The role of duty, gender and intergenerational care in grandmothers' parenting of grandchildren: a phenomenological qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe grandmothers' experiences of taking care of their grandchildren in terms of their care-giving tasks, motivations and emotions. METHODS: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted. Purposive sampling was used, based on the relevance of the research question. Seventeen participants were included, women ≥ 65 years old, grandmothers who care for their grandchildren at least 10 h per week and who attended the Nursing units of the Primary Care Health Centers (Madrid Public Health Service). Seventeen in-depth interviews were conducted. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was carried out from the perspective of hermeneutic phenomenology. For the analysis, the Excel program was used to organize and share the coding process. Also, we followed COREQ guidelines. RESULTS: Four main themes were identified: (a) Care out of obligation, where participants feel an obligation to help their children by caring for grandchildren, regardless of their number, and prefer to do so voluntarily; (b) Care out of responsibility, where grandmothers see their role as a responsibility that includes saving costs by caring for grandchildren and facilitating their children's work life balance; (c) Care as a social duty, reflecting a moral commitment inherited from their mothers to help future generations; and (d) Construction of care from a gender perspective, where grandmothers, as women, primarily assume the care and upbringing of grandchildren. DISCUSSION: Our results contribute to increase knowledge about childcare provided by grandmothers to their grandchildren. Grandmothers become fundamental pillars of families by helping their children balance family and work. Behind this care there is a strong sense of obligation, duty and generational responsibility. Grandmothers' help presents differences in the distribution of tasks and care by sex. Identifying factors that motivate grandmothers to care for their grandchildren helps nurses to perform higher quality comprehensive care.

Evaluation of Reproductive Histology Response of Adult Fasciola hepatica in Goats Vaccinated with Cathepsin L Phage-Exposed Mimotopes.

Fasciolosis, a globally re-emerging zoonotic disease, is mostly caused by the parasitic infection with Fasciola hepatica, often known as the liver fluke. This disease has a considerable impact on livestock productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the fluke burdens and faecal egg counts in goats that were administered phage clones of cathepsin L mimotopes and then infected with F. hepatica metacercariae. Additionally, the impact of vaccination on the histology of the reproductive system, specifically related to egg generation in adult parasites, was examined. A total of twenty-four goats, which were raised in sheds, were divided into four groups consisting of six animals each. These groups were randomly assigned. The goats were then subjected to two rounds of vaccination. Each vaccination involved the administration of 1 × 1013 phage particles containing specific mimotopes for cathepsin L2 (group 1: PPIRNGK), cathepsin L1 (group 2: DPWWLKQ), and cathepsin L1 (group 3: SGTFLFS). The immunisations were carried out on weeks 0 and 4, and the Quil A adjuvant was used in combination with the mimotopes. The control group was administered phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (group 4). At week 6, all groups were orally infected with 200 metacercariae of F. hepatica. At week 22 following the initial immunisation, the subjects were euthanised, and adult F. hepatica specimens were retrieved from the bile ducts and liver tissue, and subsequently quantified. The specimens underwent whole-mount histology for the examination of the reproductive system, including the testis, ovary, vitellaria, Mehlis' gland, and uterus. The mean fluke burdens following the challenge were seen to decrease by 50.4%, 62.2%, and 75.3% (p < 0.05) in goats that received vaccinations containing cathepsin L2 PPIRNGK, cathepsin L1 DPWWLKQ, and cathepsin L1 SGTFLFS, respectively. Animals that received vaccination exhibited a significant reduction in the production of parasite eggs. The levels of IgG1 and IgG2 isotypes in vaccinated goats were significantly higher than in the control group, indicating that protection is associated with the induction of a mixed Th1/Th2 immune response. The administration of cathepsin L to goats exhibits a modest level of efficacy in inducing histological impairment in the reproductive organs of liver flukes, resulting in a reduction in egg output.

Exploring the Efficacy of Nonlinear Filters in CMOS for 2-D Signal Processing for Image Quality Enhancement.

