Psychometric Properties of the Pictorial Pain Interference Questionnaire for Assessing Functional Interference in Chronic Low Back Pain.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the psychometric properties of the Pictorial Pain Interference Questionnaire (PPIQ) for evaluating functional interference in the population with chronic low back pain (CLBP). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Rehabilitation Unit in a hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-nine patients with CLBP. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional interference was assessed using PPIQ. The following data were also collected: sociodemographic data; pain intensity (Numeric Pain Rating Scale [NPRS]); physical functioning (30-s arm curl, 30-s chair stand [30CST], and timed Up and Go [TUG] tests), fitness (International Physical Activity Questionnaire); quality of life (Short-Form 12 Health Survey version 1 [SF-12v1]); sleep quality (Spanish-validated 12-item Medical Outcomes Study Sleep scale [12-MOS Sleep]); anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]); and social support (Duke-UNK Functional Social Support Questionnaire). Internal consistency was analyzed using Cronbach's alpha, structural validity using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and discriminant and convergent validity using bivariate analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients with CLBP were included (age [mean ± SD]: 54.37±12.44 y); women, 67.7%). The EFA extracted 2 factors: "physical function and "social and sleep," which explained 57.75% of the variance. Excellent internal consistency was observed for the overall PPIQ score (Cronbach's α=0.866). Convergent validity was observed between the PPIQ and other functional measures (ρ: 0.52 and -0.47 for the TUG and 30CST, respectively; P<.001) and with the following variables: physical and mental component summaries of the SF-12v1 (ρ: -0. 55 and -0.52, respectively (P<.001); anxiety and depression of the HADS (ρ: 0.47 and 0.59, respectively (P<.001); NPRS (ρ: 0.45; P<.001); and index 9 of the 12-MOS Sleep scale (r: 0.49; P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The PPIQ is a valid instrument with good psychometric properties for measuring functional interference in people with CLBP. This questionnaire appears to be a feasible alternative when language or communication barriers exist in CLBP population.

Hypertension as predictive factor for bevacizumab-containing first-line therapy in metastatic breast and colorectal cancer in BRECOL (GEICAM/2011-04) study.

BACKGROUND: Retrospective data suggest an association between bevacizumab efficacy and the incidence of arterial hypertension (AHT). Additionally, epigenetic mechanisms have been related to AHT. METHODS: This prospective observational study conducted by GEICAM Spanish Breast Cancer Research Group included metastatic breast (MBC) or colorectal (mCRC) cancer patients treated with bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy as first-line treatment. Blood pressure (BP) levels were measured (conventional and 24-h Holter monitoring) at baseline and up to cycle 3. Primary endpoint assessed BP levels increase as predictive factor for progression-free survival (PFS). Germline DNA methylation profile was explored in pre-treatment blood samples; principal component analysis was used to define an epigenetic predictive score for increased BP levels. RESULTS: From Oct-2012 to Jul-2016, 143 (78 MBC and 65 mCRC) patients were included. The incidence of AHT according to guidelines was neither predictive of PFS nor of best overall tumor response (BOR). No statistically significant association was observed with systolic BP nor diastolic BP increment for PFS or BOR. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events were observed in 37 and 5% of patients, respectively. We identified 27 sites which baseline methylation status was significantly associated to BP levels increase secondary to bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Neither the frequency of AHT nor the increase of BP levels were predictive of efficacy in MBC and mCRC patients treated with bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01733628.

Stability-based approaches in chemoproteomics.

Target deconvolution can help understand how compounds exert therapeutic effects and can accelerate drug discovery by helping optimise safety and efficacy, revealing mechanisms of action, anticipate off-target effects and identifying opportunities for therapeutic expansion. Chemoproteomics, a combination of chemical biology with mass spectrometry has transformed target deconvolution. This review discusses modification-free chemoproteomic approaches that leverage the change in protein thermodynamics induced by small molecule ligand binding. Unlike modification-based methods relying on enriching specific protein targets, these approaches offer proteome-wide evaluations, driven by advancements in mass spectrometry sensitivity, increasing proteome coverage and quantitation methods. Advances in methods based on denaturation/precipitation by thermal or chemical denaturation, or by protease degradation are evaluated, emphasising the evolving landscape of chemoproteomics and its potential impact on future drug-development strategies.

Inhibition of macrophage infectivity potentiator in Burkholderia pseudomallei suppresses pro-inflammatory responses in murine macrophages.

