Temperature Differences Between Controlled Primary Hypothyroidism and Healthy Patients: An Exploratory Study.

Introduction: Hypothyroidism is conventionally treated with replacement therapy through levothyroxine (LT4). Despite the improvement in symptoms, cold intolerance persists in some patients. The present study aims to determine whether there is a difference in temperature perception and skin temperature between patients with primary controlled hypothyroidism (PCH) and a group of healthy controls matched for body mass index and age. Secondarily we aimed to determine difference in quality of life. Methodology: Skin temperature measurements were performed in both groups, both in the central and peripheral regions of the body. In addition, subjects were asked about their perception of temperature in a temperature-controlled room; anthropometric measurements were taken, their quality of life was assessed using the ThyPRO-39, and a thyroid hormone profile was performed. Results: Eleven patients in the PCH group and 30 patients in the control group were studied. It was found that the group with PCH presented a significantly lower palmar temperature than the control group [mean (SD) of 32.05 (1.79) vs 33.10 (1.30) oC, P = .046]. A mediation model showed a direct effect. Temperature perception was equal between groups. The median (interquartile range) of ThyPRO was 8 (5.2) points in the control group vs 21.8 (13.5) in the group of controlled hypothyroidism, P < .001. Discussion: These results suggest that, despite LT4 treatment, patients continue to present abnormalities in thermogenesis-related thermogenesis, and this may be due to a lack of hormonal adaptation to environmental changes and physiological demands, leading to lower body temperatures and increased sensitivity to cold.

Plateau iris syndrome: Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment: A narrative review.

Plateau iris syndrome (PIS) was first coined in 1958 to describe the iris configuration of a patient, 2 years later; the concept of plateau iris was published. In 1992, the anatomic aspects of plateau iris were studied using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) determining it as a form of primary angle-closure glaucoma caused by a large or anteriorly positioned ciliary body that leads to mechanical obstruction of the trabecular meshwork, this condition is most often found in young patients. We aim to review the current literature and knowledge on the diagnosis and treatment options of PIS; the search was conducted in PubMed, LILACS, and BIREME internet search sites using keywords and snowball search strategy of articles published until 2022, focusing on PIS history, epidemiology, clinical diagnosis, UBM feature, and treatment.

Cardiometabolic comorbidities in Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors: prevalence and impact on health-related quality of life and supportive care needs.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to characterize the prevalence of cardiometabolic comorbidities (i.e., diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease) among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors and examine the impact of cardiometabolic comorbidities on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), unmet supportive care needs, patient-provider communication self-efficacy, satisfaction with cancer care, and increases in healthy behaviors. METHODS: Hispanics/Latinos diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer (N = 288) were assessed within 15 months of primary treatment completion. RESULTS: One-quarter (24.7%) of survivors were diagnosed with diabetes and one-fifth (20.8%) were diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease. Survivors with at least one cardiometabolic comoribidity were older (t(278) = -.3.622, p < .001) and more likely to have a household income of less than $25,000 (X2 = 8.369, p = .004). When adjusting for sociodemographic and medical covariates, survivors with cardiometabolic comorbidities demonstrated worse overall HRQoL (B = -4.792, p = .050), emotional (B = -1.479, p = .018) and physical (B = -2.228, p = .005) wellbeing, a higher odds of unmet psychological (OR = 2.095, p = .027) and sexuality (OR = 2.898, p = .004) needs, and greater patient-provider communication self-efficacy (B = .179, p = .045). There were no differences in healthy behavior changes or satisfaction with cancer care. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiometabolic comorbidities may be highly prevalent among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors and increase the risk of worse HRQoL and unmet supportive care needs. Targeted interventions are needed to optimize health among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors with cardiometabolic comorbidities.

Closed reduction evaluation in dysplastic hip with the Ömeroglu system in children aged 24 to 36 months.

