Prediction of caregiver psychological distress in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: To propose a predictive model for caregivers' psychological distress (including anxiety, depression, and cognitive overload) based on different data gathered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients (cognitive level, psychological distress, type of ALS, and sex). RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN: A cross-sectional study with a sample of 51 ALS patients and their respective main carers. Various instruments were used such as the Beck Anxiety Inventory, ALS Depression Inventory-12, and the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen, Zarit Burden Interview, Self-Rating Depression Scale, and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale for caregivers. RESULTS: ALS type, sex, and cognition were predictive variables for caregiver distress, with the main explanatory variable being the distress of the patients themselves. Spinal ALS led to higher psychological distress in caregivers (ß = .38), as did male patients with ALS and preserved cognition. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The proposed confirmatory model demonstrates that patients' psychological distress is the best predictor of psychological distress in their caregivers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Optoelectronic properties of octahedral molybdenum cluster-based materials at a single crystal level.

Octahedral molybdenum (Mo6) clusters constitute suitable building blocks for the design of promising single crystal materials in the field of optoelectronics. Here, we prepared single crystals composed of hydroxo Mo6X8 (X = Br, Cl) cluster complexes interconnected by H-bonding interactions with water molecules and protons. The optoelectronic responses and the absorption and emission spectra of these cluster-based single crystals were acquired upon light irradiation, and they show dependency on the nature of the halogens, with the brominated cluster being the most conductive. A fast photoelectrical response was recorded and it showed remarkable stability after multiple illumination on/off cycles. The results obtained provide relevant information for the development of photonic and optoelectronic devices, sensors and photocatalysts.

Scanning Photocurrent Microscopy in Single Crystal Multidimensional Hybrid Lead Bromide Perovskites.

We investigated solution-grown single crystals of multidimensional 2D-3D hybrid lead bromide perovskites using spatially resolved photocurrent and photoluminescence. Scanning photocurrent microscopy (SPCM) measurements where the electrodes consisted of a dip probe contact and a back contact. The crystals revealed significant differences between 3D and multidimensional 2D-3D perovskites under biased detection, not only in terms of photocarrier decay length values but also in the spatial dynamics across the crystal. In general, the photocurrent maps indicate that the closer the border proximity, the shorter the effective decay length, thus suggesting a determinant role of the border recombination centers in monocrystalline samples. In this case, multidimensional 2D-3D perovskites exhibited a simple fitting model consisting of a single exponential, while 3D perovskites demonstrated two distinct charge carrier migration dynamics within the crystal: fast and slow. Although the first one matches that of the 2D-3D perovskite, the long decay of the 3D sample exhibits a value two orders of magnitude larger. This difference could be attributed to the presence of interlayer screening and a larger exciton binding energy of the multidimensional 2D-3D perovskites with respect to their 3D counterparts.

[Epidemiological and clinical analysis of community-acquired Mycoplasma pneumonia in children from a Spanish population, 2010-2015]. / Características clínicas y epidemiológicas de las neumonías adquiridas en la comunidad por Mycoplasma pneumoniae en una población española, 2010-2015.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is one of the most common etiological agents of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. We aimed to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics, treatment and outcome of children diagnosed with community-acquired MP pneumonia (CAMP) in a tertiary hospital in Valencia, Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of children <14 years with CAMP were retrospectively reviewed from January 2010 to December 2015. Patients with radiological evidence of pneumonia and microbiological confirmation of MP (PCR from nasopharyngeal swab and/or serum specific IgM) were considered CAMP. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty two children were diagnosed with CAMP; median age 6 years (IQR: 4-9). The positive MP test rate among children with CAP progressively increased with age as did the empirical use of macrolides. There were two peaks of cases in 2011 and in 2015, being July, August, November and December the seasons with the higher number of cases. The most frequent radiological pattern was segmental infiltrate (62.3%) and 22 (13.6%) children had pleural effusion. It was noteworthy the mild symptomatology and low levels of inflammatory parameters that children with CAMP had. A macrolide was empirically initiated in 68.5% of cases. Hospital admission rate was inversely proportional to patient's age. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, older, less symptomatic patients and with lower inflammatory parameters had the greatest rate of MP infection among children with CAP and thus they could benefit of empiric macrolide therapy. Therefore, knowing the epidemiology of a geographical area may be important for the management of CAP in children.

