Predicting alcohol relapse post-detoxification: The role of cognitive impairments in alcohol use disorder patients.

BACKGROUND: Studies on early abstinence suggest that cognitive function is significantly reduced in the first year of abstinence, which raises the question of whether it is relevant to early relapse in patients with substance use disorders. This study investigates the extent to which impairments in executive function and memory predict alcohol relapse in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Understanding these relationships is crucial for improving therapeutic approaches to prevent relapse in patients with AUD. METHODS: We selected 116 adult patients (79 male and 37 female) diagnosed with AUD based on DSM-5 criteria, all of whom were undergoing alcohol detoxification treatment. A comprehensive array of neuropsychological tests was administered to assess global cognition, memory, and executive functions. Patients' alcohol use was monitored monthly during a 6-month follow-up period. Logistic regression and Cox regression were used to explore the relationship between cognitive function and the likelihood of alcohol relapse. RESULTS: Impairments in global cognition, semantic and phonemic fluency, cognitive flexibility, and learning ability during detoxification were significant predictors of relapse in AUD patients, showing similar predictive values at both 3 and 6 months post-treatment. An abnormal Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score increased the risk of relapse by 123% (HR: 2.227), and impairments in both semantic and phonemic fluency each increased the risk by 142% (HR: 2.423). Additionally, abnormal performance on the MoCA, Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B), and California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) was associated with a higher number of drinking days at 3 months (IRR: 3.764; IRR: 2.237; IRR: 2.738, respectively) and abnormal MoCA and TMT-B scores at 6 months (IRR: 2.451; IRR: 1.859, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The MoCA test is a valuable tool for predicting relapse risk in AUD patients undergoing detoxification treatment, with similar predictive value for relapse at 3 or 6 months. Learning ability needs to be assessed and their impairments considered in the treatment of AUD patients. Future research should explore strategies for managing patients with impairments in memory and learning ability to enhance treatment effectiveness and prevent relapse.

The Muscleblind-like protein MBL-1 regulates microRNA expression in Caenorhabditis elegans through an evolutionarily conserved autoregulatory mechanism.

The Muscleblind-like (MBNL) family is a highly conserved set of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that regulate RNA metabolism during the differentiation of various animal tissues. Functional insufficiency of MBNL affects muscle and central nervous system development, and contributes to the myotonic dystrophies (DM), a set of incurable multisystemic disorders. Studies on the regulation of MBNL genes are essential to provide insight into the gene regulatory networks controlled by MBNL proteins and to understand how dysregulation within these networks causes disease. In this study, we demonstrate the evolutionary conservation of an autoregulatory mechanism that governs the function of MBNL proteins by generating two distinct protein isoform types through alternative splicing. Our aim was to further our understanding of the regulatory principles that underlie this conserved feedback loop in a whole-organismal context, and to address the biological significance of the respective isoforms. Using an alternative splicing reporter, our studies show that, during development of the Caenorhabditis elegans central nervous system, the orthologous mbl-1 gene shifts production from long protein isoforms that localize to the nucleus to short isoforms that also localize to the cytoplasm. Using isoform-specific CRISPR/Cas9-generated strains, we showed that expression of short MBL-1 protein isoforms is required for healthy neuromuscular function and neurodevelopment, while expression of long MBL-1 protein isoforms is dispensable, emphasizing a key role for cytoplasmic functionalities of the MBL-1 protein. Furthermore, RNA-seq and lifespan analyses indicated that short MBL-1 isoforms are crucial regulators of miRNA expression and, in consequence, required for normal lifespan. In conclusion, this study provides support for the disruption of cytoplasmic RNA metabolism as a contributor in myotonic dystrophy and paves the way for further exploration of miRNA regulation through MBNL proteins during development and in disease models.