This study rigorously investigates the effectiveness of nonlinear filters in CMOS for 2-D signal processing to enhance image quality. We comprehensively compare traditional linear filters' performance, which operate on the principle of linearity, with nonlinear filters, such as the median-median (Med-Med) approach, designed to handle nonlinear data. To ensure the validity of our findings, we use widely accepted metrics like normalized squared error (NSE), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity index (SSIM) to quantify the differences. Our simulations and experiments, conducted under controlled conditions, demonstrate that nonlinear filters in CMOS outperform linear filters in removing impulse noise and enhancing images. We also address the challenges of implementing these algorithms at the hardware level, focusing on power consumption and chip area optimization. Additionally, we propose a new architecture for the Med-Med filter and validate its functionality through experiments using a 9-pixel image sensor array. Our findings highlight the potential of nonlinear filters in CMOS for real-time image quality enhancement and their applicability in various real-world imaging applications. This research contributes to visual technology by combining theoretical insights with practical implementations, paving the way for more efficient and adaptable imaging systems.

Influence of Education on Dental Anxiety and Fear in Mental Disorders after Viewing a Molar Extraction in Three Types of Mental Disorder Compared to Persons with No Mental Disorder.

Objective: The goal of this study is to validate the psychometric properties of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) and the Dental Fear Scale (DFS) at three different times: seven days before, immediately after, and seven days after watching a video of surgical extraction of a lower third molar in a sample with four strata: anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, mixed anxiety-depressive disorder, and no mental disorder ages 18-70 in a psychiatric clinic in Malaga. Methods: The Research Ethics Committee of the Virgen Macarena-Virgen del Rocío Hospitals approved the study. After being interviewed by a psychiatrist and subsequently completing the Hamilton Rating Scales for Anxiety and Depression, the participants were divided into 4 strata (60 persons in each). The influence of education level was then analyzed. Results: The scales demonstrated good psychometric properties, with higher MDAS and DFS scores for lower levels of education and mixed anxiety-depressive disorder. Conclusions: Patients who show higher levels of dental anxiety and dental fear will be those with lower education levels, as well as those who suffer from mixed anxiety-depressive disorder.

Coastal Dune Vegetation Dynamism and Anthropogenic-Induced Transitions in the Mexican Caribbean during the Last Decade.

In the Mexican Caribbean, environmental changes, hydrometeorological events, and anthropogenic activities promote dynamism in the coastal vegetation cover associated with the dune; however, their pace and magnitude remain uncertain. Using Landsat 7 imagery, spatial and temporal changes in coastal dune vegetation were estimated for the 2011-2020 period in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. The SAVI index revealed cover changes at different magnitudes and paces at the biannual, seasonal, and monthly timeframes. Climatic seasons had a significant influence on vegetation cover, with increases in cover during northerlies (SAVI: p = 0.000), while the topographic profile of the dune was relevant for structure. Distance-based multiple regressions and redundancy analysis showed that temperature had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on SAVI patterns, whereas precipitation showed little influence (p > 0.05). The Mann-Kendall tendency test indicated high dynamism in vegetation loss and recovery with no defined patterns, mostly associated with anthropogenic disturbance. High-density vegetation such as mangroves, palm trees, and shrubs was the most drastically affected, although a reduction in bare soil was also recorded. This study demonstrated that hydrometeorological events and climate variability in the long term have little influence on vegetation dynamism. Lastly, it was observed that anthropogenic activities promoted vegetation loss and transitions; however, the latter were also linked to recoveries in areas with pristine environments, relevant for tourism.

Ascorbate, plant hormones and their interactions during plant responses to biotic stress.

Plants can experience a variety of environmental stresses that significantly impact their fitness and survival. Additionally, biotic stress can harm agriculture, leading to reduced crop yields and economic losses worldwide. As a result, plants have developed defense strategies to combat potential invaders. These strategies involve regulating redox homeostasis. Several studies have documented the positive role of plant antioxidants, including Ascorbate (Asc), under biotic stress conditions. Asc is a multifaceted antioxidant that scavenges ROS, acts as a co-factor for different enzymes, regulates gene expression, and facilitates iron transport. However, little attention has been given to Asc and its transport, regulatory effects, interplay with phytohormones, and involvement in defense processes under biotic stress. Asc interacts with other components of the redox system and phytohormones to activate various defense responses that reduce the growth of plant pathogens and promote plant growth and development under biotic stress conditions. Scientific reports indicate that Asc can significantly contribute to plant resistance against biotic stress through mutual interactions with components of the redox and hormonal systems. This review focuses on the role of Asc in enhancing plant resistance against pathogens. Further research is necessary to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular and cellular regulatory processes involved.

