Changes on depression and suicidal ideation under severe lockdown restrictions during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain: a longitudinal study in the general population.

AIMS: To assess whether there is a change in the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation after the strict lockdown measures due to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, and to assess which are the factors associated with the incidence of a depressive episode or suicidal ideation during the lockdown. METHODS: Data from a longitudinal adult population-based cohort from Madrid and Barcelona were analysed (n = 1103). Face-to-face home-based (pre-pandemic) and telephone interviews were performed. Depression and suicidal ideation were assessed through an adaptation of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0). Population prevalence estimates and multivariable logistic regressions were computed. RESULTS: Prevalence rates of depression changed significantly from before to after the COVID-19 outbreak (from 3.06% to 12.00%; p = 0.01) and per sex and age groups. Individuals reporting COVID-19 concerns (odds ratio [OR] = 3.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.45-6.69) and those feeling loneliness (OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.52-2.61) during the lockdown were at increased risk of developing depression during the confinement. Resilience showed a protective effect against the risk of depression (OR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.39-0.83), while individuals perceiving social support during the confinement were at lower risk of developing suicidal thoughts (OR = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.09-0.46). Greater disability during the lockdown was also associated with the risk of suicidal ideation (OR = 2.77; 95% CI = 1.53-5.03). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous reinforcement of mental health preventive and intervening measures is of global importance, particularly among vulnerable groups who are experiencing the most distress. Future research should strive to evaluate the long-term effects of the COVID-19 crisis on mental health.

Changes in depression and suicidal ideation under severe lockdown restrictions during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain: a longitudinal study in the general population.

AIMS: To assess whether there is a change in the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation after the strict lockdown measures due to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain; and to assess which are the factors associated with the incidence of a depressive episode or suicidal ideation during the lockdown. METHODS: Data from a longitudinal adult population-based cohort from the provinces of Madrid and Barcelona were analysed (n = 1103). Structured face-to-face home-based interviews (pre-pandemic) and telephone interviews were performed. Both depression and suicidal ideation were assessed through an adaptation of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0). A variety of validated instruments and sociodemographic variables including age, sex, educational level, occupational status, home quietness, screen time, resilience, loneliness, social support, physical activity, disability, economic situation and COVID-19-related information were also considered. Population prevalence estimates and multivariable logistic regressions were computed. RESULTS: Overall, prevalence rates of depression and suicidal ideation did not change significantly from before to after the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the rates of depression among individuals aged 50+ years showed a significant decrease compared to before the pandemic (from 8.48 to 6.41%; p = 0.01). Younger individuals (odds ratio (OR) = 0.97 per year older; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.95-0.99) and those feeling loneliness (OR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.42-2.70) during the lockdown were at an increased risk of developing depression during the confinement. Resilience showed a protective effect against the risk of depression (OR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.32-0.66) and suicidal ideation (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.16-0.68), whereas individuals perceiving social support were at a lower risk of developing suicidal thoughts (OR = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.18-0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous reinforcement of mental health preventive and intervening measures during and in the aftermath of the crisis is of global importance, particularly among vulnerable groups who are experiencing the most distress. Future research should strive to evaluate the long-term effects of the COVID-19 crisis on mental health.

Automatic CDR Estimation for Early Glaucoma Diagnosis.

Glaucoma is a degenerative disease that constitutes the second cause of blindness in developed countries. Although it cannot be cured, its progression can be prevented through early diagnosis. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm for automatic glaucoma diagnosis based on retinal colour images. We focus on capturing the inherent colour changes of optic disc (OD) and cup borders by computing several colour derivatives in CIE L∗a∗b∗ colour space with CIE94 colour distance. In addition, we consider spatial information retaining these colour derivatives and the original CIE L∗a∗b∗ values of the pixel and adding other characteristics such as its distance to the OD centre. The proposed strategy is robust due to a simple structure that does not need neither initial segmentation nor removal of the vascular tree or detection of vessel bends. The method has been extensively validated with two datasets (one public and one private), each one comprising 60 images of high variability of appearances. Achieved class-wise-averaged accuracy of 95.02% and 81.19% demonstrates that this automated approach could support physicians in the diagnosis of glaucoma in its early stage, and therefore, it could be seen as an opportunity for developing low-cost solutions for mass screening programs.

