Selective visuoconstructional impairment following mild COVID-19 with inflammatory and neuroimaging correlation findings.

People recovered from COVID-19 may still present complications including respiratory and neurological sequelae. In other viral infections, cognitive impairment occurs due to brain damage or dysfunction caused by vascular lesions and inflammatory processes. Persistent cognitive impairment compromises daily activities and psychosocial adaptation. Some level of neurological and psychiatric consequences were expected and described in severe cases of COVID-19. However, it is debatable whether neuropsychiatric complications are related to COVID-19 or to unfoldings from a severe infection. Nevertheless, the majority of cases recorded worldwide were mild to moderate self-limited illness in non-hospitalized people. Thus, it is important to understand what are the implications of mild COVID-19, which is the largest and understudied pool of COVID-19 cases. We aimed to investigate adults at least four months after recovering from mild COVID-19, which were assessed by neuropsychological, ocular and neurological tests, immune markers assay, and by structural MRI and 18FDG-PET neuroimaging to shed light on putative brain changes and clinical correlations. In approximately one-quarter of mild-COVID-19 individuals, we detected a specific visuoconstructive deficit, which was associated with changes in molecular and structural brain imaging, and correlated with upregulation of peripheral immune markers. Our findings provide evidence of neuroinflammatory burden causing cognitive deficit, in an already large and growing fraction of the world population. While living with a multitude of mild COVID-19 cases, action is required for a more comprehensive assessment and follow-up of the cognitive impairment, allowing to better understand symptom persistence and the necessity of rehabilitation of the affected individuals.

Effects of yoga on impulsivity in patients with and without mental disorders: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Yoga can be used as a complementary intervention to conventional treatments, whether pharmacological or non-pharmacological. Sustained practice of yoga can generate a series of benefits for individuals' quality of life and improve their physical fitness. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential effects of yoga as an adjunct intervention in conditions involving impulse control issues, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), borderline personality disorder, bipolar affective disorder, and substance use disorders. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of placebo-controlled, randomized trials of yoga in patients with impulsivity. PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct databases were searched for trials published up to January, 2023. Data were extracted from published reports and quality assessment was performed per Cochrane recommendations. RESULTS: Out of 277 database results, 6 RCT were included in this systematic review. To assess the level of attention and impulsiveness, the following scales were analyzed: Barratt Impulsiveness, UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior scale, Conners' Continuous Performance Test IIª and Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Long. CONCLUSIONS: Yoga didn't have a significant improvement in impulsivity when compared to placebo. There are many tools to assess impulsivity, but they mean different concepts and domains consisting in a weakness on comparison of yoga effects. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42023389088.

Do catadromous thinlip grey mullet benefit from shifting to freshwater? A perspective from fatty acid signature analysis.

To investigate the potential benefits of the catadromous thinlip grey mullet (Chelon ramada Risso, 1827) migration to freshwater, the total lipid content and fatty acid (FA) profile of female's muscle and gonads caught in both the estuary and river were analyzed. The freshwater contingent presented a higher body condition, greater muscle gross energy, and larger gonads with higher lipid reserves. These animals showed a muscle profile rich in C16:1n-7 and lower LC-PUFA that contrast with the higher relative amount of C18:1n-9, n-3 FA, and unsaturated LC-PUFA, such as C18 and C20 FA found in the estuarine contingent. The gonads of both contingents showed a constant and high relative amount of polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA, 37%). However, in terms of essential fatty acids (EFAs), the estuarine contingent had a higher relative amount of C18:2n-6, C20:4n-6, C20:5n-3, and C22:6n-3. On the other hand, the freshwater contingent showed a higher relative amount of n-3 FA precursors, namely C18:3n-3, and a still low relative amount of C22:6n-3. This suggests a mismatch between the metabolic omega-3 pathway and the physiological maturity stages, similar to a phenomenon of dormancy. In this sense, not all these individuals may reproduce annually, and the later stages of gonad development will require supplementary energy derived from feeding at the estuary. Thus, freshwater migration may promote a reproductive strategy enabling adults to take advantage of the warm and food-rich summer/autumn period, adjust spawning and juvenile appearance, and reduce the population's exposure to habitat changes and/or stochastic events.