Single-point and kinetics of peripheral residual disease by mass spectrometry to predict outcome in patients with high risk smoldering multiple myeloma included in the GEM-CESAR trial.

The value of quantitative immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry (QIP-MS) to identify the M-protein is being investigated in patients with monoclonal gammopathies but no data are yet available in high-risk smoldering myeloma (HRsMM). We have therefore investigated QIP-MS to monitor peripheral residual disease (PRD) in 62 HRsMM patients enrolled in the GEM-CESAR trial. After 24 cycles of maintenance, detecting the M-protein by MS or clonal plasma cells by NGF identified cases with a significantly shorter median PFS (mPFS; MS: not reached vs 1,4 years, p=0.001; NGF: not reached vs 2 years, p=0.0002) but reaching CR+sCR did not discriminate patients with different outcome. With NGF as a reference, the combined results of NGF and MS showed a high negative predictive value (NPV) of MS: 81% overall and 73% at treatment completion. When sequential results were considered, sustained negativity by MS or NGF was associated with a very favorable outcome with a mPFS not yet reached vs 1.66 years and 2.18 years in cases never attaining PRD or minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity, respectively. We can thus conclude that 1) the standard response categories of the IMWG do not seem to be useful for treatment monitoring in HRsMM patients, 2) MS could be used as a non-invasive, clinical valuable tool with the capacity of guiding timely bone marrow evaluations (based on its high NPV with NGF as a reference) and 3) similarly to NGF, sequential results of MS are able identify a subgroup of HRsMM patients with long-term disease control. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02415413).

Internal consistency and test-retest reliability: A reliability generalization meta-analysis of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF).

BACKGROUND: The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire- Short Form (CTQ-SF) is among the most extensively studied and widely utilized instruments for evaluating childhood maltreatment. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to conduct a reliability generalization meta-analysis to estimate the average reliability of the CTQ-SF scores and its factors and search for study characteristics that can explain the variability in those coefficients. METHODS: A total of 39 independent samples provided 243 reliability estimates (Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, and/or test-retest reliability coefficients) with the data at hand for the scores on the CTQ-SF and its five subscales for this meta-analysis. RESULTS: Random and mixed-effects models were employed for analyzing the data. The average Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the CTQ-SF total score was 0.891 (95 % CI: 0.868, 0.910). For the subscales, the average Cronbach's alpha coefficient ranged from 0.656 (Physical Neglect) to 0.916 (Sexual Abuse). The average McDonald's Omega coefficient for the CTQ-SF total score was 0.800 (95 % CI: 0.800 0.800). For the subscales, the average McDonald's Omega ranged from 0.740 (Physical Neglect) to 0.900 (Sexual Abuse). The average test-retest reliability for CTQ-SF total score was 0.788 (95 % CI: 0.635, 0.872), with the subscales ranging from 0.668 (Physical Neglect) to 0.709 (Physical Abuse). Moderator analyses revealed that some factors can affect reliability estimate. CONCLUSIONS: Although CTQ-SF and its five subscales have shown adequate reliability, it may vary as a function of the variability of scores, geographical location, financial source, and the affiliation of the main researcher.

An atlas of the tomato epigenome reveals that KRYPTONITE shapes TAD-like boundaries through the control of H3K9ac distribution.