Closed reduction (CR) as an initial treatment for developmental hip dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in children aged 24 to 36 months is debatable; however, it could have better results than open reduction (OR) or osteotomies, because it is minimally invasive. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiological results in children (24-36 months) with DDH initially treated with CR. Initial, subsequent, final anteroposterior pelvic radiological records were retrospectively analyzed. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute was used to classify the initial dislocations. To evaluate the final radiological results after CR (initial treatment) or additional treatment (CR failed), the Ömeroglu system was used (6 points excellent, 5 good, 4 fair-plus, 3 fair-minus, and ≤2 poor). The degree of acetabular dysplasia was estimated using the initial acetabular index and the final acetabular index, Buchholz-Ogden classification was used to measure avascular necrosis (AVN). A total of 98 radiological records were eligible, including 53 patients (65 hips). Fifteen hips (23.1%) were redislocated, OR with femoral osteotomy and pelvic osteotomy was the preferred surgical treatment 9 (13.8%). The initial acetabular index versus final acetabular index in total population was (38.9º ± 6.8º) and (31.9º ± 6.8º), respectively (t = 6.5, P < .001). The prevalence of AVN was 40%. Overall AVN in OR, femoral osteotomy and pelvic osteotomy were 73.3% versus CR 30%, P = .003. Unsatisfactory results ≤ 4 points on the Ömeroglu system were observed in hips that required OR with femoral and pelvic osteotomy. Hips with DDH treated with CR initially might had better radiological results than those treated with OR and femoral and pelvic osteotomies. Regular, good, and excellent results, ≥4 points on the Ömeroglu system, could be estimated in 57% of the cases, in whom CR was successful. AVN is frequently observed in hips with failed CR.

Tectomer-Mediated Optical Nanosensors for Tyramine Determination.

The development of optical sensors for in situ testing has become of great interest in the rapid diagnostics industry. We report here the development of simple, low-cost optical nanosensors for the semi-quantitative detection or naked-eye detection of tyramine (a biogenic amine whose production is commonly associated with food spoilage) when coupled to Au(III)/tectomer films deposited on polylactic acid (PLA) supports. Tectomers are two-dimensional oligoglycine self-assemblies, whose terminal amino groups enable both the immobilization of Au(III) and its adhesion to PLA. Upon exposure to tyramine, a non-enzymatic redox reaction takes place in which Au(III) in the tectomer matrix is reduced by tyramine to gold nanoparticles, whose reddish-purple color depends on the tyramine concentration and can be identified by measuring the RGB coordinates (Red-Green-Blue coordinates) using a smartphone color recognition app. Moreover, a more accurate quantification of tyramine in the range from 0.048 to 10 µM could be performed by measuring the reflectance of the sensing layers and the absorbance of the characteristic 550 nm plasmon band of the gold nanoparticles. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the method was 4.2% (n = 5) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.014 µM. A remarkable selectivity was achieved for tyramine detection in the presence of other biogenic amines, especially histamine. This methodology, based on the optical properties of Au(III)/tectomer hybrid coatings, is promising for its application in food quality control and smart food packaging.

Delirio y su relación con la supervivencia en pacientes geriátricos con neumonía grave por SARS-CoV-2 en un hospital de tercer nivel de atención en México / Delirium and its relationship with survival in geriatric patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico / Delirium e sua relação com a sobrevida em pacientes geriátricos com pneumonia grave por SARS-CoV-2 em um Hospital Terciário no Mexico

Resumen: Introducción: un factor de riesgo asociado a complicaciones por COVID-19 es la edad mayor de 60 años, por otra parte, el delirio ha demostrado estar asociado a un incremento en la mortalidad por cualquier causa, convirtiéndolo en una condición médica de gravedad. Material y métodos: estudio observacional, retrospectivo, longitudinal y comparativo en pacientes mayores de 65 años con neumonía grave por SARS-CoV-2. Se calculó la probabilidad de supervivencia individual acumulada con el método de Kaplan-Meier con base en la presencia o ausencia de delirio durante su hospitalización, y mediante la prueba log-rank se identificó sí existía diferencia significativa de la supervivencia entre grupos. Resultados: se reclutaron 349 pacientes, la edad osciló entre 65 y 94 años con una media de 72.2; 266 (76.2%) no cursaron con delirio, mientras que 83 (23.7%) sí lo desarrollaron. En el seguimiento a 30 días, en el grupo de pacientes sin delirio hubo 118 defunciones (supervivencia de 55.6%) y en el grupo de pacientes con delirio hubo 56 defunciones (supervivencia de 32.5%), p = 0.000. Conclusión: la supervivencia en pacientes geriátricos con neumonía grave por SARS-CoV-2 que desarrollan delirio es significativamente menor cuando se compara con aquéllos que no lo presentan.