The relationship between cognitive clusters and telomere length in bipolar-schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are complex mental illnesses that are associated with cognitive deficits. There is considerable cognitive heterogeneity that exists within both disorders. Studies that cluster schizophrenia and bipolar patients into subgroups based on their cognitive profile increasingly demonstrate that, relative to healthy controls, there is a severely compromised subgroup and a relatively intact subgroup. There is emerging evidence that telomere shortening, a marker of cellular senescence, may be associated with cognitive impairments. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between cognitive subgroups in bipolar-schizophrenia spectrum disorders and telomere length against a healthy control sample. METHODS: Participants included a transdiagnostic group diagnosed with bipolar, schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (n = 73) and healthy controls (n = 113). Cognitive clusters within the transdiagnostic patient group, were determined using K-means cluster analysis based on current cognitive functioning (MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery scores). Telomere length was determined using quantitative PCRs genomic DNA extracted from whole blood. Emergent clusters were then compared to the healthy control group on telomere length. RESULTS: Two clusters emerged within the patient group that were deemed to reflect a relatively intact cognitive group and a cognitively impaired subgroup. Telomere length was significantly shorter in the severely impaired cognitive subgroup compared to the healthy control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study replicates previous findings of transdiagnostic cognitive subgroups and associates shorter telomere length with the severely impaired cognitive subgroup. These findings support emerging literature associating cognitive impairments in psychiatric disorders to accelerated cellular aging as indexed by telomere length.

Curriculum for bariatric endoscopy and endoscopic treatment of the complications of bariatric surgery: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Position Statement.

Obesity is a chronic, relapsing, degenerative, multifactorial disease that is associated with many co-morbidities. The global increasing burden of obesity has led to calls for an urgent need for additional treatment options. Given the rapid expansion of bariatric endoscopy and bariatric surgery across Europe, the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) has recognized the need to formalize and enhance training in bariatric endoscopy and the endoscopic treatment of bariatric surgical adverse events. This manuscript represents the outcome of a formal Delphi process resulting in an official Position Statement of the ESGE and provides a framework to develop and maintain skills in bariatric endoscopy and the endoscopic treatment of bariatric surgical adverse events. This curriculum is set out in terms of the prerequisites prior to training, minimum number of procedures, the steps for training and quality of training, and how competence should be defined and evidenced before independent practice. 1: ESGE recommends that every endoscopist should have achieved competence in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy before commencing training in bariatric endoscopy and the endoscopic treatment of bariatric surgical adverse events. 2: Trainees in bariatric endoscopy and the endoscopic treatment of the complications of bariatric surgery should have basic knowledge of the definition, classification, and social impact of obesity, its pathophysiology, and its related co-morbidities. The recognition and management of gastrointestinal diseases that are more common in patients with obesity, along with participation in multidisciplinary teams where obese patients are evaluated, are mandatory. 3 : ESGE recommends that competency in bariatric endoscopy and the endoscopic treatment of the complications of bariatric surgery can be learned by attending validated training courses on simulators initially, structured training courses, and then hands-on training in tertiary referral centers.

Risk factors for mortality in 1528 Brazilian childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

OBJECTIVES: To identify associations between mortality in cSLE patients and their characteristics: clinical and laboratory features, disease activity and damage scores, and treatment; to evaluate risk factors associated with mortality in cSLE; and to determine the most frequent causes of death in this group of patients. METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort using data from 1,528 cSLE patients followed in 27 pediatric rheumatology tertiary centers in Brazil. Patients' medical records were reviewed according to a standardized protocol, in which information regarding demographic and clinical features, disease activity and damage scores, and treatment were collected and compared between deceased cSLE patients and survivors. Univariate and multivariate analyses by Cox regression model were used to calculate risk factors for mortality, whereas survival rates were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier plots. RESULTS: A total of 63/1,528 (4.1%) patients deceased, 53/63 were female (84.1%), median age at death was 11.9 (9.4-13.1) years and median time interval between cSLE diagnosis and death was 3.2 (0.5-5.3) years. Sepsis was the main cause of death in 27/63 (42.8%) patients, followed by opportunistic infections in 7/63 (11.1%), and alveolar hemorrhage in 6/63 (9.5%) patients. The regression models resulted in neuropsychiatric lupus (NP-SLE) (HR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.48-4.42) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) (HR = 4.33, 95% CI = 2.33-4.72), as risk factors significantly associated with mortality. Overall patient survival after cSLE diagnosis at 5, 10, and 15 years were 97%, 95.4%, and 93.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that the recent mortality rate in cSLE in Brazil is low, but still of concern. NP-SLE and CKD were the main risk factors for mortality, indicating that the magnitude of these manifestations was significantly high.

