Plasma Inflammatory Biomarkers and Anorexia of Ageing among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: An Exploratory Analysis of the MAPT Study.

Anorexia of aging and biological aging might share physiological underpinnings. The aim of this secondary analysis was to investigate the associations between circulating inflammation-related markers and anorexia of aging in community-dwelling older adults. C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) were measured in plasma. Anorexia of aging was defined by the response "severe/moderate decrease in food intake" to the first item of the Mini-Nutritional Assessment. We included 463 subjects (median age=74y, IQR=71-78; 63.1% women). 33 subjects (7.1%) presented with anorexia at baseline, whereas 25 out of 363 (6.9%) developed it along 1-year follow-up. We found that TNFR1 (OR=1.74, 95%CI=1.27-2.39) and GDF-15 (OR=1.38, 95%CI=1.01-1.89) were associated with a significant increase in the odds of presenting with anorexia of aging cross-sectionally. No further significant associations were found. Biological aging mechanisms might be involved in the pathogenesis of anorexia of aging.

Structural Analysis of Cu+ and Cu2+ Ions in Zeolite as a Nanoreactor with Antibacterial Applications.

In this work, we report the structural analysis of Cu+ and Cu2+ ions in zeolite as a nanoreactor with antibacterial applications. A simple one-step process was implemented to obtain Cu ions in zeolite A (ZA4) by controlling the temperature in the solutions to guarantee the ions' stability. Samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, showing the characteristic zeolite elements as well as the characteristic bands with slight modifications in the chemical environment of the zeolite nanoreactor attributed to Cu ions by FT-IR spectroscopy. In addition, a shift of the characteristic peaks of ZA4 in X-ray diffraction was observed as well as a decrease in relative peak intensity. On the other hand, the antibacterial activity of Cu ions in the zeolite nanoreactor was evaluated.

Constraint of the Nuclear Dissipation Coefficient in Fission of Hypernuclei.

Experimental studies of nuclear fission induced by fusion, transfer, spallation, fragmentation, and electromagnetic reactions in combination with state-of-the-art calculations are successful to investigate the nuclear dissipation mechanism in normal nuclear matter, containing only nucleons. The dissipation mechanism has been widely studied by the use of many different fission observables and nowadays the dissipation coefficients involved in transport theories are well constrained. However, the existence of hypernuclei and the possible presence of hyperons in neutron stars make it necessary to extend the investigation of the nuclear dissipation coefficient to the strangeness sector. In this Letter, we use fission reactions of hypernuclei to constrain for the first time the dissipation coefficient in hypernuclear matter, observing that this coefficient increases a factor of 6 in the presence of a single Λ hyperon with respect to normal nuclear matter.

Adaptación transcultural y validación del cuestionario STOP-bang del inglés al español como herramienta de detección precoz del síndrome de apnea del sueño en el paciente quirúrgico y en la población general / Cross-cultural adaptation and Validation of the STOP-bang Questionnaire from English to Spanish as a tool for the early detection of sleep apnea syndrome in the surgical patient and in the general population

Introduccion: El síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño (SAOS) o síndrome de apnea-hipoapnea (SAHS) es uno de los trastornos del sueño más prevalentes en la población general. Está asociado a un aumento en la prevalencia de intubación orotraqueal difícil y de las complicaciones postoperatorias. Se recomienda la aplicación de tests de detección precoz validados como el test en inglés de STOP-bang (STBC); un test de alta calidad metodológica, sensibilidad y especificidad en la detección precoz del SAHS tanto en la población quirúrgica como general. Objetivo: La validación, traducción y adaptación cultural del test STBC a la población española. Material y metodos: Se realizó la adaptación transcultural del STBC al español y un estudio de validación posterior con 77 pacientes consecutivos. El análisis estadístico evaluó la fiabilidad, la validez y la factibilidad de la versión traducida y adaptada culturalmente. Resultados: Se incluyeron el 44% de mujeres y el 56% de varones con una edad media de 53,58±12,88 años. Los resultados en la fiabilidad fueron: un coeficiente alfa de Cronbach de 0,767, una correlación de Pearson r=0,777 (p<0,001) y una correlación de Sperman rho=0,455 (p=0,044). La factibilidad del estudio fue del 100%. La validez de criterio se evaluó mediante el coeficiente Kappa que fué de 0,444. Para una puntuación >3 del cuestionario adaptado al español los resultados de sensibilidad y de especificidad según los distintos niveles de corte del índice apnea hipoapnea (IAH)>5, >15 y >30) fueron: sensibilidad del 87, 91 y 100%, respectivamente, y de especificidad del 50, 31 y 22%, respectivamente.(AU)

