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Thousands of disease cases and hundreds of deaths occur globally each year due to invasive meningococcal disease. Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) is the leading cause of such disease in developed countries. Two vaccines, 4CMenB and MenB-fHbp, that protect against MenB are available and include one or two forms respectively of factor H binding protein (fHbp), a key protective antigen. Studies of circulating meningococci have identified over 1380 different fHbp amino acid sequences, which form three immunologically distinct clusters, termed variants 1, 2, and 3. Neither of the current vaccines contains a variant 2 antigen, which is less well characterized than fHbp variants 1 and 3. We characterized the interaction of fHbp variant 2 with humAb 1B1 using biochemical methods and live meningococcal assays. Further, we determined the crystal structure of the complex at 2.4 Å resolution, clearly revealing the epitope and providing the first detailed report of an antibody with distinct specificity for fHbp variant 2. Extensive mutagenesis and binding studies elucidated key hotspots in the interface. This combination of structural and functional studies provides a molecular explanation for the bactericidal potency and specificity of humAb 1B1 for fHbp variant 2. Our studies, focused on fHbp variant 2, expand the understanding of this previously under characterized group of the vast family of variants of fHbp, a virulence factor present on all meningococci. Moreover, the definition of a protective conformational epitope on fHbp variant 2 may support the design and development of novel variant 2-containing MenB vaccines affording greater breadth of protection.
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[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290792.].
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Metal sub-microparticles (SMPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) presence in food is attributable to increasing pollution from the environment in raw materials and finished products. In the present study, a multifaceted analytical strategy based on Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy and High-Angle Annular Dark-Field-Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (ESEM-EDX, HAADF-STEM-EDX) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was proposed for the detection and characterization of metal and metal-containing SMPs and NPs in durum wheat samples, covering a size measurement range from 1 nm to multiple µm. ESEM-EDX and ICP-MS techniques were applied for the assessment of SMP and NP contamination on the surface of wheat grains collected from seven geographical areas characterized by different natural and anthropic conditions, namely Italy, the USA, Australia, Slovakia, Mexico, Austria, and Russia. ICP-MS showed significant differences among the mean concentration levels of metals, with the USA and Italy having the highest level. ESEM-EDX analysis confirmed ICP-MS concentration measurements and measured the highest presence of particles < 0.8 µm in size in samples from Italy, followed by the USA. Less marked differences were observed when particles < 0.15 µm were considered. HAADF-STEM-EDX was applied to a selected number of samples for a preliminary assessment of internal contamination by metal SMPs and NPs, and to expand the measurable particle size range. The multifaceted approach provided similar results for Fe-containing SMPs and NPs. ICP-MS and ESEM-EDX also highlighted the presence of a significant abundance of Ti- and Al-containing particles, while for STEM-EDX, sample preparation artifacts complicated the interpretation. Finally, HAADF-STEM-EDX results provided relevant information about particles in the low nm range, since, by applying this technique, no particles smaller than 50 nm were observed in accordance with ESEM-EDX.
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Espectrometría de Masas , Nanopartículas del Metal , Triticum , Triticum/química , Nanopartículas del Metal/química , Espectrometría de Masas/métodos , Espectrometría por Rayos X/métodos , Tamaño de la Partícula , Metales/análisis , Metales/química , Grano Comestible/química , Microscopía Electrónica de RastreoRESUMEN
Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been widely proposed for the extraction, clean-up, and preconcentration of analytes of environmental concern. Enrichment capabilities, preconcentration efficiency, sample throughput, and selectivity in extracting target compounds greatly depend on the materials used as SPME coatings. Supramolecular materials have emerged as promising porous coatings to be used for the extraction of target compounds due to their unique selectivity, three-dimensional framework, flexible design, and possibility to promote the interaction between the analytes and the coating by means of multiple oriented functional groups. The present review will cover the state of the art of the last 5 years related to SPME coatings based on metal organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and supramolecular macrocycles used for environmental applications.
