Comparative Analysis of Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Patients With Heart Failure and Cancer Who Receive Palliative Care.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) is the criterion-standard outcome in palliative care for patients with various illnesses and their family caregivers. There is a need to determine the factors affecting caregivers' QoL in each population and the differences between groups to design differentiated intervention strategies. PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to compare the role adoption, social support, and QoL of family caregivers of patients with heart failure and cancer in palliative care and to examine the determinants of QoL. METHODS: A comparative study was conducted with the family caregivers of patients with cancer (n = 81) and heart failure (n = 80) in palliative care. Quality of life in life-limiting situations, role adoption, and social support questionnaires were also administered. A χ2 test, Student t test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for between-group comparisons. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the effects of the correlated variables on caregivers' QoL. RESULTS: Caregivers of patients with heart failure had better QoL (P = .006) and lower tangible social support (P = .007) than caregivers of patients with heart failure. No differences were found in caregiver role adoption between the groups. Linear regression indicated that for caregivers of patients with cancer, social support, role adoption, caregiver age, and patient functional status affect caregiver QoL. For caregivers of patients with heart failure, role adoption and patient functional status are predictors of QoL. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, healthcare professionals should focus on improving social support and caregiver role adoption and provide greater attention to the QoL of caregivers of patients with cancer.

Genetic modifiers of cognitive decline in PSEN1 E280A Alzheimer's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Rate of cognitive decline (RCD) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) determines the degree of impairment for patients and of burden for caretakers. We studied the association of RCD with genetic variants in AD. METHODS: RCD was evaluated in 62 familial AD (FAD) and 53 sporadic AD (SAD) cases, and analyzed by whole-exome sequencing for association with common exonic functional variants. Findings were validated in post mortem brain tissue. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-two gene variants in FAD, and 227 gene variants in SAD associated with RCD. In FAD, performance decline of the immediate recall of the Rey-Osterrieth figure test associated with 122 genetic variants. Olfactory receptor OR51B6 showed the highest number of associated variants. Its expression was detected in temporal cortex neurons. DISCUSSION: Impaired olfactory function has been associated with cognitive impairment in AD. Genetic variants in these or other genes could help to identify risk of faster memory decline in FAD and SAD patients.

The Accuracy of Bone Assessment Distal to Lower Second Molars Using Panoramic Radiography: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Panoramic radiography (OPG) evaluates mandibular third molar impaction (MTMI). This systematic review aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of OPG in detecting bone loss distal to the lower second molars. The associated bone loss with different impaction positions and the most prevalent positions of MTMI were investigated as secondary outcomes. In January 2023, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane were searched to identify studies published between January 2012 and January 2023. Two examiners blindly selected the eligible studies for data extraction and quality assessment. Of 427 studies, 8 were suitable for data extraction. All studies reported bone loss distal to the second molar using OPG, ranging from 4.9 to 62.9%. The most frequent position of MTMI is mesioangular. The distal bone loss in the vertical and horizontal positions is statistically significant compared to typically positioned third molars and those that are fully erupted or impacted, but in a normal orientation (p-value 0.005 and 0.02, respectively). Bone loss was not statistically significant in the mesioangular position compared to other impacted positions (p-value 0.14). The risk of bias ranges between 66 and 88%. Despite its limitations, OPG is still considered a valuable tool to assess bone loss distal to the lower second molar in cases of an impacted mandibular third molar.

Terpyridine isomerism as a tool for tuning red-to-NIR emissive properties in heteronuclear gold(I)-thallium(I) complexes.

The polymeric linear chain [AuTl(C6Cl5)2]n reacts with three terpyridine-type ligands substituted with thiophene groups containing N-donor centres in different relative positions (L1, L2 and L3), leading to the Au(I)/Tl(I) complexes [AuTl(C6Cl5)2(L1)]n (1), [{AuTl(C6Cl5)2}2(L2)]n (2) and [AuTl(C6Cl5)2(L3)]n (3). X-Ray diffraction studies reveal that L1 acts as a chelate, while L2 and L3 act as bridging ligands, resulting in different coordination indexes for the thallium(I) centre. These structural differences strongly influence their optical properties, and while compounds 2 and 3 emit near the limit of the visible range, complex 1 emits in the infrared region. DFT calculations have also been carried out in order to determine the origin of the electronic transitions responsible for their optical properties.