Introduction: Melioidosis, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, is a disease endemic in many tropical countries globally. Clinical presentation is highly variable, ranging from asymptomatic to fatal septicemia, and thus the outcome of infection can depend on the host immune responses. The aims of this study were to firstly, characterize the macrophage immune response to B. pseudomallei and secondly, to determine whether the immune response was modified in the presence of novel inhibitors targeting the virulence factor, the macrophage infectivity potentiator (Mip) protein. We hypothesized that inhibition of Mip in B. pseudomallei would disarm the bacteria and result in a host beneficial immune response. Methods: Murine macrophage J774A.1 cells were infected with B. pseudomallei K96243 in the presence of small-molecule inhibitors targeting the Mip protein. RNA-sequencing was performed on infected cells four hours post-infection. Secreted cytokines and lactose dehydrogenase were measured in cell culture supernatants 24 hours post-infection. Viable, intracellular B. pseudomallei in macrophages were also enumerated 24 hours post-infection. Results: Global transcriptional profiling of macrophages infected with B. pseudomallei by RNA-seq demonstrated upregulation of immune-associated genes, in particular a significant enrichment of genes in the TNF signaling pathway. Treatment of B. pseudomallei-infected macrophages with the Mip inhibitor, AN_CH_37 resulted in a 5.3-fold reduction of il1b when compared to cells treated with DMSO, which the inhibitors were solubilized in. A statistically significant reduction in IL-1ß levels in culture supernatants was seen 24 hours post-infection with AN_CH_37, as well as other pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely IL-6 and TNF-α. Treatment with AN_CH_37 also reduced the survival of B. pseudomallei in macrophages after 24 hours which was accompanied by a significant reduction in B. pseudomallei-induced cytotoxicity as determined by lactate dehydrogenase release. Discussion: These data highlight the potential to utilize Mip inhibitors in reducing potentially harmful pro-inflammatory responses resulting from B. pseudomallei infection in macrophages. This could be of significance since overstimulation of pro-inflammatory responses can result in immunopathology, tissue damage and septic shock.

Preliminary Evidence for a Positive Relation Between the COMT rs4680 Met/Met Genotype and Math Achievement.

To identify if COMT polymorphisms interact with executive functions as predictors of math skills, we assessed 38 adolescents (mean age = 16.4 ± 0.80 years, IQ > 80) from a larger study of high-school students screened for their mathematical abilities. Adolescents were genotyped for the COMT Val158Met polymorphism (grouped as Met/Met or Val-carriers) and completed the WRAT math achievement test, working-memory, inhibitory-control, and shifting tasks. Met/Met-carriers achieved higher WRAT scores than the Val-carriers (W = 229, p = .009). Genotype group was a moderate-to-strong predictor of WRAT scores (ß = 0.56 to 0.74). No genotype/executive-function interaction was detected. Our findings suggest that the rs4680 Met/Met genotype is positively associated with math achievement.

"Bronchogenic cyst impersonating a pericardial lesion": A case report.

A 32-year-old female presented with palpitations and chest discomfort. The patient had a history of pericardiotomy due to pericardial effusion. Multimodal imaging, including echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) showed a single mass in the pericardium as the cause of the symptoms. Furthermore, its location and potential complications were accurately defined. The patient underwent a successful surgical resection of the pericardial cyst, microscopic histopathological examination was compatible with a bronchogenic cyst, a very rare congenital malformation. The article discusses the rarity of bronchogenic cysts in the pericardium and the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Comparison of Quantitative Mass Spectrometric Methods for Drug Target Identification by Thermal Proteome Profiling.

Thermal proteome profiling (TPP) provides a powerful approach to studying proteome-wide interactions of small therapeutic molecules and their target and off-target proteins, complementing phenotypic-based drug screens. Detecting differences in thermal stability due to target engagement requires high quantitative accuracy and consistent detection. Isobaric tandem mass tags (TMTs) are used to multiplex samples and increase quantification precision in TPP analysis by data-dependent acquisition (DDA). However, advances in data-independent acquisition (DIA) can provide higher sensitivity and protein coverage with reduced costs and sample preparation steps. Herein, we explored the performance of different DIA-based label-free quantification approaches compared to TMT-DDA for thermal shift quantitation. Acute myeloid leukemia cells were treated with losmapimod, a known inhibitor of MAPK14 (p38α). Label-free DIA approaches, and particularly the library-free mode in DIA-NN, were comparable of TMT-DDA in their ability to detect target engagement of losmapimod with MAPK14 and one of its downstream targets, MAPKAPK3. Using DIA for thermal shift quantitation is a cost-effective alternative to labeled quantitation in the TPP pipeline.