Spleen stiffness: a new tool to predict high-risk varices in cirrhotic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Cirrhosis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Portal hypertension is the major contributor of cirrhosis-related complications and is defined as a hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) > 5 mmHg. Measurement of HVPG is an invasive, difficult, and costly procedure. Therefore, it is only performed in specialized centers. Liver stiffness measured with transient elastography is one of the most studied noninvasive markers of portal hypertension, and spleen elastography has recently emerged as an important adjuvant tool. The development of a new probe (100 Hz) that more reliably reflect the grade of portal hypertension evaluated by spleen stiffness measurement has improved the accuracy of this technique. The aim of this work was to evaluate the accuracy of spleen stiffness with the new dedicated probe to predict the presence of high-risk varices, as well as to determine the ideal cutoff to predict it. METHODS: Prospective study of cirrhotic patients admitted to upper endoscopy that were also submitted to liver and spleen elastography with the 100-Hz probe by the same blinded operator in a tertiary center. RESULTS: We included 209 cirrhotic patients, with mean age of 61.9 years (±9.9), 77.0% male. The most common etiology was alcoholic liver disease (72.7%). The median value of liver elastography was 25.3 [4.5-75] kPa, and the median value of spleen elastography was 42.4 [7.6-100] kPa. At the cutoff of 53.25 kPa, we obtained sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 72.6% to predict high-risk varices, and, according to this cutoff, 133/175 of esophagogastroduodenoscopy could have been spared (76.0%), while according to Baveno guidelines, only 51/175 would have been spared (29.1%). CONCLUSION: In the era of noninvasive exams, spleen elastography with the 100-Hz probe emerges as an excellent tool for prediction of presence of high-risk varices. At the cutoff of 53.25 kPa, spleen elastography avoids upper endoscopy for screening for high-risk varices, promising to be become part of the hepatologists' daily routine.

Can the inner eye canthus temperature be used as an alternative method to measure core temperature in sleep-deprived individuals?

Core temperature is used in several situations, including studies on biological rhythms and circadian markers of physical performance. Measuring the inner eye canthus (Tco) temperature is a method proposed to identify core temperature, but it has shown little concordance in physical exercise situations and has not yet been used in studies with measurements taken throughout the day. The objective of this study was to compare the measurements and daily behavior of Tco obtained by infrared thermography with rectal temperature (Tre) during a prolonged waking protocol. Eleven male individuals participated in the study, who remained in the laboratory for at least 38 h using an actigraph to determine the wakefulness time and were monitored during the entire period. The Tre and Tco measurements were performed every 3 h. The ANOVA was used for repeated measurements followed by Bonferroni's post-hoc test to find the limits of concordance/proximity, while the Bland and Altman method and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient were used to establish the reliability between the pairs. The significance level adopted was p < 0.05. The results demonstrate significant differences, low levels of concordance and unsatisfactory reliability levels between Tco and Tre at all 13 analyzed moments, in addition to not showing measurement reliability when all data are used together with the 143 temperature measurements. Daily behavior analysis shows moments with similar behavior with an increase in Tco and Tre, but at other times the behavior was the opposite, with a decrease in one measurement and an increase in the other. Based on the results presented, it is not recommended to use the inner eye canthus temperature as a substitute for rectal temperature for measuring core temperature at different times of the day or in sleep-deprived individuals.

AhRR and PPP1R3C: Potential Prognostic Biomarkers for Serous Ovarian Cancer.

