Development of clobetasol-loaded biodegradable nanoparticles as an endodontic intracanal medicament.

AIM: The aim of current study is the development and optimization of biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) to be used in the field of Endodontics as intracanal medication in cases of avulsed teeth with extended extra-oral time, utilizing PLGA polymers loaded with the anti-inflammatory drug clobetasol propionate (CP). METHODOLOGY: CP-loaded nanoparticles (CP-NPs) were prepared using the solvent displacement method. CP release profile from CP-NPs was assessed for 48 h against free CP. Using extracted human teeth, the degree of infiltration inside the dentinal tubules was studied for both CP-NPs and CP. The anti-inflammatory capacity of CP-NPs was evaluated in vitro measuring their response and reaction against inflammatory cells, in particular against macrophages. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to examine the cytokine release of IL-1ß and TNF-α. RESULTS: Optimized CP-NPs displayed an average size below 200 nm and a monomodal population. Additionally, spherical morphology and non-aggregation of CP-NPs were confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. Interaction studies showed that CP was encapsulated inside the NPs and no covalent bonds were formed. Moreover, CP-NPs exhibited a prolonged and steady release with only 21% of the encapsulated CP released after 48 h. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, it was observed that CP-NPs were able to display enhanced penetration into the dentinal tubules. Neither the release of TNF-α nor IL-1ß increased in CP-NPs compared to the LPS control, displaying results similar and even less than the TCP after 48 h. Moreover, IL-1ß release in LPS-stimulated cells, decreased when macrophages were treated with CP-NPs. CONCLUSIONS: In the present work, CP-NPs were prepared, optimized and characterized displaying significant increase in the degree of infiltration inside the dentinal tubules against CP and were able to significantly reduce TNF-α release. Therefore, CP-NPs constitute a promising therapy for the treatment of avulsed teeth with extended extra-oral time.

Influence of the Mediterranean diet on seminal quality-a systematic review.

Currently, there is a growing interest in the study of fertility because fertility-related problems affect up to 15% of the world's population. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of the Mediterranean diet on seminal quality in men of reproductive age. For this purpose, a systematic review of the literature was carried out following the PRISMA method. Electronic searches were carried out in the international databases PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. In total, 10 articles with 2032 men were included. As inclusion criteria, articles published between 2012 and 2022 were selected, including those that included men aged between 18 and 55 years. Nutritional status was assessed through weight, height, and BMI. Dietary habits were evaluated through different indexes and food frequency questionnaires, and finally, semen quality was evaluated by measuring sperm concentration and motility (progressive and non-progressive). In six (60%) of the included articles, a positive relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and semen quality was demonstrated; in two (20%) of the articles, no association was found; and finally, in two (20%) of the included articles, the relationship between dietary patterns typical of DM and semen quality was evaluated. Dietary habits influence semen quality. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet can improve male reproductive health, as it is a diet with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This is the first systematic review about the influence of the Mediterranean diet on semen quality, and the results are positive. These findings may allow us to provide better advice to our patients and to establish interventions with the aim of improving the results of assisted reproduction techniques.

Accurate Measurement of Temperatures in Industrial Grinding Operations with Steep Gradients.

Due to the continuously growing demands from high-added-value sectors such as aerospace, e-mobility or biomedical bound-abrasive technologies are the key to achieving extreme requirements. During grinding, energy is rapidly dissipated as heat, generating thermal fields on the ground part which are characterized by high temperatures and very steep gradients. The consequences on the ground part are broadly known as grinding burn. Therefore, the measurement of workpiece temperature during grinding has become a critical issue. Many techniques have been used for temperature measurement in grinding, amongst which, the so-called grindable thermocouples exhibit great potential and have been successfully used in creep-feed grinding operations, in which table speed is low, and therefore, temperature gradients are not very steep. However, in conventional grinding operations with faster table speeds, as most industrial operations are, the delay in the response of the thermocouple results in large errors in the maximum measured value. In this paper, the need for accurate calibration of the response of grindable thermocouples is studied as a prior step for signal integration to correct thermal inertia. The results show that, if the raw signal is directly used from the thermocouples, the deviation in the maximum temperature with respect to the theoretical model is over 200 K. After integration using the calibration constants obtained for the ground junction, the error can be reduced to 93 K even for feed speeds as high as 40 m/min and below 20 K for lower feed speeds. The main conclusion is that, following the proposed procedure, maximum grinding temperatures can be effectively measured using grindable thermocouples even at high values of table speed.

