Organophosphate Detoxification and Acetylcholinesterase Reactivation Triggered by Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework Structural Degradation.

Organophosphate (OP) toxicity is related to inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, which plays a key role in the neurotransmission process. In this work, we report the ability of different zinc zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) to behave as potential antidotes against OP poisoning. The Zn-L coordination bond (L = purine, benzimidazole, imidazole, or 2-methylimidazole) is sensitive to the G-type nerve agent model compounds diisopropylfluorophosphate (DIFP) and diisopropylchlorophosphate, leading to P-X (X = F or Cl) bond breakdown into nontoxic diisopropylphosphate. P-X hydrolysis is accompanied by ZIF structural degradation (Zn-imidazolate bond hydrolysis), with the concomitant release of the imidazolate linkers and zinc ions representing up to 95% of ZIF particle dissolution. The delivered imidazolate nucleophilic attack on the OP@AChE adduct gives rise to the recovery of AChE enzymatic function. P-X bond breakdown, ZIF structural degradation, and AChE reactivation are dependent on imidazolate linker nucleophilicity, framework topology, and particle size. The best performance is obtained for 20 nm nanoparticles (NPs) of Zn(2-methylimidazolate)2 (sod ZIF-8) exhibiting a DIFP degradation half-life of 2.6 min and full recovery of AChE activity within 1 h. 20 nm sod ZIF-8 NPs are not neurotoxic, as proven by in vitro neuroblastoma cell culture viability tests.

Sarcopenia and Nutrition in Elderly Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study to Determine Prevalence and Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of sarcopenia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients aged ≥65 years and identify the risk factors associated with sarcopenia. METHODS: This is a multicenter, controlled, cross-sectional study of 76 RA patients and 76 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Sarcopenia was defined according to the revised criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2). Whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed. Binary regression was used to assess the relationship between sarcopenia and sex, age, duration of RA, Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score in patients with RA. RESULTS: Nearly 80% of participants were female, and the average age was >70 years. Patients with RA had lower muscle mass and greater adiposity (fat-to-muscle ratio mean [SD] 0.9 [0.2] vs. 0.8 [0.2]; p = 0.017) than controls, mainly in the central area (android/gynoid ratio, median [p25-p75]: 1.0 [0.9-1.2] vs. 0.9 [0.8-1.1]; p < 0.001). Twelve patients (15.8%) and three controls (3.9%) had confirmed sarcopenia (p = 0.014). Sarcopenic obesity was observed in 8/76 patients with RA (10.5%) and in 1/76 controls (1.3%) (p = 0.016). The factors associated with sarcopenia were male sex (OR [95% CI]: 9.3 [1.1-80.4]; p = 0.042), disease duration (OR [95% CI]: 1.1 [1.0-1.2]; p = 0.012), and nutritional status according to the MNA (OR [95% CI]: 0.7 [0.5-0.9]; p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that patients with RA aged ≥65 years may be at increased risk for sarcopenia, adiposity, and malnutrition (especially male patients with long-standing disease) and have poor nutritional status.

High mortality among hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in Peru: A single centre retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Peru is the country with the world's highest COVID-19 death rate per capita. Characteristics associated with increased mortality among adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in this setting are not well described. METHODS: Retrospective, single-center cohort study including 1537 adult patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia between May 2020 and August 2020 at a national hospital in Lima, Peru. The primary outcome measure was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: In-hospital mortality was 49.71%. The mean age was 60 ± 14.25 years, and 68.38% were males. We found an association between mortality and inflammatory markers, mainly leukocytes, D-dimer, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein and ferritin. A multivariate model adjusted for age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and corticosteroid use demonstrated that in-hospital mortality was associated with greater age (RR: 2.01, 95%CI: 1.59-2.52) and a higher level of oxygen requirement (RR: 2.77, 95%CI: 2.13-3.62). Conclusions: In-hospital mortality among COVID-19 patients in Peru is high and is associated with greater age and higher oxygen requirements.