The lack of effective screening and successful treatment contributes to high ovarian cancer mortality, making it the second most common cause of gynecologic cancer death. Development of chemoresistance in up to 75% of patients is the cause of a poor treatment response and reduced survival. Therefore, identifying potential and effective biomarkers for its diagnosis and prognosis is a strong critical need. Copy number alterations are frequent in cancer, and relevant for molecular tumor stratification and patients' prognoses. In this study, array-CGH analysis was performed in three cell lines and derived cancer stem cells (CSCs) to identify genes potentially predictive for ovarian cancer patients' prognoses. Bioinformatic analyses of genes involved in copy number gains revealed that AhRR and PPP1R3C expression negatively correlated with ovarian cancer patients' overall and progression-free survival. These results, together with a significant association between AhRR and PPP1R3C expression and ovarian cancer stemness markers, suggested their potential role in CSCs. Furthermore, AhRR and PPP1R3C's increased expression was maintained in some CSC subpopulations, reinforcing their potential role in ovarian cancer. In conclusion, we reported for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, a prognostic role of AhRR and PPP1R3C expression in serous ovarian cancer.

A Critical Review of Analytical Methods for the Quantification of Phthalates Esters in Two Important European Food Products: Olive Oil and Wine.

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are a class of chemicals widely used as plasticizers. These compounds, considered toxic, do not bond to the polymeric matrix of plastic and can, therefore, migrate into the surrounding environment, posing a risk to human health. The primary source of human exposure is food, which can become contaminated during cultivation, production, and packaging. Therefore, it is imperative to control and regulate this exposure. This review covers the analytical methods used for their determination in two economically significant products: olive oil and wine. Additionally, it provides a summary and analysis of information regarding the characteristics, toxicity, effects on human health, and current regulations pertaining to PAEs in food. Various approaches for the extraction, purification, and quantification of these analytes are highlighted. Solvent and sorbent-based extraction techniques are reviewed, as are the chromatographic separation and other methods currently applied in the analysis of PAEs in wines and olive oils. The analysis of these contaminants is challenging due to the complexities of the matrices and the widespread presence of PAEs in analytical laboratories, demanding the implementation of appropriate strategies.

Colonic perineurioma of the transverse colon: presentation of a rare neoplasm in an atypical location.

A 51-year-old male with previous medical history of dyslipidemia performed screening colonoscopy, which revealed a sessile polypoid lesion with a diameter of approximately 8 mm located at the proximal transverse colon, which was resected en bloc with a cold snare. Remarkably, histopathological examination revealed a proliferation of spindle cells in the lamina propria entrapping colonic crypts without evidence of nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic figures or necrosis. On immunohistochemistry, spindle cells were diffusely positive for glucose transporter-1 and negative for S100, DOG1, CD34 and smooth muscle actin. These features were consistent with a diagnosis of colonic perineurioma.

Triple-sized intragastric balloon due to spontaneous hyperinflation.

A 38-year-old female with medical history of breast cancer, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and obesity (body max index 55kg/m2), was admitted to the emergency room with complains of nausea and vomits. Three weeks prior to the presentation, she placed an intragastric balloon (IGB) (Orbera365™, Apollo endosurgery Inc., Austin, TX), for weight loss, filled with 600ml solution of saline and methylene blue dye. Upon physical examination, she was dehydrated and presented with a bulging of the upper abdominal wall associated with mild abdominal pain. Laboratory tests showed severe metabolic alkalosis, hypocalcemia and hypokalemia. Abdominal x-ray revealed gastric distension with an increased size IGB, measuring 164.3*145.6*144.1 mm (estimated volume of 1800mL), with an air-fluid level. Upper endoscopy revealed the balloon stuck in the antrum. A catheter needle was used to puncture and deflate the balloon. Once deflated it was removed with endoscopic forceps. The fluid was not sent for microbiologic culture. After IGB removal, hydroelectrolytic disturbances were resolved and oral feeding was promptly resumed without further complications.

Phenotypic plasticity and behavioral responses of dairy cattle on rotational grazing.

Heat stress is one of the most important environmental challenges faced by dairy cattle, with a deleterious effect on animal production and welfare. This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of the thermal environment on the physiological and behavioral responses of dairy cattle in a rotational picket. The research was conducted on an experimental farm, located in the Agreste region of the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The animals were managed in a rotational picket system of signal grass, with an occupation and a rest period of 7 and 28 days, respectively, for a stocking rate of 3.2 AU ha-1. The determination of the effect of stressors on the animals was performed by recording the dry bulb temperature (°C), and the relative humidity, which allowed the characterization of the thermal environment by the temperature and humidity index and by the specific enthalpy (kJ kg-1). The physiological variables monitored were respiratory rate (mov. min-1), rectal temperature (°C), and skin temperature (°C). The behavioral responses quantified were activities, walking, ruminating, idling and ingestive behaviors, eating, and drinking, with the percentage of time spent on each activity being recorded. According to the canonical multivariate analysis, the chi-square test, and the variation of physiological patterns, the animals, even in a situation of greater thermal challenge, presented physiological responses within conditions considered normal; however, they reduced grazing activity (eating) during the hottest hours and increased the activities of rumination and idling.

