Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 49
Filter
1.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38063536

ABSTRACT

Normalised family functioning is a predictor of individual well-being. The diagnosis of a family member with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can alter the ordinary dynamics of family systems, having a variable impact on family functioning. This research employed a non-probability convenience sampling method to gather a sample of 327 families with and without children diagnosed with ASD. This study has dual objectives: to analyse the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Family APGAR Scale and to compare family functioning in families with and without a child with ASD. The results reveal several favourable psychometric properties in the application of the APGAR scale within families of children with ASD. The use of the Family APGAR Scale in the selected sample confirms that the functioning of families with children with ASD can be categorized as mildly dysfunctional, attributed to the inherent challenges in caring for and raising a child with ASD. The presence of ASD within family systems presents a challenge to typical family functioning, with significant differences observed between families with and without children with ASD. This underscores the necessity of implementing effective intervention programs based on empirical evidence to improve the quality of life for individuals with ASD and their families.


Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder , Child , Humans , Autism Spectrum Disorder/diagnosis , Quality of Life , Psychometrics , Family , Behavior Therapy
2.
Nurse Educ Today ; 130: 105922, 2023 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37562151

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the empathetic response of future health professionals toward people diagnosed with chronic pain differentiated by the degree of visibility and credibility of symptoms. METHODS: A total of 203 undergraduates performed an experimental task using vignettes depicting different diagnoses of chronic pain and completed questionnaires measuring dispositional and situational empathy. A MANCOVA analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The main effects of chronic pain diagnoses did not significantly affect situational empathy (p = .587, η2 = 0.007, d = 0.229). The dispositional empathy variables perspective-taking and personal distress affected the situational empathy scores (p = .002, η2 = 0.072, d = 0.906, and p = .043, η2 = 0.032, d = 0.547, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It would seem appropriate to foster intra-individual empathy factors among health science undergraduates such that they can more readily understand the process of individual adaptation to chronic pain and thus manage it more effectively. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It would be useful for dispositional empathy to form part of the transversal competences of the training programmes of future health professionals from the beginning of their studies.


Subject(s)
Chronic Pain , Empathy , Humans , Chronic Pain/diagnosis , Personality , Surveys and Questionnaires , Students
3.
Int J Mol Sci ; 24(13)2023 Jun 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37445893

ABSTRACT

Our aim was to evaluate the immune response of healthcare workers included in the RIPOVAC study, after receiving a booster dose (third dose), in terms of intensity and persistence of induced antibodies. In the second phase of the RIPOVAC study, between December 2021 and January 2022, eight months after the second dose, 389 voluntary, immunocompetent, non-pregnant healthcare workers received a booster dose of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, and a serum sample was obtained. Two groups of patients were established: with and without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. In order to quantify anti-S1 IgG (AU/mL) we used CMIA (Abbott). All of the health workers were anti-S IgG positive 8 months after receiving the booster dose of the vaccine, with a mean of 17,040 AU/mL. In 53 patients without previous infection, antibody levels increased by a mean of 10,762 AU/mL. This figure is seven times higher than the one produced after the second dose (1506 AU/mL). The booster dose produces a robust elevation of the antibody level, which persists at 8 months, with levels significantly higher than those reached after the second dose, which allow one to predict a persistence of more than one year. The study demonstrates the efficacy of the booster dose of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Vaccines , Humans , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines , Health Personnel , Immunoglobulin G , Antibodies, Viral
4.
J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg ; 84(5): 445-454, 2023 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35738392