Mandibular Third Molar Impaction and Bone Change Distal to the Second Molar: A Panoramic Radiographic Study.

Background: The mandibular third molar is the most frequently impacted tooth. An impacted mandibular third molar (IMTM) can have negative consequences on the adjacent mandibular second molar (MSM), such as bone loss. An IMTM can be identified using orthopantomography (OPG). Our objective is to compare changes in bone level distal to the mandibular second molar (MSM) in patients with an extracted IMTM versus non-extracted IMTM using OPG. Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, 160 orthopantomograms (OPGs) of 80 patients who attended Dental Hospital of the University of Barcelona (HOUB) were randomly selected. Participants were stratified into a study group and control group. Results: Males and females experienced bone gain in the study group and bone loss in the control group. However, the difference in bone-level change was not statistically significant regarding gender in the study group. Within the study group, the age group of 29-39 years demonstrated significant (p-value = 0.042) bone gain after extraction compared to other age groups. However, the control group demonstrated bone loss in all age groups in which the difference is not statistically significant (p-value 0.794). Conclusions: Bone improvements distal to the MSM were observed after the extraction of an IMTM compared to when an IMTM was not extracted.

Implementation of a coaching training for enhancing empathy and emotional intelligence skills in health science students: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Empathy and emotional intelligence are core competencies in the educational curriculum of health science students, both play a significant role in teamwork relationships and in attention patient's cares; so innovative strategies to enhance these emotional skills are required. We prospectively tested an academic coaching program for improving empathy and emotional intelligence in students of health sciences degrees. METHODS: A prospectively single arm intervention study was performed in undergraduate students of nursing, physiotherapy and occupational therapy of the Faculty of Health Sciences from the University of Granada (Spain). The three groups of students participated in nine sessions of coaching, which included a training program to manage patient's priorities and communication, adherence to treatment, motivation and satisfaction. Survey data included the Cognitive and Affective Empathy Test (TECA), the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) which were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. RESULTS: A total of 93 students of 259 (mean age of 21.6 ± 3.2 years) participated in the study and completed the sessions of coaching/surveys. After the intervention, we observed an improvement in the cognitive dimension of empathy among nursing students (p = 0.035) and in the affective dimension of empathy in physiotherapy students (p = 0.044). In addition, an increase on perceived emotional intelligence among students was achieved only in nursing/physiotherapy groups (p ≤ 0.048). Finally, slight improvements were founded in the dimensions "Perspective-Taking" and "Personal Distress" of the occupational therapy group (p ≤ 0.031). No significant differences were found for the rest of variables of TECA (p ≥ 0.052), TMMS-24 (p ≥ 0.06) and IRI (p ≥ 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that an academic coaching intervention with students from health sciences degrees improves their empathy skills and self-perceived emotional intelligence. The current findings can be used to determine more effective approaches to implementing academic coaching interventions based in better designs as clinical trial studies.

Lecciones aprendidas en Apropiación Social del Conocimiento en cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedad crónica / Lessons learned in Social Knowledge Appropriation in family caregivers of people with chronic diseases

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedad crónica se ven enfrentados a cambios de orden individual, familiar y social, lo que afecta su calidad de vida y son expuestos a prácticas saludables y no saludables. OBJETIVO: Transferir el conocimiento generado en la línea de adopción de rol del cuidador de la persona con enfermedad crónica. METODOLOGÍA: Estrategia de Apropiación Social del Conocimiento (ASC) con enfoque de investigación participativa basada en la comunidad. Se contemplaron las siguientes fases: revisión y actualización de literatura científica, identificación de actores, diagnóstico situacional; planeación y desarrollo de la estrategia, y seguimiento. En Bogotá y Cajicá (Colombia), con cuidadores familiares de personas con condiciones crónicas. RESULTADOS: Se confirma la necesidad de dinamizar las redes a través de estrategias de ASC. Se realizaron grupos focales en donde se priorizaron 21 temáticas que fueron abordadas conjuntamente entre los cuidadores y los Jóvenes Talento. Aplicación del pre y postest del instrumento Rol en donde se evidenció un aumento en la adopción del rol. CONCLUSIONES: Se evidenció una constante retroalimentación bidireccional entre los Jóvenes Talento y los cuidadores participantes; contribuyendo a la generación de conocimiento teniendo como fundamentos la evidencia científica.