Qualidade de vida das pessoas com cancro da próstata: Um modelo de cuidados de enfermagem / Quality of life of prostate cancer patients: A nursing care model / Calidad de vida de los pacientes con patología oncológica prostática: Un modelo de cuidados de enfermería

Resumo Enquadramento: O cancro representa uma experiência dramática na vida de qualquer pessoa, perturbando a sua homeostasia. Dado o envelhecimento da população e a sobrevivência mais prolongada destes doentes, é essencial melhorar a sua qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Desenvolver e implementar um modelo de acompanhamento em enfermagem centrado nas vulnerabilidades dos doentes com cancro da próstata, a fim de melhorar a sua qualidade de vida. Metodologia: Estudo piloto realizado através da aplicação das escalas QLQ-INFO25 e HADS e de uma entrevista, na consulta de ambulatório de um hospital privado, a seis doentes com cancro da próstata. Resultados: Alterações nas dimensões da qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde. A implementação do modelo de acompanhamento permitiu concluir que "educação em saúde, autoconfiança e atitude" são aspetos essenciais no trabalho dos enfermeiros com estes doentes. O trabalho direcionado às vulnerabilidades dos doentes melhorou a sua qualidade de vida. Conclusão: O modelo contribui para a promoção da saúde e do bem-estar, prevenção de complicações e aumento da satisfação. O trabalho individualizado da equipa melhora a qualidade de vida destes doentes.

Abstract Background: Cancer constitutes a dramatic life experience, disrupting homeostasis. With population aging and prolonged survival in cancer patients, it is essential to increase their quality of life. Objective: To develop and implement a nursing follow-up model focused on the vulnerabilities of patients with prostate cancer in order to improve their quality of life. Methodology: A pilot study was conducted on six patients with prostate cancer. Data were collected through the application of the QLQ-INFO25 and HADS and interviews in the outpatient consultation of a private hospital. Results: Changes in the dimensions of health-related quality of life. Implementing the follow-up model revealed that "health education, self-confidence, and attitude" are essential aspects of the nurses' work with these patients. Working on patients' vulnerabilities improved their quality of life. Conclusion: The model benefits health promotion, well-being, complication prevention, and increased satisfaction. The team's individualized work improves these patients' quality of life.

Resumen Marco contextual: La enfermedad oncológica representa una experiencia dramática en la vida de cualquier persona, ya que altera la homeostasis. Dado el envejecimiento de la población y la supervivencia más prolongada de estos pacientes, es esencial aumentar su calidad de vida. Objetivo: Desarrollar e implantar un modelo de seguimiento de enfermería centrado en las vulnerabilidades de los pacientes con enfermedad oncológica prostática para mejorar su calidad de vida. Metodología: Se llevó a cabo un estudio piloto en el que se aplicaron las escalas QLQ-INFO25 y HADS, y una entrevista en la consulta externa de un hospital privado a seis pacientes con cáncer de próstata. Resultados: Cambios en las dimensiones de la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. La implementación del modelo de seguimiento nos permitió concluir que "la educación sanitaria, la autoconfianza y la actitud" son aspectos esenciales del trabajo de los enfermeros con estos pacientes. Trabajar sobre las vulnerabilidades de los pacientes mejoró su calidad de vida. Conclusión: El modelo beneficia la promoción de la salud, el bienestar, la prevención de complicaciones y el aumento de la satisfacción. El trabajo individualizado del equipo mejora la calidad de vida de estos pacientes.

Assessment of coarse, fine, and ultrafine particulate matter at different microenvironments of fire stations.

