Processing speed mediates the relationship between DDR1 and psychosocial functioning in euthymic patients with bipolar disorder presenting psychotic symptoms.

The DDR1 locus is associated with the diagnosis of schizophrenia and with processing speed in patients with schizophrenia and first-episode psychosis. Here, we investigated whether DDR1 variants are associated with bipolar disorder (BD) features. First, we performed a case‒control association study comparing DDR1 variants between patients with BD and healthy controls. Second, we performed linear regression analyses to assess the associations of DDR1 variants with neurocognitive domains and psychosocial functioning. Third, we conducted a mediation analysis to explore whether neurocognitive impairment mediated the association between DDR1 variants and psychosocial functioning in patients with BD. Finally, we studied the association between DDR1 variants and white matter microstructure. We did not find any statistically significant associations in the case‒control association study; however, we found that the combined genotypes rs1264323AA-rs2267641AC/CC were associated with worse neurocognitive performance in patients with BD with psychotic symptoms. In addition, the combined genotypes rs1264323AA-rs2267641AC/CC were associated with worse psychosocial functioning through processing speed. We did not find correlations between white matter microstructure abnormalities and the neurocognitive domains associated with the combined genotypes rs1264323AA-rs2267641AC/CC. Overall, the results suggest that DDR1 may be a marker of worse neurocognitive performance and psychosocial functioning in patients with BD, specifically those with psychotic symptoms.

Rheological and Viscoelastic Analysis of Hybrid Formulations for Topical Application.

The rheological and viscoelastic properties of hybrid formulations composed of vehicles designed for cutaneous topical application and loaded with ultradeformable liposomes (UDL) were assessed. UDL were selected for their established ability to transport both lipophilic and hydrophilic compounds through the skin, and are applicable in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Formulations underwent flow analysis and were fitted to the Herschel-Bulkley model due to their prevalent non-Newtonian behavior in most cases. Linear viscoelastic regions (LVR) were identified, and G' and G″ moduli were determined via frequency sweep steps, considering the impact of temperature and aging. The formulations exhibited non-Newtonian behavior with pseudoplastic traits in most cases, with UDL incorporation inducing rheological changes. LVR and frequency sweep tests indicated predominantly elastic solid behavior, with G' higher than G″, at different temperatures and post-production times. Tan δ values also illustrated a predominant solid-like behavior over liquid. This study provides pivotal insights into the rheological and viscoelastic features of topical formulations, emphasizing the crucial role of meticulous vehicle and formulation selection when incorporating UDL or analogous liposomal drug delivery systems.

Exploring the role of osteoglycin in type 2 diabetes: implications for insulin resistance and vascular pathophysiology.

Osteoglycin, a fundamental proteoglycan within the vascular extracellular matrix, is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) but the role of osteoglycin in the development of CVD is controversial to date. Therefore, our aims are to determine and compare the level of osteoglycin in T2D patients with/without CVD versus control subjects both at serum and vascular tissue and to analyze in vitro role of osteoglycin in VSMCs under calcified conditions. For this, serum osteoglycin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 117 controls and 129 patients with T2D (46 with CVD and 83 without CVD), revealing a significant increase in patients with T2D compared with controls. Osteoglycin level was not an estimator of CVD but correlated with markers of insulin resistance (triglycerides and triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol index) in patients with T2D. At the vascular level, osteoglycin expression was assessed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry, and no significant differences were observed between calcified arteries from patients with T2D and noncalcified arteries from controls. In vitro experiments using VSMCs (mock and overexpressing osteoglycin) under calcifying conditions were performed to analyze the osteoglycin function. The overexpression of osteoglycin in VMSCs under calcifying conditions revealed an increase of cell proliferation without effect on apoptosis and an upregulation of the expression of autotaxin (ATX) involved in inflammatory processes. In conclusion, osteoglycin could play a role in glycemic homeostasis, being a potential biomarker of insulin resistance in patients with T2D. Furthermore, osteoglycin could indirectly participate in the development of atherosclerosis through its regulatory effect on ATX and by proliferating VSMCs.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study uncovers an increase of serum osteoglycin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, which does not appear to be associated with the development of atherosclerosis, but rather with insulin resistance in this population. Overexpression of osteoglycin increased proliferation and upregulated the expression of autotaxin in vascular smooth muscle cells within calcified environments. Osteoglycin could be a biomarker of insulin resistance for type 2 diabetes and could be indirectly involved in the development of atherosclerosis.