Effect of External Irrelevant Distracters on a Visual Search Test in School-Age Children: Computerized Assessment.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the effect of an irrelevant external distracter included in a computer-administered visual search test. Two hypotheses were tested: (a) If the distracter affects performance, attention efficiency will be lowered; (b) if children do not habituate to the distracter, performance will be lower for every item of the test. METHOD: Distraction was induced changing the screen color unexpectedly several times in each trial-450 children (225 girls and 225 boys) from second to sixth course were tested. This group was compared with a group of 423 children from the same age range who were tested with the same test without distraction. RESULTS: Induced distraction reduced attention efficiency for all ages and for every trial in the treatment group (test with distraction). Speed was lower, but number of errors did not increase. CONCLUSION: School-age children cope with an irrelevant external distracter by reducing speed, not accuracy.

Efficient arsenic(V) and arsenic(III) removal from acidic solutions with Novel Forager Sponge-loaded superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

Nowadays, there is a wide variety of arsenic decontamination processes being adsorption processes the most efficient. In this concern, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) have been proposed as an appropriate system to improve arsenic adsorption from acidic wastewater. The number of mines, the amount of ore processed, and thus the amount of mine (acid) wastewaters have been rapidly increased in recent decades. For this reason, arsenic removal from contaminated water is an important goal to accomplish environmental regulations. It is noteworthy that aggregation of these nanoparticles has been detected as the main difficulty, hindering the promising adsorption. In order to overcome this drawback, it is proposed a system to avoid aggregation based on nanoparticles dispersion into an appropriate supporting material. To this purpose, SPION have been fixed on a cellulosic sponge achieving a decrease of the aggregation state, an increase of the active centers, and consequently, arsenic adsorption increases. Experimental results report a lower aggregation of supported SPION over sponge than the observed in the non supported nanoparticles. At this point, a remarkable improvement in the sponge system adsorption capacity is observed in comparison with superparamagnetic nanoparticles in suspension, reaching adsorption capacities about 2.1 mmol As/g SPION and 12.1 mmol As/g SPION for arsenite and arsenate, respectively at pH 3.8. Then, the developed system not only amends the aggregation problem but also keep their nanoproperties intact, making the system a suitable one for arsenic removal in acidic wastewater treatment.

Amiloidosis de cadenas ligeras: experiencia en un hospital terciario 2005-2013 / Light chain amyloidosis: experience in a tertiary hospital: 2005-2013

Antecedentes y objetivo. La amiloidosis AL es una entidad rara cuyo manejo está cambiando gracias a avances recientes en el diagnóstico y tratamiento. Describimos una serie contemporánea de enfermos con amiloidosis AL, para analizar aspectos que permiten un diagnóstico precoz y un manejo óptimo. Pacientes y métodos. Hemos reunido para su análisis 32 pacientes (19 mujeres, edad mediana 63 años) atendidos consecutivamente en nuestro centro. Resultados. El 84% de los enfermos comenzaron con astenia, disnea o edemas con una duración previa de los síntomas de 8 meses (mediana). La afectación cardiaca (21/32) y la renal fueron las más frecuentes (11/32). Todos los enfermos, excepto uno, presentaban componente monoclonal en suero/orina o valores anormales de cadenas ligeras libres (78%, ¿). La médula ósea (MO) mostraba plasmocitosis clonal en 29 casos. El 100% de las biopsias cardiacas y el 50% de las de MO mostraron amiloide. El ecocardiograma y/o la resonancia cardiaca fueron anormales en 27/30 casos. La mediana de NT-proBNP al diagnóstico fue de 5200 ng/mL. Trece enfermos fallecieron por insuficiencia cardiaca, 2 por rechazo tras trasplante cardiaco, 2 por neumonía y uno tras ictus. Diez enfermos no recibieron tratamiento; 12 recibieron bortezomib y 5 alquilantes. Cinco enfermos recibieron un trasplante cardiaco y 4, un autotrasplante de MO. Catorce enfermos alcanzaron respuesta hematológica completa y 10, respuesta de órganos. La supervivencia mediana fue de 17 meses. Conclusiones. La afectación cardiaca es el principal determinante pronóstico. La rentabilidad de las biopsias de órganos afectados es alta (100% biopsias cardiacas). El tratamiento antineoplásico con bortezomib y/o autotrasplante de MO consigue respuestas hematológicas con mejoría de la afectación de órganos (AU)