In recent years, the exploration of genome three-dimensional (3D) conformation has yielded profound insights into the regulation of gene expression and cellular functions in both animals and plants. While animals exhibit a characteristic genome topology defined by topologically associating domains (TADs), plants display similar features with a more diverse conformation across species. Employing advanced high-throughput sequencing and microscopy techniques, we investigated the landscape of 26 histone modifications and RNA polymerase II distribution in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Our study unveiled a rich and nuanced epigenetic landscape, shedding light on distinct chromatin states associated with heterochromatin formation and gene silencing. Moreover, we elucidated the intricate interplay between these chromatin states and the overall topology of the genome. Employing a genetic approach, we delved into the role of the histone modification H3K9ac in genome topology. Notably, our investigation revealed that the ectopic deposition of this chromatin mark triggered a reorganization of the 3D chromatin structure, defining different TAD-like borders. Our work emphasizes the critical role of H3K9ac in shaping the topology of the tomato genome, providing valuable insights into the epigenetic landscape of this agriculturally significant crop species.

Oxidative refolding by Copper-catalyzed air oxidation consistently increases the homogeneity and activity of a Novel Interleukin-2 mutein.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been used in cancer treatment for over 30 years. However, due to its high toxicity, new mutant variants have been developed. These variants retain some of the biological properties of the original molecule but offer other therapeutic advantages. At the Center of Molecular Immunology, the IL-2 no-alpha mutein, an IL-2 agonist with lower toxicity than wtIL-2, has been designed, produced, and is currently being evaluated in a Phase I/II clinical trial. The mutein is produced in E. coli as an insoluble material that must be refolded in vitro to yield a fully active protein. Controlled oxidation steps are essential in the purification process of recombinant proteins produced in E. coli to ensure the proper formation of the disulfide bonds in the molecules. In this case, the new purification process includes a copper-catalyzed air oxidation step to induce disulfide bond establishment. The optimal conditions of pH, copper, protein and detergent concentration for this step were determined through screening. The produced protein demonstrated a conserved 3D structure, higher purity, and greater biological activity than the obtained by established process without the oxidation step. Four batches were produced and evaluated, demonstrating the consistency of the new process.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging-derived intraventricular pressure gradients in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a long-term follow-up study.

Aims: Recently, novel post-processing tools have become available that measure intraventricular pressure gradients (IVPGs) on routinely obtained long-axis cine cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images. IVPGs provide a comprehensive overview of both systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) functions. Whether IVPGs are associated with clinical outcome after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is currently unknown. Here, we investigated the association between CMR-derived LV-IVPGs and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in a large reperfused STEMI cohort with long-term outcome. Methods and results: In this prospectively enrolled multi-centre cohort study, 307 patients underwent CMR within 14 days after the first STEMI. LV-IVPGs (from apex-to-base) were estimated on the long-axis cine images. During a median follow-up of 9.7 (5.9-12.5) years, MACE (i.e. composite of cardiovascular death and de novo heart failure hospitalisation) occurred in 49 patients (16.0%). These patients had larger infarcts, more often microvascular injury, and impaired LV-IVPGs. In univariable Cox regression, overall LV-IVPG was significantly associated with MACE and remained significantly associated after adjustment for common clinical risk factors (hazard ratio (HR) 0.873, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.794-0.961, P = 0.005) and myocardial injury parameters (HR 0.906, 95% CI 0.825-0.995, P = 0.038). However, adjusted for LV ejection fraction and LV global longitudinal strain (GLS), overall LV-IVPG does not provide additional prognostic information (HR 0.959, 95% CI 0.866-1.063, P = 0.426). Conclusion: Early after STEMI, CMR-derived LV-IVPGs are univariably associated with MACE and this association remains significant after adjustment for common clinical risk factors and measures of infarct severity. However, LV-IVPGs do not add prognostic value to LV ejection fraction and LV GLS.

Worker's compensation and no-fault insurance are associated with decreased patient reported outcomes and higher rates of revision at 2 and 5 years follow-up compared to patients with commercial insurance undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement.