Influence of cortisol awakening response on telomere length: Trends for males and females.

Although telomere attrition is associated with the process of normal ageing, shorter telomere length (TL) has been associated with acute and chronic stressors. A neurobiological factor hypothesised to be responsible for this accelerated attrition is the dysregulation of the cortisol stress response, which can induce DNA damage affecting DNA telomeric caps. Marked sex differences are reported in both the cortisol stress response and telomere dynamics, yet no explicit investigation of sex specificity on the relationship between cortisol and TL exists. This study used mathematical equation modelling to describe the relationship between diurnal cortisol levels and telomere length within the context of sex, in a healthy population. Cortisol awakening responses (CAR) were measured via ELISA methodology in fifty-one healthy participants (28 males, 23 females). qPCRs determined TL from genomic DNA extracted from saliva. To assess the effect of free cortisol on relative TL ratio, a semi-log regression plot of the two variables trended for sex were fitted using spline curves. Results demonstrated significant differences between males and females in the relationship defining CAR and TL association (p = 0.03). These results suggest the relationship is not linear and can be represented as a complex arcsin function, and that the patterns are opposite in males and females. Males demonstrate a positive correlation, with higher levels of CAR being associated with longer telomere sequences. Females demonstrated a negative correlation. Future studies must carefully take into consideration moderating factors such as sex, and sex hormones across the lifespan when investigating telomere length.

Low-power infrared laser modulates mRNA levels from genes of base excision repair and genomic stabilization in heart tissue from an experimental model of acute lung injury.

The aim of this study was to evaluate photobiomodulation effects on mRNA relative levels from genes of base excision repair and genomic stabilization in heart tissue from an experimental model of acute lung injury by sepsis. For experimental procedure, animals were randomly assigned to six main groups: (1) control group was animals treated with intraperitoneal saline solution; (2) LASER-10 was animals treated with intraperitoneal saline solution and exposed to an infrared laser at 10 J cm-2; (3) LASER-20 was animals treated with intraperitoneal saline solution and exposed to an infrared laser at 20 J cm-2; (4) acute lung injury (ALI) was animals treated with intraperitoneal LPS (10 mg kg-1); (5) ALI-LASER10 was animals treated with intraperitoneal LPS (10 mg kg-1) and, after 4 h, exposed to an infrared laser at 10 J cm-2 and (6) ALI-LASER20 was animals treated with intraperitoneal LPS (10 mg kg-1) and, after 4 h, exposed to an infrared laser at 20 J cm-2. Irradiation was performed only once and animal euthanasias for analysis of mRNA relative levels by RT-qPCR. Our results showed that there was a reduction of mRNA relative levels from ATM gene and an increase of mRNA relative levels from P53 gene in the heart of animals with ALI when compared to the control group. In addition, there was an increase of mRNA relative levels from OGG1 and APE1 gene in hearts from animals with ALI when compared to the control group. After irradiation, an increase of mRNA relative levels from ATM and OGG1 gene was observed at 20 J cm-2. In conclusion, low-power laser modulates the mRNA relative levels from genes of base excision repair and genomic stabilization in the experimental model of acute lung injury evaluated.

Detection and molecular characterization of a new genotype of infectious bursal disease virus in Portugal.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSEight IBDV strains with unique VP2 features were detected in Portugal.Based on two distinct classification methods, the strains belong to a new genotype.