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Burr hole covering in brain surgical procedures can avoid complications and unaesthetic results. The aim of this registry was to assess the safety and performance of a new polymeric burr hole covering device (Cranial COVER, NEOS Surgery). METHODS: A multicenter, prospective, clinical registry design was used for the study. All the patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study and followed up for 6 months. Baseline clinical parameters, surgical variables (technical success of the implantation, surgeon satisfaction), postoperative variables (aesthetic and functional results, neuroimaging artifacts), and adverse events were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-three Cranial COVER devices were implanted in 30 patients. Most of them were implanted in frontal locations (53.5%). After implantation, 97.7% of the devices completely covered the burr hole, and 100% perfectly adapted to the skull surface. All surgeons ranked their satisfaction with the implantation procedure as very high or high. No artifacts were detected in any of the neuroimaging studies performed and no adverse events related with the device or its implantation were reported during the follow-up. There were significantly more scalp depressions associated with uncovered than with Cranial COVER-covered burr holes (p = 0.040). Patient satisfaction with covered burr holes located in the frontal and parietal areas was 9.0 ± 1.4 over 10. CONCLUSION: Cranial COVER is a safe and reliable burr hole covering system that offers excellent cosmetic results and high satisfaction rates for both surgeons and patients. Cranial COVER is highly adaptable to the skull surface, and it was predominantly used in frontal locations due to their cosmetic importance.


Subject(s)
Prostheses and Implants , Trephining , Humans , Prospective Studies , Trephining/methods , Skull/surgery , Craniotomy/methods
5.
Biometals ; 36(3): 667-681, 2023 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36335546

ABSTRACT

Milk is a source of proteins with high nutritional value and relevant biological activities. Bioactive milk proteins, like lactoferrin, are important for newborn development and can also be used as ingredients in functional products to improve health. Lactoferrin is essential in infant's diet, since protects against infections and promotes immune system maturation. Bovine lactoferrin is used to supplement formula milk in order to strengthen baby's defences against some pathogenic bacteria. Thus, lactoferrin supplemented formula can be a barrier against emergent pathogens, such as Cronobacter sakazakii, which has caused great concern in the last few years. Milk proteins generate bioactive peptides in the digestion process, and it is known that industrial processing can modify their susceptibility to digestion. Treatments such as heating have been shown to denature whey proteins and make them more easily digestible. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of technological treatments and gastrointestinal digestion on the antibacterial activity against C. sakazakii of proteins present in dairy formulas supplemented with lactoferrin. Commercial bovine lactoferrin has been shown to have antibacterial activity against C. sakazakii, both in the native state and after static in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. In addition, the digests obtained from dairy formulas subjected to technological treatments, either homogenization or pasteurization, have higher antibacterial activity than non-treated formulas. The release of low molecular weight peptides during the in vitro gastric digestion is probably the cause that would explain the enhanced antibacterial activity of the digested dairy formulas.


Subject(s)
Cronobacter sakazakii , Lactoferrin , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Humans , Lactoferrin/pharmacology , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Milk Proteins , Peptides/chemistry , Digestion , Infant Formula/chemistry
7.
J Appl Microbiol ; 133(3): 1969-1974, 2022 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35801660

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Presence of anti-S1 region of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was analysed, at two and eight months, in 477 immunocompetent healthcare workers in Zaragoza, Spain, vaccinated with mRNA-1273 (Moderna) or BNT162b2 (Pfizer). METHODS AND RESULTS: Antibody analysis was performed with Alinity i System (Abbott). At 2 months, 100% of vaccinated had anti-S1 IgG (mean = 13,285 AU ml-1 ). This value was significantly higher with Moderna (18,192 AU ml-1 ) than with Pfizer (10,441 AU ml-1 ). The mean value of anti-S1 IgG after vaccination was significantly higher in patients with than without previous infection (18,539 vs. 7919 AU ml-1 ); in both groups was significantly higher with Moderna than with Pfizer (21,881 vs. 15,733 AU ml-1 and 11,949 vs. 6387 AU ml-1 ), respectively. At 8 months, 100% of patients were IgG positive, with higher levels with Moderna than with Pfizer. Nevertheless, in ensemble of cases, a mean decrease of antibody levels of 11,025 AU ml-1 was observed. CONCLUSION: At 2 and 8 months after vaccination, IgG response persists with both vaccines but with important decrease which suggests the need for revaccination. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY: The study contributes to know the immune status after vaccination with two of more used anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. This knowledge is important for establishing the best vaccination strategy.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , Immunity, Humoral , 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273 , Antibodies, Viral , BNT162 Vaccine , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , Health Personnel , Humans , Immunoglobulin G , SARS-CoV-2 , Spain , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Vaccination
9.
Hip Int ; 32(5): 672-676, 2022 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33601917

