Knowledge sharing in virtual communities of practice of family caregivers of people with Alzheimer's.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge sharing can only happen in the context of a trusting and supportive environment, such as evolves in communities of practice and their virtual equivalent, virtual communities of practice. The main objective of this study was to understand knowledge sharing between participants in a virtual community of practice of caregivers of people with Alzheimer's. METHODS: The authors designed their own mobile application, and two virtual communities of practice were created independently and differentiated by how they were moderated: one by an expert caregiver and the other by three health professionals. 38 caregivers and four moderators were involved in the study, which ran between July 2017 and April 2018. A total of 1925 messages were exchanged within the two communities and used as data in the study. Message data was analysed using LINKS (Leveraging Internet Networks for knowledge sharing). RESULTS: Participants were more motivated to acquire knowledge related to caring for the person with Alzheimer's rather than caring for themselves. The purpose of the messages was to inform others about the sender and not to seek answers. It seems that the interaction was more to socialise and to feel heard, than to gain information. Face to face meetings appear to have accelerated community development. On nearly every parameter, behaviour was significantly different in the two communities, reflecting the importance of the character of the moderator. Caring for oneself was a much stronger theme in the community that included health professionals. Experiential knowledge sharing was particularly strong in the group led by a caregiver. DISCUSSION: Caregivers adapted the virtual community of practice to their own needs and mainly shared social knowledge. This focus on social support, which seems to be more valued by the caregivers than information about the disease, was not an expected pattern. Virtual communities of practice where peers count on each other, function more as a support group, whereas those moderated by health professionals function more as a place to go to acquire information. The level of interactivity points to such communities being important for knowledge sharing not mere knowledge transfer.

The association of circulating bioenergetic metabolites with healthy human aging.

Aging is an inevitable and gradual decline in several biological functions. Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the most important hallmarks of aging. In this context, alterations in metabolites associated with mitochondrial dysfunction may serve as a significant biomarker. This study aimed to investigate the existence of a relationship between the key metabolites involved in bioenergetics metabolism and aging. 53 volunteers ranged 20-85 years participated in the study. We tested the association between different tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolites, fatty acid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism with age, sex, body composition, and proxy markers of aging such as walking speed, grip strength and chair test. We found that lactic acid negatively correlated with age while several fatty acid metabolites, such as azelaic, sebacic, and linoleic acids, showed positive correlations with age (p < 0.05). Sex-specific trends, such as glycerol, and dodecanoic acid, were also observed for certain metabolites. Furthermore, citric acid levels were found to have a significant association with physical function and body composition measures. Participants with higher citric acid levels displayed improved performance in physical tests and favorable body composition indices. Additionally, fumaric acid and adipic acid showed positive correlations with fat-free body mass, while sebacic acid was negatively associated with measures of fat mass. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the role of circulating bioenergetics metabolites with age, sex variations, and their potential implications in body composition and physical performance.

Care of pharmaco-resistant absence seizures in childhood.

In childhood absence epilepsy, pharmaco-resistance occurs in 20-30% of patients. In that situation, glucose transporter type 1 deficiency has to be ruled out, especially if absences started before the age of four years and if neurological signs are present. If ethosuximide, valproate and lamotrigine have failed in monotherapy or in association, there are currently no valuable therapeutic options. The same rules apply for epilepsy with myoclonic absences. Importantly, arguments supporting that making the patient seizure-free will improve eventual associated cognitive deficits such as attention deficit are very weak. Therefore, limiting the cognitive side effects of the anti-epileptic drugs has always to be a priority when faced with typical refractory absences in childhood. In epilepsy with eyelid myoclonia, the majority of patients are pharmaco-resistant. However, absence seizures, if present, tend to be very brief, and seizures are limited in many patients to eyelid myoclonia that eventually do not affect their quality of life and are well attenuated by wearing blue lenses. Atypical absences occurring in the course a developmental and/or epileptic encephalopathy are often pharmaco-resistant. In that situation, characterizing the type of epilepsy syndrome and searching for a specific genetic or structural etiology are needed to offer the best therapeutic options to the patient.

Inactivation of tomato WAT1 leads to reduced susceptibility to Clavibacter michiganensis through downregulation of bacterial virulence factors.