Abstract: Introduction: a risk factor associated with complications from COVID-19 is age over 60 years, on the other hand, delirium has been shown to be associated with an increase in mortality from any cause, making it a serious medical condition. Material and methods: observational, retrospective, longitudinal and comparative study in patients older than 65 years with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. The cumulative individual survival probability was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier metho d based on the presence or absence of delirium during hospitalization, and the log-rank test identified whether there was a significant difference in survival between groups. Results: 349 patients were recruited, the age ranged between 65 and 94 years, with a mean of 72.2; 266 (76.2%) did not develop delirium, while 83 (23.7%) did develop it. In the 30-day follow-up, there were 118 deaths in the group of patients without delirium (55.6% survival), and 56 deaths in the group of patients with delirium (32.5% survival), p = 0.000. Conclusion: survival in geriatric patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia who develop delirium is significantly lower when compared to those who do not.

Resumo: Introdução: um fator de risco associado às complicações do COVID-19 é a idade acima de 60 anos, por outro lado, o delirium demonstrou estar associado ao aumento da mortalidade por qualquer causa, tornando-o uma condição médica grave. Material e métodos: estudo observacional, retrospectivo, longitudinal e comparativo em pacientes com mais de 65 anos com pneumonia grave por SARS-CoV-2. Calculou-se a probabilidade de sobrevida individual acumulada pelo método de Kaplan Meier com base na presença ou ausência de delirium durante a internação e pelo teste de Log-Rank para identificar se houve diferença significativa na sobrevida entre os grupos. Resultados: foram recrutados 349 pacientes, a idade variou entre 65 e 94 anos, com média de 72.2; 266 (76.2%) não apresentaram delirium, enquanto 83 (23.7%) o desenvolveram. No seguimento de 30 dias, houve 118 óbitos no grupo de pacientes sem delirium (sobrevida de 55.6%) e, no grupo de pacientes com delirium, 56 óbitos (sobrevida de 32.5%), p = 0.000. Conclusão: a sobrevida em pacientes geriátricos com pneumonia grave por SARS-CoV-2 que desenvolvem delirium é significativamente menor quando comparada àqueles que não desenvolvem.

A latent class analysis of health behavior changes after cancer diagnosis among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: We aimed to identify subgroups of Hispanic/Latino (H/L) cancer survivors with distinct health behavior patterns and their associated sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial characteristics. METHODS: Baseline data were used from a randomized clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of an enhanced patient navigation intervention in H/L cancer survivors. Participants (n = 278) completed the Lifestyle Behavior Scale and validated questionnaires on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), supportive care needs, distress, and satisfaction with cancer care. Latent class analysis was used to determine the latent classes and associated characteristics. RESULTS: Three latent classes emerged: class 1 (survivors who increased health behaviors [e.g., exercising and eating healthy] since diagnosis); class 2 (no changes in health behaviors since diagnosis); and class 3 (a "mixed class," with a higher or lower engagement across various health behaviors since diagnosis). Participants in class 1 were significantly more educated and less likely to be foreign born. Participants in class 2 were significantly older and more likely to have prostate cancer. H/L cancer survivors in class 3 had a significantly lower income, were less educated, and reported greater unmet supportive care needs, more distress, and poorer HRQOL. CONCLUSIONS: Survivors who report engaging in health behaviors less frequently since diagnosis may be experiencing psychosocial challenges and health disparities. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors may benefit from screening for social determinants of health and mental health needs, prompt referral to supportive care services, community resources, and public services, and participating in culturally informed psychosocial interventions to address their unique needs.

Two-Dimensional Triblock Peptide Assemblies for the Stabilization of Pickering Emulsions with pH Responsiveness.