PURPOSE: To investigate the patient reported outcomes (PROs) of patients undergoing hip arthroscopy (HA) for femeroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS), a condition where irregular bone growth in the hip joint leads to friction and pain during movement, who have worker's compensation (WC) or no-fault insurance (NF) versus commercial insurance (CI) at both 2 year and 5 year follow-up. METHODS: This was a single center, single surgeon, retrospective analysis performed between August 2007 and May 2023 of consecutive patients that underwent HA, a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat problems inside the hip joint through small incisions, for FAIS. Patients were divided into two cohorts-those with WC/NF and those with commercial insurance (CI). Patient reported outcomes (PROs), which included modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS) and Non-Arthritic Hip Score (NAHS), were collected preoperatively, as well as at least 2-year postoperatively. Additionally, other clinically relevant outcomes variables including prevalence of revision surgery and conversion to total hip arthroplasty were recorded. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty three patients met inclusion criteria. There were 32 patients in the WC/NF cohort and 311 patients in the commercial cohort. When controlling for age, sex, and Body Mass Index (BMI), WC/NF status was associated with lower mHHS at both 2 year (ß = - 8.190, p < 0.01, R2 = 0.092) and 5 year follow-up (ß = - 16.60, p < 0.01, R2 = 0.179) and NAHS at 5 year follow up (ß = - 13.462, p = 0.03, R2 = 0.148). The WC/NF cohort had a lower rate of achieving Substantial Clinical Benefit (SCB) for mHHS at 2-years follow-up (66.7% vs. 84.1%, p = 0.02).The rate of revision hip arthroscopy was significantly higher in the worker's compensation/no fault cohort than the commercial insurance cohort (15.6% vs. 3.5%, p < 0.01). The rate of conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the WC/NF cohort was not significantly different than the rate of conversion to THA in the commercial insurance cohort (0.0% vs. 3.2%, p = 0.30). CONCLUSION: Patients with WC/NF insurance may expect a significant improvement from baseline mHHS and NAHS following HA for FAIS at short-term follow-up. However, this improvement may not be as durable as those experienced by patients with CI. Additionally, WC/NF patients should be counseled that they have a higher risk of undergoing revision hip arthroscopy than similar CI patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, Retrospective Comparative Prognostic Investigation.

Transcriptional and biochemical changes in mouse liver following exposure to a metal/drug cocktail. Attenuating effect of a selenium-enriched diet.

Real-life pollution usually involves simultaneous co-exposure to different chemicals. Metals and drugs are frequently and abundantly released into the environment, where they interact and bioaccumulate. Few studies analyze potential interactions between metals and pharmaceuticals in these mixtures, although their joint effects cannot be inferred from their individual properties. We have previously demonstrated that the mixture (PC) of the metals Cd and Hg, the metalloid As and the pharmaceuticals diclofenac (DCF) and flumequine (FLQ) impairs hepatic proteostasis. To gain a deeper vision of how PC affects mouse liver homeostasis, we evaluated here the effects of PC exposure upon some biochemical and morphometric parameters, and on the transcriptional profiles of selected group of genes. We found that exposure to PC caused oxidative damage that exceeded the antioxidant capacity of cells. The excessive oxidative stress response resulted in an overabundance of reducing equivalents, which hindered the metabolism and transport of metabolites, including cholesterol and bile acids, between organs. These processes have been linked to metabolic and inflammatory disorders, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, our findings suggest that unintended exposure to mixtures of environmental pollutants may underlie the etiology of many human diseases. Fortunately, we also found that a diet enriched with selenium mitigated the harmful effects of this combination of toxicants.

Risk of lung disease in the PI*SS genotype of alpha-1 antitrypsin: an EARCO research project.

