The Feasibility of Using Point of Care Ultrasound as a Visual Substitute for Physical Examination During Telehealth Visits: A Pilot Project.

Telehealth provides greater opportunity for specialty access but lacks components of the physical exam. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) may assist telehealth as a visual substitute for the provision of palpation. We conducted a prospective observational pilot project to survey oncologists about (1) their expectations of POCUS, (2) their use of POCUS in oncology telehealth visits, and (3) post-project assessment of their experiences. The results of the pre-assessment survey showed an interest among the oncologists in the ability to evaluate structures remotely via POCUS. POCUS was utilized in 6.4% of visits, most commonly for lymph node assessment (60% of use). POCUS was not utilized most often due to not being applicable to the patient's visit. There were 14 instances of technical issues limiting views of the relevant anatomy reported. Oncologists rated the use of POCUS as very satisfied or satisfied in the vast number of recorded responses. This pilot study suggests POCUS can be integrated into oncology telehealth visits for specific applications such as lymph node assessment. The surveys indicated a potential interest and positive responses that provide for the foundation of expansion to subspecialty care access for patients with telehealth supported by POCUS.

The use of a bed with an insulating system of electromagnetic fields improves immune function, redox and inflammatory states, and decrease the rate of aging.

BACKGROUND: The immune system, as a homeostatic system, is an excellent marker of health and has also been proposed as an indicator of the rate of aging. The base of the age-related changes in the immune system, "immunosenescence", is oxidative-inflammatory stress. Studies have shown that long-term exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by technology causes inhibitory effects on the immune response and increases oxidation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of resting on an EMF-insulated system on several immune functions, the oxidative-inflammatory state and subsequently the rate of aging (biological age). METHODS: Several immune functions, in peripheral blood neutrophils and mononuclear cells, of 31 volunteers were analyzed before and after 2 months of using a bed with the patented HOGO system, which insulated participants against EMFs. Several oxidative and inflammatory parameters, in whole blood cells, were also studied. The biological age was calculated using a mathematical formula, which was based on several immune function parameters. A placebo group of 11 people using beds without that property were used as a control. RESULTS: The results showed a significant improvement of immune functions and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory defenses after using the HOGO system for 2 months. In addition, a decrease in oxidants and pro-inflammatory compounds, a lowering of oxidative damage in lipids and in DNA as well as a reduction of calculated biological age was also observed. The placebo group did not show any changes. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, 2 months of resting on a bed insulated from EMFs demonstrates improvement in immune function, oxidative-inflammatory state and biological age.

Detection of White Root Rot in Avocado Trees by Remote Sensing.

White root rot, caused by the soilborne fungus Rosellinia necatrix, is an important constraint to production for a wide range of woody crop plants such as avocado trees. The current methods of detection of white root rot are based on microbial and molecular techniques, and their application at orchard scale is limited. In this study, physiological parameters provided by imaging techniques were analyzed by machine learning methods. Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and normalized canopy temperature (canopy temperature - air temperature) were tested as predictors of disease by several algorithms. Among them, logistic regression analysis (LRA) trained on NDVI data showed the highest sensitivity and lowest rate of false negatives. This algorithm based on NDVI could be a quick and feasible method to detect trees potentially affected by white root rot in avocado orchards.

Factores asociados al consumo de psicofármacos sin receta en Chile: estudio descriptivo basado en la Encuesta Nacional de Consumo de Drogas en Población General / Factors associated with the use of nonprescription psychotropic drugs in Chile: A descriptive study using a nationwide drug consumption survey

ANTECEDENTES El consumo de psicofármacos sin receta médica es un problema creciente de salud pública en todo el mundo, su uso indebido implica una serie de riesgos. OBJETIVO Determinar factores sociodemográficos y conductas asociadas al consumo de psicofármacos sin receta en Chile. MÉTODOS Estudio descriptivo a partir de los datos del XI Estudio Nacional de Drogas en Población General en Chile, año 2014, realizado en población entre 12 y 64 años (n = 19 512). Se estimó la prevalencia y se ajustó un modelo multivariado de regresión logística. Además, se realizó análisis de correspondencia múltiple. RESULTADOS La prevalencia de consumo de psicofármacos fue 2,3%. En población estudiada, los factores asociados son sexo femenino (Odds ratio: 1,4; intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,16 a 1,77), edades entre 20 y 29 (Odds ratio: 1,4; intervalo de confianza 95%: 0,98 a 2,26) y 40 y 49 años (Odds ratio: 1,8; intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,19 a 2,75), consumo de: marihuana (Odds ratio: 3,0; intervalo de confianza 95%: 3,32 a 3,97), cocaína o pasta base (Odds ratio: 3,7; intervalo de confianza 95%: 2,45 a 5,70), tabaco (Odds ratio: 1,4; intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,17 a 1,78), alcohol (Odds ratio: 1,3; intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,11 a 1,73) y mala percepción de salud (Odds ratio: 1,8; intervalo de confianza 95%: 1,51 a 2,28). De los perfiles, se vinculó a población de fuerzas armadas con consumo de analgésicos y antitusivos, a jóvenes de 19 a 25 años con consumo de estimulantes, a población de 45 a 64 años con mala percepción de salud asociada al consumo de tranquilizantes y a hombres de 12 a 18 años con uso de sustancias psicoactivas. CONCLUSIÓN Las prevalencias halladas concuerdan con datos en Latinoamérica, permitiendo evidenciar la relación que existe entre el consumo de psicofármacos con factores sociodemográficos, conductas de riesgo e identificación de perfiles de consumo.