A variety of two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, including graphene oxide and clays, are known to stabilize Pickering emulsions to fabricate structures for functions in sensors, catalysts, and encapsulation. We introduce here a novel Pickering emulsion using self-assembled amphiphilic triblock oligoglycine as the emulsifier. Peptide amphiphiles are more responsive to environmental changes (e.g., pH, temperature, and ionic strength) than inorganic 2D materials, which have a chemically rigid, in-plane structure. Noncovalent forces between the peptide molecules change with the environment, thereby imparting responsiveness. We provide new evidence that the biantennary oligoglycine, Gly4-NH-C10H20-NH-Gly4, self-assembles into 2D platelet structures, denoted as tectomers, in solution at a neutral buffered pH using small-angle X-ray scattering and molecular dynamics simulations. The molecules are stacked in the platelets with a linear conformation, rather than in a U-shape. We discovered that the lamellar oligoglycine platelets adsorbed at an oil/water interface and stabilized oil-in-water emulsions. This is the first report of 2D oligoglycine platelets being used as a Pickering stabilizer. The emulsions showed a strong pH response in an acidic environment. Thus, upon reducing the pH, the protonation of the terminal amino groups of the oligoglycine induced disassembly of the lamellar structure due to repulsive electrostatic forces, leading to emulsion destabilization. To demonstrate the application of the material, we show that a model active ingredient, ß-carotene, in the oil is released upon decreasing the pH. Interestingly, in pH 9 buffer, the morphology of the oil droplets evolved over time, as the oligoglycine stabilizer created progressively a thicker interfacial layer. This demonstration opens a new route to use self-assembled synthetic peptide amphiphiles to stabilize Pickering emulsions, which can be significant for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

Relationship between optic disc hemorrhage and glaucoma among patients diagnosed with systemic hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus: the Colombian Glaucoma Study / Relación entre Hemorragia de Disco Óptico y Glaucoma en pacientes con diagnóstico de Hipertensión Sistémica y Diabetes Mellitus: Estudio Colombiano de Glaucoma

Introduction: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide; several risk factors have been identified as major underlying causes for developing this condition. Optic disc hemorrhage has been identified as a risk factor for the development and progression of primary open-angle glaucoma, as well it has been related to playing an important role in normal-tension glaucoma. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Colombia among hypertensive and diabetic patients. This study included 2,067 subjects older than 50 years who were attended by a group of ophthalmologists in six cities in Colombia who conducted a complete medical and ophthalmological examination and applied standardized questionnaires and interviews aiming to evaluate participant’s health conditions and lifestyles. Results: We found a prevalence of Optic disc hemorrhage (ODH) of 0.4%. ODH presented an OR: 8.82 (95% CI 1.60 - 48.52) for the presence of Glaucoma. Patients diagnosed with systemic hypertension had an OR: 0.02 (95% CI 0.00 - 0.96); Patients with Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Defect (RNFL) presented an OR: 509.40 (95% CI 8.60 - 30152.97) for the presence of ODH and 50% of patients with ODH did not have a diagnosis of glaucoma. Conclusions: Despite the low prevalence of ODH in our study (0.4%), its presence is a High-risk factor for the presence of Glaucoma. RNFL defect is also highly related to ODH and the presence of Glaucoma. (AU)

Introducción: El glaucoma es una de las principales causas de ceguera irreversible a nivel mundial; varios factores de riesgo han sido identificados como las principales causas subyacentes para el desarrollo de esta condición. La hemorragia del disco óptico se ha identificado como un factor de riesgo para el desarrollo y progresión del glaucoma primario de ángulo abierto, así como también se ha relacionado con desempeñar un papel importante en el glaucoma de tensión normal. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en Colombia entre pacientes hipertensos y diabéticos. Este estudio incluyó a 2.067 sujetos mayores de 50 años que fueron atendidos por un grupo de oftalmólogos en seis ciudades de Colombia, quienes realizaron un examen médico y oftalmológico completo y aplicaron cuestionarios y entrevistas estandarizados con el fin de evaluar las condiciones de salud y estilos de vida de los participantes. Resultados: Encontramos una prevalencia de hemorragia del disco óptico (HDO) del 0,4%. ODH presentó un OR: 8,82 (IC 95% 1,60 - 48,52) para la presencia de Glaucoma. Los pacientes diagnosticados de hipertensión sistémica tuvieron OR: 0,02 (IC 95% 0,00 - 0,96); Los pacientes con Defecto de la Capa de Fibras Nerviosas de la Retina (RNFL) presentaron un OR: 509,40 (IC 95% 8,60 - 30152,97) para la presencia de ODH y el 50% de los pacientes con ODH no tenían diagnóstico de glaucoma. Conclusiones: A pesar de la baja prevalencia de HDO en nuestro estudio (0,4%), su presencia es un factor de alto riesgo para la presencia de Glaucoma. El defecto de la RNFL también está muy relacionado con la ODH y la presencia de glaucoma. (AU)