Tomato bacterial canker caused by Clavibacter michiganensis (Cm) is considered to be one of the most destructive bacterial diseases of tomato. To date, no resistance to the pathogen has been identified. While several molecular studies have identified (Cm) bacterial factors involved in disease development, the plant genes and mechanisms associated with susceptibility of tomato to the bacterium remain largely unknown. Here, we show for the first time that tomato gene SlWAT1 is a susceptibility gene to Cm. We inactivated the gene SlWAT1 through RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 to study changes in tomato susceptibility to Cm. Furthermore, we analysed the role of the gene in the molecular interaction with the pathogen. Our findings demonstrate that SlWAT1 functions as an S gene to genetically diverse Cm strains. Inactivation of SlWAT1 reduced free auxin contents and ethylene synthesis in tomato stems and suppressed the expression of specific bacterial virulence factors. However, CRISPR/Cas9 slwat1 mutants exhibited severe growth defects. The observed reduced susceptibility is possibly a result of downregulation of bacterial virulence factors and reduced auxin contents in transgenic plants. This shows that inactivation of an S gene may affect the expression of bacterial virulence factors.

Estimating personal solar ultraviolet radiation exposure through time spent outdoors, ambient levels and modelling approaches.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on validation of surrogates applied to evaluate the personal exposure levels of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in epidemiological studies is scarce. OBJECTIVES: To determine and compare the validity of three approaches, including (i) ambient UVR levels, (ii) time spent outdoors and (iii) a modelling approach integrating the aforementioned parameters, to estimate personal UVR exposure over a period of 6 months among indoor and outdoor workers and in different seasons (summer/winter). METHODS: This validation study was part of the European Commission-funded ICEPURE project and was performed between July 2010 and January 2011 in a convenience sample of indoor and outdoor workers in Catalunya, Spain. We developed linear regression models to quantify the variation in the objectively measured personal UVR exposure that could be explained, separately, by the ambient UVR, time spent outdoors and modelled UVR levels. RESULTS: Our 39 participants - mostly male and with a median age of 35 years - presented a median daily objectively measured UVR of 0·37 standard erythemal doses. The UVR dose was statistically significantly higher in summer and for outdoor workers. The modelled personal UVR exposure and self-reported time spent outdoors could reasonably predict the variation in the objectively measured personal UVR levels (R2 range 0·75-0·79), whereas ambient UVR was a poor predictor (R2 = 0·21). No notable differences were found between seasons or occupation. CONCLUSIONS: Time outdoors and our modelling approach were reliable predictors and of value to be applied in epidemiological studies of the health effects of current exposure to UVR.

The association between natural outdoor environments and common somatic symptoms.

There is growing evidence that urban natural outdoor environments (NOE) may positively impact health by reducing stress and stress-related symptoms. However, there is limited research investigating this link across a range of NOE indicators. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between neighbourhood NOE (availability, use, and satisfaction with NOE) and common somatic symptoms and the role of potential mediators. Data were analysed from 3481 adults from Barcelona (Spain), Doetinchem (Netherlands), Kaunas (Lithuania) and Stoke-on-Trent (United Kingdom). NOE data were obtained through self-reported data and environmental measurements. Common somatic symptom data were self-reported. Mixed effects regression models were used for analysis, with models adjusted for potential sociodemographic confounders. Higher satisfaction with neighbourhood NOE was associated with lower prevalence of common somatic symptoms (exp(ß) 0.97; 95% CI 0.96, 0.98); an association partially mediated by mental health, social cohesion and air quality concern. A longer time spent in NOE was associated with lower prevalence of common somatic symptoms in low socioeconomic status neighbourhoods (exp(ß) 0.98; 95% CI 0.96, 1.00). A higher number of neighbourhood green spaces (300m buffer) was associated with higher prevalence of common somatic symptoms (exp(ß) 1.03; 95% CI 1.00, 1.05). No statistically significant associations were found for other NOE indicators. Study findings suggest that higher satisfaction with NOE may be associated with lower prevalence of common somatic symptoms, with mental health, social cohesion and concern about air quality playing partial mediating roles. Little evidence was found of an association between objective NOE measurements and common somatic symptoms, underlining the importance of perceptions of NOE for conferring health benefits.

Volatile Compounds in Citrus Essential Oils: A Comprehensive Review.