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Osteotomy of the greater trochanter is a commonly used procedure in complex revision hip arthroplasty in order to achieve a wide exposure to the femoral stem and acetabular components. There is no clinical evidence in favour of a specific fixation method. The aim of this study was to compare cable-plate with figure-of-eight cerclage wire fixation in patients requiring a trochanteric "slide" osteotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, 51 greater trochanteric "slide" osteotomies in complex acetabular revision arthroplasties were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups: 28 hips were fixed with 1 of 2 cable-plate systems (Dall-Miles staple, Stryker or Cable-Ready plate, Zimmer) and 23 with a figure-of-eight cerclage wire.Consolidation, osteolysis, migration of greater trochanter, bursitis of the trochanteric area, Trendelenburg gait and removal of osteosynthesis material were studied at 6 months follow-up. RESULTS: Both groups showed good union rates. The lysis rate was similar with 32% in the cable-plate group versus 29% in the cerclage wire group (p = 0.084). 43% of the hips with cable-plate and 22% of the cerclage wire had trochanteric migration (p = 0.297). Pain at the greater trochanter was less frequent in the cerclage wire group (9%) as compared to the cable-plate group (43%) (p = 0.007). Implant removal was more frequent in the cable-plate group (4 vs. 0 patients). Trendelenburg gait was found in 3 patients in the cerclage wire group as compared to 10 in the cable-plate group (p = 0.054). CONCLUSIONS: The cerclage wiring had superior clinical outcomes with similar radiographic results. The authors recommend the use of figure-of-eight cerclage wire when fixing a greater trochanteric "slide" osteotomy in complex revision hip arthroplasty.


Subject(s)
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip , Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/adverse effects , Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/methods , Femur/diagnostic imaging , Femur/surgery , Humans , Osteotomy/methods , Reoperation , Retrospective Studies
11.
Int J Hyg Environ Health ; 236: 113796, 2021 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34192647

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Breast milk is considered to offer the best nutrition to infants; however, it may be a source of exposure to environmental chemicals such as perfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) for breastfeeding infants. PFAS are a complex group of synthetic chemicals whose high stability has led to their ubiquitous contamination of the environment. OBJECTIVE: To assess the concentrations and profiles of PFAS in breast milk from donors to a human milk bank and explore factors potentially related to this exposure. METHODS: Pooled milk samples were collected from 82 donors to the Human Milk Bank of the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital (Granada, Spain). Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was applied to determine milk concentrations of 11 PFAS, including long-chain and short-chain compounds. A questionnaire was used to collect information on donors' socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, diet, and use of personal care products (PCPs). Factors related to individual and total PFAS concentrations were evaluated by multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: PFAS were detected in 24-100% of breast milk samples. PFHpA was detected in 100% of samples, followed by PFOA (84%), PFNA (71%), PFHxA (66%), and PFTrDA (62%). Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was detected in only 34% of donors. The median concentrations ranged from <0.66 ng/dL (perfluorohexane sulfonic acid [PFHxS]) to 19.39 ng/L (PFHpA). The median of the sum of PFAS concentrations was 87.67 ng/L and was higher for short-chain than long-chain PFAS. Factors most frequently associated with increased PFAS concentrations included intake of creatin animal food items and use of PCPs such as skin care and makeup products. CONCLUSIONS: Several PFAS, including short-chain compounds, are detected in pooled donor milk samples. Breast milk may be an important pathway for the PFAS exposure of breastfed infants, including preterm infants in NICUs. Despite the reduced sample size, these data suggest that various lifestyle factors influence PFAS concentrations, highlighting the use of PCPs.