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) or apnea-hypoapnea syndrome (SAHS) is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders in the general population. It is associated with an increase in the prevalence of difficult orotracheal intubation and postoperative complications. The application of validated early detection tests,such the STOP-Bang test in English (STBC), is recommended; a test of high methodological quality, sensitivity and specificity in the early detection of SAHS in both surgical and general populations. Objective: The validation, translation, cross-cultural adaptation of the STBC to the Spanish population. Material and methods: The transcultural adaptation of the STBC to Spanish was carried out and a subsequent validation study with 77 consecutive patients was carried out. The statistical analysis evaluated the reliability, validity and feasibility of the translated and culturally adapted version. Results: 44% of women and 56% of men were included,with a mean age of 53.58±12.88 years. The reliability results were: a Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient of 0.767, a Pearson correlation r=.777 (P<.001) and a Sperman correlation rho=.455 (P=.044). The feasibility of the study was 100%. Criterion validity was evaluated using the Kappa coefficient, which was 0.444. For a score >3 of the questionnaire adapted to Spanish, the results of sensitivity, specificity according to the different cut-off levels of the apnea hypopnea index (AHI)>5, >15, >30) were: Sensitivity 87%, 91% and 100% respectively and Specificity of 50%, 31% and 22%. Conclusions: The STBC questionnaire translated, adapted and validated into Spanish, evaluated in the present study, is reliable and valid with respect to the original design of the questionnaire. It is a useful tool that is easy to understand and implement, which can be used rigorously to stratify surgical risk and carry out adequate perioperative planning of those patients at risk of SAHS.(AU)

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the STOP-bang Questionnaire from English to Spanish as a tool for the early detection of sleep apnea syndrome in the surgical patient and in the general population.

INTRODUCTION: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) or Apnea-Hypoapnea Syndrome (SAHS) is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders in the general population. It is associated with an increase in the prevalence of difficult orotracheal intubation and postoperative complications. The application of validated early detection tests, such the STOPbang test in English (STBC), is recommended; a test of high methodological quality, sensitivity and specificity in the early detection of SAHS in both surgical and general populations. OBJECTIVE: The validation, translation, cross-cultural adaptation of the STBC to the Spanish population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The transcultural adaptation of the STBC to Spanish was carried out and a subsequent validation study with 77 consecutive patients was carried out. The statistical analysis evaluated the reliability, validity and feasibility of the translated and culturally adapted version. RESULTS: 44% of women and 56% of men were included, with a mean age of 53.58 ± 12.88 years. The reliability results were: a Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient of 0.767, a Pearson correlation r = 0.777 (P < .001) and a Sperman correlation rho = 0.455 (P = .044). The feasibility of the study was 100%. Criterion validity was evaluated using the Kappa coefficient, which was 0.444. For a score >3 of the questionnaire adapted to Spanish, the results of sensitivity, specificity according to the different cut-off levels of the apnea hypopnea index (AHI) >5, >15, >30) were: Sensitivity 87%, 91% and 100% respectively and Specificity of 50%, 31% and 22%. CONCLUSIONS: The STBC questionnaire translated, adapted and validated into Spanish, evaluated in the present study, is reliable and valid with respect to the original design of the questionnaire. It is a useful tool that is easy to understand and implement, which can be used rigorously to stratify surgical risk and carry out adequate perioperative planning of those patients at risk of SAHS.

Circulating Levels of Apelin, GDF-15 and Sarcopenia: Lack of Association in the MAPT Study.

OBJECTIVES: Apelin and GDF-15 have been proposed as biomarkers of age-related sarcopenia but evidence in human models is scarce. This study aimed to explore the associations between blood apelin and GDF-15 with sarcopenia incidence and the evolution of sarcopenia components over two years in older adults >70 years. DESIGN: Secondary longitudinal analysis of the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial. PARTICIPANTS: Older adults (>70 years) attending primary care centers in France and Monaco. SETTING: Community. MEASUREMENTS: Serum Apelin (pg/mL) and plasma GDF-15 (pg/mL) were measured. Outcomes included sarcopenia defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) and its determinants (appendicular lean mass [ALM] evaluated through a Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scan, handgrip strength (HGS) and the 4-meter gait speed) measured over 2 years. Linear mixed models and logistic regression were used to explore the longitudinal associations. RESULTS: We included 168 subjects from MAPT (median age=76y, IQR=73-79; 78% women). Serum apelin was not significantly associated with sarcopenia incidence (OR=1.001;95%CI=1.000,1.001;p-value>0.05 in full-adjusted models) nor with ALM (ß=-5.8E-05;95%CI=-1.0E-04,2.12E-04;p>0.05), HGS (ß=-1.1E-04;95%CI=-5.0E-04,2.8E-04;p>0.05), and GS (ß=-5.1E-06;95%CI=-1.0E-05,2.0E-05;p>0.05) in fully adjusted models. Similarly, plasma GDF-15 was not associated with both the incidence of sarcopenia (OR=1.001,95%CI=1.000,1.002,p>0.05) and the evolution of its determinants ([ALM, ß=2.1E-05;95%CI=-2.6E-04,3.03E-04;p>0.05], HGS [ß=-5.9E-04;95%CI=-1.26E-03,8.1E-05; p>0.05] nor GS [ß=-2.6E-06;95%CI=-3.0E-05, 2.3E-05;p>0.05]) in fully adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS: Blood apelin and GDF-15 were not associated with sarcopenia incidence or with the evolution of sarcopenia components over a 2-year follow-up in community-dwelling older adults. Well-powered longitudinal studies are needed to confirm or refute our findings.