Systematic influenza screening in cardiac intensive care units during the influenza season: A prospective study in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the incidence of influenza among admissions to the cardiac intensive care unit (C-ICU), accuracy of clinical suspicion, and influenza vaccination uptake. We evaluated the incidence of influenza at C-ICU admission during the influenza season, potential underdiagnosis, and vaccination uptake. METHODS: Prospective study at five C-ICUs during the 2017-2020 influenza seasons. A nasopharyngeal swab was collected at admission from patients who consented (n = 788). Testing was with Xpert®XpressFlu/RSV. RESULTS: Influenza was detected in 43 patients (5.5%) (40 FluA; 3 FluB) and clinically suspected in 27 (62.8%). Compared to patients without influenza, patients with influenza more frequently had heart failure (37.2% vs 22.8%, P = 0.031), previous contact with relatives with influenza-like illnesses (23.3% vs 12.5%, P = 0.042), antimicrobial use (67.4% vs 23.2%, P <0.01), and need for mechanical ventilation (25.6% vs 14.5%, P = 0.048). Patients received oseltamivir promptly. We found no differences in mortality (11.6% vs 5.2%, P = 0.076). Patients with influenza more frequently had myocarditis (9.3% vs 0.9%, P <0.01) and pericarditis (7.0% vs 0.8%, P = 0.01). Overall, 43.0% of patients (339/788) were vaccinated (51.9% of those with a clear indication [303/584]). CONCLUSION: Influenza seems to be a frequently underdiagnosed underlying condition in admissions to the C-ICU. Influenza should be screened for at C-ICU admission during influenza epidemics.

Fifty years of biophysics in Argentina.

In 1972, a group of young Argentinean scientists nucleated in the so-called Membrane Club constituted the Biophysical Society of Argentina (SAB). Over the years, this Society has grown and embraced new areas of research and emerging technologies. In this commentary, we provide an overview of the early stages of biophysics development in Argentina and highlight some of the notable achievements made during the past five decades. The SAB Annual Meetings have been a platform for intense scientific discussions, and the Society has fostered numerous international connections, becoming a hallmark of SAB activities over these 50 years. Initially centered on membrane biophysics, SAB focus has since expanded to encompass diverse fields such as molecular, cellular, and systems biophysics.

The Latin American Federation of Biophysical Societies (LAFeBS).

The Latin American Federation of Biophysical Societies (LAFeBS) was constituted in 2007 in Montevideo, Uruguay, as a collaborative effort among the Biophysical Societies of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. This visionary collaboration foresees the future of Biophysics in Latin America. In this commentary, we will briefly review the history of LAFeBS, the remarkable path undertaken since its foundation 16 years ago, and its key initiative, the Latin American Postgraduate Program in Biophysics (POSLATAM).

Rheological, Physical, and Spectroscopical Characterization of Gamma-Irradiated Albumin Nanoparticles Loaded with Anthocyanin.

