Application of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Sensing for Water Status Estimation in Vineyards under Different Pruning Strategies.

Pruning determines the plant water status due to its effects on the leaf area and thus the irrigation management. The primary aim of this study was to assess the use of high-resolution multispectral imagery to estimate the plant water status through different bands and vegetation indexes (VIs) and to evaluate which is most suitable under different pruning management strategies. This work was carried out in 2021 and 2022 in a commercial Merlot vineyard in an arid area of central Spain. Two different pruning strategies were carried out: mechanical pruning and no pruning. The stem water potential was measured with a pressure chamber (Ψstem) at two different solar times (9 h and 12 h). Multispectral information from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was obtained at the same time as the field Ψstem measurements and different vegetation indexes (VIs) were calculated. Pruning management significantly determined the Ψstem, bunch and berry weight, number of bunches, and plant yield. Linear regression between the Ψstem and NDVI presented the tightest correlation at 12 h solar time (R2 = 0.58). The red and red-edge bands were included in a generalised multivariable linear regression and achieved higher accuracy (R2 = 0.74) in predicting the Ψstem. Using high-resolution multispectral imagery has proven useful in predicting the vine water status independently of the pruning management strategy.

Plasma proteome profiling identifies changes associated to AD but not to FTD.

BACKGROUND: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is caused by frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), characterized mainly by inclusions of Tau (FTLD-Tau) or TAR DNA binding43 (FTLD-TDP) proteins. Plasma biomarkers are strongly needed for specific diagnosis and potential treatment monitoring of FTD. We aimed to identify specific FTD plasma biomarker profiles discriminating FTD from AD and controls, and between FTD pathological subtypes. In addition, we compared plasma results with results in post-mortem frontal cortex of FTD cases to understand the underlying process. METHODS: Plasma proteins (n = 1303) from pathologically and/or genetically confirmed FTD patients (n = 56; FTLD-Tau n = 16; age = 58.2 ± 6.2; 44% female, FTLD-TDP n = 40; age = 59.8 ± 7.9; 45% female), AD patients (n = 57; age = 65.5 ± 8.0; 39% female), and non-demented controls (n = 148; 61.3 ± 7.9; 41% female) were measured using an aptamer-based proteomic technology (SomaScan). In addition, exploratory analysis in post-mortem frontal brain cortex of FTD (n = 10; FTLD-Tau n = 5; age = 56.2 ± 6.9, 60% female, and FTLD-TDP n = 5; age = 64.0 ± 7.7, 60% female) and non-demented controls (n = 4; age = 61.3 ± 8.1; 75% female) were also performed. Differentially regulated plasma and tissue proteins were identified by global testing adjusting for demographic variables and multiple testing. Logistic lasso regression was used to identify plasma protein panels discriminating FTD from non-demented controls and AD, or FTLD-Tau from FTLD-TDP. Performance of the discriminatory plasma protein panels was based on predictions obtained from bootstrapping with 1000 resampled analysis. RESULTS: Overall plasma protein expression profiles differed between FTD, AD and controls (6 proteins; p = 0.005), but none of the plasma proteins was specifically associated to FTD. The overall tissue protein expression profile differed between FTD and controls (7-proteins; p = 0.003). There was no difference in overall plasma or tissue expression profile between FTD subtypes. Regression analysis revealed a panel of 12-plasma proteins discriminating FTD from AD with high accuracy (AUC: 0.99). No plasma protein panels discriminating FTD from controls or FTD pathological subtypes were identified. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a promising plasma protein panel as a minimally-invasive tool to aid in the differential diagnosis of FTD from AD, which was primarily associated to AD pathophysiology. The lack of plasma profiles specifically associated to FTD or its pathological subtypes might be explained by FTD heterogeneity, calling for FTD studies using large and well-characterize cohorts.

Trajectories of prenatal alcohol exposure and behavioral outcomes: Findings from a community-based sample.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize patterns of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), and determine whether PAE trajectories were associated with behavior from a community-based sample of first-grade children. METHODS: Using data collected as part of the Collaboration of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Prevalence study (n = 1663), we performed longitudinal cluster analysis on prenatal alcohol use reported for four time points around conception and pregnancy. From the sample, 638 respondents reported any alcohol use in pregnancy and were included in trajectories for average daily and maximum drinks per drinking day (max DDD). We then estimated the association with behavioral problems measured by the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Teacher Report Form (TRF) with multivariable linear regression. The reference group had 1025 children with no reported PAE. RESULTS: Five trajectories were selected to describe max DDD patterns: very low/discontinuing (n = 186), low/discontinuing (n = 111), very low/continuing (n = 47), med/high (n = 245), and high (n = 49). Six trajectories best described average daily alcohol use: very low/discontinuing (n = 378), very low/continuing (n = 98), low/continuing (n = 56), low/discontinuing (n = 37), medium/high (n = 35), and high (n = 31). When assessing max DDD trajectories for both the CBCL and TRF, individuals with PAE in the two highest trajectories and the very low/continuing trajectory had more behavioral problems relative to children with no PAE, although confidence intervals for most estimates included the null. PAE modeled as average drinks per day did not predict behavior in any consistent pattern. CONCLUSIONS: In this community-based sample, select PAE trajectories were associated with behavior, even at relatively low levels of PAE that continued later in gestation.