The concentrations of respirable particulate matter (PM) and the impact on indoor air quality in occupational settings remains poorly characterized. This study assesses, for the first time, the cumulative and non-cumulative concentrations of 14 fractions of coarse (3.65-9.88 µm), fine (0.156-2.47 µm), and ultrafine (0.015-0.095 µm) PM inside the garage of heavy vehicles, firefighting personal protective equipment' storage room, bar, and a common area of seven Portuguese fire stations. Sampling campaigns were performed during a regular work week at the fire stations. Levels of daily total cumulative PM ranged from 277.4 to 413.2 µg/m3 (maximum values of 811.4 µg/m3), with the bar (370.1 µg/m3) and the PPE' storage room (361.3 µg/m3) presenting slightly increased levels (p > 0.05) than the common area (324.8 µg/m3) and the garage (339.4 µg/m3). The location of the sampling site, the proximity to local industries and commercial activities, the layout of the building, the heating system used, and indoor sources influenced the PM concentrations. Fine (193.8-301.0 µg/m3) and ultrafine (41.3-78.2 µg/m3) particles were predominant in the microenvironments of all fire stations and accounted for 71.5% and 17.8% of daily total cumulative levels, respectively; coarse particles (23.3-47.1 µg/m3) represented 10.7% of total PM. The permissible exposure limit (5.0 mg/m3) defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Organization for respirable dust was not overcome in the evaluated fire stations. Results suggest firefighters' regular exposure to fine and ultrafine PM inside fire stations which will contribute to cardiorespiratory health burden. Further studies are needed to characterize firefighters' exposure to fine and ultrafine PM inside fire stations, identify main emission sources, and evaluate the contribution of exposures at fire stations to firefighters' occupational health risks.

Afetividade e ambiente de trabalho dos enfermeiros: estudo transversal / Afectividad y ambiente de trabajo de enfermeros: estudio transversal / Affectivity, and nurses' work environmente: a cross-sectional study

Objetivo:identificar as relações de afetividade estabelecidas no ambiente de trabalho dos enfermeiros. Método:estudo quantitativo, do tipo analítico, transversalcomposto por 72 Enfermeiros a trabalharem nos serviços de internamento e de urgência. Foram aplicadas as escalas do "Bem-estar Psicológico", "Estilo de Vida Fantástico" e "Ambiente de Trabalho da Prática de Enfermagem". Resultados:a amostra é constituída maioritariamente por enfermeiras (80,6%);solteiras (61,1%);94,4% quase sempre tem alguém com quem conversar sobre assuntos importantes e 88,9% relatamquase sempre dar e receber carinho. Falta de afetoimpacta negativamente na perceção da colaboração entre médicos e enfermeiros, atualização dos planos de cuidados de enfermagem e relevância do diagnóstico de enfermagem. Conclusão:verificou-se um desequilíbrio nas dimensões afetividade e relações interpessoais, as quais influenciam negativamente a qualidade no ambiente de trabalho.

Objective:explore the relationship between affectivityand the nurses' work environment. Method:quantitative, analytical, cross-sectional studycomposed of 72 nurses working in inpatient and emergency services. The scales of "Psychological Well-being", "Fantastic Lifestyle" and "Nursing Practice Work Environment" were applied. Results:the sample consists mostly of nurses (80,6%), single (61,1%), 94,4% almost always have someone to talk to about important matters and 88.9% report almost always giving and receiving affection. Lack of affection negatively impacts the perception of collaboration between doctors and nurses, updating of nursing care plans, and the relevance of the nursing diagnosis. Conclusion:there was an imbalance in the affectivityand interpersonal relationships,which negatively influence the quality of the work environment.

Objetivo:explorar la relación entre la afectividady el ambiente de trabajo de los enfermeros. Método:estudio cuantitativo, analítico, transversalcompuesto por 72 enfermeros que actúan en servicios de hospitalización y urgencias. Se aplicaron las escalas de "Bienestar Psicológico", "Estilo de Vida Fantástico" y "AmbienteLaboral de la Práctica de Enfermería". Resultados:la muestra está compuesta en su mayoría por enfermeras (80,6%), solteras (61,1%), el 94,4% casi siempre tiene con quien hablar de asuntos importantes y el 88,9% refiere casi siempre dar y recibir cariño. La falta de afecto impacta negativamente en la percepción de colaboración entre médicos y enfermeras, la actualización de los planes de atención de enfermería y la pertinencia del diagnóstico de enfermería. Conclusión:hubo un desequilibrio en las dimensiones afectividad y relaciones interpersonales, que influyen negativamente en la calidad del ambiente de trabajo.