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AIMS: To assess the extent of Coronavirus-related disruption to health and social care treatment and social interactions among people with lived or living experience of substance use in Scotland, and explore potential reasons for variations in disruption. DESIGN: Cross sectional mixed methods interview, incorporating a social network 'egonet interview' approach asking about whether participants had interactions with a range of substance use, health, social care or third sector organisations, or informal social interactions. SETTING: Five Alcohol and Drug Partnership Areas in Scotland. PARTICIPANTS: 57 (42% women) participants were involved in the study, on average 42 years old. MEASUREMENTS: Five-point Likert scale reporting whether interactions with a range of services and people had gotten much better, better, no different (or no change), worse, or much worse since COVID19 and lockdown. Ratings were nested within participants (Individuals provided multiple ratings) and some ratings were also nested within treatment service (services received multiple ratings). The nested structure was accounted for using cross classified ordinal logistic multilevel models. FINDINGS: While the overall average suggested only a slight negative change in interactions (mean rating 2.93), there were substantial variations according to type of interaction, and between individuals. Reported change was more often negative for mental health services (Adjusted OR = 0.93 95% CI 0.17,0.90), and positive for pharmacies (3.03 95% CI 1.36, 5.93). The models found between-participant variation of around 10%, and negligible between-service variation of around 1% in ratings. Ratings didn't vary by individual age or gender but there was variation between areas. CONCLUSIONS: Substance use treatment service adaptations due to COVID19 lockdown led to both positive and negative service user experiences. Social network methods provide an effective way to describe complex system-wide interaction patterns, and to measure variations at the individual, service, and area level.
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COVID-19 , Interacción Social , Análisis de Redes Sociales , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias , Humanos , Escocia/epidemiología , COVID-19/epidemiología , Femenino , Masculino , Estudios Transversales , Adulto , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/epidemiología , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias/terapia , Persona de Mediana Edad , SARS-CoV-2RESUMEN
Dementia, with loss of memory, cognitive abilities, and independent daily functioning, is increasing worldwide, related to an aging population. Currently, there is no curative treatment for dementia. Treatment of the frequently occurring behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is partially effective and associated with significant side effects. Cannabinoids are lipophilic molecules acting on the CB1 end CB2 receptors, essential for main biological processes such as sleep, appetite, memory, and pain. Cannabinoids might have a positive impact on amyloid formation in Alzheimer's disease, the main form of dementia, and on BPSD symptoms. Most knowledge currently concerns delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). In the context of dementia and BPSD, THC might be beneficial for associated spasticity and possible pain or lack of appetite and CBD probably works better on sleep, agitation, and anxiety. This overview of prospective clinical studies and randomized clinical trials, published between 2005 and April 2023, using cannabinoids for BPSD suggests that older studies using low-dose oral synthetic THC showed no positive results. Still, more recent studies using THC/CBD-based oral medication at higher doses show promising results and are feasible and safe in this elderly polymedicated population. Several RCTs are ongoing and planned worldwide, and we hope other trials will follow to establish clinical efficiency and optimal dosing, as well as other outcomes such as deprescribing other medications and facilitation of care. We suggest that researchers also address the more sociological aspects of prescribing cannabinoids for dementia and BPSD in their specific context.