The essential oil fraction obtained from the rind of Citrus spp. is rich in chemical compounds of interest for the food and perfume industries, and therefore has been extensively studied during the last decades. In this manuscript, we provide a comprehensive review of the volatile composition of this oil fraction and rind extracts for the 10 most studied Citrus species: C. sinensis (sweet orange), C. reticulata (mandarin), C. paradisi (grapefruit), C. grandis (pummelo), C. limon (lemon), C. medica (citron), C. aurantifolia (lime), C. aurantium (bitter orange), C. bergamia (bergamot orange), and C. junos (yuzu). Forty-nine volatile organic compounds have been reported in all 10 species, most of them terpenoid (90%), although about half of the volatile compounds identified in Citrus peel are non-terpenoid. Over 400 volatiles of different chemical nature have been exclusively described in only one of these species and some of them could be useful as species biomarkers. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on volatile composition arranges these Citrus species in three clusters which essentially mirrors those obtained with genetic information. The first cluster is comprised by C. reticulata, C. grandis, C. sinensis, C. paradisi and C. aurantium, and is mainly characterized by the presence of a larger abundance of non-terpenoid ester and aldehyde compounds than in the other species reviewed. The second cluster is comprised by C. junos, C. medica, C. aurantifolia, and C. bergamia, and is characterized by the prevalence of mono- and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Finally, C. limon shows a particular volatile profile with some sulfur monoterpenoids and non-terpenoid esters and aldehydes as part of its main differential peculiarities. A systematic description of the rind volatile composition in each of the species is provided together with a general comparison with those in leaves and blossoms. Additionally, the most widely used techniques for the extraction and analysis of volatile Citrus compounds are also described.

How Thinking About the Donor Influences Post-traumatic Growth in Liver Transplant Recipients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to find out whether thinking frequently about the donor influences post-traumatic growth of liver transplant recipients. METHODS: The sample of 240 patients selected was made up of 185 men and 55 women with an overall mean age of 60.21 (SD 9.3) years. All of them had received liver transplants from cadaver donors. Transplant recipients were asked whether they thought frequently about the donor (yes or no) and filled out the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory. The t test for unpaired samples was applied to analyze how thinking frequently about the donor or not influenced post-traumatic growth. We also calculated the effect sizes by means of Cohen d or Cohen w depending on the nature of the variables analyzed (quantitative or qualitative). RESULTS: The liver transplant recipients who thought frequently about the donor, compared with those who did not, had higher total scores on post-traumatic growth (P = .000; d = 0.57; medium effect size). Furthermore, considering the effect sizes, the differences between the subgroups were more relevant on the following subscales: new possibilities (P = .000; d = 0.53; medium effect size), appreciation of life (P = .000; d = 0.60; medium effect size), and spiritual change (P = .000; d = 0.54; medium effect size). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who think frequently about the donor have more post-traumatic growth than those who do not.

Family Caregivers of Liver Transplant Recipients: Coping Strategies Associated With Different Levels of Post-traumatic Growth.

OBJECTIVE: Analyze the influence of 2 variables (post-traumatic growth and time since liver transplantation) on coping strategies used by the transplant recipient's family members. METHODS: In all, 218 family members who were their main caregivers of liver transplant recipients were selected. They were evaluated using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory and the Brief COPE. A 3 × 3 factorial analysis of variance was used to analyze the influence that post-traumatic growth level (low, medium, and high) and time since transplantation (≤3.5 years, >3.5 to ≤9 years, and >9 years) exerted on caregiver coping strategies. RESULTS: No interactive effects between the two factors in the study were found. The only significant main effect was the influence of the post-traumatic growth factor on the following variables: instrumental support (P = .007), emotional support (P = .005), self-distraction (P = .006), positive reframing (P = .000), acceptance (P = .013), and religion (P = <.001). According to the most relevant effect sizes, low post-traumatic growth compared with medium growth was associated with less use of self-distraction (P = .006, d = -0.52, medium effect size), positive reframing (P = .001, d = -0.62, medium effect size), and religion (P = .000, d = -0.66, medium effect size), and in comparison with high growth, it was associated with less use of positive reframing (P = .002, d = -0.56, medium effect size) and religion (P = .000, d = 0.87, large effect size). CONCLUSION: Regardless of the time elapsed since the stressful life event (liver transplantation), family members with low post-traumatic growth usually use fewer coping strategies involving a positive, transcendent vision to deal with transplantation.

Fruit flesh volatile and carotenoid profile analysis within the Cucumis melo L. species reveals unexploited variability for future genetic breeding.

BACKGROUND: Aroma profile and carotenoids content of melon flesh are two important aspects influencing the quality of this fruit that have been characterized using only selected genotypes. However, the extant variability of the whole species remains unknown. RESULTS: A complete view of the volatile/carotenoid profiles of melon flesh was obtained analyzing 71 accessions, representing the whole diversity of the species. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to analyze 200 volatile compounds and five carotenoids. Genotypes were classified into two main clusters (high/low aroma), but with a large diversity of differential profiles within each cluster, consistent with the ripening behavior, flesh color and proposed evolutionary and breeding history of the different horticultural groups. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the huge amount of untapped aroma diversity of melon germplasm, especially of non-commercial types. Also, landraces with high nutritional value with regard to carotenoids have been identified. All this knowledge will encourage melon breeding, facilitating the selection of the genetic resources more appropriate to develop cultivars with new aromatic profiles or to minimize the impact of breeding on melon quality. The newly characterized sources provide the basis for further investigations into specific genes/alleles contributing to melon flesh quality. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Impact of updating the MALDI-TOF MS database on the identification of nontuberculous mycobacteria.