Microcomputed tomographic evaluation of 6 NiTi files on the pericervical dentin and the smallest dentin thickness zones in mesial root canals of mandibular molars: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate six files on the pericervical dentin (PCD) and the smallest dentin thickness zones (SDTZ) in mesial root canals of mandibular molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty mandibular molars with two mesial canals and Vertucci configuration were aleatory allocated in 6 experimental groups of 10 molars and 20 root canals. Specimens were scanned before instrumentation using the SkyScan 1275 (Bruker microCT, Kontich, Belgium). Group 1 was treated with WaveOne Gold (WG), group 2 with Reciproc Blue (RB), group 3 with TRUShape (TS), group 4 with XP-endo Shaper (XP), group 5 with iRace (IR), and group 6 with TruNatomy (TN). After instrumentation, the molars were scanned again and the images recorded were reconstructed with the NRecon v.1.7 (Bruker micro-CT) and analyzed with CTAn v.1.20.8 software (Bruker micro-CT) quantifying the changes produced in the surface, volume, structure thickness, SMI, and centroids at the Pericervical Dentin area of the root canals (PCD) located from the root canal orifices at the floor of the pulp chamber to 4 mm in the apical direction, and the changes in the Smallest Dentin Thickness Zones (SDTZ) located (from the furcation to 4 mm and 7 mm in the apical direction. The data obtained were compared using Wilcoxon and ANOVA with a 5% significance level. RESULTS: XP and TN were similar in all the parameters (P >.05) at the PCD, but TN showed significant differences from WG, RB, TS, and IR (P <.05), while XP showed significant differences from WG (P <.05) in volume, surface, and structure thickness. Regarding the changes in the SDTZ, the amount of dentin removed was similar between the groups in both canals at the middle 1/3, at the cervical 1/3 for MB canals, and in ML canals for RB, TS, XP, IR, and TN (P>.05). The action of WG was significantly different from that of XP and TN in the cervical 1/3 of the ML canal (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: XP and TN rotatory files with small taper and volume maintained better with minor changes at the PCD and SDTZ, while WG reciprocation file produced the largest change. All the files were maintained centered at the PCD, and their performances were safe with a minimal thickness higher 0.5 mm at the SDTZ, and without risk of perforation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: No clinical trials were indicated in this study. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The choice of endodontic files is a relevant factor in the conservative performance of root canal treatments.

Calcium hydroxide-loaded nanoparticles dispersed in thermosensitive gel as a novel intracanal medicament.

AIM: Design, produce and assess the viability of a novel nanotechnological antibacterial thermo-sensible intracanal medicament This involves encapsulating calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2 ) within polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) and dispersing them in a thermosensitive gel (Ca(OH)2 -NPs-gel). In addition, perform in vitro and ex vivo assessments to evaluate tissue irritation and penetration capacity into dentinal tubules in comparison to free Ca(OH)2 . METHODOLOGY: Reproducibility of Ca(OH)2-NPs was confirmed by obtaining the average size of the NPs, their polydispersity index, zeta potential and entrapment efficiency. Moreover, rheological studies of Ca(OH)2 -NPs-gel were carried out with a rheometer, studying the oscillatory stress sweep, the mean viscosity value, frequency and temperature sweeps. Tolerance was assessed using the membrane of an embryonated chicken egg. In vitro Ca(OH)2 release was studied by direct dialysis in an aqueous media monitoring the amount of Ca(OH)2 released. Six extracted human teeth were used to study the depth of penetration of fluorescently labelled Ca(OH)2 -NPs-gel into the dentinal tubules and significant differences against free Ca(OH)2 were calculated using one-way anova. RESULTS: Ca(OH)2 -NPs-gel demonstrated to be highly reproducible with an average size below 200 nm, a homogeneous NPs population, negative surface charge and high entrapment efficiency. The analysis of the thermosensitive gel allowed us to determine its rheological characteristics, showing that at 10°C gels owned a fluid-like behaviour meanwhile at 37°C they owned an elastic-like behaviour. Ca(OH)2 -NPs-gel showed a prolonged drug release and the depth of penetration inside the dentinal tubules increased in the most apical areas. In addition, it was found that this drug did not produce irritation when applied to tissues such as eggs' chorialantoidonic membrane. CONCLUSION: Calcium hydroxide-loaded PLGA NPs dispersed in a thermosensitive gel may constitute a suitable alternative as an intracanal antibacterial medicament.

