Dependency and frailty in the older haemodialysis patient.

BACKGROUND: Frailty among older adults undergoing hemodialysis is increasingly prevalent, significantly impacting cognitive function, mobility, and social engagement. This study focuses on the clinical profiles of very older adults in hemodialysis, particularly examining the interplay of dependency and frailty, and their influence on dialysis regimens. METHODS: In this observational, descriptive study, 107 patients aged over 75 from four outpatient centers and one hospital unit were examined over a year. Patient data encompassed sociodemographic factors, dialysis specifics, analytical outcomes, lifestyle elements, and self-reported post-treatment fatigue. Malnutrition-inflammation scale was used to measure the Nutritional status; MIS scale for malnutrition-inflammation, Barthel index for dependency, Charlson comorbidity index; FRIED scale for frailty and the SF12 quality of life measure. RESULTS: The study unveiled that a substantial number of older adults on hemodialysis faced malnutrition (55%), dependency (21%), frailty (46%), and diminished quality of life (57%). Patients with dependency were distinctively marked by higher comorbidity, severe malnutrition, enhanced frailty, nursing home residency, dependency on ambulance transportation, and significantly limited mobility, with 77% unable to walk. Notably, 56% of participants experienced considerable post-dialysis fatigue, correlating with higher comorbidity, increased dependency, and poorer quality of life. Despite varying clinical conditions, dialysis patterns were consistent across the patient cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The older adult cohort, averaging over four years on hemodialysis, exhibited high rates of comorbidity, frailty, and dependency, necessitating substantial support in transport and living arrangements. A third of these patients lacked residual urine output, yet their dialysis regimen mirrored those with preserved output. The study underscores the imperative for tailored therapeutic strategies to mitigate dependency, preserve residual renal function, and alleviate post-dialysis fatigue, ultimately enhancing the physical quality of life for these patients.

[Management of chronic non-oncologic pain by multicomponent programs using non-pharmacologic therapies: A systematic review of the literature]. / Manejo del dolor crónico no oncológico con programas multicomponentes de terapias no farmacológicas: revisión sistemática de la literatura.

Chronic pain is a public health problem suffered by 20% of the world's population. Pharmacological approaches are insufficient, so a multi-therapeutic approach that also includes non-pharmacological therapies (psychological therapies, meditation, physical exercise, healthy habits, etc.) is proposed. The aim of this review was to review the existing scientific evidence on the effect of multicomponent programs with non-pharmacological therapies in people with chronic non-oncologic pain. To this end, a search for scientific articles was carried out in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science and PsycINFO) and 17 articles were selected, following the PRISMA recommendations. The patients who participated in these programs were mostly women, aged 18 to 80years, working or on sick leave due to pain, with secondary education or less and married. The most frequent pain was musculoskeletal, mainly low back pain. All the articles studied the effectiveness of two or more therapies, highlighting psychological therapies, physical exercise and education. Positive results were obtained in the reduction of different variables such as pain, pain catastrophizing, anxiety and depression, in addition to improving functionality and quality of life. It has also been shown that patients' prior expectations regarding the intervention influence its effectiveness. Although throughout the review there was great heterogeneity in the interventions, in the evaluation methods and in the results themselves, it can be concluded that multicomponent programs show positive results in the management of chronic pain, and should therefore be incorporated as a routine therapeutic treatment.

[Impact of a multicomponent program with nonpharmacological therapies for patients with chronic pain]. / Impacto de un programa multicomponente con terapias no farmacológicas para pacientes con dolor crónico.