BACKGROUND: The PI*S variant is one of the most prevalent mutations within alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). The risk of developing AATD-related lung disease in individuals with the PI*SS genotype is poorly defined despite its substantial prevalence. Our study aimed to characterize this genotype and its risk for lung disease and compare it with the PI*ZZ and PI*SZ genotypes using data from the European Alpha-1 antitrypsin Deficiency Research Collaboration international registry. METHOD: Demographic, clinical, functional, and quality of life (QoL) parameters were assessed to compare the PI*SS characteristics with the PI*SZ and PI*ZZ controls. A propensity score with 1:3 nearest-neighbour matching was performed for the most important confounding variables. RESULTS: The study included 1007 individuals, with PI*SS (n = 56; 5.6%), PI*ZZ (n = 578; 57.4%) and PI*SZ (n = 373; 37.0%). The PI*SS population consisted of 58.9% men, with a mean age of 59.2 years and a mean FEV1(% predicted) of 83.4%. Compared to PI*ZZ individuals they had less frequent lung disease (71.4% vs. 82.2%, p = 0.037), COPD (41.4% vs. 60%, p = 0.002), and emphysema (23.2% vs. 51.9%, p < 0.001) and better preserved lung function, fewer exacerbations, lower level of dyspnoea, and better QoL. In contrast, no significant differences were found in the prevalence of lung diseases between PI*SS and PI*SZ, or lung function parameters, exacerbations, dyspnoea, or QoL. CONCLUSIONS: We found that, as expected, the risk of lung disease associated with the PI*SS genotype is significantly lower compared with PI*ZZ, but does not differ from that observed in PI*SZ individuals, despite having higher serum AAT levels. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www. CLINICALTRIALS: gov (ID: NCT04180319).

Characterization and modulation of voltage-gated potassium channels in human lymphocytes in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: It is known that the immune system is dysregulated in schizophrenia, having a state similar to chronic neuroinflammation. The origin of this process is unknown, but it is known that T and B lymphocytes, which are components of the adaptive immune system, play an important role in the pathogenic mechanisms of schizophrenia. METHODS: We analysed the membrane of PBMCs from patients diagnosed with schizophrenia through proteomic analysis (n = 5 schizophrenia and n = 5 control). We found the presence of the Kv1.3 voltage-gated potassium channel and its auxiliary subunit ß1 (KCNAB1) and ß2 (KCNAB2). From a sample of 90 participants, we carried out a study on lymphocytes with whole-cell patch-clamp experiments (n = 7 schizophrenia and n = 5 control), western blot (n = 40 schizophrenia and n = 40 control) and confocal microscopy to evaluate the presence and function of different channels. Kv in both cells. RESULTS: We demonstrated the overexpression of Kv1.1, Kv1.2, Kv1.3, Kv1.6, Kv4.2, Kv4.3 and Kv7.2 channels in PBMCs from patients with schizophrenia. This study represents a groundbreaking exploration, as it involves an electrophysiological analysis performed on T and B lymphocytes from patients diagnosed of schizophrenia compared to healthy participants. We observed that B lymphocytes exhibited an increase in output current along with greater peak current amplitude and voltage conductance curves among patients with schizophrenia compared with healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the importance of the B lymphocyte in schizophrenia. We know that the immune system is altered in schizophrenia, but the physiological mechanisms of this system are not very well known. We suggest that the B lymphocyte may be relevant in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and that it should be investigated in more depth, opening a new field of knowledge and possibilities for new treatments combining antipsychotics and immunomodulators. The limitation is that all participants received antipsychotic medication, which may have influenced the differences observed between patients and controls. This implies that more studies need to be done where the groups can be separated according to the antipsychotic drug.

Assessing the reinforcement effect by response surface methodology of holocellulose from spent coffee grounds on biopolymeric films as food packaging materials.

The pollution caused by petroleum-derived plastic materials has become a major environmental problem that has encouraged the development of new compostable and environmentally friendly materials for food packaging based on biomodified polymers with household residues. This study aims to design, synthesize, and characterize a biobased polymeric microstructure film from polyvinyl alcohol and chitosan reinforced with holocellulose from spent coffee grounds for food-sustainable packaging. Chemical isolation with a chlorite-based solution was performed to obtain the reinforced holocellulose from the spent coffee ground, and the solvent casting method was used to obtain the films to study. Physicochemical and microscopic characterizations were conducted to identify and select the best formulations using a simplex-centroid design analysis. The response surface methodology results indicate that the new packaging material obtained with equal amounts of polymers and reinforced material (1:1:1) possesses the appropriate barrier properties and microstructural character to prevent water attack and hydrophobic behavior and thus could be used as an alternative for food packaging materials.