Using Large-Scale Sensor Data to Test Factors Predictive of Perseverance in Home Movement Rehabilitation: Optimal Challenge and Steady Engagement.

Persevering with home rehabilitation exercise is a struggle for millions of people in the US each year. A key factor that may influence motivation to engage with rehabilitation exercise is the challenge level of the assigned exercises, but this hypothesis is currently supported only by subjective, self-report. Here, we studied the relationship between challenge level and perseverance using long-term, self-determined exercise patterns of a large number of individuals (N = 2,581) engaging in home rehabilitation with a sensor-based exercise system without formal supervision. FitMi is comprised of two puck-like sensors and a library of 40 gamified exercises for the hands, arms, trunk, and legs that are designed for people recovering from a stroke. We found that individuals showed the greatest perseverance with the system over a 2-month period if they had (1) a moderate level of motor impairment and (2) high but not perfect success during the 1st week at completing the exercise game. Further, a steady usage pattern (vs. accelerating or decelerating use) was associated with more overall exercise, and declines in exercise amount over time were associated with exponentially declining session initiation probability rather than decreasing amounts of exercise once a session was initiated. These findings confirm that an optimized challenge level and regular initiation of exercise sessions predict achievement of a greater amount of overall rehabilitation exercise in a group of users of commercial home rehabilitation technology and suggest how home rehabilitation programs and exercise technologies can be optimized to promote perseverance.

Direct Outreach in Bars and Clubs to Enroll Cigarette Smokers in Mobile Cessation Services: Exploratory Study.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking and alcohol use are well known to be concomitant behaviors, but there is a lack of studies related to recruitment of smokers for mobile cessation services at places where alcohol is consumed, such as bars and clubs. Adapting recruitment strategies to expand the reach of cessation programs to where tobacco users are located may help decrease the health-equity gap in tobacco control by improving reach and enrollment of underserved smokers residing in low-income and rural areas who are not reached by traditional cessation services. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this exploratory study was to assess the feasibility of direct outreach in bars, clubs, and restaurants to recruit smokers to Quitxt, our mobile smoking cessation service. Quitxt is delivered through SMS text messaging or Facebook Messenger. METHODS: We collaborated with an advertising agency to conduct in-person recruitment of young adult smokers aged 18-29 years, focusing on urban and rural Spanish-speaking Latino participants, as well as English-speaking rural White and African American participants. Street team members were recruited and trained in a 4-hour session, including a brief introduction to the public health impacts of cigarette smoking and the aims of the project. The street teams made direct, face-to-face contact with smokers in and near smoking areas at 25 bars, clubs, and other venues frequented by young smokers in urban San Antonio and nearby rural areas. RESULTS: The 3923 interactions by the street teams produced 335 (8.5%) program enrollments. Most participants were English speakers with a mean age of 29.2 (SD 10.6) years and smoked a mean of 8.5 (SD 6.2) cigarettes per day. Among users who responded to questions on gender and ethnicity, 66% (70/106) were women and 56% (60/107) were Hispanic/Latino. Among users ready to make a quit attempt, 22% (17/77) reported 1 tobacco-free day and 16% (10/62) reported maintaining cessation to achieve 1 week without smoking. The response rate to later follow-up questions was low. CONCLUSIONS: Direct outreach in bars and clubs is a useful method for connecting young adult cigarette smokers with mobile cessation services. However, further research is needed to learn more about how mobile services can influence long-term smoking cessation among those recruited through direct outreach, as well as to test the use of incentives in obtaining more useful response rates.