ADENI-UCI study: Analysis of non-income decisions in ICU as a measure of limitation of life support treatments.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the variables associated with ICU refusal decisions as a life support treatment limitation measure. DESIGN: Prospective, multicentrico. SCOPE: 62 ICU from Spain between February 2018 and March 2019. PATIENTS: Over 18 years of age who were denied entry into ICU as a life support treatment limitation measure. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN INTEREST VARIABLES: Patient comorities, functional situation as measured by the KNAUS and Karnosfky scale; predicted scales of Lee and Charlson; severity of the sick person measured by the APACHE II and SOFA scales, which justifies the decision-making, a person to whom the information is transmitted; date of discharge or in-hospital death, destination for hospital discharge. RESULTS: A total of 2312 non-income decisions were recorded as an LTSV measure of which 2284 were analyzed. The main reason for consultation was respiratory failure (1080 [47.29%]). The poor estimated quality of life of the sick (1417 [62.04%]), the presence of a severe chronic disease (1367 [59.85%]) and the prior functional limitation of patients (1270 [55.60%]) were the main reasons for denying admission. The in-hospital mortality rate was 60.33%. The futility of treatment was found as a risk factor associated with mortality (OR: 3.23; IC95%: 2.62-3.99). CONCLUSIONS: Decisions to limit ICU entry as an LTSV measure are based on the same reasons as decisions made within the ICU. The futility valued by the intensivist is adequately related to the final result of death.

[Approximation to the cost of occupational diseases treated in seven hospitals in Spain]. / Aproximación al coste de enfermedades profesionales atendidas en siete hospitales en España.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the hospital cost of a sample of cases treated in seven hospitals of the National Health System in several Spanish cities. METHOD: Study based on 78 cases of occupational disease recognized by the social security, and previously treated in hospitals in Badalona, Barcelona, Ferrol, Gijón, Girona, Madrid and Vigo between 2017 and 2019. RESULTS: The healthcare activity generated by these hospitals to attend these processes involved a total cost of 282,927€. CONCLUSIONS: It is urgent to improve the coordination between the two public health systems, the social security health care system and the National Health System.

Time to a Negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR Predicts Delayed Return to Work After Medical Leave in COVID-19 Infected Health Care Workers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether HCWs return to work (RTW) after COVID-19 was associated with time to a negative viral detection test. METHODS: To evaluate the association of RTW with an undetectable RT-PCR adjusting for different factors. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-five HCWs who required medical leave for COVID-19 at a hospital in Madrid. Multivariable analyses confirmed the association of delayed RTW with interval to negative PCR (ORadj 1.12, 95% CI 1.08, 1.17) as well as age, sex, and nursing staff and clinical support services compared to physicians. A predictive model based on those variables is proposed, which had an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.82. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed RTW was associated with longer interval to a negative RT-PCR after symptom onset, adjusting for occupational category, age, and sex.

Serological study of healthcare workers in four different hospitals in Madrid (Spain) with no previous history of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been one of the most severely affected groups during the COVID-19 pandemic, though few studies have sought to determine the rate of undiagnosed cases among this population. In this study, we aim to determine the rate of undetected infection in HCWs, a potential source of nosocomial infection. METHODS: Serological screening for IgG and IgM antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was carried out among HCWs from four different hospitals in Madrid, Spain, from 6 April to 25 April 2020; HCWs with a previous diagnosis of infection based on real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR assay performed after presenting compatible symptoms were excluded. Prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies was calculated among HCWs to obtain the rate of COVID-19 presence of antibodies in each hospital. RESULTS: Of the 7121 HCWs studied, 6344 (89.09%) had not been previously diagnosed with COVID-19. A total of 5995 HCWs finally participated in the study, resulting in a participation rate of 94.49%. A positive IgM or IgG test against COVID-19 was revealed in 16.21% of the HCWs studied (n=972). CONCLUSION: This study reveals the importance of early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs to prevent nosocomial infection and exposure of patients, visitors and workers and the spread of COVID-19 in the overall community.

Vaccination adjuvated against hepatitis B in Spanish National Healthcare System (SNS) workers typed as non-responders to conventional vaccines.