Background and objectives. AL amyloidosis is a rare condition whose management is undergoing changes due to recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. We describe a contemporary series of patients with AL amyloidosis to analyze the features that enable early diagnosis and optimal management. Patients and methods. We recruited for analysis 32 patients (19 women; mean age, 63 years) treated consecutively at our center. Results. Eighty-four percent of the patients presented with asthenia, dyspnea or edema, with a previous duration of symptoms of 8 months (median). Cardiac (21/32) and renal impairment were the most common type (11/32). All of the patients, except one, had a monoclonal component in serum/urine or abnormal values for free light chains (78%, ¿). The bone marrow (BM) showed clonal plasmacytosis in 29 cases. All of the cardiac biopsies and 50% of the BM biopsies showed amyloid deposits. The results of the echocardiogram and/or cardiac resonance were abnormal in 27/30 cases. The median NT-proBNP value at diagnosis was 5200 ng/ml. Thirteen patients died due to heart failure, 2 due to rejection after heart transplantation, 2 due to pneumonia and 1 after a stroke. Ten patients did not undergo treatment, 12 were treated with bortezomib and 5 were treated with alkylating agents. Five patients underwent heart transplantation and 4 underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation. Fourteen patients achieved a complete hematologic response and 10 achieved organ response. The median survival was 17 months. Conclusions. Cardiac involvement is the major determinant of prognosis. Yield of involved organ biopsy is high (100% heart biopsies). Antineoplastic treatment with bortezomib and/or autologous bone marrow transplantation achieves hematological responses with improvements in organ impairment (AU)

Spreading codes enables the blind estimation of the hemodynamic response with short-events sequences.

Finite impulse response (FIR) filters are considered the least constrained option for the blind estimation of the hemodynamic response function (HRF). However, they have a tendency to yield unstable solutions in the case of short-events sequences. There are solutions based on regularization, e.g. smooth FIR (sFIR), but at the cost of a regularization penalty and prior knowledge, thus breaking the blind principle. In this study, we show that spreading codes (scFIR) outperforms FIR and sFIR in short-events sequences, thus enabling the blind and dynamic estimation of the HRF without numerical instabilities and the regularization penalty. The scFIR approach was applied in short-events sequences of simulated and experimental functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. In general terms, scFIR performed the best with both simulated and experimental data. While FIR was unable to compute the blind estimation of two simulated target HRFs for the shortest sequences (15 and 31 events) and sFIR yielded shapes barely correlated with the targets, scFIR achieved a normalized correlation coefficient above 0.9. Furthermore, scFIR was able to estimate in a responsive way dynamic changes of the amplitude of a simulated target HRF more accurately than FIR and sFIR. With experimental fMRI data, the ability of scFIR to estimate the real HRF obtained from a training data set was superior in terms of correlation and mean-square error. The use of short-events sequences for the blind estimation of the HRF could benefit patients in terms of scanning time or intensity of magnetic field in clinical tests. Furthermore, short-events sequences could be used, for instance, on the online detection of rapid shifts of visual attention that, according to literature, entails rapid changes in the amplitude of the HRF.

Arsenate removal with 3-mercaptopropanoic acid-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

In the present work, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) surface-coated with 3-mercaptopropanoic acid (3-MPA) were prepared and their feasibility for the removal of arsenate from dilute aqueous solutions was demonstrated. The synthesized 3-MPA-coated SPION was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infra-red spectrometry (FTIR). Separation efficiency of the coated nanoparticles and the equilibrium isotherm of arsenate adsorption were investigated. The obtained results reveal the arsenate adsorption to be highly pH-dependent, and the maximum adsorption was attained in less than 60 min. The resulting increase of 3-MPA-coated SPION adsorption capacity to twice the adsorption capacity of SPION alone under the same conditions is attributed to the increase of active adsorption sites. An adsorption reaction is proposed. On the other hand, efficient recovery of arsenate from the loaded nanoparticles was achieved using nitric acid (HNO3) solution, which also provides a concentration over the original arsenate solution.