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Cannabinoides , Demencia , Humanos , Demencia/tratamiento farmacológico , Cannabinoides/uso terapéutico , Síntomas Conductuales/tratamiento farmacológico , Cannabidiol/uso terapéutico , Dronabinol/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to search for contaminants in silicone oil tamponades removed from eyes treated for retinal detachment, and to correlate chemical results with some clinical/functional parameters of the considered eyes. Methods: We examined a sequential cohort of eyes grouped according to the tamponade received: (1) Siluron2000 (S2), (2) RS-OIL ECS5000 (S5), and (3) Densiron Xtra (DX). Samples were collected at the beginning of the scheduled removal and analyzed by untargeted headspace gas-chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS). Visual acuity and optic coherence tomography assessments were obtained before and after the tamponade removal. Results: Forty-one samples were analyzed: 22 belonging to the DX group, 13 to the S2 group, and 6 to the S5 group. For each group, a mixture of uninjected commercial preparation was analyzed as the reference. Different siloxanes and fluorinated compounds including perfluorodecalin (PFCL) were the most prevalent chemicals, found in 55% to 100% of the intraocular samples of the 3 groups. Some siloxanes were present also in the control matrices, whereas PFCL was only in the extracted tamponades. In the DX group, the concentration of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane showed an inverse correlation trend with the duration of its permanence inside the eye (P = 0.054). Different alkanes, propanol, and acetaldehyde were identified only in the control matrices. Conclusions: Several contaminants including siloxanes were identified in the intraocular samples and in the control matrices. A time-related ocular uptake of some of these is conceivable. PFCL was also highly present but only in intraocular samples. Translational Relevance: After intraocular permanence silicone oils (SOs) have various unlabeled contaminants with some relevant differences with the commercial formulation chemical profile.
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Fluorocarburos , Desprendimiento de Retina , Humanos , Desprendimiento de Retina/cirugía , Aceites de Silicona , Siloxanos , OjoRESUMEN
Plasticizers such as phthalate esters (PAEs) are commonly used in various consumer and industrial products. This widespread use raises valid concerns regarding their ubiquity in the environment and potential negative impacts. The present study investigates the distribution of eight common plasticizers in the largest European lagoon (Curonian Lagoon) located in the SE Baltic Sea. The concentration levels of plasticizers in the water column, containing both the dissolved and particulate-bound phases, and in sediments were evaluated to reveal seasonal patterns in distribution and potential effects on the lagoon ecosystem. A total of 24 water samples and 48 sediment samples were collected across all four seasons from the two dominant sedimentary areas within the lagoon. The average concentration of total PAEs in the water column ranged from 1 to 21 µg L-1, whereas sediment concentration varied from 5.0 to 250 ng g-1. The distribution of plasticizers was influenced by the patterns in hydrodynamics and water circulation within the lagoon. The confined south-central area contained a higher amount of PAEs in sediments, accounting for most of the lagoon's plasticizer accumulation. More than 7 tons of plasticizers are stored in the 5 upper centimetres of sediment, with over 3 tons persisting for more than five years. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), and Dibutyl phthalate (DnBP) were the most abundant PAE congeners, with DEHP posing the highest risk quotient to algae, based on water column concentration. Several other congeners demonstrated medium to high-risk levels for organisms living in the lagoon.
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Dietilhexil Ftalato , Ácidos Ftálicos , Plastificantes/análisis , Estaciones del Año , Ecosistema , Ríos , Ésteres , Dibutil Ftalato , Agua , ChinaRESUMEN
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted on cancer patients' psychological well-being and clinical status. We assessed the levels of anxiety, depression, and distress and the attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients, accepting vaccination at the Verona University Hospital and Camposampiero Hospital in the Veneto region. Self-reported questionnaires were administered to patients undergoing COVID-19 vaccination between March and May 2021 (first and second dose). Twenty-seven items were investigated: i) demographics/clinical characteristics; ii) anxiety, depression, and distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-HADS-and Distress Thermometer-DT); iii) four specific items regarding awareness about infection risks, interference with anticancer treatments, and vaccine side effects. Sixty-two and 57% of the patients who accepted to be vaccinated responded to the survey in the two participating Hospitals, respectively. Mean age was 63 years (SD: 12 years; range 19-94 years), women were slightly more prevalent (57.6%), most participants were married (70%), and either worker or retired (60%). Borderline and clinical levels of anxiety were recorded in 14% and 10% of respondents; borderline and clinical levels of depression in 14% and 8%; and moderate and severe distress levels in 33% and 9%. Overall, there was high confidence that vaccination would reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 (70%), which would make patients feel less worried about contracting the infection (60%). Fear that vaccine-related side effects would interfere with anticancer treatment and/or global health status was low (10% and 9% for items 3 and 4, respectively) and significantly associated with baseline levels of anxiety, depression, and distress at multivariate analysis. Results did not differ between the Verona and Camposampiero cohorts. During the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, adult cancer patients demonstrated high levels of confidence towards vaccination; baseline levels of anxiety, depression, and distress were the only significant predictors of reduced confidence.