INTRODUCTION: Family caregivers of people with chronic diseases are faced with individual, family, and social changes that affect their quality of life and are exposed to healthy and unhealthy practices. OBJECTIVE. Transfer the knowledge gained in the process of adopting the role of the chronic illness patient's caregiver. METHODS: Social Knowledge Appropriation (SKA) strategy incorporating a community-based participatory research methodology. Consideration was given to the following phases: review and update of scientific literature, identification of actors, situational analysis, planning and development of the strategy, and follow-up. In Bogotá and Cajicá, with family caregivers of chronically ill patients. RESULTS confirm the need to energize networks with SKA strategies. Twenty-one topics were prioritized and discussed by caregivers and young talent in focus groups. Application of the pre- and post-test of the role instrument, which revealed an increase in role adoption. CONCLUSIONS: A constant bidirectional feedback was observed between the young talents and the participating caregivers, which contributed to the generation of scientifically based knowledge.

Soledad, ansiedad, depresión y adopción del rol del cuidador de personas con enfermedad crónica en San Gil, Colombia

Introducción: Los cuidadores de personas con enfermedad crónica adoptan un nuevo rol que puede implicar respuestas como ansiedad, depresión y soledad. Objetivo: Describir y correlacionar las variables de adopción del rol del cuidador, depresión, ansiedad y soledad en cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedad crónica en la provincia de Guanentina, en San Gil, Santander (Colombia), durante el año 2021. Método: Estudio descriptivo, analítico de corte transversal realizado con 112 cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedades crónicas. Se utilizó una ficha de caracterización y los instrumentos: Escala adopción del rol del cuidador ROL, escala de soledad de UCLA (University of California at Los Ángeles) y Escala Hospitalaria de Ansiedad y Depresión HADS. Resultados: El perfil de los cuidadores fue predominantemente mujer; de 49 años en promedio; casadas, solteras o en unión libre; grado máximo de escolaridad bachiller; de ocupación hogar y nivel socioeconómico medio bajo y bajo. Se encontraron niveles altos de ansiedad en el 18,3 % de ellas, depresión en el 4,3 % y soledad en el 0,9 %, además, se evidenciaron niveles de adopción del rol del cuidador satisfactorios en el 100 %. Se encontró una correlación débil entre ansiedad, depresión y soledad y una correlación inversa entre estas variables con la adopción del rol del cuidador. De igual manera, se encontró una correlación directa entre la edad del paciente y los meses de diagnóstico con las horas de cuidado al día. Por último, se halló carácter predictivo de la ansiedad y la depresión sobre la adopción del rol, de la ansiedad y la adopción del rol sobre la depresión, y de la soledad y la depresión sobre la ansiedad. Conclusiones: los cuidadores tenían niveles de ansiedad, depresión y soledad normales que, al correlacionarse entre sí y con la adopción del rol del cuidador, validan la idea de que, si se interviene a los cuidadores en su trayectoria con orientaciones sobre su rol en cuanto a las labores, la organización y las respuestas se puede contribuir en la disminución de la ansiedad, depresión y soledad. Discusión: la correlación directa observada entre la soledad, depresión y ansiedad es coherente con lo reportado en estudios previos con cuidadores. Acorde con lo reportado por la literatura el desempeño satisfactorio del rol facilita los desenlaces en los cuidadores, en este caso, la moderación de la ansiedad, depresión y soledad.

Introduction: Caregivers of people with chronic disease adopt a new role that may involve responses such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Objective: To describe and correlate the variables of adoption of the role of caregiver, depression, anxiety and loneliness in family caregivers of people with chronic disease in the Guanentina province in San Gil, Santander (Colombia), during the year 2021. Methods: Descriptive study, cross-sectional analysis carried out with 112 family caregivers of people with chronic diseases. A characterization sheet and the ROL, UCLA and HADS instruments were used. Results: the profile of the caregivers was predominantly female and average age of 49 years; married, single or in civil union; maximum degree of high school education; of household occupation and low and low-middle socioeconomic level. High levels of anxiety were found in 18,3% of them, depression in 4,3% and loneliness in 0,9%, in addition, satisfactory levels of adoption of the caregiver role were evidenced in 100%. A weak correlation was found between anxiety, depression and loneliness and an inverse correlation between these variables with the adoption of the caregiver role. Similarly, a direct correlation was found between the patient's age and the months of diagnosis with the hours of care per day. Finally, anxiety and depression were found to be predictive of role adoption, of anxiety and role adoption on depression, and of loneliness and depression on anxiety. Conclusions: the caregivers had normal levels of anxiety, depression and loneliness that, when correlated with each other and with the adoption of the caregiver role, validate the idea that, if caregivers are intervened in their trajectory with guidance on their role in terms of the tasks, the organization and the answers can contribute in the reduction of anxiety, depression and loneliness. Discussion: The direct connection observed between loneliness, depression and anxiety is consistent with what has been reported in previous studies with caregivers. In accordance with what has been reported in the literature, satisfactory performance of the role facilitates the outcomes in caregivers, in this case, the moderation of anxiety, depression and loneliness.