Subject(s)
Alkanesulfonic Acids , Environmental Pollutants , Fluorocarbons , Alkanesulfonic Acids/analysis , Animals , Female , Fluorocarbons/analysis , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Premature , Milk, Human/chemistry , Spain , Tandem Mass Spectrometry
12.
J Immunother Cancer ; 9(5)2021 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34016721

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Natural killer (NK) cells are increasingly being recognized as agents for cancer immunotherapy. The killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are expressed by NK cells and are immunogenetic determinants of the outcome of cancer. In particular, KIR2DS2 is associated with protective responses to several cancers and also direct recognition of cancer targets in vitro. Due to the high homology between activating and inhibitory KIR genes to date, it has been challenging to target individual KIR for therapeutic benefit. METHODS: A novel KIR2DS2-targeting therapeutic peptide:MHC DNA vaccine was designed and used to immunize mice transgenic for KIR genes (KIR-Tg). NK cells were isolated from the livers and spleens of vaccinated mice and then analyzed for activation by flow cytometry, RNA profiling and cytotoxicity assays. In vivo assays of NK cell function using a syngeneic cancer model (B16 melanoma) and an adoptive transfer model for human hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh7) were performed. RESULTS: Injecting KIR-Tg mice with the vaccine construct activated NK cells in both liver and spleens of mice, with preferential activation of KIR2DS2-positive NK cells. KIR-specific activation was most marked on the CD11b+CD27+ mature subset of NK cells. RNA profiling indicated that the DNA vaccine upregulated genes associated with cellular metabolism and downregulated genes related to histone H3 methylation, which are associated with immune cell maturation and NK cell function. Vaccination led to canonical and cross-reactive peptide:MHC-specific NK cell responses. In vivo, DNA vaccination led to enhanced antitumor responses against B16F10 melanoma cells and also enhanced responses against a tumor model expressing the KIR2DS2 ligand HLA-C*0102. CONCLUSION: We show the feasibility of a peptide-based KIR-targeting vaccine strategy to activate NK cells and hence generate functional antitumor responses. This approach does not require detailed knowledge of the tumor peptidomes nor HLA matching with the patient. It therefore offers a novel opportunity for targeting NK cells for cancer immunotherapy.


Subject(s)
Cancer Vaccines/administration & dosage , Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/drug effects , Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects , Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy , Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/drug effects , Melanoma, Experimental/drug therapy , Receptors, KIR/metabolism , Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy , Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage , Animals , Cancer Vaccines/genetics , Cancer Vaccines/immunology , Cell Line, Tumor , HLA-C Antigens/administration & dosage , HLA-C Antigens/genetics , HLA-C Antigens/immunology , Haplotypes , Humans , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism , Lectins, C-Type/genetics , Lectins, C-Type/immunology , Lectins, C-Type/metabolism , Liver Neoplasms/genetics , Liver Neoplasms/immunology , Liver Neoplasms/metabolism , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism , Melanoma, Experimental/genetics , Melanoma, Experimental/immunology , Melanoma, Experimental/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Transgenic , Peptides/administration & dosage , Peptides/genetics , Peptides/immunology , Receptors, Immunologic/genetics , Receptors, Immunologic/immunology , Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism , Receptors, KIR/genetics , Receptors, KIR/immunology , Skin Neoplasms/genetics , Skin Neoplasms/immunology , Skin Neoplasms/metabolism , Vaccination , Vaccines, DNA/genetics , Vaccines, DNA/immunology
13.
J Neuroimaging ; 31(3): 560-568, 2021 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33817887