INTRODUCTION: 25.9% of Spanish people suffer from chronic pain. An integrated, interdisciplinary approach is recommended, with pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, involving patients in their self-care. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and impact on resources of a program with non-pharmacological therapies in the control of non-oncological chronic pain in the short and medium term. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Quasi-experimental before-after study, follow-up 3-6 months, measuring: pain, well-being, quality of life, self-esteem, resilience, anxiety/depression (validated scales); patient-reported outcomes of workshop impact on pain management, habits and mood; ED and office visits; drug consumption and employment status. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-two patients completed the program; 131 (92.3%) were women, age: 56.0. Decreased: pain (scale 0-10) (start: 6.0; end of workshop: 4.0; 3 months: 5.0); anxiety (12.9; 10.4; 8.8) and depression (12.3; 7.23; 6.47) (scales 0-21). They increased: well-being (scale 0-10) (4.0; 6.0; 4.0); quality of life (scale 0-1) (0.418; 0.580; 0.536); health status (scale 0-100) (47.5; 60.0; 60.0); self-esteem (scale 9-36) (24.1; 27.5; 26.7); resilience (scale 6-30) (14.8; 17.4; 18.6). Patient-reported outcomes were performed by 136 patients at the end of the workshop and 79 at 3 months: pain decreased (end of program: 104, 76.5%; 3 months: 66, 83.5%); medication decreased (96, 76.2%; 60, 78.9%); habits improved (112, 88.2%; 69, 90.8%). Forty patients (37.4%) reduced visits to the emergency room, 40 (37.4%) reduced scheduled visits. Overall satisfaction: 9.8 out of 10. CONCLUSIONS: Patients learn to mitigate their pain, participate in their self-care and improve their quality of life, self-esteem and emotional state. The effects remained for 3-6 months.

A Sarcopenia Index Derived from Malnutrition Parameters in Elderly Haemodialysis Patients.

(1) Background: Persons with chronic kidney disease may have sarcopenia characterized by the loss of muscle mass and loss of muscle strength. However, EWGSOP2 criteria to diagnose sarcopenia are technically challenging, especially in elderly persons on hemodialysis. Sarcopenia may be associated with malnutrition. We aimed at defining a sarcopenia index derived from malnutrition parameters for use in elderly haemodialysis patients. (2) Methods: A retrospective study of 60 patients aged 75 to 95 years treated with chronic hemodialysis was conducted. Anthropometric and analytical variables, EWGSOP2 sarcopenia criteria and other nutrition-related variables were collected. Binomial logistic regressions were used to define the combination of anthropometric and nutritional parameters that best predict moderate or severe sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2, and performance for moderate and severe sarcopenia was assessed by the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. (3) Results: The combination of loss of strength, loss of muscle mass and low physical performance correlated with malnutrition. We developed regression-equation-related nutrition criteria that predicted moderate sarcopenia (elderly hemodialysis sarcopenia index-moderate, EHSI-M) and severe sarcopenia (EHSI-S) diagnosed according to EWGSOP2 with an AUC of 0.80 and 0.866, respectively. (4) Conclusions: There is a close relationship between nutrition and sarcopenia. The EHSI may identify EWGSOP2-diagnosed sarcopenia from easily accessible anthropometric and nutritional parameters.

A systematic evaluation of normalization methods and probe replicability using infinium EPIC methylation data.

BACKGROUND: The Infinium EPIC array measures the methylation status of > 850,000 CpG sites. The EPIC BeadChip uses a two-array design: Infinium Type I and Type II probes. These probe types exhibit different technical characteristics which may confound analyses. Numerous normalization and pre-processing methods have been developed to reduce probe type bias as well as other issues such as background and dye bias. METHODS: This study evaluates the performance of various normalization methods using 16 replicated samples and three metrics: absolute beta-value difference, overlap of non-replicated CpGs between replicate pairs, and effect on beta-value distributions. Additionally, we carried out Pearson's correlation and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analyses using both raw and SeSAMe 2 normalized data. RESULTS: The method we define as SeSAMe 2, which consists of the application of the regular SeSAMe pipeline with an additional round of QC, pOOBAH masking, was found to be the best performing normalization method, while quantile-based methods were found to be the worst performing methods. Whole-array Pearson's correlations were found to be high. However, in agreement with previous studies, a substantial proportion of the probes on the EPIC array showed poor reproducibility (ICC < 0.50). The majority of poor performing probes have beta values close to either 0 or 1, and relatively low standard deviations. These results suggest that probe reliability is largely the result of limited biological variation rather than technical measurement variation. Importantly, normalizing the data with SeSAMe 2 dramatically improved ICC estimates, with the proportion of probes with ICC values > 0.50 increasing from 45.18% (raw data) to 61.35% (SeSAMe 2).