Assessing the Phagosome Proteome by Quantitative Mass Spectrometry.

The process of phagocytosis involves a series of defined steps, including the formation of a new intracellular organelle, i.e., the phagosome, and the maturation of the phagosome by fusion with endosomes and lysosomes to produce an acidic and proteolytic environment in which the pathogens are degraded. Phagosome maturation is associated with significant changes in the proteome of phagosomes due to the acquisition of new proteins or enzymes, post-translational modifications of existing proteins, as well as other biochemical changes that ultimately lead to the degradation or processing of the phagocytosed particle. Phagosomes are highly dynamic organelles formed by the uptake of particles through phagocytic innate immune cells; thus characterization of the phagosomal proteome is essential to understand the mechanisms controlling innate immunity, as well as vesicle trafficking. In this chapter, we describe how novel quantitative proteomics methods, such as using tandem mass tag (TMT) labelling or acquiring label-free data using data-independent acquisition (DIA), can be applied for the characterization of protein composition of phagosomes in macrophages.

A methodology for the selection and characterization of riboflavin-overproducing Weissella cibaria strains after treatment with roseoflavin.

Fermentative processes by lactic acid bacteria can produce metabolites of interest to the health and food industries. Two examples are the production of B-group vitamins, and of prebiotic and immunomodulatory dextran-type exopolysaccharides. In this study, three riboflavin- and dextran-producing Weissella cibaria strains (BAL3C-5, BAL3C-7 and BAL3C-22) were used to develop a new method for selection and isolation of spontaneous riboflavin-overproducing W. cibaria mutants. This method was based on the selection of strains resistant to roseoflavin. The DNA sequencing of the FMN riboswitch of bacterial cell populations treated with various roseoflavin concentrations, revealed the existence of at least 10 spontaneous and random point mutations at this location. Folding and analysis of the mutated FMN riboswitches with the RNA fold program predicted that these mutations could result in a deregulation of the rib operon expression. When the roseoflavin-treated cultures were plated on medium supporting dextran synthesis, the most promising mutants were identified by the yellow color of their mucous colonies, exhibiting a ropy phenotype. After their isolation and recovery in liquid medium, the evaluation of their riboflavin production revealed that the mutant strains synthesized a wide range of riboflavin levels (from 0.80 to 6.50 mg/L) above the wild-type level (0.15 mg/L). Thus, this was a reliable method to select spontaneous riboflavin-overproducing and dextran-producing strains of W. cibaria. This species has not yet been used as a starter or adjunct culture, but this study reinforces the potential that it has for the food and health industry for the production of functional foods or as a probiotic. Furthermore, analysis of the influence of FMN present in the growth medium, on rib mRNA and riboflavin levels, revealed which mutant strains produce riboflavin without flavin regulation. Moreover, the BAL3C-5 C120T mutant was identified as the highest riboflavin-overproducer. Determination of its chromosomal DNA sequence and that of BAL3C-5, revealed a total identity between the 2 strains except for the C120T mutation at the FMN riboswitch. To our knowledge, this work is the first demonstration that only a single alteration in the genome of a lactic acid bacteria is required for a riboflavin-overproducing phenotype.

IL-21 (rs2055979 and rs2221903)/IL-21R (rs3093301) Polymorphism and High Levels of IL-21 Are Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mexican Patients.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is characterized by joint destruction, chronic inflammation, and autoantibody production. IL-21/IL-21R plays an essential role in the immunopathology of RA. Elevated IL-21 serum levels have been associated with RA and disease activity. Here, we evaluated the association of IL-21/IL-21R polymorphisms and IL-21 serum levels with RA. The study included 275 RA patients and 280 Control subjects (CSs). Single nucleotide polymorphisms IL-21 (rs2055979 and rs2221903) and IL-21R (rs3093301) were genotyped using PCR-RFLP. Clinical activity was evaluated by DAS28-ESR; IL-21 and anti-CCP serum levels were quantified by ELISA. The IL-21 rs2055979 AA genotype was higher in RA patients than in the CS group (p = 0.0216, OR = 1.761, 95% CI = 1.085-2.859); furthermore, RA patients showed anti-CCP elevated levels compared to the CA genotype (p = 0.0296). The IL21R rs3093301 AA genotype was also higher in RA patients than in the CS group (p = 0.0122, OR = 1.965, 95% CI = 1.153-3.348). The AT haplotypes of IL-21 rs2055979 and rs2221903 were more frequent (49%) in the RA group (p = 0.006). IL-21 serum levels were significantly elevated in the RA group, but without an association with IL-21 polymorphisms. In conclusion, IL-21 rs2255979 and IL-21R rs3093301 are associated with a higher risk of RA, and could be a genetic marker. Moreover, the elevated IL-21 levels in RA suggest that IL-21/IL-21R could be a therapeutic target in RA.