Timed up and go test predicts mortality in older adults in Peru: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: While there is evidence about stablished risk factors (e.g., raised blood pressure) and higher mortality risk in older population, less has been explored about other functional parameters like the Timed Up and Go test and the Gait Speed in older people at low- and middle-income countries. We aimed to study these mobility tests as predictors of mortality in a population of older people in Peru. METHODS: Population-based prospective cohort study (2013-2020). Random sampling of people aged 60+ years in a community of Lima, Peru. Geriatricians conducted all clinical evaluations and laboratory tests were conducted in the local hospital. Participants were sought in the national vital registration system, and we collated cause (ICD-10) and date of death. We conducted a nested forward multivariate Cox proportional hazard model to identify all potential predictors of all-cause, communicable and non-communicable diseases mortality. RESULTS: At baseline, there were 501 older people (mean age 70.6 and 62.8% were women), complete follow-up information was available from 427 people. Mean follow-up time was 46.5 months (SD = 25.3). In multivariate models, the Timed Up and Go test was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02-1.09). For cause-specific mortality, history of heart disease (HR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.07-4.76) and age in years (HR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01-1.09) were predictors of non-communicable diseases mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to established risk factors for mortality in older population, the Timed Up and Go test, a functional parameter, raised as a relevant predictor of all-cause mortality.

In-hospital mortality among incident hemodialysis older patients in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the pattern of mortality linked to end stage renal disease (ESRD) is important given the increasing ageing population in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: We analyzed older patients with ESRD with incident hemodialysis, from January 2012 to August 2017 in one large general hospital in Peru. Individual and health system-related variables were analyzed using Generalized Linear Models (GLM) to estimate their association with in-hospital all-cause mortality. Relative risk (RR) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. RESULTS: We evaluated 312 patients; mean age 69 years, 93.6% started hemodialysis with a transient central venous catheter, 1.7% had previous hemodialysis indication and 24.7% died during hospital stay. The mean length of stay was 16.1 days (SD 13.5). In the adjusted multivariate models, we found higher in-hospital mortality among those with encephalopathy (aRR 1.85, 95% CI 1.21-2.82 vs. without encephalopathy) and a lower in-hospital mortality among those with eGFR ≤7 mL/min (aRR 0.45, 95% CI 0.31-0.67 vs. eGFR>7 mL/min). CONCLUSIONS: There is a high in-hospital mortality among older hemodialysis patients in Peru. The presence of uremic encephalopathy was associated with higher mortality and a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate with lower mortality.

Use of medicinal plants in patients with chronic kidney disease from Peru.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of medicinal plants in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in public healthcare centers in Peru. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with CKD in healthcare centers of three Peruvian regions: Lima, Arequipa, and Ucayali. A structured questionnaire which included socio-demographic data, medical antecedents and characteristics of the use of medicinal plants was used. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95 % confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using crude Poisson regressions with robust variances. RESULTS: A total of 599 patients with CKD were evaluated, of which 300 (50.1%) reported the use of medicinal plants (160 [30.3%] used these plants for CKD), 379 reported that medicinal plants were not harmful, while 166 (27.8%) stopped using allopathic medicine to use medicinal plants only. In the adjusted analysis, the frequency of the use of medicinal plants for CKD was similar between Lima and Arequipa but was lower in Ucayali than in Lima (PR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.14 - 0.76). In addition, a higher frequency of the use of medicinal plants for CKD was observed in patients with more advanced stages of CKD (PR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.06-2.26) and in patients who were aware they had CKD (PR: 2.79 95% CI: 1.39-5.63). CONCLUSIONS: Half of the patients used medicinal plants and about one-third used it for CKD. This use was lower in Ucayali and higher in both the patients who knew they had CKD and those with more advanced stages of the disease. Given these results, physicians should ask and inform regarding medicinal plants consumption to their CKD patients.

Cancer screening risk literacy of physicians in training: An experimental study.