Evaluation of Antifungal Activity of Ag Nanoparticles Synthetized by Green Chemistry against Fusarium solani and Rhizopus stolonifera.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have aroused great interest for applications as fungicides in agriculture. This study reports the synthesis of AgNPs by green chemistry using silver nitrate (AgNO3) as the precursor agent and a coriander leaf extract as the reducing agent and surfactant. The evaluation of their antifungal properties was carried out when placed in contact with Fusarium solani and Rhizopus stolonifer phytopathogens. The extract and AgNP characterizations were performed using UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The evaluation of antifungal properties was carried out by exposing the phytopathogens to different concentrations of AgNPs in PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar). It was found that it was possible to identify the presence of flavones and flavonoids in the extract, compounds that were also involved in the synthesis process of AgNPs. In addition, the UV-Vis analysis of the obtained AgNPs by green chemistry showed resonance peaks at around 428 nm. Furthermore, a high distribution of AgNP sizes, with high concentrations of below 100 nm, was identified, according to DLS measurements. Using SEM images, the information provided by DLS was confirmed, and a crystallite size of 29.24 nm was determined with the help of XRD measurements. Finally, when exposing the phytopathogens to the action of AgNPs, it was concluded that, at a concentration of 1 mg/mL AgNPs, their growth was totally inhibited.

Influencia psicoemocional de la pandemia por COVID-19 en la experiencia farmacoterapéutica de los pacientes con patologías reumáticas / Psycho-emotional influence of COVID-19 pandemic on medication experience of patients with rheumatic diseases

Objetivo: Realizar una revisión bibliográfica para conocer el impacto de la influencia psicoemocional de la pandemia sobre la experiencia farmacoterapéutica de pacientes con patologías reumáticas tratados con fármacos antirreumáticos modificadores de la enfermedad. Métodos: Se seleccionaron artículos con metodología cualitativa, cuantitativa o mixta disponibles en inglés o castellano. Las bases de datos consultadas fueron Medline, Cochrane Library y PsycInfo. Se eligieron como términos MeSH para realizar la búsqueda: “COVID-19”, “Rheumatic Diseases”, “Qualitative”. Resultados: Se localizaron 8 publicaciones. Se examinaron títulos y resúmenes incluyendo 3 artículos y excluyendo 5. Emergieron otros 3 artículos que cumplían criterios de inclusión pero carecían de los términos MeSH seleccionados. Se analizaron un total de 6 artículos. Conclusiones: La pandemia y el aislamiento social han impactado en la salud mental de los pacientes con patologías reumáticas desencadenando como respuestas emocionales ansiedad, fatiga y estrés. En la mayoría de casos éstos han mantenido su tratamiento. Se distingue su autogestión y conocimiento de la enfermedad y la conciencia acerca de la importancia de continuar con su tratamiento para mantener la estabilidad de su patología. (AU)

Objective: To review the scientific literature concerning psycho-emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the medication experience of patients with rheumatic diseases treated with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Methods: Articles selected were qualitative, quantitative or mixed methodology available in English or Spanish. Databases consulted were Medline, Cochrane Library and PsycInfo. «COVID-19», «Rheumatic Diseases», «Qualitative» MeSH terms were chosen to perform the search. Results: 8 publications were located. Titles and abstracts were examined including 3 articles and excluding 5. Another 3 articles emerged that met the inclusion criteria but lacked the selected MeSH terms. A total of 6 articles were analyzed. Conclusions: Pandemic and social isolation have impacted on mental health of patients with rheumatic diseases, triggering anxiety, fatigue and stress as emotional responses. In most cases they maintained their treatment. Self-management and knowledge about their disease and awareness of the importance of continuing treatments to maintain the stability of their pathology are distinguished. (AU)

Comparative analysis of anthropometric indicators for diagnosing obesity and predicting cardiometabolic risk in Mexican adolescents / Análisis comparativo de indicadores antropométricos para el diagnóstico de obesidad y predicción del riesgo cardiometabólico en adolescentes mexicanos

Introduction: obesity is a cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factor in adolescents. It represents a public health problem that requires simple diagnostic strategies based on the determination of anthropometric indicators (AIs) such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), conicity index (CONI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and body fat percentage (BFP). The purpose of the current contribution was to analyze the utility of the aforementioned AIs for evaluating obesity as a CMR factor in Mexican adolescents. Materials and methods: the design of the study is descriptive and cross-sectional. Nutritional status was established by using various AIs and as a CMR factor under the criteria of WHtR. Participating in the present investigation were 2,000 adolescents from 15 to 17 years of age, of which 1,079 (53.9 %) were female and 921 (46.1 %) were male. All were high school students in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico. Results and conclusion: the prevalence of obesity was influenced by gender. With the WHtR and BFP, male students exhibited a greater prevalence of obesity, while with the BMI and CONI, the percentage of obesity was similar between the two genders. BMI was significantly correlated with BFP, WC and WHtR, and was one of the AIs with the greatest area under the curve, showing a good capacity to predict cardiometabolic risk. BMI is a simple and adequate tool for diagnosing obesity and predicting CMR in adolescents (AU)