Light chain amyloidosis: Experience in a tertiary hospital: 2005-2013. / Amiloidosis de cadenas ligeras: experiencia en un hospital terciario 2005-2013.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: AL amyloidosis is a rare condition whose management is undergoing changes due to recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. We describe a contemporary series of patients with AL amyloidosis to analyze the features that enable early diagnosis and optimal management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We recruited for analysis 32 patients (19 women; mean age, 63 years) treated consecutively at our center. RESULTS: Eighty-four percent of the patients presented with asthenia, dyspnea or edema, with a previous duration of symptoms of 8 months (median). Cardiac (21/32) and renal impairment were the most common type (11/32). All of the patients, except one, had a monoclonal component in serum/urine or abnormal values for free light chains (78%, λ). The bone marrow (BM) showed clonal plasmacytosis in 29 cases. All of the cardiac biopsies and 50% of the BM biopsies showed amyloid deposits. The results of the echocardiogram and/or cardiac resonance were abnormal in 27/30 cases. The median NT-proBNP value at diagnosis was 5200 ng/ml. Thirteen patients died due to heart failure, 2 due to rejection after heart transplantation, 2 due to pneumonia and 1 after a stroke. Ten patients did not undergo treatment, 12 were treated with bortezomib and 5 were treated with alkylating agents. Five patients underwent heart transplantation and 4 underwent autologous bone marrow transplantation. Fourteen patients achieved a complete hematologic response and 10 achieved organ response. The median survival was 17 months. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac involvement is the major determinant of prognosis. Yield of involved organ biopsy is high (100% heart biopsies). Antineoplastic treatment with bortezomib and/or autologous bone marrow transplantation achieves hematological responses with improvements in organ impairment.

Automatic prediction of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations through home telemonitoring of symptoms.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive disease of the lung with a great prevalence and a remarkable socio-economic impact on patients and health systems. Early detection of exacerbations could diminish the adverse effects on patients' health and cut down costs burdened on patients with COPD. A group of 16 patients were telemonitored at home using a novel electronic daily symptoms questionnaire during a 6-months field trial. Recorded data were used to train and validate a Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) classifier in order to enable the automatic prediction of exacerbations. The proposed system was able to predict COPD exacerbations early with a margin of 4.8 ± 1.8 days (average ± SD). Detection accuracy was 80.5% (33 out of 41 exacerbations were early detected); 78.8% (26 out of 33) of theses detected events were reported exacerbation and 87.5% (7 out of 8) were unreported episodes. The proposed questionnaire and the designed automatic classifier could support the early detection of COPD exacerbations of benefit to both physicians and patients.

Dry EEG electrodes.

Electroencephalography (EEG) emerged in the second decade of the 20th century as a technique for recording the neurophysiological response. Since then, there has been little variation in the physical principles that sustain the signal acquisition probes, otherwise called electrodes. Currently, new advances in technology have brought new unexpected fields of applications apart from the clinical, for which new aspects such as usability and gel-free operation are first order priorities. Thanks to new advances in materials and integrated electronic systems technologies, a new generation of dry electrodes has been developed to fulfill the need. In this manuscript, we review current approaches to develop dry EEG electrodes for clinical and other applications, including information about measurement methods and evaluation reports. We conclude that, although a broad and non-homogeneous diversity of approaches has been evaluated without a consensus in procedures and methodology, their performances are not far from those obtained with wet electrodes, which are considered the gold standard, thus enabling the former to be a useful tool in a variety of novel applications.

Monitoring and analysis of cardio respiratory and snoring signals by using an accelerometer.

In this paper we present a system based on a sensor of acceleration for acquisition and monitoring of diverse physiological signals, by extracting respiratory, cardiac and snoring components inside the main source. Digital signal processing techniques used frequently in Biomedical Engineering have been used. The acceleration produced by the cardiac signals, the respiratory movements and the vibrations generated by the snores are detected with help of an accelerometer placed on the skin of the subject in not invasive way. The presented device allows the monitoring of several biomedical parameters: heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), Sympathetic, parasympathetic and baroreflex activity, respiratory rhythms and their variations (bradypnea - tachypnea), snoring and abdominal-thoracic efforts. A simple and effective method and device [1] is provided for helping to the diagnosis of Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (SAHS) and other breathing disorders.

A comparative study of grating and recognition visual acuity testing in children with anisometropic amblyopia without strabismus.

Bailey-Lovie-Ferris visual acuity charts and Teller visual acuity cards were used to compare recognition and grating visual acuity at near testing distances in 32 children with anisometropic amblyopia without strabismus. Appropriate optical corrections were worn. Test-retest intraobserver reliability was higher for letters (r =.95) than for gratings (r = .68). Using 20/30 visual acuity or better as the criterion for normal visual acuity, eight eyes with letter visual acuities ranging from 20/42 to 20/138 would have been inaccurately found to be normal by using the Teller visual acuity cards alone. Grating visual acuity measurements tended to be better than letter visual acuity; and, in general, they did not worsen proportionately with poorer letter visual acuity.