Conventional identification of mycobacteria species is slow, laborious and has low discriminatory power. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has proved highly effective for identifying conventional bacteria, and it may also be useful for identifying mycobacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare MALDI-TOF MS with currently recommended molecular methods for the identification of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), applying Mycobacteria Libraries v3.0 (ML3.0) and v2.0 (ML2.0). A total of 240 clinical isolates of 41 NTM species grown on solid media were analysed: 132 isolates of slow-growing mycobacteria and 108 of rapid-growing mycobacteria. MALDI-TOF MS, using ML3.0, identified 192 (80%) NTM isolates with a score ≥1.7, encompassing 35 (85.4%) different species, that is, 17 (7.1%; p = 0.0863) isolates and 15 (36.6%; p = 0.0339) species more than currently recommended molecular techniques (polymerase chain reaction reverse hybridization). All these isolates were correctly identified according to molecular identification methods. The application of ML3.0 also identified 15 (6.2%) NTM isolates more than ML2.0 (p < 0.01). The scores obtained with MALDI-TOF MS using ML3.0 (mean score: 1.960) were higher in 147 (61.2%) isolates than when using ML2.0 (mean score: 1.797; p < 0.01). Three of the species analysed were not included in either database, so they were not recognized by this system. In conclusion, MALDI-TOF MS identified more isolates and species than the recommended polymerase chain reaction reverse hybridization assays. Although the new ML3.0 is not the definitive database, it yielded better results than ML2.0. This shows that the updating of the MALDI-TOF MS database plays an essential role in mycobacterial identification. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Early spermatogenesis changes in traumatic complete spinal cord-injured adult patients.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on the spermatogenesis of patients studied in the early subacute stage and ensuing months. SETTING: National hospital for SCI patients. METHODS: A prospective follow-up study was conducted on 28 male patients with complete SCI who were evaluated in the early subacute phase (~1 month), and 3 and 6 months after the injury. At each time point, fine needle aspiration biopsy samples were taken from the testes for cytological assessment, and serum levels of relevant hormones were measured. At the end of the study period, ejaculation was attempted for standard semen analyses. RESULTS: Cytological patterns indicative of defective spermatogenesis were found in 61%, 52% and 20% of the patients at 1, 3 and 6 months after SCI, respectively, suggesting an improvement over time. Serum hormone analyses showed a steady elevation of estradiol levels above the reference range, and increasing levels of testosterone, inhibin B and prolactin throughout the study period. Prolactin levels were above the reference range at all time points. Only 2 out of the 10 patients who were able to ejaculate at 6 months post injury showed normal sperm parameters. CONCLUSION: A majority of the patients showed impaired spermatogenesis soon after the injury, which in most cases recovered over time. That was accompanied by parallel increases in serum levels of inhibin B, testosterone and prolactin, possibly driving or reflecting the spermatogenesis recovery. Further studies are needed to elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying these changes.

In vitro activity of anidulafungin in combination with amphotericin B or voriconazole against biofilms of five Candida species.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the in vitro activity of anidulafungin combined with amphotericin B or voriconazole against Candida spp. biofilms. METHODS: Four Candida albicans, four Candida tropicalis, four Candida glabrata, two Candida parapsilosis and two Candida orthopsilosis blood isolates were tested by the microdilution chequerboard method combined with the XTT metabolic assay. Biofilm MIC was defined as the lowest concentration producing 50% metabolic inhibition with respect to control (BMIC50). Concentrations in the combinations ranged from 1/8 × BMIC50 to 4 × BMIC50 found for each antifungal tested alone. RESULTS: Anidulafungin plus amphotericin B acted synergistically against C. albicans and C. glabrata biofilms [fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI): 0.082-0.387], but showed no interaction against C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. orthopsilosis (FICI: 0.516-2.099). The combination of these antifungals failed to completely remove biofilms of C. albicans and C. glabrata, decreasing the metabolic activity of the biofilms up to 80% and 95%, respectively, which did not occur when each antifungal was used alone. Anidulafungin plus voriconazole showed no interaction against all isolates. Using a less stringent criterion previously proposed to define synergism (FICI < 1) and antagonism (FICI > 1.25), antagonistic interactions were found against some isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Anidulafungin with amphotericin B results in a synergistic effect against C. albicans and C. glabrata biofilms at serum concentrations of the drugs, but showed no interaction against C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis complex. Anidulafungin plus voriconazole showed no interaction against the five Candida species assayed. Biofilms of C. tropicalis were found to be the most resistant towards the combinations assayed. The results presented may be of potential interest in the clinical setting.