The Burnout of Nurses in Intensive Care Units and the Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: The world's population changed with the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Burnout arises due to overwork, prolonged work periods, a lack of human and material resources, etc. Several studies have reported the incidence of burnout syndrome in nurses that work in intensive care units (ICUs). The aim was to map the scientific evidence related to nurses' burnout in the ICU, namely the repercussions of SARS-CoV-2 in terms of burnout among nurses. METHODS: A scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology guidelines to search for and synthesise studies published between 2019 and 2022. The databases searched were MEDLINE, CINAHL, LILACS, SCOPUS, PsycINFO and OPEN GREY. A total of fourteen articles were eligible to be included. RESULTS: A content analysis of the selected articles was carried out, and three categories emerged that corresponded to the dimensions of burnout according to Maslach and Leiter: emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation dimension and a lack of personal accomplishment. It was evident that nurses who worked in the ICU during the pandemic showed high levels of burnout. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that hospital administrations hire health professionals, namely nurses, as a strategic and operational management strategy to reduce the risk of increased burnout during pandemic outbreaks.

Modelling Hyperglycaemia in an Epithelial Membrane Model: Biophysical Characterisation.

Biomimetic models are valuable platforms to improve our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms governing membrane-driven processes in (patho)physiological conditions, including membrane permeability, transport, and fusion. However, current membrane models are over simplistic and do not include the membrane's lipid remodelling in response to extracellular stimuli. Our study describes the synthesis of glycated dimyristoyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE-glyc), which was structurally characterised by mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and quantified by NMR spectroscopy to be further incorporated in a complex phospholipid (PL) membrane model enriched in cholesterol (Chol) and (glyco)sphingolipids (GSL) designed to mimic epithelial membranes (PL/Chol/GSL) under hyperglycaemia conditions. Characterisation of synthesised DMPE-glyc adducts by tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) show that synthetic DMPE-glyc adducts correspond to Amadori products and quantification by 1H NMR spectroscopy show that the yield of glycation reaction was 8%. The biophysical characterisation of the epithelial membrane model shows that excess glucose alters the thermotropic behaviour and fluidity of epithelial membrane models likely to impact permeability of solutes. The epithelial membrane models developed to mimic normo- and hyperglycaemic scenarios are the basis to investigate (poly)phenol-lipid and drug-membrane interactions crucial in nutrition, pharmaceutics, structural biochemistry, and medicinal chemistry.

Complementary roles for auxin and auxin signalling revealed by reverse engineering lateral root stable prebranch site formation.

Priming is the process through which periodic elevations in auxin signalling prepattern future sites for lateral root formation, called prebranch sites. Thus far, the extent to which elevations in auxin concentration and/or auxin signalling are required for priming and prebranch site formation has remained a matter of debate. Recently, we discovered a reflux-and-growth mechanism for priming generating periodic elevations in auxin concentration that subsequently dissipate. Here, we reverse engineer a mechanism for prebranch site formation that translates these transient elevations into a persistent increase in auxin signalling, resolving the prior debate into a two-step process of auxin concentration-mediated initial signal and auxin signalling capacity-mediated memorization. A crucial aspect of the prebranch site formation mechanism is its activation in response to time-integrated rather than instantaneous auxin signalling. The proposed mechanism is demonstrated to be consistent with prebranch site auxin signalling dynamics, lateral inhibition, and symmetry-breaking mechanisms and perturbations in auxin homeostasis.

Exposure to PAHs during Firefighting Activities: A Review on Skin Levels, In Vitro/In Vivo Bioavailability, and Health Risks.