Introducción: la obesidad es un factor de riesgo cardiometabolico (RCM) en los adolescentes y representa un problema de salud pública que requiere estrategias diagnosticas sencillas, basadas en la determinación de indicadores antropométricos (IA) como el índice de masa corporal (IMC), la circunferencia de la cintura (CC), el índice de conicidad (ICONI), el índice de cintura-talla (ICT) y el porcentaje de grasa corporal (PGC). El propósito del presente estudio fue analizar la utilidad de diversos IA (IMC, CC, ICONI, ICT y PGC) para evaluar la obesidad como factor de RCM en adolescentes mexicanos. Materiales y métodos: el diseño del estudio fue descriptivo y transversal. Se analizó el estado nutricional mediante varios IA y el factor de RCM bajo los criterios del ICT. Este estudio fue conducido en 2000 adolescentes de entre 15 y 17 años, de los cuales 1079 (53,9 %) eran mujeres y 921 (46,1 %) varones, todos ellos estudiantes de nivel medio superior de Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, México. Resultados y conclusión: la prevalencia de la obesidad estuvo influenciada por el género: los varones presentaron una mayor prevalencia de obesidad con ICT y PGC, mientras que con IMC e ICONI, el porcentaje de obesidad fue similar entre ambos géneros. El IMC se correlacionó significativamente con el PGC, la CC y el ICT, y fue uno de los IA con mayor área bajo la curva, mostrando una buena capacidad para predecir el RCM. El IMC representa una herramienta sencilla y adecuada para el diagnóstico de obesidad y predecir el RCM en adolescentes (AU)

Distinct tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte landscapes are associated with clinical outcomes in localized non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs) in cancer biology, the relationship between TIL phenotypes and their prognostic relevance for localized non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been well established. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fresh tumor and normal adjacent tissue was prospectively collected from 150 patients with localized NSCLC. Tissue was comprehensively characterized by high-dimensional flow cytometry of TILs integrated with immunogenomic data from multiplex immunofluorescence, T-cell receptor sequencing, exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, targeted proteomics, and clinicopathologic features. RESULTS: While neither the magnitude of TIL infiltration nor specific TIL subsets were significantly prognostic alone, the integration of high-dimensional flow cytometry data identified two major immunotypes (IM1 and IM2) that were predictive of recurrence-free survival independent of clinical characteristics. IM2 was associated with poor prognosis and characterized by the presence of proliferating TILs expressing cluster of differentiation 103, programmed cell death protein 1, T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain containing protein 3, and inducible T-cell costimulator. Conversely, IM1 was associated with good prognosis and differentiated by an abundance of CD8+ T cells expressing cytolytic enzymes, CD4+ T cells lacking the expression of inhibitory receptors, and increased levels of B-cell infiltrates and tertiary lymphoid structures. While increased B-cell infiltration was associated with good prognosis, the best prognosis was observed in patients with tumors exhibiting high levels of both B cells and T cells. These findings were validated in patient tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that although the number of infiltrating T cells is not associated with patient survival, the nature of the infiltrating T cells, resolved in distinct TIL immunotypes, is prognostically relevant in NSCLC and may inform therapeutic approaches to clinical care.

Temperature effect in physicochemical and bioactive behavior of biogenic hydroxyapatite obtained from porcine bones.