Epidemiological and clinical analysis of community-acquired Mycoplasma pneumonia in children from a Spanish population, 2010-2015.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is one of the most common etiological agents of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. We aimed to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics, treatment and outcome of children diagnosed with community-acquired MP pneumonia (CAMP) in a tertiary hospital in Valencia, Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical records of children <14 years with CAMP were retrospectively reviewed from January 2010 to December 2015. Patients with radiological evidence of pneumonia and microbiological confirmation of MP (PCR from nasopharyngeal swab and/or serum specific IgM) were considered CAMP. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty two children were diagnosed with CAMP; median age 6 years (IQR: 4-9). The positive MP test rate among children with CAP progressively increased with age as did the empirical use of macrolides. There were two peaks of cases in 2011 and in 2015, being July, August, November and December the seasons with the higher number of cases. The most frequent radiological pattern was segmental infiltrate (62.3%) and 22 (13.6%) children had pleural effusion. It was noteworthy the mild symptomatology and low levels of inflammatory parameters that children with CAMP had. A macrolide was empirically initiated in 68.5% of cases. Hospital admission rate was inversely proportional to patient's age. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, older, less symptomatic patients and with lower inflammatory parameters had the greatest rate of MP infection among children with CAP and thus they could benefit of empiric macrolide therapy. Therefore, knowing the epidemiology of a geographical area may be important for the management of CAP in children.

INTRODUCCIÓN Y OBJETIVOS: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) es uno de los agentes etiológicos más comunes de las neumonías adquiridas en la comunidad (NAC) en niños. Objetivo: describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas, tratamiento y evolución de los pacientes con NAC por MP (NACM) en un hospital terciario de Valencia, España. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se revisaron retrospectivamente las historias clínicas de los niños < 14 años con NACM entre enero de 2010 y diciembre de 2015. Los pacientes con evidencia radiológica de neumonía y confirmación microbiológica de MP (PCR de exudado nasofaríngeo y/o anticuerpos IgM específicos frente a MP) se consideraron NACM. RESULTADOS: Un total de 162 pacientes se diagnosticaron de NACM; mediana de edad de 6 años (rango intercuartílico: 4-9 años). La proporción de pruebas positivas para MP en pacientes con NAC, así como el uso empírico de macrólidos, aumentó progresivamente con la edad. Hubo un pico de casos en 2011 y en 2015, con un máximo de casos en julio, agosto, noviembre y diciembre. El patrón radiológico más frecuente fue el infiltrado segmentario (62,3%), mientras que 22 (13,6%) presentaron derrame pleural. Los niños con NACM desarrollaron una clínica leve, con poca elevación de parámetros inflamatorios. Se inició tratamiento empírico con un macrólido en el 68,5% de los casos. La necesidad de ingreso hospitalario fue inversamente proporcional a la edad del paciente. CONCLUSIONES: Según este estudio, los niños con NAC de mayor edad tuvieron la mayor proporción de infección por MP, siendo poco sintomáticos y con escasa elevación de parámetros inflamatorios, pudiéndose beneficiar del tratamiento empírico con macrólidos. Por consiguiente, conocer la epidemiología de un área geográfica podría ser importante para el abordaje de las NAC en niños.

Síndrome celulitis-adenitis, una forma infrecuente de presentación de la sepsis neonatal tardía: A propósito de dos casos / Adenitis-cellulitis syndrome, an infrequent form of presentation of the late-onset neonatal septicemia: Report of two cases

La sepsis es la principal causa de mortalidad neonatal. La forma precoz, habitualmente, está relacionada con la colonización recto-vaginal u otros factores de riesgo materno. En la forma tardía, es difícil establecer su origen; por lo general, es nosocomial o de la comunidad. El Streptococcus agalactiae (Streptococcus beta-hemolítico del grupo B) es el germen implicado con más frecuencia en la sepsis neonatal en países desarrollados. La forma tardía, generalmente, se presenta con septicemia y meningitis, y, en ocasiones, pueden detectarse infecciones osteoarticulares o de piel y tejidos blandos. El síndrome celulitis-adenitis en la región cervical, forma poco frecuente de presentación, es causado por Staphylococcus aureus y, ocasionalmente, por Streptococcus agalactiae. Se reportan 2 casos de sepsis neonatal tardía con clínica de celulitis-adenitis cervical causados por Streptococcus beta-hemolítico del grupo B, con una evolución satisfactoria con terapia antibiótica de amplio espectro.