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Vacunas contra la COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Neoplasias , Vacunación , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ansiedad/epidemiología , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/prevención & control , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/administración & dosificación , Estudios Transversales , Depresión/epidemiología , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Pandemias , Estrés Psicológico/epidemiología , Vacunación/psicología , Masculino , Adulto Joven , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más AñosRESUMEN
The European Union is among the top wheat producers in the world, but its productivity relies on adequate soil fertilisation. Biofertilisers, either alone or in combination with biochar, can be a preferable alternative to chemical fertilisers. However, the addition of biofertilisers, specifically plant growth promoting microbes (PGPM), could modify grain composition, and/or deteriorate the soil composition. In this study, the two wheat cultivars Triticum aestivum (Bramante) and T. durum (Svevo) were cultivated in open fields for two consecutive years in the presence of a commercial PGPM mix supplied alone or in combination with biochar. An in-depth analysis was conducted by collecting physiological and agronomic data throughout the growth period. The effects of PGPM and biochar were investigated in detail; specifically, soil chemistry and rhizosphere microbial composition were characterized, along with the treatment effects on seed storage proteins. The results demonstrated that the addition of commercial microbial consortia and biochar, alone or in combination, did not modify the rhizospheric microbial community; however, it increased grain yield, especially in the cultivar Svevo (increase of 6.8 %-13.6 %), even though the factors driving the most variations were associated with both climate and cultivar. The total gluten content of the flours was not affected, whereas the main effect of the treatments was a variation in gliadins and low-molecular-weight-glutenin subunits in both cultivars when treated with PGPM and biochar. This suggested improved grain quality, especially regarding the viscoelastic properties of the dough, when the filling period occurred in a dry climate. The results indicate that the application of biofertilisers and biochar may aid the effective management of sustainable wheat cultivation, to support environmental health without altering the biodiversity of the resident microbiome.
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Consorcios Microbianos , Triticum , Grano Comestible , Carbón Orgánico/farmacología , Suelo/químicaRESUMEN
Sustainable agriculture aims at achieving a healthy food production while reducing the use of fertilizers and greenhouse gas emissions using biostimulants and soil amendments. Untargeted metabolomics by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-ion mobility-high-resolution mass spectrometry, operating in a high-definition MSE mode, was applied to investigate the metabolome of durum wheat in response to sustainable treatments, i.e., the addition of biochar, commercial plant growth promoting microbes, and their combination. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis provided a good discrimination among treatments with sensitivity, specificity, and a non-error rate close to 1. A total of 88 and 45 discriminant compounds having biological, nutritional, and technological implications were tentatively identified in samples grown in 2020 and 2021. The addition of biochar-biostimulants produced the highest up-regulation of lipids and flavonoids, with the glycolipid desaturation being the most impacted pathway, whereas carbohydrates were mostly down-regulated. The findings achieved suggest the safe use of the combined biochar-biostimulant treatment for sustainable wheat cultivation.