Postaxial hypoplasia of the lower extremity associated with congenital dislocation of the patella: A case report.

RATIONALE: Evaluation of clinical and radiologic abnormalities in patients with postaxial hypoplasia of the lower extremity (PHLE) for treatment decisions represents a major challenge, which is more complicated when PHLE is associated with congenital dislocation of the patella. PATIENT CONCERNS: : Herein, we present the case of an 8-year-old female patient with evident length inequality in her left lower extremity and inability to walk. DIAGNOSES: Radiological evaluation revealed PHLE with fibular hemimelia, proximal femoral focal deficiency, tarsal coalition, and congenital patellar dislocation of the patella. The right lower extremity was also affected by fibular hemimelia. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: Surgical management included the Roux-Goldthwait technique for patellofemoral joint realignment, a medial knee stapled with Blount technique, and femur enlargement using the Wagner technique. The results from surgical intervention included a left femoral elongation of 6.7 cm featuring callus with angulation, displacement, and a discrepancy of 5 cm between femurs with a flexor contraction in the knee of -15° and a centralized knee. LESSON: PHLE accompanied by congenital dislocation of the patella has not been extensively described in the literature; therefore, there is no established management. Starting reconstruction at an early age, together with an adequate classification of the deformity, are essential factors when opting for limb reconstruction.

Effect of an anti-inflammatory dietary intervention on quality of life among breast cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Behavioral interventions have been used with breast cancer survivors (BCS) in cancer pain management and post-treatment quality of life (QOL) studies. We studied the effects of an anti-inflammatory dietary intervention on QOL in BCS. METHODS: One hundred fifty-three overweight and obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m2), early stage (0-III), English-speaking BCS who had completed all cancer treatment 2 or more months prior to enrollment were recruited into a two-arm randomized controlled trial with a 2 (group) by 3 (time) repeated measures design. Intervention components included six monthly food-preparation workshops and twelve motivational interviewing telephone calls. Endpoints included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) and Breast Cancer (FACT-B), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Repeated measures analysis using PROC MIXED in SAS version 9.4 was used. RESULTS: On repeated measures analysis (intent to treat), there were no differences between groups on any of the QOL outcomes except the PSS total scores. These were significantly different in the intervention group (IG; n = 76) compared to control group (CG; n = 77), showing a main effect of assignment but no effect of time and no interaction effects. CONCLUSION: There was an impact on QOL as measured by the PSS between groups. The intervention reduced perceived stress at 6-month follow-up, but the effects dissipated by 12 months. Sources and stress and stress reduction should be a focus of future studies. Future research should also identify appropriate QOL measures that are sensitive to changes brought about by behavioral interventions.

Facebook Chat Application to Prompt and Assist Smoking Cessation Among Spanish-Speaking Young Adults in South Texas.

Given how smart phones, internet services, and social media have shown great potential for assisting smoking cessation, we constructed a Facebook chat application based on our previous work with SMS texting services. This report summarizes findings from 2,364 Spanish-speaking young adults recruited through Facebook advertising in South Texas during the 2020 New Year holiday season. Among these service users, 926 (39%) were ready to make a quit attempt, and 26 (3.1%) of those users reported that they were tobacco free 1 month later. There were no responses to a chat question survey 72 days after the dates selected for quitting. Although more research with longer follow up is needed, these findings show that social media chat applications may be helpful for at least prompting quit attempts and short-term cessation among young adult Spanish-speaking smokers. There is no evidence of an impact on long-term cessation, and more research is clearly needed.

Pickering emulsions stabilized by carboxylated nanodiamonds over a broad pH range.