[The importance of nutrition in the prevention of endometriosis: systematic review]. / La importancia de la alimentación en la prevención de la endometriosis: revisión sistemática.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: endometriosis is a hormone-dependent disorder characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue in extrauterine sites, which can trigger a chronic inflammatory reaction. This disease mainly affects women of childbearing age and can have a negative impact on their physical, mental and social well-being. There are eating patterns considered as anti-inflammatory, such as the Mediterranean diet, which could help in the prevention and treatment of endometriosis. The objective of this review was to know the relationship between the consumption of different food groups and the prevention of endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: a systematic review was carried out following the PRISMA methodology. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases were consulted. Studies published between 2013 and 2023 were selected, accessible in full text, written in English and Spanish and including a sample of women with endometriosis and/or healthy women, in addition to evaluating the relationship between diet and endometriosis. Unrelated articles, systematic reviews or meta-analyses, pilot studies and studies conducted in animals were excluded. RESULTS: a total of ten studies were included. The consumption of fruits, vegetables (not cruciferous), dairy products, fish, potatoes, legumes, vitamins (A, C, D and B12), monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids and minerals (calcium, potassium and magnesium) seems to reduce the risk of endometriosis. CONCLUSIONS: further studies investigating the relationship between consumption of different food groups and risk of endometriosis are needed.

"The COVID-19 pandemic and operational challenges, impacts, and lessons learned: a multi-methods study of U.S. prison systems".

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic changed U.S. prison operations and influenced the daily work of prison staff. METHODS: In collaboration with the National Institute of Corrections, we administered a survey to 31 state correctional agencies in April 2021 and conducted five focus groups with 62 correctional staff. RESULTS: Using a framework of bounded rationality, we find that daily operations were strained, particularly in the areas of staffing, implementing public health policy efforts, and sustaining correctional programming. While prison systems and staff were under-prepared to respond to the pandemic, they attempted to address complex problems with the limited resources they had. CONCLUSIONS: Results underscore a need in corrections for prioritizing further developments and reviews of collaborative policies and practices for managing crisis situations. Seeking avenues for leveraging technological innovations to improve operations and facilitate enhanced communication are especially warranted. Finally, meaningful reductions in the prison population, changes in physical infrastructure, and expansions of hiring and retention initiatives are critical for positioning prisons to manage future emergencies.

[COVID-19 vaccination at the University of Alicante (Spain): detection of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 by rapid serological test, a cross-sectional study]. / Vacunación contra la COVID-19 en la Universidad de Alicante (España): detección de anticuerpos neutralizantes frente al sars-CoV-2 mediante test serológico rápido, un estudio transversal.

OBJECTIVE: Neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 have shown to be an effective tool for the analysis of the immunity generated against COVID-19. Numerous seroprevalence studies carried out in different groups have made it possible to draw a global map of vaccination coverage through the use of rapid lateral flow immunochromatography serological tests for clinical and epidemiological purposes. The objective of our study was to determine the degree of immunity against SARS-CoV-2 associated with the presence of neutralizing antibodies in administrative staff, teachers and students at the University of Alicante by means of a rapid serological test and to learn about their experience with vaccination against COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was designed, based on the prevalence of antibodies against the S protein (spike) of SARS-CoV-2. A total of 888 people participated. The study was carried out with a single test (July 6 to July 22, 2021). Using logistic regression, adjusted Odds Ratios were calculated according to sex, age, type of vaccine, number of vaccine doses received, complete vaccination schedule, and having had COVID-19. RESULTS: The vaccines received mostly were Vaxzevria® and Comirnaty®, with 73.3% between both, although 67.2% presented a complete regimen. The results of the OJABIO rapid neutralizing antibody test gave a positive result in 61.4% of the sample. There was a high association between the variables COVID-19 infection, two doses of vaccine, Spikevax® or Comirnaty® vaccine, and eighteen/twenty-nine years old group with a positive result on the OJABIO test. A total of 712 subjects answered the parallel survey (80%) on adverse effects and preferences between the different vaccines against COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: The vaccination status against COVID-19 in the university community after six months of the start of national immunization strategies reflects low coverage despite the excellent willingness to get vaccinated. Neutralizing antibodies (NAb) rapid tests can be useful to guide immunization strategies and decide when to administer new booster doses.