Instrumentos para la medición de sobrecarga del cuidador en pacientes con enfermedad crónica: revisión psicométrica

Introducción: Los cuidadores de pacientes con enfermedad crónica experimentan sobrecarga en actividades de cuidado. Existen diferentes instrumentos que miden la sobrecarga, en Latinoamérica se han validado diferentes instrumentos. Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad metodológica de las propiedades psicométricas de los instrumentos que miden la sobrecarga del cuidador en el contexto latinoamericano. Metodología: Revisión sistemática psicométrica. La búsqueda incluyó la combinación de 3 aspectos: estudios de validación; idioma: español, portugués o inglés, lugar de validación: Latinoamérica. Resultados: Un total de 24 artículos se identificaron e incluían 10 instrumentos. El idioma de los artículos con mayor representación fue el español (n = 15). El país con mayor número de estudios de validación fue Brasil (n = 15). El instrumento con mayor número de validaciones fue la Encuesta de Zarit (n = 11). Conclusión: Los instrumentos identificados cuentan con buena calidad metodológica, sin embargo, se requieren futuros estudios que evalúen las propiedades psicométricas faltantes, en especial la validez de contenido.

Introduction: Caregivers of patients with chronic disease experience overload when carrying out continuous care tasks. In the world there are different instruments that measure this overload, in the Latin American context different instruments have been validated. Objetive: To evaluate the methodological quality of the psychometric properties of the instruments that measure caregiver burden in the Latin American. Methodology: Systematic psychometric review. The search included the combination of 3 aspects: validation studies; language: Spanish, Portuguese or English, and place of validation: Latin American. Results: A total of 24 articles were identified and included 10 instruments. The language of the articles with the highest representation was Spanish (n = 15). The country with the highest number of validation studies was Brazil (n = 15). The instrument with the highest number of validations was the Zarit Survey (n = 11). Conclusion: The identified instruments have methodological quality; however, future research is necessary to evaluate the missing psychometric properties, especially content validity

Vapochromic behaviour of a gold(I)-lead(II) complex as a VOC sensor.

The reaction among [Au2Ag2(C6F5)4(OEt2)2]n, PbCl2 and terpyridine leads to the polymeric complex [{Au(C6F5)2}2{Pb(terpy)}]n (1). Its crystal structure reveals potential voids close to the lead centres large enough to hold different molecules. The availability of these free sites allows complex 1 to act as a VOC sensor. Thus, when 1 is exposed to different solvent vapours such as acetonitrile, toluene or THF, variations in its solid appearance and its photophysical properties are observed as a consequence of the formation of the new polymorphs [{Au(C6F5)2}2{Pb(terpy)(CH3CN)2}]n (2), [{Au(C6F5)2}2{Pb(terpy)}]n·Tol (3) and [{Au(C6F5)2}2{Pb(terpy)(THF)}]n·THF (4). Each polymorph displays a different emission energy depending on its structure and the presence of metallophilic interactions. In addition, the reversible solvent molecule exchange allows the tuning of the luminescence emissions in the greenish yellow-red range. DFT and TD-DFT calculations were performed to explain the origin of the luminescence of all these complexes.