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Metabolómica , Triticum , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión/métodos , Metabolómica/métodos , Espectrometría de Masas/métodosRESUMEN
Phthalate esters (PAEs) due to their ability to leach from plastics, widely used in our daily life, are intensely accumulating in wastewater water treatment plants (WWTP) and rivers, before being exported to downstream situated estuarine systems. This study aimed to investigate the external sources of eight plasticizers to the largest European lagoon (the Curonian Lagoon, south-east Baltic Sea), focusing on their seasonal variation and transport behaviour through the partitioning between dissolved and particulate phases. The obtained results were later combined with hydrological inputs at the inlet and outlet of the lagoon to estimate system role in regulating the transport of pollutants to the sea. Plasticizers were detected during all sampling events with a total concentration ranging from 0.01 to 6.17 µg L-1. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was the most abundant PAEs and was mainly found attached to particulate matter, highlighting the importance of this matrix in the transport of such contaminant. Dibutyl phthalate (DnBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) were the other two dominant PAEs found in the area, mainly detected in dissolved phase. Meteorological conditions appeared to be an important factor regulating the distribution of PAEs in environment. During the river ice-covered season, PAEs concentration showed the highest value suggesting the importance of ice in the retention of PAEs. While heavy rainfall impacts the amount of water delivered to WWTP, there is an increase of PAEs concentration supporting the hypothesis of their transport via soil leaching and infiltration into wastewater networks. Rainfall could also be a direct source of PAEs to the lagoon resulting in net surplus export of PAEs to the Baltic Sea.
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Dietilhexil Ftalato , Ácidos Ftálicos , Plastificantes/análisis , Estaciones del Año , Aguas Residuales , Hielo , Ésteres , ChinaRESUMEN
Background: In an observational study in Geneva (Switzerland), we found that administering a standardized THC/CBD oil was feasible, safe, and beneficial in an elderly polymedicated population with severe dementia, behavioral troubles, and pain. Those findings need to be confirmed in a randomized clinical trial. Objectives: The MedCanDem trial is a randomized, double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled trial to study the efficacy of cannabinoids in improving painful symptoms during severe dementia disorders in patients living in long-term care facilities in Geneva. This manuscript describes the MedCanDem trial protocol. Materials and methods: Participants will be patients suffering from severe dementia associated with pain and behavioral troubles and living in long-term care facilities. We selected five facilities specialized in caring for severely demented patients in Geneva (Switzerland). A total of 24 subjects will be randomized 1:1 to the sequence study intervention/placebo or the sequence placebo/study intervention. Patients will receive study intervention treatment or placebo for eight weeks, and then after a one-week wash-out, treatments will be inversed for another eight weeks. The intervention will be a standardized THC/CBD 1:2 oil extract, and the placebo will be a hemp seed oil. The primary outcome is the reduction from the baseline of the Cohen-Mansfield score; secondary outcomes include the reduction in the Doloplus scale, the reduction of rigidity, the monitoring of concomitant drugs prescription and de-prescription, the safety assessment, and a pharmacokinetic evaluation. The primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at the baseline, after 28 days, and at the end of both study periods. In addition, safety laboratory analysis, pharmacokinetic evaluation, and therapeutic drug monitoring for the cannabinoids will be evaluated through a blood sample analysis conducted at the beginning and the end of both study periods. Discussion and conclusion: This study will allow us to confirm the clinical results observed during the observational study. It represents one of the few studies aiming to prove natural medical cannabis efficacy in a population of non-communicating patients with severe dementia, experimenting with behavioral troubles, pain, and rigidity. Trial registration: The trial has Swissethics authorization (BASEC 2022-00999), and it is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05432206) and the SNCTP (000005168).
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Relational event models expand the analytical possibilities of existing statistical models for interorganizational networks by: (i) making efficient use of information contained in the sequential ordering of observed events connecting sending and receiving units; (ii) accounting for the intensity of the relation between exchange partners, and (iii) distinguishing between short- and long-term network effects. We introduce a recently developed relational event model (REM) for the analysis of continuously observed interorganizational exchange relations. The combination of efficient sampling algorithms and sender-based stratification makes the models that we present particularly useful for the analysis of very large samples of relational event data generated by interaction among heterogeneous actors. We demonstrate the empirical value of event-oriented network models in two different settings for interorganizational exchange relations-that is, high-frequency overnight transactions among European banks and patient-sharing relations within a community of Italian hospitals. We focus on patterns of direct and generalized reciprocity while accounting for more complex forms of dependence present in the data. Empirical results suggest that distinguishing between degree- and intensity-based network effects, and between short- and long-term effects is crucial to our understanding of the dynamics of interorganizational dependence and exchange relations. We discuss the general implications of these results for the analysis of social interaction data routinely collected in organizational research to examine the evolutionary dynamics of social networks within and between organizations.