OBJECTIVE: Los anticuerpos neutralizantes frente al SARS-CoV-2 han resultado una herramienta eficaz para el análisis de la inmunidad generada frente a la COVID-19. Numerosos estudios de seroprevalencia realizados en diferentes colectivos han permitido trazar un mapa global sobre la cobertura vacunal mediante el uso de pruebas serológicas rápidas de inmunocromatografía de flujo lateral con fines clínicos y epidemiológicos. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue determinar el grado de inmunidad frente al SARS-CoV-2 asociado a la presencia de anticuerpos neutralizantes en personal administrativo, docentes y estudiantes de la Universidad de Alicante, mediante un test serológico rápido, así como conocer su experiencia sobre la vacunación frente a la COVID-19. METHODS: Se diseñó un estudio epidemiológico, transversal, basado en la prevalencia de anticuerpos frente a la proteína S (espícula o Spike) del SARS-CoV-2. Participaron un total de 888 personas. El estudio se llevó a cabo con un único test (6 de julio a 22 de julio de 2021). Mediante regresión logística se calcularon Odds Ratios ajustadas según sexo, edad, tipo de vacuna, número de dosis de vacuna recibidas, pauta completa de vacunación y haber padecido la COVID-19. RESULTS: Las vacunas recibidas mayoritariamente fueron Vaxzevria® y Comirnaty®, con un 73,3% entre ambas; el 67,2% presentó pauta completa. Los resultados del test rápido de anticuerpos neutralizantes OJABIO dieron un resultado positivo en el 61,4% de la muestra. La posibilidad de un resultado positivo en el test OJABIO estuvo fuertemente asociada a haber padecido la COVID-19, haber recibido dos dosis, estar vacunado con Spikevax® o Comirnaty® o pertenecer al grupo de dieciocho a veintinueve años. Un total de 712 sujetos respondieron a un cuestionario (80%) paralelo sobre los efectos adversos y las preferencias entre las distintas vacunas contra la COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: El estado de vacunación frente a la COVID-19 en la comunidad universitaria a los seis meses de la puesta en marcha de las estrategias nacionales de inmunización refleja una baja cobertura asociada, a pesar de la excelente predisposición a vacunarse. Los test rápidos de anticuerpos neutralizantes (AcN) pueden ser de utilidad para orientar las estrategias de inmunización y para decidir el momento de administrar nuevas dosis de refuerzo.

Obstrucción intestinal secundario a vólvulo de sigmoides en un paciente joven Reporte de un caso / Intestinal Obstruction Secondary to Sigmoid Volvulus in a Young Patient. Case report

Resumen El vólvulo de sigmoides ocurre como resultado de una torsión del eje mesentérico colónico, cuenta con una etiología multifactorial y controvertida, de fisiopatología no clara aún. Presenta un cuadro clínico de inicio inespecífico y posteriores signos y síntomas de oclusión intestinal; su diagnóstico se establece mediante tomografía computarizada, con una sensibilidad y especificidad mayor al 90%. El manejo dependerá de la condición clínica del paciente. Caso clínico: Hombre de 29 años con antecedente de síndrome de Asperger. Refirió que desde 7 días previos a su ingreso presentó dolor tipo cólico difuso, asociado a distensión abdominal e intolerancia a la vía oral. Acudió a valoración hospitalaria donde se realizóa tomografía computarizada con niveles hidroaéreos, torsión de arteria mesentérica inferior de aspecto de torbellino. Se realizó laparotomía exploradora a través de la cual se encontró sigmoides dilatado y volvulado, con perforación en la unión rectosigmoidea; se realizó sigmoidectomía con colorectoanastomosis. Al quinto día presentó datos de respuesta inflamatoria con abdomen agudo, por lo que ingresó a laparotomía exploradora donde se encontró dehiscencia de anastomosis; se realizó procedimiento de Hartmann. El paciente presentó choque séptico y falleció a las 24 horas del postquirúrgico. Discusión: La presentación de vólvulo sigmoides generalmente se presenta en personas mayores de 70 años, pocos casos se describen en personas jóvenes y están relacionados con enfermedad de dismotilidad intestinal. El paciente no contaba con factores predisponentes, el diagnóstico se estableció con imágenes características de la enfermedad, como la imagen en torbellino, se decidió manejo quirúrgico con la realización de resección con colorectoanastomosis. Conclusión: La oclusión intestinal por vólvulo sigmoides es una patología infrecuente en jóvenes y de clínica inespecífica. Ante un paciente que presente datos de oclusión intestinal deberá ser abordado de manera apropiada, sobre todo en pacientes en quienes hayan debutado con una clínica insidiosa y persistente de dolor abdominal secundario a oclusión intestinal, sean jóvenes con o sin factores de riesgo.