The prevalence of elongated styloid process in the population of Barcelona: a cross-sectional study & review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Styloid process (SP) is a cylindrical bony projection that originates from the inferior part of the petrous temporal bone just anteriorly to the stylomastoid foramen. Several nerves, muscles, and ligaments are related closely to the (SP). It is considered elongated when the measurement exceeds 30 mm. The overall prevalence of the styloid process is between 3.3% to 84.4%. The elongation of the styloid process (ESP) is associated with the manifestation of Eagle's Syndrome (ES) which is characterized by various types of pain in the head and neck region such as headache, tinnitus, otalgia, and trigeminal neuralgia. Eagle's syndrome occurs in 4-10.3% of individuals with an elongated styloid process (ESP). The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of (ESP) in the patients who were treated in the Dental Hospital University of Barcelona (HOUB), to review the literature to spot the light on the different demographic data worldwide. METHODS: The archived panoramic image in the University of Barcelona dental Hospital were consecutively retrieved to investigate the prevalence of (ESP). Of all digital panoramic radiographs (OPG), 400 met the inclusion criteria and were furtherly analyzed. The results are correlated with the participant's gender, age, and occurrence. Age is subcategorized into three groups. A chi-square test is used to measure the significant differences and the P-value is set at < 0.05 for the level of significance. RESULTS: Among the included 400, we found 291 demonstrating (ESP). The prevalence of (ESP) which exceeds 30 mm is 72.75%. It is found that the most common morphological type is type 1 which is regarded as the uninterrupted (ESP) regardless of gender and age group. Concerning the calcification pattern, the most prevalent is the partial calcified (ESP) despite genders and age groups. CONCLUSION: (OPG) is a sufficient tool for the screening of the elongated styloid process. Regarding the prevalence, our results are considered higher than previously reported prevalence in different populations using (OPG) radiography tool. A study on a wider spectrum of the Spanish population is recommended to further investigate the correlation between the elongated styloid process and the occurrence of Eagle's syndrome.

Role of selected salivary inflammatory cytokines in the diagnosis and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is gradually increasing its incidence in our society. Unfortunately, this entity is diagnosed at an advanced stage in most patients, a fact that implies greater difficulty in its treatment and a worse prognosis. This systematic review aims to assess whether the cytokines IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α are potential salivary biomarkers that allow early diagnosis of cancer. Material and methods: An electronic search was performed in three databases (Pubmed, Scopus and Web of Science). We used the following keywords: "salivary cytokines", "saliva cytokines", "salivary interleukins", "biomarkers", "oral squamous cell carcinoma" and "diagnosis", combined with the Boolean operators "AND" and "OR". Results: 128 publications were found and finally 23 articles were included in the review and 15 in the meta-analysis. It has been observed that the majority of OSCC patients express higher salivary concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α compared to the control (CL) and premalignant lesion (OPML) groups. It has also been observed that the different premalignant lesions do not have statistically significant differences in the salivary concentration of the cytokines, and on the other hand, differences have been observed between the different TNM stages. The meta-analysis has shown that the difference in concentration of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α is statistically significant between the CL group and the OSCC, and also between the CL group and OPML. Conclusions: There is sufficient evidence to affirm that IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α are useful salivary cytokines in the early diagnosis and prognosis of OSCC. Although future studies are necessary to establish greater reliability of these biomarkers and thus be able to develop a valid diagnostic test. (AU)

Case management as an opportunity for healthcare: user experiences

Introduction: People with multimorbidity and their caregivers are beginning to be recognized as emerging subjects of health systems. In Colombia there is no differentiated approach to care for this population, as well as its health-disease process. Objective: To understand the experience of people with multimorbidity and their caregivers after receiving a case management intervention. Methods and materials: It is a qualitative study in which 33 participants among people with multimorbidity and their caregivers who received intervention with case managers were interviewed, a comparative analysis and use to tools analytics grounded theory. Results: There are 3 dimensions that are, the actors where nursing becomes relevant as a reliable source of care; the Care Meeting, as a space created within case management to maintain trust and; Results in the health system, where the need to integrate this type of outbreak into the Colombian Health Model is confirmed. Discussion: Complementary qualitative evidence data from the central study with a greater impact on the quality of care through the therapeutic relationship at home. Conclusion: The dyad requires home support for self-management of the disease based on trust, empathy, empowerment and administrative management carried out by case managers.

