Early Incorporation to Palliative Care (EPC) in Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The PACO Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) experience a considerable disease burden, evident in symptomatic and psychological spheres. Advanced cancer represents a complex scenario for patients and the healthcare team. Early palliative care (EPC) has been proven as a clinically meaningful strategy in this context by several randomized trials but not in a resource-limited setting. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of EPC compared with standard oncological care (SOC) in patients with metastatic NSCLC in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized clinical trial was conducted at Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia in Mexico. All patients had histologically confirmed metastatic NSCLC without previous treatment. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive SOC or SOC + EPC. The EPC group was introduced to the palliative care team at baseline after randomization, which was integrated by psychologists, bachelor's in nutrition, specialized nurses, and physicians. Patients randomized to this arm had programmed visits to meet with the team at baseline and through the 2nd, 4th-, and 6th cycles thereafter. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); secondary outcomes included quality of life (QoL), anxiety and depression, and symptom intensity. They were assessed using the instruments EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) (clinicaltrials.gov [NCT01631565]). Questionnaires were completed at baseline, at 2nd, 4th, and 6th cycles of treatment. RESULTS: Between March 2012 and June 2015, 201 patients were assessed for eligibility and 146 were enrolled and allocated to receive EPC (73) or SOC (73). Median OS for patients in the EPC vs SOC arm was 18.1 months (95% CI, 7.9-28.4) and 10.5 months (95% CI, 4.7-16.2) (P = .029). Having a poor performance status (HR 1.7 [1.2-2.5]; P = .004) and allocation to the control group (HR 1.5 [1.03-2.3]; P = .034) were independently associated with a worse OS. Those patients with a global QoL > 70 at baseline had a better OS if they were In the EPC arm (38.7 months (95% CI, 9.9-67.6) vs SOC 21.4 months (95% CI, 12.4-30.3)). Mean QoL had a numerical improvement in patients allocated to EPC after 6 cycles of follow-up, nonetheless this difference was not statistically significant (55.1 ±â€…23.7 vs 56.9 ±â€…25.3; P = .753). There were no significant differences in anxiety and depression at all study points. CONCLUSIONS: EPC is associated with a significant improvement in OS, although, we observed that the greatest benefit of providing EPC was observed in those with a global QoL > 70 at baseline. This study did not identify significant changes in terms of QoL or symptom burden between the study groups after follow-up. Evidence robustly suggests that EPC should be considered part of the multidisciplinary treatment of metastatic NSCLC patients since diagnosis. According to our study, EPC can be implemented in low- or middle-income countries (LMIC).

Cytoprotection as an Innovative Therapeutic Strategy to Cardiogenic Shock: Exploring the Potential of Cytidine-5-Diphosphocholine to Mitigate Target Organ Damage.

BACKGROUND: Preservation of organ function and viability is a crucial factor for survival in cardiogenic shock (CS) patients. There is not information enough on cytoprotective substances that may delay organs damage in CS. We hypothesize that cytidine-5-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) can act as a cytoprotective pharmacological measure that diminishes the target organ damage. So, we aimed to perform a review of works carried out in our institution to evaluate the effect of therapeutic cytoprotection of the CDP-choline. SUMMARY: CDP-choline is an intermediate metabolite in the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine. It is also a useful drug for the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases and has shown an excellent pharmacological safety profile as well. We review our institution's work and described the cytoprotective effects of CDP-choline in experimental models of heart, liver, and kidney acute damage, where this compound was shown to diminish reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias, oxidative stress, apoptotic cell death, inflammation, lactic acid levels and to preserve mitochondrial function. KEY MESSAGES: We propose that additional research is needed to evaluate the impact of cytoprotective therapy adjuvant to mitigate target organ damage in patients with CS.

Faecal lipid profile as a new marker of fat maldigestion, malabsorption and microbiota.