We investigated what factors may foster or hinder physicians' cancer screening risk literacy-specifically the ability to understand evidence regarding screening effectiveness and make evidence-based recommendations to patients. In an experiment, physicians in training (interns and residents) read statistical information about outcomes from screening for cancer, and had to decide whether to recommend it to a patient. We manipulated the effectiveness of the screening (effective vs. ineffective at reducing mortality) and the demand of the patient to get screened (demand vs. no demand). We assessed participants' comprehension of the presented evidence and recommendation to the patient, as well as a-priori screening beliefs (e.g., that screening is always a good choice), numeracy, science literacy, knowledge of screening statistics, statistical education, and demographics. Stronger positive a-priori screening beliefs, lower knowledge of screening statistics, and lower numeracy were related to worse comprehension of the evidence. Physicians recommended against the ineffective screening but only if they showed good comprehension of the evidence. Physicians' recommendations were further based on the perceived benefits from screening but not on perceived harms, nor the patient's demands. The current study demonstrates that comprehension of cancer screening statistics and the ability to infer the potential benefits for patients are essential for evidence-based recommendations. However, strong beliefs in favor of screening fostered by promotion campaigns may influence how physicians evaluate evidence about specific screenings. Fostering physician numeracy skills could help counteract such biases and provide evidence-based recommendations to patients.

Investigaciones sobre envejecimiento realizadas por estudiantes universitarios en el Perú / Research about aging carried out by university students in Peru

Introducción: La promoción de la investigación a nivel universitario ofrece múltiples beneficios para los estudiantes y es considerada reflejo de la calidad educativa de las universidades. Objetivo: Describir las características de la investigación sobre envejecimiento realizada por estudiantes universitarios en el Perú. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de las tesis de pre y post grado sobre envejecimiento realizadas en el Perú entre los años 1980 al 2013. Se realizó la búsqueda por palabras claves en las bases de datos de universidades del país y en bases de datos electrónicas nacionales y Latinoamericanas con la selección basada en el cumplimiento del proceso metodológico de investigación. Resultados: Se identificaron 500 tesis; la mayoría de pregrado (74,4 por ciento) y relativas al área geriátrica (78 por ciento). El tema social fue el más estudiado (12,8 por ciento) en el área gerontologico y el quirúrgico (8,1 por ciento) en el geriátrico. La mayor proporción de las tesis fueron descriptivas (92 por ciento), de corte transversal (69,6 por ciento) y relativas al área geriátrica (78 por ciento), tanto en pre como en postgrado. Durante el periodo estudiado la proporción de tesis realizadas muestra un aumento progresivo con un incremento significativo en el número de estudios analíticos y de corte prospectivo. Conclusión: La investigación desarrollada por estudiantes universitarios sobre envejecimiento en el Perú es principalmente de tipo transversal, relativa al área geriatrica y muestra un incremento significativo en el periodo estudiado(AU)

Introduction: The promotion of research at the university level offers multiple benefits to students and is indicative of educational quality of universities. Objective: To describe the characteristics of research about aging carried out by university students in Peru. Methods: Descriptive study of the diploma papers and postgraduate theses about aging presented in Peru between 1980 and 2013. The search was carried out by keywords in the databases in the of country's universities and in electronic databases both national and from Latin American, the selection being based on compliance with the research methodological process. Results: We identified 500 works, most of which were diploma papers (74.4 percent) and on the topic of the geriatric field (78 percent). The social issue was the most studied (12.8 percent) in the gerontological field. The surgical topic was the most studied (8.1 percent) in the geriatric field. The majority of the works were descriptive (92 percent), cross-sectional (69.6 percent) and associated with the geriatric field (78 percent), both in the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. During the period under study, the proportion of papers and theses research carried out shows a progressive increase, with a significant increase in the number of analytical and prospective studies. Conclusion: Research developed by university students about aging in Peru is mainly cross-sectional and associated with to the geriatric field. In the period studied, it shows a significant increase(AU)

Morphological and genetic diversity of Pura Raza Español horse with regard to the coat colour.