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Dental calculus is a valuable resource for the reconstruction of dietary habits and oral microbiome of past populations. In 2020 the remains of Duke Alessandro Farnese and his wife Maria D'Aviz were exhumed to get novel insights into the causes of death. This study aimed to investigate the dental calculus metabolome of the noble couple by untargeted metabolomics. The pulverized samples were decalcified in a water-formic acid mixture, extracted using methanol/acetonitrile and analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) using a reversed-phase separation followed by electrospray ionization and full scan in positive and negative ion mode. Waters Synapt-G2-Si High-Definition hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer was used. Significant features were then identified using MSE acquisition mode, recording information on exact mass precursor and fragment ions within the same run. This approach, together with data pre-treatment and multivariate statistical analysis allowed for the identification of compounds able to differentiate between the investigated samples. More than 200 metabolites were identified, being fatty acids, alcohols, aldehydes, phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylglycerols, ceramides and phosphatidylserines the most abundant classes. Metabolites deriving from food, bacteria and fungi were also determined, providing information on the habits and oral health status of the couple.
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Cálculos Dentales , Metabolómica , Humanos , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión/métodos , Espectrometría de Masas , Metabolómica/métodos , MetabolomaRESUMEN
The citation network of patents citing prior art arises from the legal obligation of patent applicants to properly disclose their invention. One way to study the relationship between current patents and their antecedents is by analyzing the similarity between the textual elements of patents. Many patent similarity indicators have shown a constant decrease since the mid-70s. Although several explanations have been proposed, more comprehensive analyses of this phenomenon have been rare. In this paper, we use a computationally efficient measure of patent similarity scores that leverages state-of-the-art Natural Language Processing tools, to investigate potential drivers of this apparent similarity decrease. This is achieved by modeling patent similarity scores by means of generalized additive models. We found that non-linear modeling specifications are able to distinguish between distinct, temporally varying drivers of the patent similarity levels that explain more variation in the data (R2 â¼ 18%) compared to previous methods. Moreover, the model reveals an underlying trend in similarity scores that is fundamentally different from the one presented previously.
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Invenciones , Procesamiento de Lenguaje NaturalRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In recent years, evolution of surgery has led to laparoscopy and then to single port surgery. In pediatric age, few papers have been published about single port procedures; in particular, no one has described the use of the Octoport device (Frankenman International Ltd., Suzhou, China). We present our experience using a new device. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of first 300 cases was performed collecting the data of all patients treated with Octoport device from October 2017 to September 2021. Epidemiological data, diagnosis, operative times, and complications were analyzed. Postoperative pain was compared with standard laparoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 300 procedures were performed during the study period. The age range was 1-17 years. The conversion rate was 3.6% (11 patients) including both conversion to traditional laparoscopy and to laparotomy. Pain management was comparable to traditional laparoscopy. The complication rate was 3.6%, in one case leading to re-do surgery. All the cases in our Unit were successfully completed, with complications mainly related to the original pathology rather than to the technique itself. CONCLUSIONS: The learning curve for Octoport use proved to be functional as for standard laparoscopy. In this study, surgical indications for the use of single port laparoscopy were defined, discerning favorable and unfavorable procedures. A proven superiority of this technique over traditional laparoscopy is yet to be defined, but Octoport has proved to be a safe and easy tool to reduce invasiveness of procedures in pediatric surgery with better cosmetic results.