BACKGROUND: Fat malabsorption in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) leads to poor nutritional status and altered colonic microbiota. This study aimed at establishing the faecal lipid profile in children with CF, and exploring associations between the faecal lipidome and microbiota. METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study with children with CF and an age-matched control group. Faecal lipidome was analysed by UHLC-HRMS and microbiota profiling by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. RESULTS: Among 234 identified lipid species, five lipidome clusters (LC) were obtained with significant differences in triacylglycerols (TG), diacylglycerols (DG), monoacylglycerols (MG) and fatty-acids (FA): LC1 subjects with good digestion and absorption: low TG and low MG and FA; LC2 good digestion and poor absorption: low TG and high MG and FA; LC3 Mild digestion and poor absorption: intermediate TG and high MG and FA; LC4 poor digestion and absorption: high TG and high MG and FA; LC5 outliers. Bacteroidota and Verrucomicrobiota decreased over LC1-LC4, while Proteobacteria increased. Nutritional status indicators were significantly higher in LC1 and decreased over LC2-LC4. CONCLUSION: Assessing faecal lipidome may be relevant to determine how dietary lipids are digested and absorbed. This new evidence might be a method to support targeted nutritional interventions towards reverting fat maldigestion or malabsorption. IMPACT: Lipidomic analysis enabled the identification of the lipid species related to maldigestion (triglycerides) or malabsorption (monoglycerides and fatty acids). Children with cystic fibrosis can be grouped depending on the faecal lipidome profile related to dietary fat maldigestion or malabsorption. The lipidome profile in faeces is related to the composition of microbiota and nutritional status indicators.

Assessing the predictability of five intraocular lens calculation methods in eyes with prior myopic keratorefractive lenticule extraction.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the predictability of five methods of intraocular lens (IOL) calculation in eyes with prior keratorefractive lenticule extraction (KLEx) for the treatment of myopia. METHODS: A retrospective case study included 100 eyes of 52 patients who underwent myopia and myopia with astigmatism treatment with small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). Preoperative and 3-month postoperative measurements of optical biometry and corneal tomography were obtained. The spherical equivalent of the refractive change induced by surgery was converted to the corneal plane (SMILE-dif). A physically well-defined method was developed in which the same IOL model was implanted before and after SMILE. IOL power was calculated using ray-tracing (RT-Sirius), and several IOL power calculation formulas (Kane, EVO 2.0, Barrett Universal II Formula, Hoffer QST) before surgery. After surgery, IOL power was calculated with RT-Sirius, Kane using Mean Pupil Power at 5.5 mm by ray tracing, EVO 2.0 Post Myopic LASIK/PRK, Barrett True K and Hoffer QST Post Myopic LASIK/PRK after surgery. The difference between the refractive error induced by the IOL before and after SMILE in the corneal plane (IOL-dif) was compared with SMILE-dif. The predicted error (PE) was calculated as the difference between SMILE-dif and IOL-dif. RESULTS: The PE obtained was 0.26 ± 0.55 diopters (D), 0.10 ± 0.45 D, 0.40 ± 0.37 D, -0.03 ± 0.36 D, 0.02 ± 0.51 D, with RT-Sirius, Kane, EVO 2.0, Barrett True K, and Hoffer QST respectively. PE was not statistically significantly different between Barrett True K and Hoffer QST, with differences being more homogeneous with Barrett, (variance σ2 = 0,13). The absolute EP obtained with Barrett True K achieved 84% of cases within ± 0.5 D, followed by Kane (72%), Hoffer QST (65%), EVO (61%) and RT-Sirius (59%). CONCLUSIONS: Barrett True K formula was the most accurate method for IOL calculation in eyes that had undergone SMILE for the correction of myopia. KEY MESSAGES: What is known The literature regarding IOL power calculation after SMILE is sparse, and the methods used to estimate corneal power following LASIK/PRK may not be applicable to SMILE procedures. The most common approach to investigating the predictability of IOL calculation formulas involves a theoretical model encompassing the virtual implantation of an IOL. What is new The Hoffer QST formula, Kane formula using Mean Pupil Power at 5.5 mm, EVO 2.0, and Sirius' Ray Tracing software had not been previously evaluated using this approach. The Barrett True K formula was the most accurate method for IOL calculation in eyes that had undergone SMILE for myopia correction, outperforming Ray Tracing.

Structure-based identification of sensor species for anticipating critical transitions.