BACKGROUND The consumption of psychotropic drugs without a medical prescription is a growing public health problem worldwide. Misuse or indiscriminate use involves several risks. OBJECTIVE To determine sociodemographic factors and behaviors associated with the consumption of psychotropic drugs without prescription in Chile. METHODS This is a descriptive study based on the data of the XI National Study of Drugs in the General Population in Chile, carried out in the population between 12 and 64 years old (n = 19 512) during 2014. Prevalence was estimated, and a multivariate logistic regression model was adjusted. Also, a multiple correspondence analysis was performed. RESULTS The prevalence of psychotropic drug use was 2.3%. In the studied population, associated risk factors are female sex (odds ratio: 1.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.16 to 1.77); ages between 20-29 (odds ratio: 1.4; 95% confidence interval: 0.98 to 2.26) and 40-49 (odds ratio: 1.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.19 to 2.75); consumption of marijuana (odds ratio: 3.0; 95% confidence interval: 3.32 to 3.97), cocaine or crack (odds ratio: 3.7; 95% confidence interval: 2.45 to 5.70); tobacco (odds ratio: 1.4; 95% confidence interval: 1.17 to 1.78); alcohol (odds ratio: 1.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.11 to 1.73); and poor health perception (odds ratio: 1.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.51 to 2.28). Military personnel used more pain and cough medication; young women between 19 to 25 years old used stimulants; the population between 45 to 64 years had a bad perception of health associated with the use of tranquilizers; and men between 12 and 18 years used illicit drugs. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence found in the different groups is consistent with data reported in Latin America, showing the relationship between the use of non-prescription psychotropic drugs with sociodemographic factors, risk behaviors, and the identification of consumption profiles.

Pythium Species Associated with Damping-off of Pea in Certified Organic Fields in the Columbia Basin of Central Washington.

Organic vegetable production accounted for 19% of the total organic acreage in Washington State in 2013, with 1,700 ha of certified organic vegetable pea. However, production is challenged constantly with the threat of poor emergence after planting due to damping-off caused by Pythium spp. A survey of Pythium spp. in organic vegetable production areas of the semiarid Columbia Basin of central Washington was carried out in fall 2009 to identify species associated with damping-off during early spring planting. Of 305 isolates baited from soil sampled from 37 certified organic fields, 264 were identified to 16 Pythium spp. by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA. A soil DNA-CFU regression curve was developed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays for each of the three predominant pathogenic species (Pythium abappressorium, the P. irregulare complex, and P. ultimum var. ultimum) found in soil sampled from the 37 fields. The P. irregulare complex, P. abappressorium, and P. ultimum var. ultimum were detected in 57, 78, and 100% of the fields sampled, respectively. A regression analysis was used to determine that P. ultimum var. ultimum ranged from 14 to 332 CFU/g of soil in the 37 fields, the P. irregulare complex ranged from 25 to 228 CFU/g of soil, and P. abappressorium DNA was below the quantifiable limit. In summary, P. ultimum var. ultimum was the most prevalent pathogenic Pythium sp. detected in certified organic fields in the semiarid Columbia Basin of central Washington but multiple Pythium spp. may be associated with damping-off in cool and wet, early spring planting conditions.

Impaired responses to gliadin and gut microbes of immune cells from mice with altered stress-related behavior and premature immune senescence.

Stress is associated with impaired communication between the nervous and immune systems leading to immunosenescence and increased disease risk. We investigated whether leukocytes from mice with altered stress-related behavior and premature immunosenescence, as well as from chronologically aged mice differently responded ex vivo to celiac disease (CD) triggers (gliadin) and intestinal bacteria by ELISA and flow cytometry and differed in microbiota composition. We found that altered stress-related behavior and premature immunosenescence led to alterations in T lymphocytes and cytokine release of immune cells basally and in response to peptic fragments of gliadin and commensal and pathogenic bacteria, possibly increasing susceptibility to CD in adulthood.

Cryopreservation of human sperm in a lecithin-supplemented freezing medium.

The use of egg yolk and serum albumin as additive diluents for human sperm cryopreservation is routine. But because both diluents are of animal origin, they potentially may introduce microbial agents to the sample. To reduce the risk of contamination, the cryoprotective property of phospholipids extracted from lecithin was evaluated and found to be effective when supplemented with dimethyl sulfoxide and glycerol.