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Laparoscopía , Humanos , Niño , Lactante , Preescolar , Adolescente , Estudios Retrospectivos , Laparoscopía/métodos , Dolor Postoperatorio/etiología , ChinaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the benefits of bilateral implantation for bone-anchored hearing system (BAHS) users in terms of spatial resolution abilities and auditory memory for speech. DESIGN: This is a prospective, single-center, comparative, single-blinded study where the listeners served as their own control. Twenty-four experienced bone-anchored users with a bilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss participated in the study. After fitting the listeners unilaterally and bilaterally with BAHS sound processor(s) (Ponto 3 SuperPower), spatial resolution was estimated by measuring the minimum audible angle (MAA) to achieve an 80% correct response via a two-alternative-forced choice task (right-left discrimination of noise bursts) in two conditions: both sound processors active (bilateral condition) and only one sound processor active (unilateral condition). In addition, a memory recall test, the Sentence-final Word Identification and Recall (SWIR) test was performed with five lists of seven sentences for each of the two conditions (unilateral and bilateral). Self-reported performance in everyday life with the listener's own sound processors was also evaluated via a questionnaire (the abbreviated version of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale). RESULTS: The MAA to discriminate noise bursts improved significantly from 75.04° in the unilateral condition to 3.61° in the bilateral condition ( p < 0.0001). The average improvement in performance was 54.28°. The SWIR test results showed that the listeners could recall, on average, 55.03% of the last words in a list of seven sentences in the unilateral condition and 57.23% in the bilateral condition. While the main effect of condition was not significant, there was a significant interaction between condition and repetition (list), revealing a significantly higher recall performance in the bilateral condition than in the unilateral condition for the second repetition/list out of five (10.2% difference; p = 0.022). Self-reported performance with bilateral BAHS obtained via the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale questionnaire was, on average, 4.4 for speech, 3.7 for spatial, and 5.1 for qualities of hearing. There was no correlation between self-reported performance in everyday life and bilateral performance in the MAA test, while significant correlations were obtained between self-reported performance and recall performance in the SWIR test. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed a large benefit in spatial resolution for users with symmetric BC thresholds when being fitted with two BAHS, although their self-reported performance with bilateral BAHS in everyday life was rather low. In addition, there was no overall benefit of bilateral fitting on memory for speech, despite observing a benefit in one out of five repetitions of the SWIR test. Performance in the SWIR test was correlated with the users' self-reported performance in everyday life, such that users with higher recall ability reported to achieve better performance in real life. These findings highlight the advantages of bilateral fitting on spatial resolution, although bilaterally fitted BAHS users continue to experience some difficulties in their daily lives, especially when locating sounds, judging distance and movement. More research is needed to support a higher penetration of bilateral BAHS treatment for bilateral conductive and mixed hearing losses.
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Audífonos , Pérdida Auditiva , Percepción del Habla , Humanos , Audición , Estudios Prospectivos , HablaRESUMEN
Traditional techniques for food analysis are based on off-line laboratory methods that are expensive and time-consuming and often require qualified personnel. Despite the high standards of accuracy and metrological traceability, these well-established methods do not facilitate real-time process monitoring and timely on-site decision-making as required for food safety and quality control. The future of food testing includes rapid, cost-effective, portable, and simple methods for both qualitative screening and quantification of food contaminants, as well as continuous, real-time measurement in production lines. Process automatization through process analytical technologies (PAT) is an increasing trend in the food industry as a way to achieve improved product quality, safety, and consistency, reduced production cycle times, minimal product waste or reworks, and the possibility for real-time product release. Novel methods of analysis for point-of-need (PON) screening could greatly improve food testing by allowing non-experts, such as consumers, to test in situ food products using portable instruments, smartphones, or even visual naked-eye inspections, or farmers and small producers to monitor products in the field. This requires the attention of the research community and devices manufacturers to ensure reliability of measurement results from PAT strategy and PON tests through the demonstration and critical evaluation of performance characteristics. The fitness for purpose of methods in real-life conditions is a priority that should not be overlooked in order to maintain an effective and harmonized food safety policy.