Ecological systems can undergo sudden, catastrophic changes known as critical transitions. Anticipating these critical transitions remains challenging in systems with many species because the associated early warning signals can be weakly present or even absent in some species, depending on the system dynamics. Therefore, our limited knowledge of ecological dynamics may suggest that it is hard to identify those species in the system that display early warning signals. Here, we show that, in mutualistic ecological systems, it is possible to identify species that early anticipate critical transitions by knowing only the system structure-that is, the network topology of plant-animal interactions. Specifically, we leverage the mathematical theory of structural observability of dynamical systems to identify a minimum set of "sensor species," whose measurement guarantees that we can infer changes in the abundance of all other species. Importantly, such a minimum set of sensor species can be identified by using the system structure only. We analyzed the performance of such minimum sets of sensor species for detecting early warnings using a large dataset of empirical plant-pollinator and seed-dispersal networks. We found that species that are more likely to be sensors tend to anticipate earlier critical transitions than other species. Our results underscore how knowing the structure of multispecies systems can improve our ability to anticipate critical transitions.

DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMANCE OF BLOOD ANALYTES FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF RENAL DISEASE IN BLACK-FOOTED FERRETS (MUSTELA NIGRIPES) AT THE PHOENIX ZOO (2001-2020).

Renal disease is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in managed black-footed ferrets (BFF; Mustela nigripes).4,6,12 The objectives of this study were to establish reference intervals for blood analytes of clinically normal BFF (1-2 yr old), summarize the frequency of various renal histopathologic findings in a managed population of BFF, assess the diagnostic performance of blood analytes and urine specific gravity (USG) for the diagnosis of renal disease, and assess if comorbidities or age affects the performance of these analytes in diagnosing renal disease. Reference intervals were established using a cohort (n = 35) of clinically normal, young adult BFF. Postmortem records for all BFF at the Phoenix Zoo between 2001 and 2020 were reviewed, and those with available blood analyte data within 2 wk of death were included (n = 89). Ferrets were placed into one of three groups, based on the organ location of histopathologic abnormalities following necropsy: renal disease as the primary change; those with renal disease and at least one other affected major organ system; or absence of abnormalities in the kidneys. In ferrets with substantial renal changes, the primary diagnosis was amyloidosis (29 of 39; 74.4%). Creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), Ca:P ratio, USG, globulins, and cholesterol were the best-performing analytes for the diagnosis of renal disease, with an area under the curve of at least 0.90 (95% CI $ 0.80, 1.00). Serum renal markers were within reference intervals in BFF that died without histologic evidence of renal disease. Several blood analytes were significantly affected by age in animals that died of renal disease. This study provides reference intervals for blood analytes in young adult clinically normal BFF and illustrates the clinical utility for the diagnosis of renal disease in this species, particularly creatinine, USG, and P.

USE OF VISCOELASTIC COAGULATION TESTING IN MEGACHIROPTERA (PTEROPUS HYPOMELANUS AND PTEROPUS VAMPYRUS) REVEALS HIGH VARIABILITY IN CLOT KINETICS.

Megachiroptera is a mammalian suborder that includes old world fruit bats. Common clinical problems among captive Megachiroptera, such as liver disease (e.g., iron storage disease), kidney disease (e.g., protein-losing nephropathy), and heart disease (e.g., dilated cardiomyopathy), carry elevated risk for hemostatic derangements. The assessment of viscoelastic coagulation assays, however, has not yet been reported in bats. The main objective of the study was to describe viscoelastography data using the Viscoelastic Coagulation Monitor (VCM) Vet in captive large flying foxes (Pteropus vampyrus) (n = 20) and variable flying foxes (Pteropus hypomelanus) (n = 10). Additional objectives were to compare viscoelastic and clotting parameters (1) between healthy P. vampyrus and P. hypomelanus bats and (2) between untreated bats and those treated with meloxicam or aspirin, and (3) to examine relationships between activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and potentially homologous viscoelastic parameters clotting time (CT) and clot formation time (CFT). The results showed marked variability among clinically normal bats. The intrinsic pathway, as measured by aPTT, had prolonged times compared with most terrestrial mammals, but similar times to birds, marine mammals, and sea turtles. A search of P. vampyrus genome found stop codons present in two exons of the factor XI gene; alterations in factor XI expression would be expected to alter intrinsic coagulation. Because of the high variability, no statistically significant findings were noted in the secondary objectives. Correlation between aPTT and CT or CFT was not strong (rs = 0.406 or 0.192, respectively). The results from this study suggest that clot kinetics vary widely among Megachiroptera when using the VCM Vet with untreated blood. A prolonged intrinsic coagulation pathway, as has been found in other megachiropteran species, and activation of the extrinsic coagulation pathway during venipuncture may be responsible for the inconsistent results.