Exopolysaccharide-producing Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strains isolated from kefir as starter for functional dairy products.

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by lactic acid bacteria are molecules of great interest for the dairy food industry. Lacticaseibacillus paracasei CIDCA 8339, CIDCA 83123, and CIDCA 83124 are potentially probiotic strains isolated from kefir grains whose EPS-production on MRS broth is dependent on incubation temperature. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the effect of fermentation temperature on the characteristics of EPS produced in milk by L. paracasei strains and the consequent impact on the rheological properties of the fermented products. Additionally, the protective effect of these EPS against Salmonella infection was evaluated in vitro. Acid gels with each strain were obtained by milk fermentation at 20°C, 30°C, and 37°C evidencing for all the strains a reduction in growth and acidification rate at lower temperature. Lacticaseibacillus paracasei CIDCA 83123 showed low fermentation rate at all temperatures requiring between 3 and 8 days to obtain acids gels, whereas CIDCA 8339 and 83124 needed between 24 and 48 h even when the temperature was 20°C. Fermentation temperature led to changes in crude EPS characteristics of the three strains, observing an increase in the relative amount of the high molecular weight fraction when the fermentation temperature diminished. Additionally, EPS83124 and EPS83123 presented modifications in monosaccharide composition, with a reduction of rhamnose and an increase of amino-sugars as temperature rise. These changes in the structure of EPS83124 resulted in an increase of the apparent viscosity of milks fermented at 20°C (223 mPa.s) and 30°C (217 mPa.s) with respect to acid gels obtained at 37°C (167 mPa.s). In order to deepen the knowledge on EPS characteristics, monosaccharide composition of low and high molecular weight EPS fractions were evaluated. Finally, it was evidenced that the preincubation of intestinal epithelial cells Caco-2/TC-7 with EPS8339 and EPS83124 partially inhibit the association and invasion of Salmonella. In light of these results, it can be concluded that the selection of the EPS-producing strain along with the appropriate fermentation conditions could be an interesting strategy to improve the technological properties of these L. paracasei fermented milks with potential protective effects against intestinal pathogens.

Biological insights from multi-omics analysis strategies: Complex pleotropic effects associated with autophagy.

Research strategies that combine molecular data from multiple levels of genome expression (i.e., multi-omics data), often referred to as a systems biology strategy, has been advocated as a route to discovering gene functions. In this study we conducted an evaluation of this strategy by combining lipidomics, metabolite mass-spectral imaging and transcriptomics data from leaves and roots in response to mutations in two AuTophaGy-related (ATG) genes of Arabidopsis. Autophagy is an essential cellular process that degrades and recycles macromolecules and organelles, and this process is blocked in the atg7 and atg9 mutants that were the focus of this study. Specifically, we quantified abundances of ~100 lipids and imaged the cellular locations of ~15 lipid molecular species and the relative abundance of ~26,000 transcripts from leaf and root tissues of WT, atg7 and atg9 mutant plants, grown either in normal (nitrogen-replete) and autophagy-inducing conditions (nitrogen-deficient). The multi-omics data enabled detailed molecular depiction of the effect of each mutation, and a comprehensive physiological model to explain the consequence of these genetic and environmental changes in autophagy is greatly facilitated by the a priori knowledge of the exact biochemical function of the ATG7 and ATG9 proteins.

Effects of Combined Interventions of Exercise and Diet or Exercise and Supplementation on Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review investigated the effects of exercise interventions combined with diet and/or dietary supplement interventions on anthropometry, body composition, metabolic biomarkers, physical function, healthy lifestyles, quality of life, psychosocial variables and fatigue for women with breast cancer. A systematic search was performed in the PubMed and Web of Science databases (from inception to 1 March 2022). A review was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The methodological quality and the risk of bias of the included studies was assessed with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. A total of 13 randomised controlled trial studies were included, comprising 1569 breast cancer patients. The main finding of this systematic review is that groups performing interventions combining exercise plus diet show significant improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, body composition, quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, depression and sleep compared to control groups. On the other hand, the use of interventions combining exercise plus supplementation does not result in an improvement compared to groups using exercise alone or supplementation alone.