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential in the diagnosis of pharmacoresistant epilepsy (PRE), because patients with lesions detected by MRI have a better prognosis after surgery. Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is one of the most frequent etiologies of PRE but can be difficult to identify by MRI. Voxel-based morphometric analysis programs, like the Morphometric Analysis Program (MAP), have been developed to help improve MRI detection. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of MAP in patients with PRE and an apparently normal MRI. METHODS: We studied 70 patients with focal PRE and a nonlesional MRI. The 3DT1 sequence was processed with MAP, obtaining three z-score maps. Patients were classified as MAP+ if one or more z-score maps showed a suspicious area of brightness, and MAP- if the z-score maps did not show any suspicious areas. For MAP+ cases, a second-look MRI was performed with a dedicated inspection based on the MAP findings. The MAP results were correlated with the epileptogenic zone. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. RESULTS: Thirty-one percent of patients were classified as MAP+ and 69% were MAP-. Results showed a sensitivity of 0.57, specificity of 0.8, PPV of 0.91, and NPV of 0.35. In 19% of patients, an FCD was found in the second-look MRI after MAP. CONCLUSIONS: MAP was helpful in the detection of lesions in PRE patients with a nonlesional MRI, which could have important repercussions for the clinical management and postoperative prognosis of these patients.


Subject(s)
Drug Resistant Epilepsy/diagnostic imaging , Drug Resistant Epilepsy/surgery , Epilepsy/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Malformations of Cortical Development, Group I/pathology , Malformations of Cortical Development/diagnostic imaging , Adolescent , Adult , Body Weights and Measures , Brain/diagnostic imaging , Brain/pathology , Brain Mapping/methods , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult
14.
Biology (Basel) ; 10(3)2021 Mar 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33801808

ABSTRACT

Several hundred millions of people have been diagnosed of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), causing millions of deaths and a high socioeconomic burden. SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, induces both specific T- and B-cell responses, being antibodies against the virus detected a few days after infection. Passive immunization with hyperimmune plasma from convalescent patients has been proposed as a potentially useful treatment for COVID-19. Using an in-house quantitative ELISA test, we found that plasma from 177 convalescent donors contained IgG antibodies specific to the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, although at very different concentrations which correlated with previous disease severity and gender. Anti-RBD IgG plasma concentrations significantly correlated with the plasma viral neutralizing activity (VN) against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Similar results were found using an independent cohort of serum from 168 convalescent health workers. These results validate an in-house RBD IgG ELISA test in a large cohort of COVID-19 convalescent patients and indicate that plasma from all convalescent donors does not contain a high enough amount of anti-SARS-CoV-2-RBD neutralizing IgG to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection in vitro. The use of quantitative anti-RBD IgG detection systems might help to predict the efficacy of the passive immunization using plasma from patients recovered from SARS-CoV-2.

15.
Comput Methods Programs Biomed ; 203: 106042, 2021 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33743489

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: We present SYLVIUS, a software platform intended to facilitate and improve the complex workflow required to diagnose and surgically treat drug-resistant epilepsies. In complex epilepsies, additional invasive information from exploration with stereoencephalography (SEEG) with deep electrodes may be needed, for which the input from different diagnostic methods and clinicians from several specialties is required to ensure diagnostic efficacy and surgical safety. We aim to provide a software platform with optimal data flow among the different stages of epilepsy surgery to provide smooth and integrated decision making. METHODS: The SYLVIUS platform provides a clinical workflow designed to ensure seamless and safe patient data sharing across specialities. It integrates tools for stereo visualization, data registration, transfer of electrode plans referred to distinct datasets, automated postoperative contact segmentation, and novel DWI tractography analysis. Nineteen cases were retrospectively evaluated to track modifications from an initial plan to obtain a final surgical plan, using SYLVIUS. RESULTS: The software was used to modify trajectories in all 19 consulted cases, which were then imported into the robotic system for the surgical intervention. When available, SYLVIUS provided extra multimodal information, which resulted in a greater number of trajectory modifications. CONCLUSIONS: The architecture presented in this paper streamlines epilepsy surgery allowing clinicians to have a digital clinical tool that allows recording of the different stages of the procedure, in a common multimodal 2D/3D setting for participation of different clinicians in defining and validating surgical plans for SEEG cases.