Septicemia is the main cause of neonatal mortality. The early-onset neonatal sepsis is usually related to maternal factor risks including recto-vaginal colonization. In the late-onset neonatal septicemia it is more difficult to establish the etiology because the majority of the cases are nosocomial or community related. The Streptococcus agalactiae (beta-hemolytic Streptococcus) is the most frequent germ associated with neonatal sepsis in developed countries. The late-onset form usually occurs with septic symptoms and meningitis and, in a few cases, with osteoarticular, skin and soft tissue infection. Adenitis-cellulitis syndrome is rarely seen, and its main cause is Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Streptococcus agalactiae. We report two cases of group B Streptococcus late-onset neonatal septicemia, both of them with adenitis-cellulitis syndrome. Patients recovered uneventfully after an adequate antibiotic therapy.

[Adenitis-cellulitis syndrome, an infrequent form of presentation of the late-onset neonatal septicemia: Report of two cases]. / Síndrome celulitis-adenitis, una forma infrecuente de presentación de la sepsis neonatal tardía: A propósito de dos casos.

Septicemia is the main cause of neonatal mortality. The early-onset neonatal sepsis is usually related to maternal factor risks including recto-vaginal colonization. In the late-onset neonatal septicemia it is more difficult to establish the etiology because the majority of the cases are nosocomial or community related. The Streptococcus agalactiae (beta-hemolytic Streptococcus) is the most frequent germ associated with neonatal sepsis in developed countries. The late-onset form usually occurs with septic symptoms and meningitis and, in a few cases, with osteoarticular, skin and soft tissue infection. Adenitis-cellulitis syndrome is rarely seen, and its main cause is Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Streptococcus agalactiae. We report two cases of group B Streptococcus late-onset neonatal septicemia, both of them with adenitis-cellulitis syndrome. Patients recovered uneventfully after an adequate antibiotic therapy.

La sepsis es la principal causa de mortalidad neonatal. La forma precoz, habitualmente, está relacionada con la colonización recto-vaginal u otros factores de riesgo materno. En la forma tardía, es difícil establecer su origen; por lo general, es nosocomial o de la comunidad. El Streptococcus agalactiae (Streptococcus beta-hemolítico del grupo B) es el germen implicado con más frecuencia en la sepsis neonatal en países desarrollados. La forma tardía, generalmente, se presenta con septicemia y meningitis, y, en ocasiones, pueden detectarse infecciones osteoarticulares o de piel y tejidos blandos. El síndrome celulitis-adenitis en la región cervical, forma poco frecuente de presentación, es causado por Staphylococcus aureus y, ocasionalmente, por Streptococcus agalactiae. Se reportan 2 casos de sepsis neonatal tardía con clínica de celulitis-adenitis cervical causados por Streptococcus beta-hemolítico del grupo B, con una evolución satisfactoria con terapia antibiótica de amplio espectro.

Integration of antimicrobial pectin-based edible coating and active modified atmosphere packaging to preserve the quality and microbial safety of fresh-cut persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb. cv. Rojo Brillante).

BACKGROUND: The greatest hurdle to the commercial marketing of fresh-cut fruits is related to their higher susceptibility to enzymatic browning, tissue softening, and microbial growth. The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a pectin-based edible coating and low oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) to control enzymatic browning and reduce microbial growth of fresh-cut 'Rojo Brillante' persimmon. The survival of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis and Listeria monocytogenes artificially inoculated on fresh-cut fruit was also assessed. The pectin coating was amended with 500 IU mL-1 nisin (NI) as antimicrobial agent and 10 g kg-1 citric acid and 10 g kg-1 calcium chloride as anti-browning and firming agents, respectively. Persimmon slices were dipped in the coating or in water (control) and packed under 5 kPa O2 (MAP) or in ambient atmosphere for up to 9 days at 5 °C. Microbial growth, package gas composition, colour, firmness, polyphenol oxidase activity, visual quality and overall sensory flavour of persimmon slices were measured during storage. RESULTS: Coating application combined with active MAP significantly reduced the CO2 emission and O2 consumption in the package. The coating was effective in reducing browning and also inhibited the growth of mesophilic aerobic bacteria. Coating also reduced the populations of E. coli, S. enteritidis and L. monocytogenes. CONCLUSION: The combination of the pectin-based edible coating and active MAP proved to be the most effective treatment to maintain the sensory and microbiological quality of persimmon slices for more than 9 days of storage. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of antibrowning dips and controlled atmosphere storage on the physico-chemical, visual and nutritional quality of minimally processed "Rojo Brillante" persimmons.