Abstract Sigmoid volvulus occurs due to a torsion of the colonic mesenteric axis, it has a multifactorial and controversial etiology, and its pathophysiology is not yet clear. Presenting a clinical picture of non-specific onset and later signs and symptoms of intestinal occlusion, its diagnosis is established with computed tomography with a sensitivity and specificity greater than 90%. Management will depend on the clinical condition of the patient. Clinical case: A 29-year-old man with a history of Asperger syndrome. He referred 7 days prior to admission with diffuse cramping pain, associated with abdominal distension and oral intolerance. He went to the hospital for evaluation where a computed tomography was performed with air-fluid levels, torsion of the inferior mesenteric artery with a whirlwind appearance. Exploratory laparotomy was performed, finding a dilated and volvulated sigmoid with perforation at the rectosigmoid junction. A sigmoidectomy with colorectal anastomosis was performed. On the fifth day, he presented data of inflammatory response with acute abdomen, entering exploratory laparotomy finding anastomosis dehiscence, Hartmann procedure was performed. The patient presented septic shock, died 24 hours after surgery. Discussion: The presentation of sigmoid volvulus generally occurs in people older than 70 years, few cases are described in young people and are related to intestinal dysmotility disease, the patient did not have predisposing factors, the diagnosis is established with characteristic images of the disease such as whirlwind image, surgical management is decided by performing resection with colorectal anastomosis. Conclusion: Intestinal occlusion due to sigmoid volvulus is an infrequent pathology in young people and with non-specific symptoms. When faced with a patient presenting evidence of intestinal occlusion, this should be appropriately addressed, especially in patients who have debuted with insidious and persistent symptoms of abdominal pain secondary to intestinal occlusion, whether they are young with or without risk factors.

Successful Root Canal Treatment of an Atypical Mandibular Canine with a Boomerang-shaped Root and Canal System with a Large Periapical lesion-A Case Report with 9-year Follow-up.

AIM: This report describes an atypical mandibular canine with a single boomerang-shaped root and root canal system with a large periapical lesion managed by root canal treatment. METHODS: The chief complaint of a 16-year-old male was acute pain and an abnormal sensation in the right mandibular canine (tooth #27). The clinical examination revealed that tooth #27 had an unusual coronal morphology. The buccal aspect of the tooth resembled that of a normal canine but was significantly broader than expected. On the lingual aspect of the crown; however, there was an unusual cusp-like structure with ridges that was slightly less prominent than the buccal incisal tip. The intraoral periapical radiographs revealed a complex root with an obvious cow horn-shaped canal mesially and distally, but with the suggestion of a root structure joining the mesial and distal extensions. A large periapical lesion was present. Computed tomography revealed the presence of a single root and canal system shaped like a boomerang. Root canal treatment was performed and the patient was followed-up for 9 years. RESULTS: Following root canal treatment, the patient had no symptoms, no mobility, no periodontal pockets, or root resorption. At 9 years, the cone beam computed tomography images confirmed that satisfactory healing of the periapical tissues had occurred. CONCLUSION: The mandibular right canine had a unique boomerang-shaped root and canal system. Effective shaping and cleaning of the complex canal shape plus thermoplastic root filling aided the successful healing of the periapical lesion.

Neurocognitive Suicide and Homicide Markers in Patients with Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review.

Suicide and homicide are considered important problems in public health. This study aims to identify the cognitive performance of suicidal and homicidal behaviors in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, as well as examining whether there are shared neuropsychological mechanisms. A systematic review of the recent literature was carried out from September 2012 to June 2022 using the Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Among the 870 studies initially identified, 23 were finally selected (15 related to suicidal behaviors and 8 to homicidal behaviors). The results evidenced a relationship between impairment of cognitive performance and homicidal behavior; meanwhile, for suicidal behaviors, no consistent results were found. High neuropsychological performance seems to act as a protective factor against violent behavior in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, but not against suicidal behavior; indeed, it can even act as a risk factor for suicidal behavior. To date, there is insufficient evidence that shared neurocognitive mechanisms exist. However, processing speed and visual memory seem to be affected in the presence of both behaviors.