TRIAL DESIGN: An interventional, phase 4, single group assignment, without masking (open label), preventive clinical trial was carried out in health workers with biological risk in their tasks, who have been filed as non-responders to conventional vaccination against Hepatitis B. METHODS: 67 health workers with biological risk in their tasks, who have been filed as non-responders to conventional vaccination against Hepatitis B, were enrolled in the Clinical Trial. All participants were from 18 years up to 64 years old. INCLUSION CRITERIA: NHS workers -including university students doing their internships in health centres dependent on the National Health System (inclusion of students is regulated and limited by specific instructions on labour prevention in each autonomous community)- classified as non-responders. The criteria defining them as non-responders to the conventional hepatitis B vaccine is anti HBsAb titers < 10 mUI/ml following the application of six doses of conventional vaccine at 20 µg doses (two complete guidelines). The objective of this study was to provide Health workers-staff with an additional protection tool against hepatitis B infection, and to evaluate the efficacy of the adjuvanted vaccine in healthy non-responders to conventional hepatitis B vaccine. The primary outcome was the measurement of antibody antiHBs before the first Fendrix® dose and a month after the administration of each dose. Other outcome was collection of adverse effects during administration and all those that could be related to the vaccine and that occur within 30 days after each dose. In this study, only one group was assigned. There was no randomization or masking. RESULTS: The participants were recruited between April 13, 2018 and October 31, 2019. 67 participants were enrolled in the Clinical Trial and included the analyses. The primary immunisation consists of 4 separate 0.5 ml doses of Fendrix®, administered at the following schedule: 1 month, 2 months and 6 months from the date of the first dose. Once the positivity was reached in any of the doses, the participant finished the study and was not given the following doses. 68.66% (46 out 67) had a positive response to first dose of Fendrix®. 57.14% (12 out 21) had a positive response to second dose of Fendrix®. 22.22% (2 out 9) had a positive response to third dose of Fendrix and 42.96% (3 out 7) had a positive response to last dose of Fendrix®. Overall, 94.02% (64 out 67) of participants had a positive response to Fendrix®. No serious adverse event occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Fendrix®, is a viable vaccine alternative for NHS workers classified as "non-responders". Revaccination of healthy non-responders with Fendrix®, resulted in very high proportions of responders without adverse events. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in the Spanish National Trial Register (REEC), ClinicalTrials.gov and inclusion has been stopped (identifier NCT03410953; EudraCT-number 2016-004991-23). FUNDING: GRS 1360/A/16: Call for aid for the financing of research projects in biomedicine, health management and socio-health care to be developed in the centres of the Regional Health Management of Autonomous Community of Castile-Leon. In addition, this work has been supported by the Spanish Platform for Clinical Research and Clinical Trials, SCReN (Spanish Clinical Research Network), funded by the Subdirectorate General for Research Evaluation and Promotion of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), through the project PT13/0002/0039 and project PT17/0017/0023 integrated in the State Plan for R&D&I 2013-2016 and co-financed by and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

ADENI-UCI Study: Analysis of non-income decisions in ICU as a measure of limitation of life support treatments. / Estudio ADENI-UCI: Análisis de las decisiones de no ingreso en UCI como medida de limitación de los tratamientos de soporte vital.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the variables associated with ICU refusal decisions as a life support treatment limitation measure. DESIGN: Prospective, multicentrico SCOPE: 62 ICU from Spain between February 2018 and March 2019. PATIENTS: Over 18 years of age who were denied entry into ICU as a life support treatment limitation measure. INTERVENTIONS: None. MAIN INTEREST VARIABLES: Patient comorities, functional situation as measured by the KNAUS and Karnosfky scale; predicted scales of Lee and Charlson; severity of the sick person measured by the APACHE II and SOFA scales, which justifies the decision-making, a person to whom the information is transmitted; date of discharge or in-hospital death, destination for hospital discharge. RESULTS: A total of 2312 non-income decisions were recorded as an LTSV measure of which 2284 were analyzed. The main reason for consultation was respiratory failure (1080 [47.29%]). The poor estimated quality of life of the sick (1417 [62.04%]), the presence of a severe chronic disease (1367 [59.85%]) and the prior functional limitation of patients (1270 [55.60%]) were the main reasons for denying admission. The in-hospital mortality rate was 60.33%. The futility of treatment was found as a risk factor associated with mortality (OR: 3.23; IC95%: 2.62-3.99). CONCLUSIONS: Decisions to limit ICU entry as an LTSV measure are based on the same reasons as decisions made within the ICU. The futility valued by the intensivist is adequately related to the final result of death.

Thyroid Function in Health Care Workers Exposed to Ionizing Radiation.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze possible alterations of thyroid function related to dosimetric values in health care workers exposed to ionizing radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six health care workers exposed to ionizing radiation at a tertiary hospital previously exposed to ionizing radiation were included in the study. Age, sex, history of thyroid diseases, thyroid hormones, work post, service, dosimetric values of previous year, and 5 y period were considered. Alterations of thyroid function and other variables were analyzed by exact logistic regression univariate model. RESULTS: 7.1% workers showed an increased serum thyroid-stimulating hormone without free T3 or free T4 alteration. A significant relationship between workers with increased thyroid-stimulating hormone and dosimetric values of previous year (odds ratio 6.35, 95% confidence interval 1.20-98.1, p = 0.021) and previous 5 y period of radiation exposure (odds ratio 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.12-3.34, p = 0.007) was obtained. CONCLUSION: An increased risk of subclinical hypothyroidism related to radiation doses was observed in this pilot study on a group of health care workers exposed to ionizing radiation.