HYPOTHESIS: Surfactants in emulsions sometimes do not provide adequate stability against coalescence, whereas Pickering emulsions often offer greater stability. In a search for stabilizers offering biocompatibility, we hypothesized that carboxylated nanodiamonds (ND) would impart stability to Pickering emulsions. EXPERIMENTS: We successfully prepared Pickering emulsions of sunflower oil in water via two different methods: membrane emulsification and probe sonication. The first method was only possible when the pH of the aqueous ND suspension was ≤ 4. FINDINGS: Pendant-drop tensiometry confirmed that carboxylated ND is adsorbed at the oil/water interface, with a greater decrease in interfacial tension found with increasing ND concentrations in the aqueous phase. The carboxylated ND become more hydrophilic with increasing pH, according to three-phase contact angle analysis, because of deprotonation of the carboxylic acid groups. Membrane emulsification yielded larger (about 30 µm) oil droplets, probe sonication produced smaller (sub-µm) oil droplets. The Pickering emulsions show high stability against mechanical vibration and long-term storage for one year. They remain stable against coalescence across a wide range of pH values. Sonicated emulsions show stability against creaming. In this first-ever systematic study of carboxylated ND-stabilized Pickering emulsions, we demonstrate a promising application in the delivery of ß-carotene, as a model active ingredient.

Survival at 30 days in elderly patients with hip fracture surgery who were exposed to hypothermia: Survival study.

ABSTRACT: The effect of hypothermia as a mortality risk factor at 30 days in the elderly who had hip fracture (HF) surgery is still controversial because it may be due to a set of poorly identified factors. In this study, we aim to determine if exposure to intra and immediate postoperative hypothermia increases the incidence of mortality at 30 days in elderly patients who had HF surgery.Survival study in the elderly who had HF surgery with and without exposure to hypothermia. Sociodemographic, anesthetic and surgical factors were collected. The temperature of the rectum was measured at the end of the surgery and in the recovery room. The effect of hypothermia was analyzed by the incidence of mortality at 30 days. Other results were considered, such as, surgical site infection (SSI), blood transfusions, and influence of implants used in the 30-day mortality.Three hundred eighty five subjects were eligible, to include 300. Inadvertent hypothermia was 12%, the 30-day overall mortality was 9% and in subjects with hypothermia it was 25% (P = .002). Subjects with hypothermia had a higher risk of SSI (relative risk 4.2, 95% confidence interval 1.3-13.6, P = .03) and receive more transfusions (relative risk 3.6, 95% confidence interval 2.0-6.5, P < .001).Elderly subjects with HF exposed to hypothermia who undergo hip hemiarthroplasty and who receive 2 or more blood transfusions during their treatment, are at greater risk of dying after 30 days of the surgery. Hypothermia, as a possible causative factor of mortality, should continue to be studied.

Gastric adenocarcinoma burden and late-stage diagnosis in Latino and non-Latino populations in the United States and Texas, during 2004-2016: A multilevel analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer disproportionately affects Latinos, but little is known about regional effects and risk factors. We compared primary incidence, late-stage diagnosis, and risk factors for gastric adenocarcinoma (GCA) from 2004 to 2016 in Latinos and non-Latinos in the United States, Texas (TX), and South Texas (STX). METHODS: We collected case data from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) and the Texas Cancer Registry. We generated average annual age-adjusted incidence rates, rate ratios (RRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using SEER*Stat software and analyzed the cases by anatomic site, demographics, and county-level risk factors using SAS 9.4. We constructed multilevel logistic regression models for late-stage GCA, adjusting for patient- and county-level characteristics. RESULTS: Latinos had higher overall GCA incidence rates in all regions, with the greatest disparities in overlap GCA in STX males (RR 4.39; 95% CI: 2.85, 6.93). There were no differences in cardia GCA rates for non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) and Latino women in all regions. Younger patients, patients with overlapping or not otherwise specified (NOS) lesions, and patients diagnosed during 2012-2016 had higher odds of late-stage GCA. The stratification by location showed no differences in late-stage disease between NHWs and Latinos. The stratification by anatomic site showed Latinos with cardia GCA were more likely to have late-stage GCA than NHWs (OR: 1.13, p = 0.008). At the county level, higher odds of late-stage GCA were associated with medium and high social deprivation levels in TX without STX (OR: 1.25 and 1.20, p = 0.007 and 0.028, respectively), and medium social deprivation index (SDI) in patients with NOS GCA (OR: 1.21, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: STX Latinos experience greater GCA disparities than those in TX and the United States. Younger age and social deprivation increase the risk for late-stage GCA, while Latinos and women are at higher risk specifically for late-stage cardia GCA. There is a need for population-specific, culturally responsive intervention and prevention measures, and additional research to elucidate contributing risk factors.