Physical activity levels in adults with chronic low back pain: A national survey in the general Spanish population.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and compare physical activity levels in the Spanish population with chronic low back pain and their associated factors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional national study. SUBJECTS: A total of 3,220 adults with chronic low back pain from the 2017 Spanish National Health Survey. METHODS: Three groups were defined according to physical activity level (low, moderate, and high) assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and an ordinal regression model were performed. RESULTS: Thirty percent of the subjects were classed as doing a low level of physical activity, 53% moderate, and 17% high. Females predominated in the low and moderate groups, and the subjects in the high group were younger. Subjects in the low group reported more use of pain-relief, more severe-extreme pain, more functional limitations, and worse quality of life and mental health. Factors more likely to be associated with higher levels of physical activity were: being male, normal body mass index or overweight, better health status, less pain, less physical and cognitive limitations, and more social support. CONCLUSION: Different aspects of the biopsychosocial framework were associated with the different levels of physical activity in subjects with chronic low back pain. These findings should be taken into consideration in order to establish suitable public health strategies.

Transforming growth factor beta isoforms and TGF-ßR1 and TGF-ßR2 expression in systemic sclerosis patients.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis, two processes associated with transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß) functions. In the present study, we investigated the expression of TGF-ß isoforms in serum and the skin distribution of TGF-ß and two receptors (TGF-ßR1 and TGF-ßR2) and their relationship with some clinical, inflammatory, autoimmune (autoantibodies), and vascular (platelets) biomarkers in SSc patients. A total of 56 SSc patients and 120 control subjects (CS) were included. The serum levels of TGF-ß isoforms were quantified by immunoassay with magnetic microspheres, and the skin biopsies were processed by immunohistochemistry. The soluble levels of the three active TGF-ß isoforms were lower in SSc patients than in CS (p < 0.0001). However, sTGF-ß1 and sTGF-ß3 levels were positively correlated with C-reactive protein levels in SSc patients. Additionally, sTGF-ß2 and sTGF-ß3 levels were positively correlated with the number of platelets in SSc patients. In skin biopsies, TGF-ß1, TGF-ßR1, and TGF-ßR2 expression levels were higher in SSc patients than CS. In conclusion, this is the first study showing a joint decrease of the 3 active TGF-ß isoforms in SSc patients. However, TGF-ß1, TGF-ßR1, and TGF-ßR2 are possibly increased in clinically involved skin. Therefore, it is likely that a distinct role is played by TGF-ß at the local (skin lesions) and systemic levels in SSc patients.

Advances in high-throughput mass spectrometry in drug discovery.

High-throughput (HT) screening drug discovery, during which thousands or millions of compounds are screened, remains the key methodology for identifying active chemical matter in early drug discovery pipelines. Recent technological developments in mass spectrometry (MS) and automation have revolutionized the application of MS for use in HT screens. These methods allow the targeting of unlabelled biomolecules in HT assays, thereby expanding the breadth of targets for which HT assays can be developed compared to traditional approaches. Moreover, these label-free MS assays are often cheaper, faster, and more physiologically relevant than competing assay technologies. In this review, we will describe current MS techniques used in drug discovery and explain their advantages and disadvantages. We will highlight the power of mass spectrometry in label-free in vitro assays, and its application for setting up multiplexed cellular phenotypic assays, providing an exciting new tool for screening compounds in cell lines, and even primary cells. Finally, we will give an outlook on how technological advances will increase the future use and the capabilities of mass spectrometry in drug discovery.

A high-throughput MALDI-TOF MS biochemical screen for small molecule inhibitors of the antigen aminopeptidase ERAP1.

MALDI-TOF MS is a powerful analytical technique that provides a fast and label-free readout for in vitro assays in the high-throughput screening (HTS) environment. Here, we describe the development of a novel, HTS compatible, MALDI-TOF MS-based drug discovery assay for the endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1), an important target in immuno-oncology and auto-immune diseases. A MALDI-TOF MS assay was developed beginning with an already established ERAP1 RapidFire MS (RF MS) assay, where the peptide YTAFTIPSI is trimmed into the product TAFTIPSI. We noted low ionisation efficiency of these peptides in MALDI-TOF MS and hence incorporated arginine residues into the peptide sequences to improve ionisation. The optimal assay conditions were established with these new basic assay peptides on the MALDI-TOF MS platform and validated with known ERAP1 inhibitors. Assay stability, reproducibility and robustness was demonstrated on the MALDI-TOF MS platform. From a set of 699 confirmed ERAP1 binders, identified in a prior affinity selection mass spectrometry (ASMS) screen, active compounds were determined at single concentration and in a dose-response format with the new MALDI-TOF MS setup. Furthermore, to allow for platform performance comparison, the same compound set was tested on the established RF MS setup, as the new basic peptides showed fragmentation in ESI-MS. The two platforms showed a comparable performance, but the MALDI-TOF MS platform had several advantages, such as shorter sample cycle times, reduced reagent consumption, and a lower tight-binding limit.