Ginkgo biloba: Antioxidant Activity and In Silico Central Nervous System Potential.

Ginkgo biloba (GB) extracts have been used in clinical studies as an alternative therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the exact bioaction mechanism has not yet been elucidated. In this work, an in silico study on GB metabolites was carried out using SwissTargetPrediction to determine the proteins associated with AD. The resulting proteins, AChE, MAO-A, MAO-B, ß-secretase and γ-secretase, were studied by molecular docking, resulting in the finding that kaempferol, quercetin, and luteolin have multitarget potential against AD. These compounds also exhibit antioxidant activity towards reactive oxygen species (ROS), so antioxidant tests were performed on the extracts using the DPPH and ABTS techniques. The ethanol and ethyl acetate GB extracts showed an important inhibition percentage, higher than 80%, at a dose of 0.01 mg/mL. The effect of GB extracts on AD resulted in multitarget action through two pathways: firstly, inhibiting enzymes responsible for degrading neurotransmitters and forming amyloid plaques; secondly, decreasing ROS in the central nervous system (CNS), reducing its deterioration, and promoting the formation of amyloid plaques. The results of this work demonstrate the great potential of GB as a medicinal plant.

Dynamic Invasive Hemodynamic Congestion Profile Impacts Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock Outcomes: A Real-World Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CS) commonly complicates the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and it results in high mortality rates. Pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) monitoring can be valuable for personalizing critical-care interventions. We hypothesized that patients with AMI-CS experiencing persistent congestion measures during the first 24 hours of the PAC installment would exhibit worse in-hospital survival rates. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 295 patients with AMI-CS between January 2006 and December 2021. The first 24-hour PAC-derived hemodynamic measures were divided by the congestion profiling and the proposed 2022 Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) classification. Biventricular congestion was the most common profile and was associated with the highest patient mortality rates at all time points (mean 56.6%). A persistent congestive profile was associated with increased mortality rates (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.85; P = 0.002) compared with patients who achieved decongestive profiles. Patients with SCAI stages D/E had higher levels of right atrial pressure (RAP): 14-15 mmHg) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP): 18-20 mmHg) compared with stage C (RAP, 10-11 mmHg, mean difference 3-5 mmHg; P < 0.001; PCWP 14-17 mmHg; mean difference 1.56-4 mmHg; P = 0.011). In SCAI stages D/E, the pulmonary artery pulsatility index (0.8-1.19) was lower than in those with grade C (1.29-1.63; mean difference 0.21-0.73; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous congestion profiling using the SCAI classification matched the grade of hemodynamic severity and the increased risk of in-hospital death. Early decongestion appears to be an important prognostic and therapeutic goal in patients with AMI-CS and warrants further study.

Effect of beta-glucan supplementation on cystic fibrosis colonic microbiota: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) present with gut dysbiosis, and current evidence impedes robust recommendations on the use of prebiotics. This study aimed at establishing the prebiotic potential of a commercial beta-glucan on the in vitro colonic microbiota of a child with CF compared to a healthy counterpart (H). METHODS: A dynamic simulator of colonic fermentation (twin-SHIME® model) was set up including the simulation of the proximal (PC) and distal colon (DC) of the CF and the H subjects by colonizing the bioreactors with faecal microbiota. During two weeks the system was supplied with the beta-glucan. At baseline, during treatment and post-treatment, microbiota composition was profiled by 16 S rRNA and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production was determined by GS-MS. RESULTS: At baseline, Faecalibacterium, was higher in CF' DC than in the H, along higher Acidaminococcus and less Megasphaera and Sutterella. Beta-glucan supplementation induced increased microbiota richness and diversity in both subjects during the treatment. At genus level, Pseudomonas and Veillonella decreased, while Akkermansia and Faecalibacterium increased significantly in CF. CONCLUSION: The supplementation with beta-glucan suggests positive results on CF colonic microbiota in the in vitro context, encouraging further research in the in vivo setting. IMPACT: Current evidence supports assessing the effect of prebiotics on modifying cystic fibrosis microbiota. The effect of beta-glucan supplementation was evaluated in a controlled dynamic in vitro colonic ecosystem. Beta-glucan supplement improved diversity in cystic fibrosis colonic microbiota. The treatment showed increased abundance of Faecalibacterium and Akkermansia in cystic fibrosis. New evidence supports the use of prebiotics in future clinical studies.