Gene mutations influencing melanocytes also impact on physiological and behavioural functions. In this study, we investigated their association with four different coat colours in the Pura Raza Español (PRE) horse using morphological traits and molecular datasets. Four different subpopulations were identified according to individual coat colour: grey, bay, chestnut and black. Coat colour significantly associated with morphological measurements. Observed and expected heterozygosity values were low in grey compared with the other three subpopulations, suggesting the presence of unique ancestral alleles probably arisen by genetic drift and selection mechanism effects. Nei's distance demonstrated a clear division among subpopulations, the grey being the most divergent group. Gene flow estimates were similar, showing the lowest values in grey. Divergence times among subpopulations assessed with the average square distance suggested that grey was the original PRE population which diverged from bay, chestnut and black. Our results also demonstrated a clear morphological differentiation according to coat colour. The close genetic structure of bay and chestnut PRE subpopulations and the clear differences in most morphological traits of grey and chestnut PRE mares would suggest the pleiotropic effect of genomic regions determining coat colour in horses. However, further analysis including genomic information would be necessary to elucidate the mechanisms involved.

Effect of multimorbidity on gait speed in well-functioning older people: A population-based study in Peru.

AIM: To determine the association between multimorbidity and gait speed in a population-based sample of older people without functional dependency. METHODS: Data were obtained from a previously made cross-sectional population-based study of individuals aged >60 years carried out in San Martin de Porres, the second most populous district in Lima, Peru. We included well-functioning, independent older people. Exclusion criteria emphasized removing conditions that would impair gait. The exposure of interest was non-communicable chronic disease multimorbidity, and the outcome was gait speed determined by the time required for the participant to walk a distance of 8 m out of a total distance of 10 m. Generalized linear models were used to estimate adjusted gait speed by multimorbidity status. RESULTS: Data from 265 older adults with a median age of 68 years (IQR 63-75 years) and 54% women were analyzed. The median gait speed was 1.06 m/s (SD 0.27) and the mean number of chronic conditions per adult was 1.1 (SD ±1). The difference in mean gait speed between older adults without a chronic condition and those with ≥3 chronic conditions was 0.24 m/s. In crude models, coefficients decreased by a significant exponential factor for every increase in the number of chronic conditions. Further adjustment attenuated these estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Slower speed gaits are observed across the spectrum of multimorbidity in older adults without functional dependency. The role of gait speed as a simple indicator to evaluate and monitor general health status in older populations is expanded to include older adults without dependency. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 293-300.

Factores asociados a velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de un distrito en Lima, Perú / Factors associated with slow walking speed in older adults of a district in Lima, Peru