Introducción: Las personas con multimorbilidad y sus cuidadores empiezan a ser reconocidos como sujetos emergentes en los sistemas de salud. En Colombia no existe un abordaje diferenciado para la atención de esta población, así como de su proceso de salud-enfermedad. Objetivo: Entender las experiencias de personas con multimorbilidad y sus cuidadores tras recibir una intervención de gestión de casos. Materiales y métodos: Estudio cualitativo en el que se entrevistó a 33 participantes con multimorbilidad y sus cuidadores que recibieron una intervención por parte de gestores de casos; se realizó un análisis comparativo y se utilizaron herramientas analíticas de la teoría fundamentada. Resultados: Existen tres dimensiones: los actores, donde la enfermería cobra relevancia como fuente confiable de cuidado; la reunión de atención o cuidado, como un espacio creado en la gestión de casos para mantener la confianza; y resultados en el sistema de salud, donde se confirma la necesidad de integrar este tipo de avance en el modelo de salud colombiano. Discusión: Los datos cualitativos complementarios del estudio central evidencian un mayor impacto en la calidad del cuidado a través de la relación terapéutica en el hogar. Conclusión: La díada requiere acompañamiento domiciliario para la autogestión de la enfermedad que esté basado en la confianza, la empatía, el empoderamiento y la gestión administrativa llevada a cabo por los gestores de casos.

Introdução: As pessoas com multimorbidade e seus cuidadores estão começando a ser reconhecidos como sujeitos emergentes dos sistemas de saúde. Na Colômbia, não há uma abordagem diferenciada para o atendimento dessa população, bem como para seu processo saúde-doença. Objetivo: Compreender a experiência de pessoas com multimorbidade e seus cuidadores após receberem uma intervenção de gerenciamento de casos. Métodos e materiais: Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo no qual foram entrevistados 33 participantes entre pessoas com multimorbidade e seus cuidadores que receberam intervenção com gerentes de caso, uma análise comparativa e o uso de ferramentas analíticas da teoria fundamentada. Resultados: Existem três dimensões que são: os atores onde a enfermagem se torna relevante como uma fonte confiável de cuidados; a Reunião de Cuidados, como um espaço criado dentro do gerenciamento de casos para manter a confiança e; Resultados no sistema de saúde, onde a necessidade de integrar esse tipo de surto no modelo de saúde colombiano é confirmada. Discussão: Dados complementares de evidências qualitativas do estudo central com maior impacto na qualidade do atendimento por meio da relação terapêutica no domicílio. Conclusão: A díade requer apoio domiciliar para o autogerenciamento da doença com base na confiança, empatia, empoderamento e gerenciamento administrativo realizado pelos gerentes de caso.

Deciphering the Primary Role of Au⋠⋠⋠H-X Hydrogen Bonding in Gold Catalysis.

Au⋅⋅⋅H-X (X=N or C) hydrogen bonding is gaining increasing interest, both in the study of its intrinsic nature and in their operability in different fields. While the role of these interactions has been studied in the stabilization of gold(I) complexes, their role during the minimum free energy reaction pathway of a given catalytic process remains unexplored. We report herein that complex [Au(C≡CPh)(pip)] (pip=piperidine) catalyses the A3 -coupling reaction for the synthesis of propargylamines, thanks to the ability of Au(I) to promote weak hydrogen bonding interactions with the reactants along the free energy profile. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations show that these Au⋅⋅⋅H-X interactions play a directing role in the catalysed A3 -coupling. Topological non-covalent interactions (NCI), interaction region indicator (IRI) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) analysis in real space of the electron density provide a description of these interactions accurately.

X-Chromosome Association Study in Latin American Cohorts Identifies New Loci in Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Sex differences in Parkinson's disease (PD) risk are well-known. However, the role of sex chromosomes in the development and progression of PD is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to perform the first X-chromosome-wide association study for PD risk in a Latin American cohort. METHODS: We used data from three admixed cohorts: (1) Latin American Research consortium on the Genetics of Parkinson's Disease (n = 1504) as discover cohort, and (2) Latino cohort from International Parkinson Disease Genomics Consortium (n = 155) and (3) Bambui Aging cohort (n = 1442) as replication cohorts. We also developed an X-chromosome framework specifically designed for admixed populations. RESULTS: We identified eight linkage disequilibrium regions associated with PD. We replicated one of these regions (top variant rs525496; discovery odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.60 [0.478-0.77], P = 3.13 × 10-5 replication odds ratio: 0.60 [0.37-0.98], P = 0.04). rs5525496 is associated with multiple expression quantitative trait loci in brain and non-brain tissues, including RAB9B, H2BFM, TSMB15B, and GLRA4, but colocalization analysis suggests that rs5525496 may not mediate risk by expression of these genes. We also replicated a previous X-chromosome-wide association study finding (rs28602900), showing that this variant is associated with PD in non-European populations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reinforce the importance of including X-chromosome and diverse populations in genetic studies. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Perceptions of an educational intervention for family caregivers of palliative care patients.