Orbital Exenteration Reconstruction for Medically Complex Patients: Bilaminate Dermal Substitute as an Alternative to Major Surgery.

Reconstructive strategies after orbital exenteration range from the use of skin grafts to tissue flaps, depending on the classification of the defect, patient's goals, and tolerance for surgery. We present a case of a 68-year-old, medically complex patient who underwent orbital exenteration, radiation therapy, and reconstruction with a bilaminate dermal substitute. Despite the placement in an irradiated area without periosteum, the bilaminate dermal substitute graft demonstrated acceptable integration and provided an adequate base for subsequent split thickness skin grafting, sparing a medically fragile patient from a morbid operation. This case highlights the advantages of a less invasive reconstructive modality when managing a patient with multiple comorbidities and a significant chance of cancer recurrence.

Development of Optical Label-Free Biosensor Method in Detection of Listeria monocytogenes from Food.

The present work describes an alternative method for detecting and identifying Listeria monocytogenes in food samples by developing a nanophotonic biosensor containing bioreceptors and optical transducers. The development of photonic sensors for the detection of pathogens in the food industry involves the implementation of procedures for selecting probes against the antigens of interest and the functionalization of the sensor surfaces on which the said bioreceptors are located. As a previous step to functionalizing the biosensor, an immobilization control of these antibodies on silicon nitride surfaces was carried out to check the effectiveness of in plane immobilization. On the one hand, it was observed that a Listeria monocytogenes-specific polyclonal antibody has a greater binding capacity to the antigen at a wide range of concentrations. A Listeria monocytogenes monoclonal antibody is more specific and has a greater binding capacity only at low concentrations. An assay for evaluating selected antibodies against particular antigens of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria was designed to determine the binding specificity of each probe using the indirect ELISA detection technique. In addition, a validation method was established against the reference method for many replicates belonging to different batches of meat-detectable samples, with a medium and pre-enrichment time that allowed optimal recovery of the target microorganism. Moreover, no cross-reactivity with other nontarget bacteria was observed. Thus, this system is a simple, highly sensitive, and accurate platform for L. monocytogenes detection.

Microdosing Sprint Distribution as an Alternative to Achieve Better Sprint Performance in Field Hockey Players.

Introduction: The implementation of optimal sprint training volume is a relevant component of team sport performance. This study aimed to compare the efficiency and effectiveness of two different configurations of within-season training load distribution on sprint performance over 6 weeks. Methods: Twenty male professional FH players participated in the study. Players were conveniently assigned to two groups: the experimental group (MG; n = 11; applying the microdosing training methodology) and the control group (TG; n = 9; traditional training, with players being selected by the national team). Sprint performance was evaluated through 20 m sprint time (T20) m and horizontal force−velocity profile (HFVP) tests before (Pre) and after (Post) intervention. Both measurements were separated by a period of 6 weeks. The specific sprint training program was performed for each group (for vs. two weekly sessions for MG and TG, respectively) attempting to influence the full spectrum of the F-V relationship. Results: Conditional demands analysis (matches and training sessions) showed no significant differences between the groups during the intervention period (p > 0.05). No significant between-group differences were found at Pre or Post for any sprint-related performance (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, intra-group analysis revealed significant differences in F0, Pmax, RFmean at 10 m and every achieved time for distances ranging from 5 to 25 m for MG (p < 0.05). Such changes in mechanical capabilities and sprint performance were characterized by an increase in stride length and a decrease in stride frequency during the maximal velocity phase (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Implementing strategies such as microdosed training load distribution appears to be an effective and efficient alternative for sprint training in team sports such as hockey.

Drosophila DAxud1 Has a Repressive Transcription Activity on Hsp70 and Other Heat Shock Genes.