Estudio observacional del uso de etanercept biosimilar en el tratamiento de enfermedades reumáticas / Etanercept in rheumatic diseases: observational study

Objetivos: 1.- Conocer la respuesta a etanercept biosimilar (E-BS) en pacientes naive y en pacientes a los que se realizó cambio desde el de referencia (E-R), diagnosticados de enfermedades reumáticas. 2.- Evaluar el impacto económico de estas actuaciones.Métodos: Estudio observacional retrospectivo de 110 pacientes en tratamiento con etanercept (referencia y/o biosimilar). Se analizaron dos grupos de pacientes: 62 pacientes que iniciaron tratamiento con E-BS y 48 pacientes a los que se les realizó cambio desde E-R (switch), y se compararon con grupos control. Variables analizadas: edad, sexo, diagnóstico, tratamiento, unidades dispensadas, modificaciones del tratamiento, motivo de suspensión o cambio, fecha de suspensión y tiempo de seguimiento. Se comparó el coste de la utilización del biosimilar y del que hubiera supuesto el de referencia.Resultados: Las tasas de retención observadas fueron: 65% en los naive (p=0,002) y 90% en los switch. En pacientes naive, el principal motivo de cambio fue respuesta parcial o insuficiente (90%) y en switch posible efecto nocebo (60%). No se observaron reacciones adversas. Al comparar estos grupos con poblaciones control, la principal diferencia fue la proporción de pacientes en los que se mantuvo tratamiento con E-BS frente a E-R, en pacientes naive (65% vs 34%; p=0,003) y switch (90% vs 27%; p<0,0001). La utilización de E-BS supuso un ahorro de 653.668 €.Conclusiones: La utilización de E-BS no fue diferente del E-R en cuanto a resultados clínicos y, desde el punto de vista económico, supone un ahorro sustancial que se debe considerar como medida que ayude a la sostenibilidad del sistema. (AU)

Objetive: 1.- To know the response to biosimilar etanercept (E-BS) in naive patients and in patients who change from the reference (E-R), diagnosed with rheumatic diseases. 2.- To evaluate the economic impact of these actions.Methods: Retrospective observational study of 110 patients in treatment with etanercept (reference and/or biosimilar). Two groups of patients were analyzed: 62 patients who started with E-BS and 48 patients who change from E-R (switch), and they were compared with control groups. Variables analyzed: age, sex, diagnosis, treatment, units dispensed, treatment modifications, reason for suspension or change, date of suspension and follow-up time. The cost of using the biosimilar was compared with that of the reference one.Results: The retention rates observed were: 65% in the naive (p=0.002) and 90% in switch. In naive patients, the main reason for change was partial or insufficient response (90%) and a possible nocebo effect in switch (60%). No adverse reactions were observed. When comparing these groups with control populations, the main difference was the proportion of patients in whom treatment with E-BS was maintained versus ER, in naive patients (65% vs 34%; p=0.003) and in switch (90% vs 27%; p<0.0001). The use of E-BS meant a saving of € 653,668.Conclusions: The use of E-BS was not different from the E-R in terms of clinical results and, from the economic point of view, represents a substantial saving that should be considered as a measure that helps the sustainability of the system. (AU)

Association of autologous punch grafting, TLC-NOSF dressing and multitype compression therapy to rapidly achieve wound closure in hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers.