Anthocyanins are the main active compounds in blueberry. However, they have poor oxidation stability. If anthocyanins are encapsulated in protein nanoparticles, their oxidation resistance could be increased as a result of the slowing down of the oxidation process. This work describes the advantages of using a γ-irradiated bovine serum albumin nanoparticle bound to anthocyanins. The interaction was characterized biophysically, mainly by rheology. By computational calculation and simulation based on model nanoparticles, we estimated the number of molecules forming the albumin nanoparticles, which allowed us to infer the ratio of anthocyanin/nanoparticles. Measurements by UV-vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), ζ potential, electron transmission microscopy, and rheology at room (25 °C) and physiological (37 °C) temperatures were performed. The spectroscopy measurements allowed identifying additional hydrophobic sites created during the irradiation process of the nanoparticle. On the basis of the rheological studies, it was observed that the BSA-NP trend is a Newtonian flow behavior type for all the temperatures selected, and there is a direct correlation between dynamic viscosity and temperature values. Furthermore, when anthocyanins are added, the system increases its resistance to the flow as reflected in the morphological changes observed by TEM, thus confirming the relationship between viscosity values and aggregate formation.

Revisión y validación del diagnóstico enfermero "00031 Limpieza ineficaz de la vía aérea" y su inclusión en la última edición NANDA 21-23 / Review and validation of the nursing diagnosis "00031 Ineffective airway clearance" and its inclusion in the latest NANDA 21-23 edition

El diagnóstico enfermero 00031 Limpieza ineficaz de las vías aéreas fue desarrollado en 1980 y sus últimos cambios tuvie-ron lugar en 1998. Este aspecto y el continuo cambio de la ciencia enfermera hacían necesaria su revisión. El proyecto sellevó a cabo en dos fases. Se analizaron un total de 99 artículos. Los factores relacionados más identificados fueron pre-sencia de secreciones, intubación/ventilación asistida e infección respiratoria. No hubo relaciones estadísticamente signifi-cativas entre estos factores y el tipo de paciente, el contexto ni el año de publicación de los artículos. Se propusieron dosnuevos factores relacionados: «tapón mucoso» y «exposición a sustancias nocivas».(AU)

The nursing diagnosis 00031 Ineffective clearance of the airways was developed in 1980 and its last changes took place in1998. This aspect and the continuous change in nursing science made it necessary to review it. The project was carried outin two phases. They were analyzed a total of 99 articles. The most identified related factors were presence of secretions,intubation/assisted ventilation, and respiratory infection. There are no statistically significant relationships between thesefactors and the type of patient, context and year of publication of the articles. Two new related factors were proposed:“mucousplug” and “exposure to harmful substances”.(AU)

Consumer Demand for Milk and the Informal Dairy Sector Amidst COVID-19 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had large negative effects on countries' economies and individual well-being throughout the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Pandemic-related changes in behavior and government restrictions in Kenya may have negatively affected food supply chains and household food access; however, the empirical evidence is currently limited. Objectives: The study explored changes in informal milk markets, dairy consumption, and food insecurity among low-income households in urban and periurban Nairobi, Kenya, following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. Methods: Baseline data on milk sales and consumption were collected in late 2019 from dairy vendors operating in the informal sector and their dairy customers. We conducted 2 longitudinal telephone surveys with the same study participants in July and September-October 2020, respectively. Results: At the first follow-up, the volume of milk sold by informal vendors had dropped by 30% compared with their baseline level, and the volume of milk from informal markets consumed by households decreased by 23%. By the second follow-up, the volume of milk sold and consumed had recovered somewhat but remained lower than the volume observed 1 y prior in the same season. Large reductions in the consumption of other animal-sourced products were also observed. The rate of food insecurity increased by 16 and 11 percentage points in the first and second follow-up periods, respectively, compared with baseline. Conclusions: The evidence, therefore, suggests that the timing of the pandemic and the related restrictions were associated with a decrease in the supply and consumption of milk from informal markets in Nairobi and a decrease in the food security of periurban consumers.

Are Patients Sufficiently Informed about Contact Lens Wear and Care?