The combined effect of antibrowning dips and controlled atmosphere storage on fresh-cut "Rojo Brillante" persimmon quality was investigated. Persimmon slices were dipped in 10 g L-1 ascorbic acid, 10 g L-1 citric acid or water and were stored in different controlled atmospheres at 5 ℃. Controlled atmosphere conditions were 21 kPa O2 + 10 kPa CO2 (Atm-B), 21 kPa O2 + 20 kPa CO2 (Atm-C), 5 kPa O2 + 10 kPa CO2 (Atm-D) and 5 kPa O2 in the absence of CO2 (Atm-E). Air (Atm-A) was used as a control. Atmospheres with high CO2 concentrations induced darkening, associated with a flesh disorder known as "internal flesh browning". Only the samples placed in Atm-E, and treated with 10 g L-1 ascorbic acid or 10 g L-1 citric acid, controlled enzymatic browning, reduced firmness loss and prevented the "internal flesh browning" disorder. The maximum limit of marketability was achieved in the samples treated with 10 g L-1 citric acid and stored in Atm-E for nine storage days at 5 ℃. The total vitamin C, free radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content and total carotenoids of the fresh-cut "Rojo Brillante" persimmons were affected by maturity stage at harvest, whereas antibrowning dips and controlled atmosphere storage had no clear effect.

Physicochemical, sensory, and nutritional quality of fresh-cut "Rojo Brillante" persimmon affected by maturity stage and antibrowning agents.

To prevent enzymatic browning of fresh-cut 'Rojo Brillante' persimmon, different combinations of ascorbic acid (AA) and citric acid (CA) with calcium chloride (CaCl2) were tested in fruit harvested at two maturity stages (MS1 and MS2). Color, firmness, sensory quality, total vitamin C, radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content, and carotenoids were evaluated over nine days of storage at 5 ℃. Antibrowning dips reduced enzymatic browning if compared with the control samples. Selecting fruits with good firmness and the addition of 10 g/l CaCl2 help prevent loss of firmness of fresh-cut "Rojo Brillante" persimmons treated with acidic solutions as antibrowning agents to control enzymatic browning. The limit of marketability of the persimmon fruit processed at MS1 was significantly reduced by the burst of the disorder known as "flesh browning," and only the samples treated with 10 g/l CA + 10 g/l CaCl2 maintained a limit of marketability close to seven days. At MS2, all the antibrowning solutions allowed a limit of marketability of seven storage days at 5 ℃. Nutritional quality was not affected by either antibrowning dips or cutting processes, but MS at harvest was.

[Carbapenem antibiotics in hospitalised paediatric patients. Adherence to a therapeutic protocol]. / Uso de antibióticos carbapenémicos en enfermos pediátricos hospitalizados. Adecuación de su prescripción a un protocolo terapéutico.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of carbapenems in children hospitalised outside intensive care and onco-haematology units, and assess adherence to a therapeutic protocol. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on the use of carbapenems between January 2009 and December 2010. The study included children with a community-acquired infectious disease or a health care-associated infectious disease, and who were admitted to paediatric areas of the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (Barcelona, Spain), other than intensive care, neonatology and onco-haematology units. Clinical data were collected and antibiotic consumption data were provided by the Pharmacy Department. RESULTS: A total of 51 episodes fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Carbapenem as initial empirical treatment was indicated in 31.4%, and applied as rescue therapy in the remainder. The instructions of the protocol were adhered to in 70.6% of the empirical and 87.5% of the targeted prescriptions (77.6% overall). A better match was found for empirical carbapenem in patients with a previous admission or underlying condition. Factors such as diagnosis, age or antibiotic use prior to admission did not affect the empirical indication of carbapenem. CONCLUSIONS: The establishment of a treatment protocol with carbapenem indications in our centre since 2007 has yielded significantly better results on the appropriateness of the prescription than those obtained in other studies.