OBJECTIVE: To document the efficacy of a combined therapeutic strategy in achieving rapid wound healing in patients with long-standing ulcers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Outpatients with hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers were included in an interventional, prospective, single-arm, mono-centre study and treated with autologous punch grafting, TLC-NOSF dressing and multi-type compression therapy. The primary outcome was the percentage of healed wounds by week 12. Secondary outcomes included time-to-reach wound closure, wound area reduction, treatment acceptability and safety. RESULTS: From November 2018 to October 2019, 42 patients with 51 ulcers were included (23 males, 70.6±40.8 years old, with multiple comorbidities). Despite poor wound healing prognosis at baseline (47% of recurrent ulcers, with a mean duration of 15 months and a mean area of 12.6cm2), wound healing was achieved in 47 ulcers (92%) after a mean period of treatment of 25±13 days. A relative wound area reduction>75% was also reached in three additional ulcers by the last evaluation visit. No adverse event related to the procedure was reported throughout the study period. The associated treatment were very well tolerated and accepted by the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluated procedure induced fast re-epithelisation of the treated ulcers. Based on our experience, this simple and successful reparative strategy may be considered as an interesting option in the treatment of venous leg ulcers of poor prognosis.

Evidence for a New Compact Symmetric Fission Mode in Light Thorium Isotopes.

Taking benefit of the R3B/SOFIA setup to measure the mass and the nuclear charge of both fission fragments in coincidence with the total prompt-neutron multiplicity, the scission configurations are inferred along the thorium chain, from the asymmetric fission in the heavier isotopes to the symmetric fission in the neutron-deficient thorium. Against all expectations, the symmetric scission in the light thorium isotopes shows a compact configuration, which is in total contrast to what is known in the fission of the heavier thorium isotopes and heavier actinides. This new main symmetric scission mode is characterized by a significant drop in deformation energy of the fission fragments of about 19 MeV, compared to the well-known symmetric scission in the uranium-plutonium region.

Neutral or acidic pH for the removal of contaminants of emerging concern in wastewater by solar photo-Fenton? A techno-economic assessment of continuous raceway pond reactors.

As far as the authors know, no in-depth comparison has been made between the different performances of the solar photo-Fenton process for the removal of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) as a function of pH. To this end, real WWTP secondary effluents were treated in continuous flow mode at pilot plant scale. The effect of hydraulic residence time (HRT), liquid depth and percentage of CEC removal on treatment capacity was studied. At acidic pH (2.8), the iron source was FeSO4 and at neutral pH (7.0), it was Fe(III)-EDDS. At both pH values, 2250 L m-2 d-1 can be treated in 15-cm deep raceway pond reactors at 30 min HRT with 0.1 mM iron and 0.88 mM H2O2 in order to achieve 80% CEC removal. Treatment costs were 0.25 € m-3 and 0.56 € m-3 at acidic and neutral pH, respectively. This study paves the way for the solar photo-Fenton process to be employed on a commercial scale.

[Exploratory analysis of the influence of cognitive reserve on the benefits of cognitive stimulation therapy in patients with sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease]. / Análisis exploratorio de la influencia de la reserva cognitiva sobre el beneficio de la terapia de estimulación cognitiva en pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer esporádica de inicio tardío.

INTRODUCTION: The main objective of cognitive stimulation therapies is to promote the plasticity and learning ability that the individual is still in possession of in old age and to delay the clinical manifestations of neurodegenerative processes such as Alzheimer-type dementia. There are variables that can mediate the benefits of the intervention, such as the cognitive reserve. AIM: To determine whether there is an interaction between the level of reserve and cognitive stimulation, and if it influences the cognitive performance of subjects with Alzheimer-type dementia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty subjects (age: 66-89) with Alzheimer-type dementia who attend a day centre participated in the study. A pretest-posttest controlled design was used. The pilot group took part in the intervention for six months. Patients were classified into two levels of cognitive reserve (high and low) and then a broad neuropsychological battery was applied to perform a comprehensive analysis of cognition. Pre- and post-intervention differences were analysed through a two-factor ANOVA, one with repeated measures (pre- and post-intervention scores) and another with independent measures (level of cognitive reserve). RESULTS: Interaction was found in the scores on the picture arrangement subtests (WAIS-III), failure to maintain the category and the percentage of errors in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. CONCLUSIONS: The positive effect of the interaction on the executive function has been observed, specifically in the capacities for planning and sequencing, perceptual organisation, response inhibition, logical reasoning and mental flexibility.