Biogenic hydroxyapatite (BHAp) is a widely used material in the biomedical area due to its similarities with the bone tissue mineral phase. Several works have been spotlighted on the thermal behavior of bone. However, little research has focused on determining the influence of calcination temperature in the physicochemical and bioactive properties of BHAp. In this work, a study of the physicochemical properties' changes and bioactive response of BHAp produced from porcine femur bones using calcination temperatures between 900 to 1200 °C was conducted. The samples' structural, morphological, and compositional changes were determined using XRD, SEM, and FTIR techniques. XRD results identified three temperature ranges, in which there are structural changes in BHAp samples and the presence of additional phases. Moreover, FTIR results corroborated that B-type substitution is promoted by increasing the heat treatment temperature. Likewise, samples were immersed in a simulated biological fluid (SBF), following the methodology described by Kokubo and using ISO 23317:2014 standard, for 3 and 7 days. FTIR and SEM results determined that the highest reaction velocity was reached for samples above 1000 °C, due to intensity increasing of phosphate and carbonate bands and bone-like apatite morphologies, compared to other temperatures evaluated.

Hyptis mociniana: phytochemical fingerprint and photochemoprotective effect against UV-B radiation-induced erythema and skin carcinogenesis.

Skin cancer is a public health problem due to its high incidence. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the main etiological agent of this disease. Photochemoprotection involves the use of substances to avoid damage caused by UV exposure. The aim of this work was to determine the phytochemical fingerprint and photochemoprotective effect against UVB radiation-induced skin damage such as erythema and carcinogenesis of H. mociniana methanolic extract (MEHm). The chemical composition of the MEHm was analysed by LC/ESI-MS/MS. Three quercetin derivatives, two pectinolides, and two caffeic acid derivatives were identified in the methanolic extract. MEHm has antioxidant effect and it is not cytotoxic in HaCaT cells. Phytochemicals from H. mociniana have a photochemopreventive effect because they absorb UV light and protect HaCaT cells from UVR-induced cell death. Also, in SKH-1 mice -acute exposure-, it decreased erythema formation, modulating the inflammatory response, reduced the skin damage according to histological analysis and diminished p53 expression. Finally, MEHm protects from photocarcinogenesis by reducing the incidence and multiplicity of skin carcinomas in SKH-1 mice exposed chronically to UVB radiation.

Genome-wide meta-analysis associates GPSM1 with type 2 diabetes, a plausible gene involved in skeletal muscle function.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified many genetic variations associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Asians, but understanding the functional genetic variants that influence traits is often a complex process. In this study, fine mapping and other analytical strategies were performed to investigate the effects of G protein signaling modulator 1 (GPSM1) on insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. A total of 128 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within GPSM1 were analysed in 21,897 T2DM cases and 32,710 healthy controls from seven GWASs. The SNP rs28539249 in intron 9 of GPSM1 showed a nominally significant association with T2DM in Asians (OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.04-1.10, P < 10-4). The GPSM1 mRNA was increased in skeletal muscle and correlated with T2DM traits across obese mice model. An eQTL for the cis-acting regulation of GPSM1 expression in human skeletal muscle was identified for rs28539249, and the increased GPSM1 expression related with T2DM traits within GEO datasets. Another independent Asian cohort showed that rs28539249 is associated with the skeletal muscle expression of CACFD1, GTF3C5, SARDH, and FAM163B genes, which are functionally enriched for endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and unfolded protein response (UPR) pathways. Moreover, rs28539249 locus was predicted to disrupt regulatory regions in human skeletal muscle with enriched epigenetic marks and binding affinity for CTCF. Supershift EMSA assays followed luciferase assays demonstrated the CTCF specifically binding to rs28539249-C allele leading to decreased transcriptional activity. Thus, the post-GWAS annotation confirmed the Asian-specific association of genetic variant in GPSM1 with T2DM, suggesting a role for the variant in the regulation in skeletal muscle.

Suppressed immune microenvironment and repertoire in brain metastases from patients with resected non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) of lung cancer brain metastasis is largely unexplored. We carried out immune profiling and sequencing analysis of paired resected primary tumors and brain metastases of non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: TIME profiling of archival formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens of paired primary tumors and brain metastases from 39 patients with surgically resected NSCLCs was carried out using a 770 immune gene expression panel and by T-cell receptor beta repertoire (TCRß) sequencing. Immunohistochemistry was carried out for validation. Targeted sequencing was carried out to catalog hot spot mutations in cancer genes. RESULTS: Somatic hot spot mutations were mostly shared between both tumor sites (28/39 patients; 71%). We identified 161 differentially expressed genes, indicating inhibition of dendritic cell maturation, Th1, and leukocyte extravasation signaling pathways, in brain metastases compared with primary tumors (P < 0.01). The proinflammatory cell adhesion molecule vascular cell adhesion protein 1 was significantly suppressed in brain metastases compared with primary tumors. Brain metastases exhibited lower T cell and elevated macrophage infiltration compared with primary tumors (P < 0.001). T-cell clones were expanded in 64% of brain metastases compared with their corresponding primary tumors. Furthermore, while TCR repertoires were largely shared between paired brain metastases and primary tumors, T-cell densities were sparse in the metastases. CONCLUSION: We present findings that suggest that the TIME in brain metastases from NSCLC is immunosuppressed and comprises immune phenotypes (e.g. immunosuppressive tumor-associated macrophages) that may help guide immunotherapeutic strategies for NSCLC brain metastases.