RESUMEN Objetivos. Determinar los factores asociados a velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de la comunidad residentes en un distrito de Lima, Perú. Materiales y métodos. Estudio de análisis de base de datos secundario. Se incluyó a los adultos mayores de 60 años y se excluyó aquellos con condiciones que no garantizaban la evaluación de la marcha. La variable dependiente fue la velocidad de marcha lenta, menor a 1 m/s, y las variables independientes fueron sociodemográficas, clínicas y de valoración geriátrica integral. Se calcularon las razones de prevalencia (RP) crudas y ajustadas con intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95%). Resultados. Se incluyeron 416 adultos mayores, el rango de edad fue de 60 a 99 años y un 41% presentaba velocidad de marcha lenta. Se encontró que los factores asociados a una velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de la comunidad son el sexo femenino (RP 1,45, IC95%: 1,13-1,88), la edad mayor de 70 años (RP 1,73, IC95%: 1,30-2,30), un menor grado de instrucción (RP. 2.07, IC95%: 1,20-3,55), la presencia de problema socio familiar (RP 1,66, IC95%: 1,08-2,54), la presencia de diabetes mellitus (RP 1,35, IC95%: 1,01-1,80) y de depresión (RP: 1.41, IC95%: 1,02-1,95). Conclusiones. Los factores modificables asociados a una velocidad de marcha lenta en el adulto mayor en la comunidad son tanto clínicos como sociofamiliares, susceptibles de intervención desde etapas precoces en el curso de la vida.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To determine the factors associated with slow walking speed in older adults living in a district of Lima, Peru. Materials and methods. Analysis of secondary data. Adults older than 60 years were included in the study, while adults with physical conditions who did not allow the evaluation of the walking speed were excluded. The dependent variable was slow walking speed (less than 1 m/s), and the independent variables were sociodemographic, clinical, and geriatric data. Raw and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results. The study sample included 416 older adults aged 60 to 99 years, and 41% of the participants met the slow walking speed criterion. The factors associated with slow walking speed in this sample were female gender (PR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.13-1.88), age > 70 years (PR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.30- 2.30), lower level of education (PR, 2.07, 95% CI, 1.20-3.55), social-familial problems (PR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.08-2.54), diabetes mellitus (PR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.01-1.80), and depression (PR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02-1.95). Conclusions. The modifiable factors associated with slow walking speed in older adults included clinical and social-familial problems, and these factors are susceptible to interventions from the early stages of life.

Frecuencia de factores asociados a hipoglicemia en el adulto mayor diabético admitido en el servicio de emergencia de un hospital nacional / Frequency of factors associated to hypoglycemia in elder patients with diabetes admitted to the emergency room of a national hospital

Objetivos: Determinar la frecuencia de los factores asociados a hipoglicemia en el adulto mayor diabético atendido en el servicio de emergencia de un hospital general. Material y método: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal de una serie de casos de adultos mayores diabéticos con hipoglicemia admitidos al servicio de emergencia del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, durante enero y febrero del 2015. Se registraron los siguientes datos: edad, sexo, comorbilidades, polifarmacia, exámenes de laboratorio (urea, creatinina, transaminasas, albúmina, HbA1c), escalas geriátricas para evaluar el nivel funcional, cognitivo, social, afectivo y nutricional, a través de las escalas de: Barthel, Pfeiffer, Guijón, Yesavage y MNA, respectivamente. Los datos fueron ingresados en una tabla en Microsoft Excel 2010 y analizados con el programa SPSS 9.0. Resultados: Se evaluaron a 52 pacientes, 42,3% fueron varones, media de edad 70 años, promedio de glicemia de ingreso 32,23 mg/dL. El 46% contaron con HbA1c, con una media de 6,76%. Los factores asociados a hipoglicemia más frecuentes fueron: 94,2% dependencia funcional, 78,8% comorbilidad, 63,5% deterioro cognitivo, 61.5% riesgo de depresión, 59,6% riesgo de malnutrición, 57,7% riesgo de problema social y 51% polifarmacia. Conclusiones: Los adultos mayores que ingresan por hipoglicemia presentan una alta frecuencia de factores asociados tales como alteraciones cognitivas, dependencia funcional, depresión, malnutrición, comorbilidades, polifarmacia y problemas sociales. Los valores de HbA1c son bajos en promedio con respecto a las recomendaciones internacionales para adultos mayores. (AU)

Objectives: To determine the frequency of factors associated with hypoglycemia in elder patients admitted to the emergency room of a national hospital. Methods: Cross-sectional study of elder patients with diabetes admitted to the emergency room of Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza from January to February 2015. Information on age, gender, comorbidities, concomitant medications, laboratory examinations (urea, creatinine, transaminases, serum albumin, HbA1c), scores to evaluate functional, cognitive, social, affective and nutritional levels by using Barthel, Pfeiffer, Guijon, Yesavage and MNA scales. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel 2010 and analyzed using SPPS 9.0. Results: 52 patients were evaluated; 42.3% were males; mean age was 70 years; mean serum glucose at admission was 32, 23 mg/dl; 46% had HbA1c values with a mean of 6.76%. Factors associated with hypoglycemia were functional dependence (94.2%); comorbidities (78.8%); cognitive deterioration (65.3%); risk of depression (61.5%); risk of malnutrition (56.9%); risk of social problems (57.7%) and use of multiple medications (51%). Conclusions: Elder patients admitted with hypoglycemia have multiple associated factors such as cognitive alterations, functional dependence, depression, malnutrition, comorbidities, use multiple medications and have social problems. HbA1c values were low in comparison to internationally accepted values for elder patients. (AU)