Personalized Interventional Surgery of the Lumbar Spine: A Perspective on Minimally Invasive and Neuroendoscopic Decompression for Spinal Stenosis.

Pain generator-based lumbar spinal decompression surgery is the backbone of modern spine care. In contrast to traditional image-based medical necessity criteria for spinal surgery, assessing the severity of neural element encroachment, instability, and deformity, staged management of common painful degenerative lumbar spine conditions is likely to be more durable and cost-effective. Targeting validated pain generators can be accomplished with simplified decompression procedures associated with lower perioperative complications and long-term revision rates. In this perspective article, the authors summarize the current concepts of successful management of spinal stenosis patients with modern transforaminal endoscopic and translaminar minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques. They represent the consensus statements of 14 international surgeon societies, who have worked in collaborative teams in an open peer-review model based on a systematic review of the existing literature and grading the strength of its clinical evidence. The authors found that personalized clinical care protocols for lumbar spinal stenosis rooted in validated pain generators can successfully treat most patients with sciatica-type back and leg pain including those who fail to meet traditional image-based medical necessity criteria for surgery since nearly half of the surgically treated pain generators are not shown on the preoperative MRI scan. Common pain generators in the lumbar spine include (a) an inflamed disc, (b) an inflamed nerve, (c) a hypervascular scar, (d) a hypertrophied superior articular process (SAP) and ligamentum flavum, (e) a tender capsule, (f) an impacting facet margin, (g) a superior foraminal facet osteophyte and cyst, (h) a superior foraminal ligament impingement, (i) a hidden shoulder osteophyte. The position of the key opinion authors of the perspective article is that further clinical research will continue to validate pain generator-based treatment protocols for lumbar spinal stenosis. The endoscopic technology platform enables spine surgeons to directly visualize pain generators, forming the basis for more simplified targeted surgical pain management therapies. Limitations of this care model are dictated by appropriate patient selection and mastering the learning curve of modern MIS procedures. Decompensated deformity and instability will likely continue to be treated with open corrective surgery. Vertically integrated outpatient spine care programs are the most suitable setting for executing such pain generator-focused programs.

[The use of sports facilities for physical activity: a public health and equity perspective]. / El uso de instalaciones deportivas para promover la actividad física: una perspectiva de salud pública y equidad.

Introduction: Background: despite multimillion-dollar investments in sports facilities, there is little information on their contribution to energy expenditure of the population. In this study, participation in 71 physical activities (PAs) and 31 different types of spaces was examined. Objectives: to evaluate which types of spaces are more effective from a public health perspective. Methods: a cross-sectional sample was designed, stratified and proportional to the adult population of Gran Canaria (n = 3,000, ≥ 18 years). PA was evaluated using a validated questionnaire. The spaces used were grouped into two categories: public open spaces and sport facilities. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Results: the open public spaces accumulated a volume of hours for PA between 1.6 and 28.4 times higher than the sport facilities depending on the socio-demographic group analyzed. The indoor sport facilities were the ones that expressed the greatest associative strength with the achievement of PA recommendations (OR = 5.45, 95 % CI: 4.01; 7.40). Conclusion: a dilemma was posed from a public health perspective because the urban open public spaces reached more population and supported most of the population's energy expenditure, particularly in the groups with the highest health risk, but the indoor sport facilities were the ones that best contributed to achieving a healthy level of physical activity. This study suggests changes in the polices of construction and management of sport facilities and open public spaces to increase PA in groups at higher health risk.