Unveiling a Scaling and Universal Behavior for the Magnetocaloric Effect in Cubic Crystal Structures: A Monte Carlo Simulation.

The magnetocaloric effect and the universal character for the magnetic entropy change regarding the cubic crystal structures (SC, BCC, FCC) were investigated, in a qualitative way, using Monte Carlo simulations. A classical Heisenberg Hamiltonian with nearest neighbors, and next nearest neighbors interactions was implemented. In order to compute the critical temperature of the system depending on the coordination number, it was calculated the dependence of the magnetization and magnetic susceptibility as a function of temperature. Magnetic field dependence on the magnetization for isothermal processes was performed considering a magnetocrystalline anisotropy term. In this way, the magnetic entropy change (ΔSm) was computed. Results show that the rescaled ΔSm as well as the exponent (n) characterizing the field dependence of the magnetic entropy change curves, collapse onto a single curve for the studied crystal structures. By this reason, it can be assured that ΔSm exhibits a universal behavior regarding the strength and contribution of the magnetic exchange energy to the total magnetic energy.

Optimal phase space sampling for Monte Carlo simulations of Heisenberg spin systems.

We present an adaptive algorithm for the optimal phase space sampling in Monte Carlo simulations of 3D Heisenberg spin systems. Based on a golden rule of the Metropolis algorithm which states that an acceptance rate of [Formula: see text] is ideal to efficiently sample the phase space, the algorithm adaptively modifies a cone-based spin update method keeping the acceptance rate close to [Formula: see text]. We have assessed the efficiency of the adaptive algorithm through four different tests and contrasted its performance with that of other common spin update methods. In systems at low and high temperatures and anisotropies, the adaptive algorithm proved to be the most efficient for magnetization reversal and for the convergence to equilibrium of the thermal averages and the coercivity in hysteresis calculations. Thus, the adaptive algorithm can be used to significantly reduce the computational cost in Monte Carlo simulations of 3D Heisenberg spin systems.

Flavonol glycosides in Dyssodia tagetiflora and its temporal variation, chemoprotective and ameliorating activities.

Dyssodia tagetiflora is known as 'Tzaracata' and 'flor de muerto'. Recently, D. tagetiflora has been reported to have antioxidant activities in its polar extracts as well as insecticidal activities. Hyperoside (1), avicularin (2) and avicularin acetate (3) have been isolated previously. However, the temporary variation in glycoside flavonoids biosynthesis, as well as antibacterial and chemoprotective activities, have not been reported. The amount of 1, 2 and 3 in the different collections was characterized by HPLC-MS. Two new C-glycosides were characterized, quercetin-4'-methyl ether 6-C glucoside (A1) and quercetin-4'-methyl ether 8-C glucoside (A2), as well as [2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxochromen-3-yl]3,4,5-trihydroxyoxane-2,6-dicarboxylate (A3). This is the first report of the presence of C-C flavonoid glycosides compounds in the genus Dyssodia. Hyperoside was the majority compound at all collections. The methanolic extracts of August 2016 and October 2017 were active against Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus subtillis. The methanolic extract has chemoprotective effects because, when applied topically in SKH-1 mice, it decreases the severity of epidermal damage induced by acute exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In addition, cutaneous photocarcinogenesis was decreased in mice treated with the extract. The methanolic extract of D. tagetiflora has chemoprotective properties by decreasing the damage caused by acute and chronic exposure to UV in mice.

Investigation of magnetic droplet solitons using x-ray holography with extended references.