TITLE: Análisis exploratorio de la influencia de la reserva cognitiva sobre el beneficio de la terapia de estimulación cognitiva en pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer esporádica de inicio tardío.Introducción. El objetivo principal de las terapias de estimulación cognitiva consiste en promover la plasticidad y la capacidad de aprendizaje que aún se poseen en la vejez y retrasar las manifestaciones clínicas de procesos neurodegenerativos como la demencia tipo Alzheimer. Variables como la reserva cognitiva pueden mediar en los beneficios de la intervención. Objetivo. Conocer si existe interacción entre el nivel de reserva y la estimulación cognitiva, y si influye en el rendimiento cognitivo de sujetos con demencia tipo Alzheimer. Pacientes y métodos. Participaron 20 sujetos (edad: 66-89 años) con demencia tipo Alzheimer, usuarios de un centro de día. Se utilizó un diseño pretest-postest controlado. El grupo experimental participó en la intervención durante seis meses. Se clasificó a los pacientes en dos niveles de reserva cognitiva (alta y baja) y posteriormente se aplicó una amplia batería neuropsicológica para un análisis exhaustivo de la cognición. Se analizaron las diferencias pre y postintervención a través de un ANOVA de dos factores, uno de medidas repetidas (puntuaciones pre y postintervención) y otro de medidas independientes (nivel de reserva cognitiva). Resultados. En las puntuaciones de los subtests de historietas (WAIS-III), fracasos para mantener la categoría y porcentaje de errores del test de clasificación de tarjetas de Wisconsin se encontró interacción. Conclusiones. Se ha podido observar el efecto positivo de la interacción en la función ejecutiva, concretamente en las capacidades de planificación y secuenciación, organización perceptiva, inhibición de respuesta, razonamiento lógico y flexibilidad mental.

Removal of contaminants of emerging concern by continuous flow solar photo-Fenton process at neutral pH in open reactors.

For the first time, the operational feasibility of the solar photo-Fenton process at neutral pH in continuous flow has been tested for three consecutive days. The aim of the treatment was to remove of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) from wastewater treatment plant secondary effluents. To this end, a 5 cm-deep raceway pond reactor was run in continuous flow mode and the degradation of the CECs present in real secondary effluents was monitored at their natural concentrations. To keep dissolved iron at neutral pH, ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) was used to form the complex Fe(III):EDDS as an iron source for the photo-Fenton reactions. At pilot scale the effects of the Fe(III):EDDS molar ratio (1:1 and 1:2) and hydraulic residence time (HRT) (20 and 40 min) on CEC removal were studied. The best operating condition was 20 min of HRT, giving rise to a treatment capacity of 900 L m-2 d-1 with CEC removal percentages of around 60%. The reactant concentrations were 0.1 mM Fe(III):EDDS at a 1:1 M ratio and 0.88 mM H2O2. Under these operating conditions, the short-term stability of the process was also demonstrated, thus pointing out the potential of this solar technology as a tertiary treatment.

Fragmentation of Single-Particle Strength around the Doubly Magic Nucleus

Spectroscopic factors of neutron-hole and proton-hole states in ^{131}Sn and ^{131}In, respectively, were measured using one-nucleon removal reactions from doubly magic ^{132}Sn at relativistic energies. For ^{131}In, a 2910(50)-keV γ ray was observed for the first time and tentatively assigned to a decay from a 5/2^{-} state at 3275(50) keV to the known 1/2^{-} level at 365 keV. The spectroscopic factors determined for this new excited state and three other single-hole states provide first evidence for a strong fragmentation of single-hole strength in ^{131}Sn and ^{131}In. The experimental results are compared to theoretical calculations based on the relativistic particle-vibration coupling model and to experimental information for single-hole states in the stable doubly magic nucleus ^{208}Pb.

Upper deep venous thrombosis secondary to biceps brachii tear: A clinical case. / Trombosis venosa profunda del miembro superior secundaria a rotura musculotendinosa del bíceps braquial: a propósito de un caso clínico.

We describe an unusual case of axillary vein thrombosis after extensive muscular and fibrillar rupture of the long tendon of the right biceps brachii in a 43-year-old patient after an effort. The difficult diagnosis of this condition requires high suspicion and early treatment.

Prominence of Pairing in Inclusive (p,2p) and (p,pn) Cross Sections from Neutron-Rich Nuclei.

Fifty-five inclusive single nucleon-removal cross sections from medium mass neutron-rich nuclei impinging on a hydrogen target at ∼250 MeV/nucleon are measured at the RIKEN Radioactive Isotope Beam Factory. Systematically higher cross sections are found for proton removal from nuclei with an even number of protons as compared to odd-proton number projectiles for a given neutron separation energy. Neutron removal cross sections display no even-odd splitting, contrary to nuclear cascade model predictions. Both effects are understood through simple considerations of neutron separation energies and bound state level densities originating in pairing correlations in the daughter nuclei. These conclusions are supported by comparison with semimicroscopic model predictions, highlighting the enhanced role of low-lying level densities in nucleon-removal cross sections from loosely bound nuclei.