P2Y(1) receptors mediate purinergic relaxation in the equine pelvic flexure.

In the equine large intestine, the knowledge of the basic mechanisms underlying motility function is crucial to properly treat motility disorders. P2Y1 receptors are responsible for mediating purinergic colonic relaxation in several species. In vitro experimental studies of the circular muscle from the equine pelvic flexure (n = 6) were performed to characterize inhibitory and excitatory neuromuscular transmission. Electrophysiological studies showed that electrical field stimulation (EFS) evoked biphasic inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) in smooth muscle cells: a fast IJP (IJPf) followed by a sustained IJP (IJPs). IJPs was sensitive to L-NNA 1 mM (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) (P <0.01), while IJPf was abolished by MRS2500 1 µM (a P2Y1 receptor antagonist) (P <0.001). EFS (5 Hz for 2 min) in the organ bath inhibited rhythmic contractions to 3.0 ± 2.5% of basal area under the curve (P <0.0001). EFS under MRS2500 1 µM or L-NNA 1 mM incubation inhibited contractions to 6.0 ± 2.8% (P <0.05) and 24.4 ± 11.3% respectively (P <0.05). Combination of MRS2500 1 µM and L-NNA 1 mM completely reversed the EFS-induced inhibition of colonic motility. Non-nitrergic, non-purinergic conditions were used to reveal voltage-dependent EFS-induced contractions sensitive to atropine 1 µM (P <0.001) and, therefore, cholinergic. In conclusion, nerve-mediated relaxation and contraction in the equine pelvic flexure involve the same mechanisms as those observed in the human colon. P2Y1 receptors mediate purinergic relaxations and are potential targets for the treatment of equine colonic motor disorders.

Personal UVR exposure of farming families in four European countries.

BACKGROUND: The main risk factor for skin cancer is ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Farming families living in rural areas with easy outdoor access may experience excessive UVR exposure. Differences between countries in latitude, altitude and sun behaviour could result in different personal UVR exposures. However, no studies have examined this until now. OBJECTIVES: To determine personal UVR exposure in work and leisure situations among farming families in Europe. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of farmers, their partners (spouses) and children in Denmark (DK), Poland (PL), Austria (AT), and Spain (ES) from 2009 to 2011. Personal UVR exposure and sun behaviour were recorded by dosimetry and diaries. RESULTS: Farmers' average daily UVR exposure on working days ranged from 1.4 SED (DK, AT) to 2.7 SED (ES). Corresponding figures for partners were: 0.6 SED (DK) to 1.9 SED (PL), and for children (day-care/school days): 0.7 SED (ES) to 1.3 SED (PL). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Farmers' UVR exposure was comparable to that of outdoor workers in previous studies and exceeded the recommended UVR exposure limits on 36% (DK, AT), 29% (PL) and 56% (ES) of their working days. Attention to sun protection for outdoor workers across Europe in preventing UVR-induced skin cancer is still needed.

Effects of rapamycin treatment on pancreatic fibrosis, cellular apoptosis and oxidative stress in experimental chronic pancreatitis model.

PURPOSE: Rapamycin reduces hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation. The present study investigated whether rapamycin treatment could modify the degree of fibrosis, cellular apoptosis and oxidative stress (OS) in an experimental model of CP. METHODS: Fifty-five male, Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-400g were randomized into four groups. CP was induced by intraductal trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) infusion in group A (n = 15) and group B (n = 15). Group C (n = 15) received intraductal TNBS and was killed for histologic confirmation at four weeks. Group D (n = 10) received intraductal saline instead of TNBS. Group A and group D received oral rapamycin (2 mg/kg/d) for two weeks after CP was induced while group B received oral tap water instead of rapamycin. Blood and pancreatic tissue specimens were collected and oxidative stress parameters, fibrosis and cellular apoptosis were determined. RESULTS: Tissue and blood malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly lower in rapamycin treated group compared to controls (p < 0.001). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were also significantly higher in the active treatment group (p < 0.001 for both). Tissue and blood MDA, SOD, GSH-Px measurements was similar in rapamycin group and pancreatic cannulation group (p > 0.05). Histopathologic fibrosis scores were similar in rapamycin and control groups. Apoptotic cell counts tended to be lower in rapamycin treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of rapamycin alleviated OS and, in part, prevented apoptotic cell death in experimental CP, but did not reduce fibrosis.