A dissipative magnetic soliton, or magnetic droplet, is a structure that has been predicted to exist within a thin magnetic layer when non-linearity is balanced by dispersion, and a driving force counteracts the inherent damping of the spin precession. Such a soliton can be formed beneath a nano-contact (NC) that delivers a large spin-polarized current density into a magnetic layer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. Although the existence of droplets has been confirmed from electrical measurements and by micromagnetic simulations, only a few attempts have been made to directly observe the magnetic landscape that sustains these structures, and then only for a restricted set of experimental parameter values. In this work we use and x-ray holography technique HERALDO, to image the magnetic structure of the [Co/Ni]x4 multilayer within a NC orthogonal pseudo spin-valve, for different range of magnetic fields and injected electric currents. The magnetic configuration imaged at -33 mA and 0.3 T for devices with 90 nm NC diameter reveals a structure that is within the range of current where the droplet soliton exist based on our electrical measurements and have it is consistent with the expected size of the droplet (∼100 nm diameter) and its spatial position within the sample. We also report the magnetisation configurations observed at lower DC currents in the presence of fields (0-50 mT), where it is expected to observe regimes of the unstable droplet formation.

Position statement for the management of comorbidities in psoriasis.

BACKGROUND: The association between psoriasis and some diseases has become relevant in recent years. Providing appropriate management of psoriasis from an early stage requires prompt diagnosis and treatment of concomitant diseases and to prevent any potential comorbidity. This approach should consider the adverse events of the drugs used to treat psoriasis potentially related to the onset of comorbidities. OBJECTIVE: To provide the dermatologist with an accurate and friendly tool for systematizing the diagnosis of psoriasis-associated comorbidities, which generally escapes the scope of the dermatology setting, and to facilitate decision-making about the referral and treatment of patients with comorbidities. METHODS: These position statement recommendations were developed by a working group composed of ten experts (four dermatologists, one cardiologist, one rheumatologist, one gastroenterologist, one nephrologist, one endocrinologist and one psychiatrist) and two health services researchers. The expert group selected the psoriasis comorbidities considered according to their relevance in the dermatology setting. The recommendations on diagnostic criteria are based on the current clinical practice guidelines for each of the comorbidities. The information regarding the repercussion of psoriasis medical treatments on associated comorbid diseases was obtained from the summary of product characteristics of each drug. RESULTS: Recommendations were developed to detect and refer the following psoriasis comorbidities: psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular risk factors (diabetes, dyslipidaemia, obesity, hypertension and metabolic syndrome), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease and psychological disorders (anxiety and depression). In addition, alcohol consumption and tobacco consumption were included. The tables and figures are precise, easy-to-use tools to systematize the diagnosis of comorbidities in patients with psoriasis and facilitate the decision-making process regarding referral and treatment of patients with an associated disease. CONCLUSION: The application of these position statement recommendations will facilitate the dermatologist practice, and benefit psoriasis patients' health and quality of life.

Efficacy and Cost of Trap-Bait Combinations for Capturing Rhynchophorus palmarum L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Ornamental Palm Polycultures.

Ornamental palms are an economically important component of international trade yet have recently experienced yield losses in Mexico due to red ring and bud rot diseases, which are spread by Rhynchophorus palmarum L. Considering that massive capture is a common strategy to control this pest and the cost of commercial traps and baits could be inaccessible for small farmers, an inexpensive trap-bait combination is desired. In this study, 16 trap-bait combinations for capturing R. palmarum were assessed in ornamental palm polycultures over the course of 1 year. An expensive yellow bucket trap combined with aggregation pheromone + insecticide + banana was compared with inexpensive, handmade trap-bait combinations. A total of 4712 weevils were collected in all traps, of which 52.7% were male and 47.3% female. The efficacy of the handmade trap made from a colorless polyethylene bottle and baited with banana + pineapple + sugarcane + sugarcane molasses was similar to that of the yellow bucket trap baited with aggregation pheromone + insecticide + banana. These two trap-bait combinations remained effective even when the R. palmarum population significantly decreased during the dry, warm season. The affordable handmade trap baited with food attractants and without insecticides was highly efficient in capturing R. palmarum and therefore represents an effective tool for monitoring weevil populations. As ornamental crops have recently gained greater economic importance in the studied region, the use of a novel and cheap trap-bait combination could offer great benefits to producers and form part of the integrated management of R. palmarum.