Recovery of SARS-CoV-2 from large volumes of raw wastewater is enhanced with the inuvai R180 system.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a powerful tool to complement syndromic surveillance. Although detection of SARS-CoV-2 in raw wastewater may be prompted with good recoveries during periods of high community prevalence, in the early stages of population outbreaks concentration procedures are required to overcome low viral concentrations. Several methods have become available for the recovery of SARS-CoV-2 from raw wastewater, generally involving filtration. However, these methods are limited to small sample volumes, possibly missing the early stages of virus circulation, and restrained applicability across different water matrices. The aim of this study was thus to evaluate the performance of three methods enabling the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 from large volumes of wastewater: i) hollow fiber filtration using the inuvai R180, with an enhanced elution protocol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation; ii) PEG precipitation; and iii) skimmed milk flocculation. The performance of the three approaches was evaluated in wastewater from multiple wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) with distinct singularities, according to: i) effective volume; ii) percentage of recovery; iii) extraction efficiency; iv) inhibitory effect; and v) the limits of detection and quantification. The inuvai R180 system had the best performance, with detection of spiked control across all samples, with average recovery percentages of 68% for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), with low variability. Mean recoveries for PEG precipitation and skimmed milk flocculation were 9% and 14%, respectively. The inuvai R180 enables the scalability of volumes without negative impact on the costs, time for analysis, and recovery/inhibition. Moreover, hollow fiber ultrafilters favor the concentration of different microbial taxonomic groups. Such combined features make this technology attractive for usage in environmental waters monitoring.

Assessment of neuromuscular fatigue through frequency analysis of the electromyographic signal of control participants and those with temporomandibular dysfunction treated with resilient or hard occlusal devices.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Muscle hyperactivity that leads to neuromuscular fatigue can be evaluated by electromyography. Whether treatment with occlusal devices can restore neuromuscular balance to patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate neuromuscular fatigue by analyzing the frequency of the electromyographic signal of the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles on both sides in healthy participants and those with TMD treated with a resilient or hard occlusal device. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred asymptomatic participants and 30 with TMD were divided into 2 groups: treated with a hard device or treated with a resilient device. All underwent electromyographic examination before and after treatment with the occlusal devices. RESULTS: In both groups, the results showed statistically significant differences (P<.01) when the fatigue rate before and after treatment with an occlusal device was compared. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with both types of occlusal device was efficient in reducing the rate of neuromuscular fatigue in patients with TMDs.

Unveiling Chemical Cues of Insect-Tree and Insect-Insect Interactions for the Eucalyptus Weevil and Its Egg Parasitoid by Multidimensional Gas Chromatographic Methods.

Multidimensional gas chromatography is, presently, an established and powerful analytical tool, due to higher resolving power than the classical 1D chromatographic approaches. Applied to multiple areas, it allows to isolate, detect and identify a larger number of compounds present in complex matrices, even in trace amounts. Research was conducted to determine which compounds, emitted by host plants of the eucalyptus weevil, Gonipterus platensis, might mediate host selection behavior. The identification of a pheromone blend of G. platensis is presented, revealing to be more attractive to weevils of both sexes, than the individual compounds. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were collected by headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME), MonoTrapTM disks, and simultaneous distillation-extraction (SDE). Combining one dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) chromatographic systems-comprehensive and heart-cut two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC and H/C-MD-GC, respectively) with mass spectrometry (MS) and electroantennographic (EAD) detection, enabled the selection and identification of pertinent semiochemicals which were detected by the insect antennal olfactory system. The behavioral effect of a selected blend of compounds was assessed in a two-arm olfactometer with ten parallel walking chambers, coupled to video tracking and data analysis software. An active blend, composed by cis and trans-verbenol, verbenene, myrtenol and trans-pinocarveol was achieved.

25-hydroxyvitamin D in older adults: Which factors really matter?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the interaction between a set of factors commonly associated with vitamin D production and nutritional intake and serum 25(OH)D levels among older adults. METHODS: Cross-sectional study on 346 adults over 60 years. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured following routine biochemical laboratory protocols. Multivariable logistic regression investigated which factors were independently associated with vitamin D deficiency. RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was 35.3% and 44.2%, respectively. The multivariable logistic regression showed gender and BMI as independent adjustment measures for serum 25(OH)D levels; all other associations were non-significant. CONCLUSIONS: Sex and BMI prevail as principal determinants of serum 25(OH)D levels among older adults. BMI seems to have a more pronounced influence on serum 25(OH)D levels of females compared to males. Healthcare professionals should consider active screening for changes in serum 25(OH)D levels in older obese adults, especially females.