[Factors associated with slow walking speed in older adults of a district in Lima, Peru]. / Factores asociados a velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de un distrito en Lima, Perú.

OBJECTIVES.: To determine the factors associated with slow walking speed in older adults living in a district of Lima, Peru. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: Analysis of secondary data. Adults older than 60 years were included in the study, while adults with physical conditions who did not allow the evaluation of the walking speed were excluded. The dependent variable was slow walking speed (less than 1 m/s), and the independent variables were sociodemographic, clinical, and geriatric data. Raw and adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS.: The study sample included 416 older adults aged 60 to 99 years, and 41% of the participants met the slow walking speed criterion. The factors associated with slow walking speed in this sample were female gender (PR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.13-1.88), age > 70 years (PR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.30- 2.30), lower level of education (PR, 2.07, 95% CI, 1.20-3.55), social-familial problems (PR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.08-2.54), diabetes mellitus (PR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.01-1.80), and depression (PR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02-1.95). CONCLUSIONS.: The modifiable factors associated with slow walking speed in older adults included clinical and social-familial problems, and these factors are susceptible to interventions from the early stages of life.

OBJETIVOS.: Determinar los factores asociados a velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de la comunidad residentes en un distrito de Lima, Perú. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS.: Estudio de análisis de base de datos secundario. Se incluyó a los adultos mayores de 60 años y se excluyó aquellos con condiciones que no garantizaban la evaluación de la marcha. La variable dependiente fue la velocidad de marcha lenta, menor a 1 m/s, y las variables independientes fueron sociodemográficas, clínicas y de valoración geriátrica integral. Se calcularon las razones de prevalencia (RP) crudas y ajustadas con intervalos de confianza al 95% (IC95%). RESULTADOS.: Se incluyeron 416 adultos mayores, el rango de edad fue de 60 a 99 años y un 41% presentaba velocidad de marcha lenta. Se encontró que los factores asociados a una velocidad de marcha lenta en adultos mayores de la comunidad son el sexo femenino (RP 1,45, IC95%: 1,13-1,88), la edad mayor de 70 años (RP 1,73, IC95%: 1,30-2,30), un menor grado de instrucción (RP. 2.07, IC95%: 1,20-3,55), la presencia de problema socio familiar (RP 1,66, IC95%: 1,08-2,54), la presencia de diabetes mellitus (RP 1,35, IC95%: 1,01-1,80) y de depresión (RP: 1.41, IC95%: 1,02-1,95). CONCLUSIONES.: Los factores modificables asociados a una velocidad de marcha lenta en el adulto mayor en la comunidad son tanto clínicos como sociofamiliares, susceptibles de intervención desde etapas precoces en el curso de la vida.

Effects of an adapted mattress in musculoskeletal pain and sleep quality in institutionalized elders.

We aimed to evaluate the impact in sleep quality and musculoskeletal pain of a Medium-Firm Mattress (MFM), and their relationship with objective sleep parameters in a group of institutionalized elders. The sample size included forty older adults with musculoskeletal pain. We did a clinical assessment at baseline and weekly trough the study period of four weeks. We employed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Pain Visual Analog Scale (P-VAS). Additionally a sub-group of good sleepers, selected from PSQI baseline evaluation, were studied with actigraphy and randomized to MFM or High Firm Mattress (HFM), in two consecutive nights. We found a significant reduction of cervical, dorsal and lumbar pain. PSQI results did not change. The actigraphy evaluation found a significant shorter sleep onset latency with MFM, and a slightly better, but not statistically significant, sleep efficiency. The medium firmness mattress improved musculoskeletal pain and modified the sleep latency.