Occupational exposure as a firefighter is a complex activity that continuously exposes subjects to several health hazards including fire emissions during firefighting. Firefighters are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), known as toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic compounds, by inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion. In this work, a literature overview of firefighters' dermal exposure to PAHs after firefighting and data retrieved from skin in vitro/in vivo studies related to their dermal absorption, bioavailability, and associated toxicological and carcinogenic effects are reviewed. The evidence demonstrates the contamination of firefighters' skin with PAHs, mainly on the neck (2.23-62.50 ng/cm2), wrists (0.37-8.30 ng/cm2), face (2.50-4.82 ng/cm2), and hands (1.59-4.69 ng/cm2). Concentrations of possible/probable carcinogens (0.82-33.69 ng/cm2), including benzopyrene isomers, were found on firefighters' skin. PAHs penetrate the skin tissues, even at low concentrations, by absorption and/or diffusion, and are locally metabolized and distributed by the blood route to other tissues/organs. Lighter PAHs presented increased dermal permeabilities and absorption rates than heavier compounds. Topical PAHs activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and promote the enzymatic generation of reactive intermediates that may cause protein and/or DNA adducts. Future research should include in vitro/in vivo assays to perform a more realistic health risk assessment and to explore the contribution of dermal exposure to PAHs total internal dose.

The Burnout of Nurses in Intensive Care Units and the Impact of the Pandemic of SARS-CoV-2: Protocol of a Scoping Review.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has brought multiple challenges for health institutions and their professionals. The requirement of this disease forced nurses to confront organizational and clinical challenges to maintain the quality standards of care they provide. These requirements may have contributed to increased burnout symptoms. This study aims to map the scientific evidence related to nurses' burnout in intensive care units. Methods: A scoping review will be conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. Relevant databases will be used as well as grey literature, where the following words will be used: burnout, nurses, intensive care units and SARS-CoV-2. Results: This scoping review will include all types of studies-quantitative, qualitative and mixed-and all types of reviews that focus on the objective of this review. Conclusions: It is vital to determine the impact of the burnout caused by the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 to assess amending measures of risk and protection factors. This will help in the implementation of guidelines according to the available evidence. Additionally, this will help to improve the skills of these professionals as well as to reduce their emotional and physical exhaustion. This protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework.

Asymmetric inheritance of RNA toxicity in C. elegans expressing CTG repeats.

Nucleotide repeat expansions are a hallmark of over 40 neurodegenerative diseases and cause RNA toxicity and multisystemic symptoms that worsen with age. Through an unclear mechanism, RNA toxicity can trigger severe disease manifestation in infants if the repeats are inherited from their mother. Here we use Caenorhabditis elegans bearing expanded CUG repeats to show that this asymmetric intergenerational inheritance of toxicity contributes to disease pathogenesis. In addition, we show that this mechanism is dependent on small RNA pathways with maternal repeat-derived small RNAs causing transcriptomic changes in the offspring, reduced motility, and shortened lifespan. We rescued the toxicity phenotypes in the offspring by perturbing the RNAi machinery in the affected hermaphrodites. This points to a novel mechanism linking maternal bias and the RNAi machinery and suggests that toxic RNA is transmitted to offspring, causing disease phenotypes through intergenerational epigenetic inheritance.

Multidimensional chromatin profiling of zebrafish pancreas to uncover and investigate disease-relevant enhancers.

The pancreas is a central organ for human diseases. Most alleles uncovered by genome-wide association studies of pancreatic dysfunction traits overlap with non-coding sequences of DNA. Many contain epigenetic marks of cis-regulatory elements active in pancreatic cells, suggesting that alterations in these sequences contribute to pancreatic diseases. Animal models greatly help to understand the role of non-coding alterations in disease. However, interspecies identification of equivalent cis-regulatory elements faces fundamental challenges, including lack of sequence conservation. Here we combine epigenetic assays with reporter assays in zebrafish and human pancreatic cells to identify interspecies functionally equivalent cis-regulatory elements, regardless of sequence conservation. Among other potential disease-relevant enhancers, we identify a zebrafish ptf1a distal-enhancer whose deletion causes pancreatic agenesis, a phenotype previously found to be induced by mutations in a distal-enhancer of PTF1A in humans, further supporting the causality of this condition in vivo. This approach helps to uncover interspecies functionally equivalent cis-regulatory elements and their potential role in human disease.