Gender-Specific Differences in Spinal Alignment and Muscle Power in Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease (PD) is an advancing neurodegenerative disorder characterized by spinal anomalies and muscular weakness, which may restrict daily functional capacities. A gender-focused examination of these effects could provide valuable insights into customized rehabilitation strategies for both sexes. PURPOSE: This study investigates the influence of spinal alignment on lower-limb function during the sit-to-stand (STS) movement in patients with Parkinson's disease compared to healthy individuals. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 43 consecutive patients with PD (25 males and 18 females; average age 73.7 ± 7.1 years) and 42 healthy controls (22 males and 20 females; average age 69.8 ± 6.0 years). Assessments included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Hoehn and Yahr staging, and measurements of vertical deviations from several spinal landmarks. Lower-limb muscle power during the STS task was evaluated using the Muscle Quality Index (MQI). RESULTS: Both absolute (Watts) and relative (Watts/Kg) muscle power in the lower limbs were notably decreased in the PD group compared to the control group. Within the PD cohort, muscle power showed a negative relationship with age and a positive association with the degree of lumbar lordosis (PL-L3). Importantly, gender-specific analysis revealed that male patients with PD had significantly higher lower-limb muscle power compared to female patients with PD, highlighting the need for gender-tailored therapeutic approaches. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that preserving lumbar lordosis is crucial for maintaining effective lower-limb muscle biomechanics in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Selective decontamination of the digestive tract in a burns unit reduces the incidence of hospital-acquired infections: A retrospective before-and-after cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) on hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in patients with acute burn injury requiring admission to a Burns Unit (BU). DESIGN: Retrospective before-and-after cohort study, between January 2017 and June 2023. SDD was implemented in March 2019, dividing patients into two groups. SETTING: Four-bed BU, in a referral University Hospital in Spain. PATIENTS: All the patients admitted during the study period were eligible for analysis. Patients who died or were discharged within 48hours of admission, and patients with an estimated survival less than 10% not considered for full escalation of therapy were excluded. INTERVENTION: SDD comprised the administration of a 4-day course of an intravenous antibiotic, and an oral suspension and oral topical paste of non-absorbable antibiotics during the stay in the BU. MAIN VARIABLE OF INTEREST: Incidence of HAIs during the stay in the BU. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: incidence of specific types of infections by site (bacteremia, pneumonia, skin and soft tissue infection) and microorganism (Gram-positive, Gram-negative, fungi), and safety endpoints. RESULTS: We analyzed 72 patients: 27 did not receive SDD, and 45 received SDD. The number of patients who developed HAIs were 21 (77.8%) and 21 (46.7%) in the non-SDD and the SDD groups, respectively (p=0.009). The number of hospital-acquired infectious episodes were 2.52 (1.21-3.82) and 1.13 (0.54-1.73), respectively (p=0.029). CONCLUSIONS: SDD was associated with a reduced incidence of bacterial HAIs and a decrease in the number of infectious episodes per patient.

Biological Response of the Peri-Implant Mucosa to Different Definitive Implant Rehabilitation Materials.

BACKGROUND: Sealing the peri-implant tissue is a determining factor for long-term implant survival. In the transmucosal region, the cervical fraction of the prosthetic crown is in contact with these tissues, so mucointegration will also be influenced by the biomaterial used for the prosthetic restoration. This study aims to compare the tissue response generated by definitive restorative materials and polymeric materials from a histological point of view. METHODS: This study performed an observational prospective cohort study in which biopsies of the peri-implant mucosa were taken after placement of implant-supported prosthetic restorations made of different materials (zirconium oxide, lithium disilicate, and PMMA). RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed in the increase in the thickness of the non-keratinized epithelium when comparing the definitive materials (zirconium oxide/lithium disilicate) vs. the provisional material (PMMA) and in the number of collagen fibers when comparing zirconium oxide and lithium disilicate. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that zirconia is the material that presents the most adequate biological response of peri-implant tissues. It shows a lower intensity of inflammatory cellular content, a total normality in the number of collagen fibers (the arrangement of the fibers is normal in 90% of the cases), and vascular proliferation of connective tissue in 83% of the cases. These parameters make it a material with a predictable response. Similarly, only the following slight statistically significant differences between the definitive and provisional materials are observed, indicating that the biological response generated by the provisional material (PMMA) is not very different from that obtained with the placement of the definitive restoration.