BACKGROUND: Nursing interventions aimed at family caregivers of palliative cancer patients require not only an objective evaluation, but also subjective consideration of their contributions, and a qualitative evaluation that provides an in-depth understanding of these interventions. AIMS: This study aimed to explore the perceptions that family caregivers of palliative cancer patients had of the nursing intervention, PalliActive Caregivers, in reducing the uncertainty associated with illness and improving the caregiver's quality of life. METHODS: A qualitative approach with content analysis was used. Telephone interviews were conducted with 23 caregivers who participated in the intervention. FINDINGS: Five themes emerged from the content analysis: consolidating physical care, adopting a positive attitude, strengthening the support available to the caregiver, strengthening spirituality and strengthening relationships. CONCLUSION: The themes showed a positive impact of the intervention on aspects such as the caregiver's ability to cope, spirituality and social support of caregivers. The results also indicated the possibility of conducting this type of study to identify other assessment variables for future interventions.

Switching On/Off of a Solvent Coordination in a Au(I)-Pb(II) Complex: High Pressure and Temperature as External Stimuli.

The benzonitrile solvate {[{Au(C6F5)2}2{Pb(terpy)}]·NCPh}n (1) (terpy = 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine) displays reversible reorientation and coordination of the benzonitrile molecule to lead upon external stimuli. High-pressure X-ray diffraction studies between 0 and 2.1 GPa reveal a 100% of conversion without loss of symmetry, which is totally reversible upon decompression. By variable-temperature X-ray diffraction studies between 100 and 285 K, a partial coordination is achieved.

Operando DRIFT-MS for studying the oxidative steam reforming of ethanol (OSRE) reaction.

An operando DRIFT-MS system (Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy coupled with Mass Spectrometry) was designed and set up to study the oxidative steam reforming of ethanol reaction (OSRE). This reaction involves the mixture of water, ethanol and oxygen to produce mainly hydrogen, which is a rather attractive energy carrier. Spectroscopic monitoring of the process is a key tool to contribute to the understanding of: i) the dynamics on the catalyst surface, ii) the reaction mechanism and iii) the effect of the solid's properties on the catalytic process. In this sense, this document sets forth the experimental design that allows to carry out the study under operando DRIFT-MS conditions through time for the OSRE reaction. Selection criteria for parameters, materials, configuration, and experimental conditions are included, particularly optimizing the parameters of particle size and the dilution factor with KBr as well as the temperature and flow conditions for carrying out the reaction.•Clear signals of the adsorbed species in IR that do not present interference by water in the reaction atmosphere.•Simple assembly and online product detection by MS that allow to follow the change in the products of the OSRE reaction according to the temperature.•Controlled entry of gases and quantification by loop injection.

Rarecare: A policy perspective on the burden of rare diseases on caregivers in Latin America.

In Latin America (LA), 40-50 million people live with rare diseases (RDs) that require constant monitoring, care, and attention. Caregivers help them with their basic life activities and medication administration, which they would otherwise be unable to perform. Family caregivers complement healthcare and social security systems; however, their unpaid work is often underappreciated and under-protected. Recognizing the need to address these unrecognized and undervalued women, the Americas Health Foundation (AHF) convened a panel of LA experts on caregiving for people with RDs to provide recommendations to support the undervalued family caregivers. A panel of LA experts in caregiving for RDs were given questions to address the challenges faced by family caregivers of people with RDs in LA. During a 3-day conference, the panelists' responses were discussed and edited until the panel agreed on recommendations to address the challenges. The identified challenges for caregivers included physical, emotional, and economical areas. Caregivers, primarily women, experienced physical pain, and social isolation, and were forced to pay substantial out-of-pocket expenses in their caregiving roles. Brazil and Colombia are at the forefront of policies to protect caregivers and their experiences in attempting to provide for this group are outlined as case studies for what is possible in LA. Finally, recognizing that caregivers must be included in formulating, executing, and evaluating care policies for people living with RDs and that the caregivers themselves require social assurances, the panel suggested policy objectives aimed at protecting caregivers of people living with RDs. The recommendations ranged from recognizing the role of the family caregiver as an essential supplement to the formal healthcare system to providing financial assistance, training, and workplace protection, among others. Finally, monitoring and evaluating the impact of policies is necessary to ensure that LA is moving forward in caring for family caregivers for people with RDs.