucal recabada, fue el CPOD, apiñamiento dentario (Van der Linden), el Índice de Higiene Oral simplificado de Greene y Vermillion (IHOs), y la presencia de bolsas periodontales, piezas extruidas y atrición dental. Resultados: El total examinado fue de 102 personas, considerando válidos finalmente 89. Las edades oscilaron entre 6 y 93 años. Del total, el 42,2% presentaban discapacidad motora; 35,3% discapacidad mental y el 9,8% discapacidad sensorial. El CPOD, reflejaba un incremento progresivo con el paso de los años, siendo mas pronunciado a partir de los 51 años, donde se observó, el valor mínino de 18 y el máximo de 32. Entre los componentes del CPOD, las piezas perdidas prevalecieron enlos 3 grupos de discapacidad, siendo mayor en los subgrupos motor y sensorial. También llama la atención que las obturaciones eran muy escasas. Conclusiones: La condición bucal de las personas con discapacidad se deteriora rápidamente con la edad.

Objective: To establish the dental status of people with special needs, who live in a district of a Low-Middle Economical class in Lima. Materials and methods: People registered at the office for people with special needs of the City Hall of District of San Luis (OMAPED) were examined. This study is a first stage of the development of an Specialized System of Dental Care. The classification of the special needs included: a) mobility handicap, b) sensorial handicap; c) mental handicap. The dental status included information of DMF-t; crowding (Van der Linden classification), Oral Hygiene Green Vermillion index, presence of periodontal pockets, extruded teeth, and dental attrition. Results: A total of 102 people with special needs were examined, only 89 were considered in the data. Age ranged from 6 to 93 years old. 42.2% of the total examined people had mobility handicap, 35.5% had mental handicap, and 9.8% had sensorial handicap. DMF-t showed a progressive rise as people grew older, it reached its highest value at the age of 51, with a minimum value of 18 and a maximum value of 32. Regarding the components of DMF-t, missing teeth component was more frequent in the three groups of handicapped; the highest values were observed in the motor and sensorial handicap. It also calls the attention the very few restored teeth. Conclusions: The dental status of people with special needs deteriorates rapidly with aging.

Multicentric myxoid liposarcoma: report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Multicentric myxoid liposarcoma is a rather infrequent tumour that tends to behave aggressively. CASE PRESENTATION: We herein report two further cases of this tumour that have been managed in our Hospital. Both were young men with multiple sites of involvement at the moment of diagnosis and both have shown a bad prognosis with frequent recurrences after treatment and rapid death in one case. CONCLUSION: We comment on the diagnosis of this entity and on the therapeutic options available for these patients.