SIGNIFICANCE: Frequent and effective patient-practitioner communication is essential to ensure that instructions regarding contact lens use, care, and maintenance are understood and followed. Given the relevance of good patient compliance, the responsibility of practitioners to provide adequate information may not be neglected. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the content and type of information licensed optometrists in Spain provide their patients during the first contact lens fitting and at follow-up visits. METHODS: A self-reported ad hoc survey was distributed to licensed optometrists in Spain to investigate, among other factors, whether practitioners provided information on several aspects of contact lens use and maintenance, how was this information provided, and whether in-office practical demonstrations were conducted at all contact lens appointments. RESULTS: Respondents of 321 surveys had a median of 20 years of contact lens fitting experience and worked on independent practices (67.6%), and national (29.0%) and regional chains (3.4%). Type of practice influenced continuous education habits ( P = .03). Overall, 28.0% of participants did not always instruct patients on the need to rub contact lenses, 34.3% did not always address contact lens replacement, and 6.8% did not always explain storage case hygiene and replacement. At the follow-up visit, only 8.4% of respondents asked their patients to demonstrate their care routines. Information was mostly oral (48.6%) or oral and written (43.0%). Contact lens-related complications were reported more frequently by participants with less continuous education training ( P = .01), by those not always recommending rubbing ( P = .002), and by those not providing written information about storage case hygiene and replacement ( P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: Patient-practitioner communication was good, albeit several areas were identified where information was insufficient or not provided in a correct and timely format. Precise, written information on rubbing and storage case hygiene and replacement may improve compliance and assist in avoiding complications and dropout.

Biophysical Reviews special issue call: LAFeBS-highlighting biophysics in Latin America.

This Commentary describes a call for contributions to an upcoming Special Issue (SI) of Biophysical Reviews on the Latin American Federation of Biophysical Societies (LAFeBS). It details the reason for the SI, the SI Editors contact information and the relevant submission details for those wishing to contribute.

Notificación de agresiones por los trabajadores del Servicio Madrileño de Salud / Aggressions reported by the Madrid Health Service staff

Objetivo: conocer la prevalencia de agresiones notificadas por los trabajadores del Servicio Madrileño de Salud, saber la prevalencia de lesiones o alteraciones de la salud ocasionadas a los trabajadores por este motivo, e identificar los factores asociados a dichas agresiones. Método: estudio transversal en trabajadores del Servicio Madrileño de Salud (SERMAS) que notificaron una situación conflictiva/agresión en el periodo 2009-2018, a través de un registro habilitado por el SERMAS. Las variables estudiadas incluyeron datos del trabajador, del agresor, del incidente y sus consecuencias. Análisis descriptivo mediante el programa estadístico Stata. Resultados: se identificaron 5.587 notificaciones de situaciones conflictivas, el 89% correspondió a Atención Primaria (AP) y el 11% a Atención Especializada (AE). La prevalencia de alteraciones en el estado de salud sobre el total de notificaciones fue del 95% (IC 95%: 94-96), con un 97% (IC 95%: 95-98) en AE y un 95% (IC 95%: 94-95) en AP. En AE los trabajadores notificaron un 8% de agresiones físicas y 17% de coacciones, en AP fueron un 4% y un 25%, respectivamente. En Urgencias se notificaron un 12% de agresiones físicas frente al 4,6% del resto de servicios y un 13% de coacciones frente al 25%. En AE las enfermeras fueron los trabajadores que más agresiones notificaron y en AP fueron los facultativos. Conclusiones: en AP se notifican nueve veces más situaciones conflictivas que en AE. Las coacciones superan a las agresiones físicas. El personal de Enfermería y los trabajadores de urgencias son los profesionales que más agresiones notifican.(AU)