Introducción: Introducción: pese a las inversiones multimillonarias en instalaciones para la actividad física-deportiva, hay poca información acerca de su contribución en el gasto energético poblacional. En este estudio examinamos la participación en 71 actividades físicas (AF) y 31 tipos de espacios diferentes. Objetivo: valorar qué tipos de espacios son más eficaces desde una perspectiva de salud pública y equidad. Método: muestra transversal aleatoria, estratificada y proporcional en género y edad a la población de adultos de Gran Canaria (n = 3.000, ≥ 18 años). La AF fue evaluada mediante cuestionario validado. Los espacios de AF fueron agrupados en dos categorías: espacios públicos abiertos (EPA) e instalaciones deportivas. Para analizar los datos se emplearon estadística descriptiva y regresión logística múltiple. Resultados: los EPA acumularon un volumen de horas de AF entre 1,6 y 28,4 veces mayor que las instalaciones deportivas dependiendo del grupo sociodemográfico analizado. Las instalaciones deportivas cubiertas fueron las que expresaron la mayor fuerza asociativa con el logro de las recomendaciones de AF (OR = 5,45, IC 95 %: 4,01; 7,40). Conclusiones: se planteó un dilema desde una perspectiva de salud porque los EPA urbanos llegaron a más población y dieron soporte a la mayor parte del gasto energético poblacional, particularmente, en los grupos de mayor riesgo de salud, pero las instalaciones deportivas cubiertas fueron las que mejor contribuyeron a lograr un nivel saludable de actividad física. Este estudio sugiere cambios en las políticas de construcción y gestión de instalaciones deportivas y EPA para aumentar la AF en los grupos de mayor riesgo de salud.

Urachal sinus: An atypical case and review of the literature.

Urachal sinus is a rare type of urachal abnormality. It happens because of blind focal dilation at the umbilical end and has increased risk of infection. We report the case of a 23-year-old female with abdominal pain and umbilical discharge. Ultrasound detected a possible infected urachal sinus which was initially treated with antibiotic therapy. Urachal sinus excision and laparoscopic bladder raffia was later performed with no recurrence at present. Diagnosis of this pathology is essential given that surgery is curative and avoids complications such as neoplastic transformation.

Rapid determination of essential oils functional groups using compositional methods and VisNIR spectroscopy.

Essential oils (EOs) are natural products formed by plant volatile compounds. EOs are frequently used in the cosmetic and food industries as well as for domestic purposes, because of their physiochemical, biological and sensory properties. The functional groups (FG), corresponding to various chemical structures present in EOs, are responsible for their biological activities. Therefore, simple, rapid, and economical techniques suitable to characterize the EOs features by measuring their contents, are of great interest. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) highlights because of its rapidity, and being no-contaminant, as a potential solution. Multivariate correlation methods are commonly used to build NIRS calibrations. These methods were designed for the real space, that is for values comprised between - ∞ and + ∞. However, EOs components are co-dependent data restricted to a simplex space. These are the so-called compositional data (CoDa), needing specific methods to be correlated with a set of spectral explicative variables. In this study, compositional visible and near-infrared (VISNIRS) models have been assessed to quantify the FG of the analyzed EOs. For this purpose, the FG were organized according to their greater frequency in 1) alcohol; 2) ether; 3) ester; 4) aldehydes; 5) ketones, and the hydrocarbon fraction representing the remainder EOs mass, to characterize them. The approach of this study, based on compositional models from VISNIRS spectra, has provided a satisfactory predictive performance for the quantitative estimation of the main FG of the EOs. The proposed approach can be an alternative to traditional chemical methods to characterize EOs.

Gang intervention during COVID-19: A qualitative study of multidisciplinary teams and street outreach in Denver.

Gang and violence intervention programs have become a staple in American cities. These programs often find themselves navigating turbulent political environments, a challenge that can be exacerbated during times of societal upheaval, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study examines how the pandemic impacted the forms and functions of the Gang Reduction Initiative of Denver (GRID). While GRID coordinates many strategies and collaborates with government and community groups across Denver, its centerpiece intervention entails multidisciplinary teams and street outreach, the focus of this qualitative study. We draw on 197  hours of field-based observation and 19 semi-structured interviews gathered as part of an evaluation of this intervention-initiated prior to the pandemic-to arrive at three key conclusions on the impact of COVID-19. First, upper-level administrative support can be a critical factor in agency efficacy and morale. City government's tenuous familiarity and ties with GRID was consequential to non-essential classification at the early stage of the pandemic. Second, agency leaders are crucial advocates for their agency, as GRID navigated many challenges without stable leadership and suffered as a result. Finally, interagency collaboration and relationships are slow to develop and easy to lose, made even more fragile in times of crisis. We discuss these findings in the context of large-scale federal investment in community violence intervention.