Steric and electronic situation in the 4-X-4'-[(4''-Y-phenyl)ethynyl]biphenyl homologous series: a joint theoretical and spectroscopic study.

In this work we have studied the rotational barriers, the polarization of the acetylenic triple bond, and the molecular dipole moments in the 4-X-4'-[(4''-Y-phenyl)ethynyl]biphenyl homologous series using the density functional theory (DFT) and 1D/2D NMR spectroscopy. This series of compounds constitutes an effective base for the acquisition of liquid crystals. The equilibrium angle (theta(eq)) and the torsional barriers DeltaE(0 degrees) and DeltaE(90 degrees) are not very sensitive to the substituent effects. We have found evidence for the similarity in the pi-conjugation of the Y-substituted and X,Y-disubstituted compounds, the latter with mesomorphic properties, by means of the graphic analysis of the relationship between the molecular dipolar moment mu(D) and the difference between the (13)C NMR chemical shifts of the acetylenic carbon atoms (Deltadelta(CI[triple bond]CII) [ppm]). The obtained results contribute to a better understanding of the structure-activity relationship for potential liquid crystalline systems.

Nitric oxide binding and photodelivery based on ruthenium(II) complexes of 4-arylazo-3,5-dimethylpyrazole.

Two fluorescent ligands, 3,5-dimethyl-4-(6'-sulfonylammonium-1'-azonaphthyl)pyrazole (dmpzn, 1) and 3,5-dimethyl-4-(4'-N,N'-dimethylaminoazophenyl)pyrazole (dmpza, 2) were obtained by condensation of ketoenolic derivatives with hydrazine. 1 and 2 formed the novel dinuclear complexes [(H(2)O)(3)ClRu(micro-L)(2)RuCl(H(2)O)(3)] (3 or 4) and [(H(2)O)(NO)Cl(2)Ru(micro-L)(2)RuCl(2)(NO)(H(2)O)] (6 or 7) (where L 1 = 2 or , respectively) which were characterized by IR, NMR and elemental analysis. The nitrosyl complexes were prepared by bubbling purified nitric oxide through methanol solutions of the corresponding ruthenium(II) chloroderivative or by reaction of the appropriate ligands with Ru(NO)Cl(3). Complexes 3 and 4 were found to bind NO, resulting in an increase in fluorescence. Ligand 1 also formed the mononuclear nitrosyl complex [Ru(NO)(bpy)(2)(dmpzn)]Cl(2) (8) which released NO in water at physiological pH and in the solid state as revealed by fluorescence and IR measurements, respectively.

On the unusual 2J(C2-H(f)) coupling dependence on syn/anti CHO conformation in 5-X-furan-2-carboxaldehydes.

A remarkable difference for (2)J(C(2)-H(f)) coupling constant in syn and anti conformers of 5-X-furan-2-carboxaldehydes (X = CH(3), Ph, NO(2), Br) and a rationalization of this difference are reported. On the basis of the current knowledge of the Fermi-contact term transmission, a rather unusual dual-coupling pathway in the syn conformer is presented. The additional coupling pathway resembles somewhat that of the J(H-H) in homoallylic couplings, which are transmitted by hyperconjugative interactions involving the pi(C=C) electronic system. The homoallylic coupling pathway can be labeled as sigma*(C-H) <-- pi(C=C) --> sigma*(C-H). In the present case, this additional coupling pathway, using an analogous notation, can be labeled as sigma*(C(2)-C(C)) <-- LP(1)(O(1))...LP(2)(O(C)) --> sigma*(C(C)-H(f)) (sigma*(C(2)-C(C))) where O(1) and O(C) stand for the ring and carbonyl O atoms, respectively. This additional coupling pathway is not activated in the anti conformers since both oxygen lone pairs do not overlap.