Objective: to understand the prevalence of aggressions reported by the Madrid Health Service staff, to learn about the prevalence of lesions or health alterations caused to workers for this reason, and to identify the factors associated with said aggressions. Method: a cross-sectional study conducted with workers of the Madrid Health Service (SERMAS) who reported a situation of conflict / aggression during the 2009-2018 period through a register provided by the SERMAS. The variables studied included: details of the worker, the aggressor, the incident and its consequences. There was descriptive analysis through the Stata statistical program. Results: in total, 5,587 reports of situations of conflict were identified: 89% from Primary Care (PC) and 11% from Specialized Care (SC). The prevalence of alterations in health status within all reports was 95% (CI 95%: 94-96), with 97% (CI 95%: 95-98) in SC and 95% (CI 95%: 94-95) in PC. Specialized Care staff reported 8% of physical aggressions and 17% of coercions; these were 4% and 25%, respectively, in PC. In the Emergency Unit, 12% of physical aggressions were reported vs. 4.6% in the rest of hospital units, and 13% of coercion vs. 25%. Nurses were the SC workers who reported more aggressions, vs. physicians in PC. Conclusions: nine times more situations of conflict are reported in Primary Care than in Specialized Care. Coercions are higher than physical agressions. Nursing staff and Emergency workers are the professionals reporting more aggressions.(AU)

Kenya's informal milk markets and the regulation-reality gap.

Motivation: Around 80% of milk in Kenya is marketed informally, providing livelihoods and contributing to the food security and nutrition of low-income consumers. Government policy, however, is focused on formalization-primarily through licensing and pasteurization-with enforcement via fines, confiscation of milk, or closing the premises of informal actors. Purpose: This article seeks to better understand if, and why, Kenya's informal milk sector and regulatory system are disconnected from one another and how the policy-reality gap might be better bridged. Methods and approach: To understand the nature and performance of Kenya's informal milk markets and their governance, we used a mix of research methods and data sources, including surveys with informal market players, and key informant interviews with key sector stakeholders. Fieldwork was carried out in Nairobi in late 2018. Findings: Milk safety and quality matters to all actors in informal milk value chains. The trust-based system used is effective in moderating behaviours and assessing and prioritizing quality and safety. Government policy is not accomplishing the stated goal of formalization: licensing levels remain low among informal actors. Pasteurization is not rewarded in the market. There is some evidence of suboptimal pasteurization processes being undertaken to satisfy regulators. There is a gap between the reality of Kenya's informal milk sector and its regulatory system. Policy implications: The regulation-reality gap manifests itself as adversarial relationships between regulators and informal actors, and unnecessary transaction costs, missing opportunities for enhancing livelihoods, food safety, and food security. New approaches should build on and consider existing approaches taken by actors in informal food markets to ensure food safety and quality. Policy-makers should seek to communicate more effectively with informal actors and engage in more constructive dialogue on inclusive ways forward.

Selenium Concentration in Cattle Serum and Fodder from Two Areas in Ethiopia with Contrasting Human Selenium Concentration.

INTRODUCTION: Selenium (Se) is an essential mineral for livestock health and productivity. In cattle, Se deficiency is associated with delayed conception, growth retardation, and increased morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We conducted a survey of cattle serum (n = 224) and feed (n = 81) samples from two areas with contrasting human and cereal grain Se concentration in Ethiopia. The fodder samples include stover, straw, hay and pasture grass. Se concentration of the samples were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Serum Se concentration ranged from 14.9 to 167.8 µg L-1 (median, 41.4 µg L-1). Cattle from East Amhara had significantly greater serum Se concentration compared to cattle from West Amhara (median: 68.4 µg L-1 vs 25.7 µg L-1; p < 0.001). Overall, 79.8% of cattle had Se deficiency (<81 µg L-1). All of the cattle from West Amhara were Se deficient compared with 62.5% of those from East Amhara. State of lactation of cows or age of cattle was not associated with serum Se concentration. The Se concentrations of feed samples ranged from 0.05 to 269.3 µg kg-1. Feed samples from East Amhara had greater Se concentration than samples from West Amhara. Cow serum and cattle feed Se concentrations showed strong spatially correlated variation, with a strong trend from East to West Amhara. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that cattle Se deficiency is likely to be highly prevalent in Ethiopia, which will negatively affect the health and productivity of livestock. The deficiency appears to be geographical dependent. More extensive surveys to map Se concentration in soil-feed-livestock-human cycle are required in Ethiopia and elsewhere.