Drosophila melanogaster DAxud1 is a transcription factor that belongs to the Cysteine Serine Rich Nuclear Protein (CSRNP) family, conserved in metazoans, with a transcriptional transactivation activity. According to previous studies, this protein promotes apoptosis and Wnt signaling-mediated neural crest differentiation in vertebrates. However, no analysis has been conducted to determine what other genes it might control, especially in connection with cell survival and apoptosis. To partly answer this question, this work analyzes the role of Drosophila DAxud1 using Targeted-DamID-seq (TaDa-seq), which allows whole genome screening to determine in which regions it is most frequently found. This analysis confirmed the presence of DAxud1 in groups of pro-apoptotic and Wnt pathway genes, as previously described; furthermore, stress resistance genes that coding heat shock protein (HSP) family genes were found as hsp70, hsp67, and hsp26. The enrichment of DAxud1 also identified a DNA-binding motif (AYATACATAYATA) that is frequently found in the promoters of these genes. Surprisingly, the following analyses demonstrated that DAxud1 exerts a repressive role on these genes, which are necessary for cell survival. This is coupled with the pro-apoptotic and cell cycle arrest roles of DAxud1, in which repression of hsp70 complements the maintenance of tissue homeostasis through cell survival modulation.

Longitudinal Effects of Traditional and Rest Redistribution Set Configurations on Explosive-Strength and Strength-Endurance Manifestations.

ABSTRACT: Janicijevic, D, González-Hernández, JM, Jiménez-Reyes, P, Márquez, G, and García-Ramos, A. Longitudinal effects of traditional and rest redistribution set configurations on explosive-strength and strength-endurance manifestations. J Strength Cond Res 37(5): 980-986, 2023-This study aimed to compare the long-term effects of resistance training programs based on traditional and rest redistribution set configurations on explosive-strength and strength-endurance performance of lower-body and upper-body muscles. Thirty physically active men were randomly assigned to a traditional group (TRG: 6 sets of 5 repetitions with 3 minutes of interset rest) or a rest redistribution group (RRG: 30 sets of 1 repetition with 31 seconds of interrepetition rest). The training program lasted 6 weeks (2 sessions·wk -1 ), and in each training session, the squat and bench press exercises were performed with maximal concentric effort against approximately the 75% of the 1 repetition maximum. Before and after training, explosive-strength performance (peak velocity reached at submaximal loads during the countermovement jump and bench press throw) and strength-endurance performance (mean set velocity of 10 repetitions using both traditional and cluster sets in the squat and bench press) were assessed. Significant improvements in all dependent variables were observed after training for both the TRG ( p ≤ 0.004; effect size [ES] = 0.63-3.06) and RRG ( p ≤ 0.001; ES = 0.58-3.23). The magnitude of the changes was comparable for both groups with the only exception of the larger improvements observed in the RRG for the bench press mean set velocity using both traditional (ES = 0.77) and cluster (ES = 0.82) set configurations. Traditional and rest redistribution set configurations are equally effective to improve lower-body explosive strength, lower-body strength endurance, and upper-body explosive strength, whereas rest redistribution set configurations could induce greater adaptations in upper-body strength endurance.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intramuscular alfaxalone in central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps): effect of injection site.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pharmacodynamic effects and pharmacokinetics of a single intramuscular (IM) injection of alfaxalone in central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) when injected at a cranial versus a caudal site. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, masked, randomized crossover study. ANIMALS: A total of 13 healthy bearded dragons weighing 0.48 ± 0.1 kg. METHODS: Alfaxalone (10 mg kg-1) was administered IM to 13 bearded dragons in the triceps muscle (cranial treatment) or the quadriceps muscle (caudal treatment) separated by 4 weeks. Pharmacodynamic variables included movement score, muscle tone score and righting reflex. Blood was obtained from the caudal tail vein using a sparse sampling methodology. Plasma alfaxalone concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Differences in variables between injection sites were analyzed using a nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test for paired data with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: Time to loss of righting reflex score was not different, median (interquartile range), between cranial and caudal treatments [8 (5-11) and 8 (4-12) minutes, respectively, p = 0.72]. Time to recovery of righting reflex was also not different between cranial and caudal treatments [80 (44-112) and 64 (56-104) minutes, respectively, p = 0.75]. Plasma alfaxalone concentrations were not significantly different between treatments. The population estimate (95% confidence intervals) for volume of distribution per fraction absorbed was 1.0 (0.79-1.20) L kg-1, clearance per fraction absorbed was 9.6 (7.6-11.6) mL minute-1 kg-1, absorption rate constant was 2.3 (1.9-2.8) minute-1 and elimination half-life was 71.9 (52.7-91.1) minutes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Regardless of the injection site, IM alfaxalone (10 mg kg-1) produced reliable chemical restraint in central bearded dragons, appropriate for nonpainful diagnostic procedures or anesthetic premedication.