Biotechnological Potential and Safety Evaluation of Dextran- and Riboflavin-Producing Weisella cibaria Strains for Gluten-Free Baking.

Gluten consumption causes several immunological and non-immunological intolerances in susceptible individuals. In this study, the dextran-producing Weissella cibaria BAL3C-5 and its derivative, the riboflavin-overproducing strain BAL3C-5 C120T, together with a commercial bakery yeast, were used to ferment gluten-free (GF)-doughs obtained from corn and rice flours at two different concentrations and supplemented with either quinoa, buckwheat, or chickpea to obtain laboratory-scale GF bread. The levels of dextran, riboflavin, and total flavins were determined in the fermented and breads. Both strains grew in fermented doughs and contributed dextran, especially to those made with corn plus quinoa (~1 g/100 g). The highest riboflavin (350-150 µg/100 g) and total flavin (2.3-1.75 mg/100 g) levels were observed with BAL3C-5 C120T, though some differences were detected between the various doughs or breads, suggesting an impact of the type of flour used. The safety assessment confirmed the lack of pathogenic factors in the bacterial strains, such as hemolysin and gelatinase activity, as well as the genetic determinants for biogenic amine production. Some intrinsic resistance to antibiotics, including vancomycin and kanamycin, was found. These results indicated the microbiological safety of both W. cibaria strains and indicated their potential application in baking to produce GF bread.

Multimorbidity Patterns and Their Association with Social Determinants, Mental and Physical Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The challenge posed by multimorbidity makes it necessary to look at new forms of prevention, a fact that has become heightened in the context of the pandemic. We designed a questionnaire to detect multimorbidity patterns in people over 50 and to associate these patterns with mental and physical health, COVID-19, and possible social inequalities. METHODS: This was an observational study conducted through a telephone interview. The sample size was 1592 individuals with multimorbidity. We use Latent Class Analysis to detect patterns and SF-12 scale to measure mental and physical quality-of-life health. We introduced the two dimensions of health and other social determinants in a multinomial regression model. RESULTS: We obtained a model with five patterns (entropy = 0.727): 'Relative Healthy', 'Cardiometabolic', 'Musculoskeletal', 'Musculoskeletal and Mental', and 'Complex Multimorbidity'. We found some differences in mental and physical health among patterns and COVID-19 diagnoses, and some social determinants were significant in the multinomial regression. CONCLUSIONS: We identified that prevention requires the location of certain inequalities associated with the multimorbidity patterns and how physical and mental health have been affected not only by the patterns but also by COVID-19. These findings may be critical in future interventions by health services and governments.

Differences in Cognitive Function in Women and Men with Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy with or without Pain.

The aim of this study was to analyse the differences in cognitive function between women and men with type-2 diabetes mellitus (DMT2) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) with and without diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP), and the factors associated with cognitive function in each sex. A cross-sectional study of 149 patients with DMT2 and DPN was performed. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, Test Your Memory (TYM) for cognitive assessment, anxiety and depression (HADS), quality of life (SF-12v2) and sleep characteristics (MOS-sleep) were measured. A high percentage of women presented cognitive impairment (50% vs. 36.1%) and they scored lower on the TYM (mean = 40.77; SD = 6.03 vs. mean = 42.49; SD = 6.05). Women with DNP scored lower on calculation tasks (3.17 vs. 3.52) than men with DNP, while women without DNP scored lower on retrograde memory (2.70 vs. 3.74), executive function (3.83 vs. 4.25) and similarities (2.51 vs. 3.12) than men without DNP. Being older (B = -0.181) and presenting cardiovascular risk factors (B = -5.059) were associated with worse cognitive function in women, while in men this was associated with older age (B = -0.154), a longer duration of diabetes (B = -0.319) and the presence of depression (B = -0.363). Women with and without DNP obtained worse results in cognitive function. However, the presence of pain had a greater impact on the different dimensions in men.