Subject(s)
Electroencephalography , Epilepsy , Electrodes, Implanted , Epilepsy/diagnostic imaging , Epilepsy/surgery , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Software
16.
World Neurosurg ; 147: e47-e56, 2021 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33249218

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) consists of the implantation of microelectrodes for the electrophysiological characterization of epileptogenic networks. To reduce a possible risk of intracranial bleeding by vessel rupture during the electrode implantation, the stereotactic trajectories must follow avascular corridors. The use of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for vascular visualization during planning is controversial due to the additional risk related to this procedure. Here we evaluate the utility of this technique for planning when the neurosurgeon has it available together with gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance sequence (T1-Gd) and computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS: Twenty-two implantation plans for SEEG were initially done using T1-Gd imaging (251 trajectories). DSA was only used later during the revision process. In 6 patients CTA was available at this point as well. We quantified the position of the closest vessel to the trajectory in each of the imaging modalities. RESULTS: Two thirds of the trajectories that appeared vessel free in the T1-Gd or CTA presented vessels in their proximity, as shown by DSA. Those modifications only required small shifts of both the entry and target point, so the diagnostic aims were preserved. CONCLUSIONS: T1-Gd and CTA, despite being the most commonly used techniques for SEEG planning, frequently fail to reveal vessels that are dangerously close to the trajectories. Higher-resolution vascular imaging techniques, such as DSA, can provide the neurosurgeon with crucial information about vascular anatomy, resulting in safer plans.


Subject(s)
Drug Resistant Epilepsy/physiopathology , Electrocorticography/methods , Epilepsies, Partial/physiopathology , Intraoperative Complications/prevention & control , Microelectrodes , Prosthesis Implantation/methods , Stereotaxic Techniques , Vascular System Injuries/prevention & control , Adult , Angiography, Digital Subtraction , Cerebral Angiography , Computed Tomography Angiography , Contrast Media , Drug Resistant Epilepsy/surgery , Electrodes, Implanted , Epilepsies, Partial/surgery , Female , Humans , Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Intracranial Hemorrhages/prevention & control , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Preoperative Care , Young Adult
17.
Environ Health Perspect ; 127(11): 117004, 2019 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31774309

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are in contact with a variety of medical products whose production might include synthetic chemicals with hormonal activity. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to assess the content of bisphenol A (BPA) and parabens (PBs) and the hormone-like activities of a subset of medical products commonly used in NICUs in prolonged intimate contact with NICU newborns. METHODS: Fifty-two NICU items were analyzed, determining the concentrations of BPA and PBs [methyl- (MeP), ethyl- (EtP), propyl- (PrP), and butylparaben (BuP)] and using the E-Screen and PALM-luciferase assays to measure the in vitro (anti-)estrogenic and (anti-)androgenic activity, respectively, of the extracts. Items found to have elevated BPA/PB content or hormone-like activities were further extracted using leaching methodologies. RESULTS: BPA was found in three-fifths and PBs in four-fifths of tested NICU items, and ∼25% and ∼10% of extracts evidenced estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity, respectively. The highest BPA content was found in the three-way stopcock (>7.000 ng/g), followed by patterned transparent film dressing, gastro-duodenal feeding tubes, sterile gloves, single-lumen umbilical catheters, and intravenous (IV) infusion extension sets (concentrations ranged from 100 to 700 ng/g BPA). A total PB concentration (∑PBs) >100 ng/g was observed in several items, including light therapy protection glasses, patterned transparent film dressing, winged IV catheters, IV infusion extension sets, and textile tape. The highest estrogenic activity [>450 pM estradiol equivalent (E2eq)] was found in small dummy nipples, three-way stopcocks, and patterned transparent film dressing and the highest anti-androgenic activity [>5 mM procymidone equivalent units per gram (Proceq/g)] in small dummy nipples and three-way stopcocks. DISCUSSION: According to these findings, neonates might be exposed to multiple sources of BPA and PBs in NICUs via inhalation, dermal, oral, and IV/parenteral routes. There is a need to address the future health implications for these extremely vulnerable patients and to adopt precautionary preventive measures as a matter of urgency. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP5564.