In Vitro Digestion Assessment (Standard vs. Older Adult Model) on Antioxidant Properties and Mineral Bioaccessibility of Fermented Dried Lentils and Quinoa.

The growing number of older adults necessitates tailored food options that accommodate the specific diseases and nutritional deficiencies linked with ageing. This study aims to investigate the influence of age-related digestive conditions in vitro on the phenolic profile, antioxidant activity, and bioaccessibility of minerals (Ca, Fe, and Mg) in two types of unfermented, fermented, and fermented dried quinoa and lentils. Solid-state fermentation, combined with drying at 70 °C, significantly boosted the total phenolic content in Castellana and Pardina lentils from 5.05 and 6.6 to 10.5 and 7.5 mg gallic acid/g dry weight, respectively, in the bioaccessible fraction following the standard digestion model, compared to the unfermented samples. The phenolic profile post-digestion revealed elevated levels of vanillic and caffeic acids in Castellana lentils, and vanillic acid in Pardina lentils, while caffeic acids in Castellana lentils were not detected in the bioaccessible fraction. The highest antioxidant potency composite index was observed in digested fermented dried Castellana lentils, with white quinoa samples exhibiting potency above 80%. Mineral bioaccessibility was greater in fermented and fermented dried samples compared to unfermented ones. Finally, the digestive changes that occur with ageing did not significantly affect mineral bioaccessibility, but compromised the phenolic profile and antioxidant activity.

Fish tank granuloma not associated to Mycobacterium marinum but to Microbacterium paraoxydans.

Fish tank granuloma has traditionally been associated with Mycobacterium marinum. We report the case of a 54 old-year woman that worked in a freshwater fish pet store and developed a skin ulcer in a hand finger with a suppurative granuloma secondary to Microbacterium paraoxydans. This is a bacterial fish pathogen, rarely observed in human infections. Identification was performed by colony morphology and MALDI-TOF. She evolved satisfactorily after receiving a sequential treatment with beta-lactams and linezolid. To our knowledge, it is the first known description of this type.

[Development of Normative Data for the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) in the Elderly Population of Chile: A Multi-City Study]. / Nuevos datos normativos para el Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) en la población de personas mayores en Chile.

BACKGROUND: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is one of the most widely used tests to assess the global cognitive deterioration of older adults. There are many versions of this Test in Spanish. A validation study was previously conducted in Chile, but to date, no standards computed from a large population sample are available. AIM: to develop normative scores according to age and educational level for older people living in Chile. METHOD: Data were collected from a sample of 1199 subjects between 50 and 91 years of age from various research centers. RESULTS: We present the normative scores in percentiles calculated according to age (50-64, 65-74, 75-91 years of age) and educational level (1-12 years and more than 13 years of formal schooling). CONCLUSION: This article provides normative scores for the MMSE that should be useful in clinical practice as they may help better interpret the performances of Chilean older adults who seek consultation for cognitive impairment.

Evaluation of the danger of a tailings pile belonging to an active mine through its characterization and a dispersion model.

Mining is one of the principal economic activities in Mexico, which in addition to bringing benefits to the population, causes health and environmental problems. This activity produces a lot of wastes, but the main one is tailings. In Mexico, these wastes are disposed of in the open air, and there is no control over them, so the particles of these wastes are dispersed by wind currents to the surrounding population. In this research, tailings were characterized, finding in them particles smaller than 100 microns; in this way, tailings can enter into the respiratory system and hence can cause diseases. Furthermore, it is important to identify the toxic components. The present work does not have previous research in Mexico, and it shows a qualitative characterization of the tailings from an active mine using different analytical techniques. In addition to the data obtained from the characterization of the tailings, as well as the concentration of the toxic elements found, which were Pb and As, a dispersal model was generated and used to estimate the concentration of particles in the wind generated at the studied area. The air quality model used in this research is AERMOD, where it uses emission factors and available databases provided by Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA); Moreover, the model was coupled with meteorological information from the latest generation WRF model. The modeling results estimated that the dispersion of particles from the tailings dam can contribute up to 10.15 µg/m3 of PM10 to the air quality of the site, which, according to the characterization of the samples obtained, could be dangerous for human health and can be estimated up to a concentration of 0.04 µg/m3 of Pb and 10.90 ng/m3 of As. It is very important to make this kind of research to know the risk which people around this disposal sites are exposed to.