Subject(s)
Benzhydryl Compounds/analysis , Environmental Exposure/analysis , Intensive Care Units, Neonatal , Parabens/analysis , Phenols/analysis , Dietary Supplements/analysis , Equipment and Supplies , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Ointments/analysis , Textiles/analysis
18.
Diabetes Res Clin Pract ; 147: 118-133, 2019 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30500545

ABSTRACT

In patients with diabetes, psychological well-being constructs (e.g., optimism, positive affect) have been associated with superior medical outcomes, including better glucose control and lower mortality rates. Well-being interventions may be well-suited to individuals with diabetes, as they are simple to deliver, broadly applicable across a range of psychological distress, and may help increase self-efficacy and motivation for diabetes self-care. This systematic review, completed using PRISMA guidelines, examined peer-reviewed studies indexed in PubMed, PsycINFO, and/or Scopus between database inception and October 2017 that investigated the effects of well-being interventions (e.g., positive psychology interventions, mindfulness-based interventions, resilience-based interventions) on psychological and physical health outcomes in individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. The search yielded 34 articles (N = 1635 participants), with substantial variability in intervention type, measures used, and outcomes studied; the majority found the intervention to provide benefit. Overall, results indicate that a range of well-being interventions appear to have promise in improving health outcomes in this population, but the literature does not yet provide definitive data about which specific interventions are most effective. The variability in interventions and outcomes points to a need for further rigorous, controlled, and well-powered studies of specific interventions, with well-accepted, clinically relevant outcome measures.


Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , Self Care/methods , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/pathology , Humans
19.
Brain Sci ; 8(7)2018 Jul 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29986411

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tourette syndrome (TS) is a childhood-onset neuropsychiatric disorder consisting of impairing motor and vocal tics which often persists adolescent and adult years. In this older refractory group, standard treatments such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapeutic interventions may only have limited effects. Based on electrical cortical dysregulation in individuals with TS, a novel approach has employed brain stimulation strategies to modulate the putative aberrant neural electrical activity in pathways that may underlie tics, such as insula-supplementary motor area (SMA) connectivity. METHODS: This review will examine all published clinical trials employing transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to ameliorate tics, and discuss a framework for the pathophysiology of TS in relation to electrical brain activity. A framework for future research in tic disorders using TMS and imaging targeting neuroplasticity will be discussed. RESULTS: Therapeutic electrical brain activity modulation with TMS has been carried out in stroke neuro-rehabilitation and neuropsychiatry, including trials in TS. Eleven trials document the use of TMS in TS targeting several brain areas, a positive effect is seen for those trials targeting the SMA. In particular, it appears that younger individuals with concurrent attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) benefit the most. CONCLUSIONS: TMS can be used as an effective tool to explore the psychophysiology of TS and potentially provide a therapeutic option. Ultimately, translational research using TMS in TS needs to explore connectivity differences pre- and post-treatment in individuals with TS that are linked to improvement in tic symptoms, with an emphasis on approaches using functional neuroimaging as well as other probes of neuroplasticity.

20.
Curr Psychiatry Rep ; 20(1): 5, 2018 02 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29392446

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this paper is to review psychiatric manifestations, comorbidities, and psychopharmacological management in individuals with acute porphyria (AP). RECENT FINDINGS: Recent literature begins to clarify associations between AP, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychopathology. Broad psychiatric symptoms have been associated to acute porphyria (AP) and correspond to a spectrum of heterogeneous manifestations such as anxiety, affective alterations, behavioral changes, personality, and psychotic symptoms. These symptoms may be difficult to identify as being related to porphyria since symptoms may arise at any time during the disease process. In addition, these patients may present psychiatric conditions secondary to the disease, such as adjustment disorder and substance use disorders. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of psychiatric manifestations positively impact the course of the disease.


Subject(s)
Mental Disorders/etiology , Porphyria, Acute Intermittent/psychology , Analgesics/therapeutic use , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Comorbidity , Humans , Mental Disorders/physiopathology , Mental Disorders/therapy , Personality , Porphyria, Acute Intermittent/complications , Psychopathology
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL
...