Aspectos valorizados pelos enfermeiros perante a dor crônica de uma pessoa em cuidados paliativos / Aspectos valorados por las enfermeras ante el dolor crónico de una persona en cuidados paliativos / Aspects valued by nurses in the face of chronic pain of a person in palliative care

Objetivo: identificar os aspectos valorizados pelos enfermeiros de uma unidade de cuidados continuados perante a dor crônica de uma pessoa em cuidados paliativos. Método: estudo qualitativo, descritivo, exploratório, sob a perspectiva construtivista. Coleta de dados efetuada através de entrevista semiestruturada a sete enfermeiros de Portugal de forma não aleatória, e efetuada análise de conteúdo. Resultados: através dos relatos dos participantes identificou-se que os enfermeiros perante a dor crônica valorizam vários aspectos, como: comunicação verbal e não-verbal, dimensão psicológica, dimensão emocional, reações físicas, resposta alimentar e a sintomatologia. Conclusões: é fundamental a implementação de uma abordagem que privilegie a pessoa e que a dor seja entendida numa dimensão científica, antropológica e subjetiva. Os enfermeiros devem assim desenvolver uma atitude de avaliação e de escuta ativa de forma a determinar e caracterizar a dor no sistema pessoal e familiar.(AU)

Objective: to identify the aspects valued by nurses in a care unit in the face of chronic pain of a person in palliative care. Method: qualitative, descriptive, exploratory study. Data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews with seven nurses at random, and content analysis was performed. Results: through the participant ́s reports, we found that nurses in the face of chronic pain value several aspects, such as: verbal, non-verbal communication, psychological dimension, emotional dimension, physical reactions, food response and symptomatology. Conclusions: it is essential to implement an approach that privileges the person, and that pain is understood in a scientific, anthropological, and subjective dimension. Nurses should thus develop an attitude of evaluation and active listening to determine and characteristic pain in the personal and family system.(AU)

Objetivo: identificar los aspectos valorados por las enfermeras en una unidad de cuidados ante el dolor crónico de una persona en cuidados paliativos. Método: estudio cualitativo, descriptivo, exploratorio. La recolección de datos se realizó a través de entrevistas semiestructuradas con siete enfermeras, y se realizó un análisis de contenido. Resultados: a través de los informes de los participantes, se encontró que las enfermeras frente al dolor crónico valoran varios aspectos, tales como: comunicación verbal, no verbal, dimensión psicológica, dimensión emocional, reacciones físicas, respuesta alimentaria y sintomatología. Conclusiones: es fundamental implementar un enfoque que privilegia a la persona y que el dolor se entienda en una dimensión científica, antropológica y subjetiva. Por lo tanto, las enfermeras deben desarrollar una actitud de evaluación y escucha activa para determinar y característica del dolor en el sistema personal y familiar.(AU)

Patient navigation to promote lung cancer screening in a community health center for people experiencing homelessness: Protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is a major cause of death among people experiencing homelessness, with mortality rates more than double those in the general population. Lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) could reduce lung cancer deaths in this population, although the circumstances of homelessness present multiple barriers to LCS LDCT completion. Patient navigation is a promising strategy for overcoming these barriers. METHODS: The Investigating Navigation to Help Advance Lung Equity (INHALE) Study is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial of patient navigation for LCS among individuals receiving primary care at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP). Three hundred BHCHP patients who meet Medicare/Medicaid criteria for LCS will be randomized 2:1 to usual care with (n = 200) or without (n = 100) LCS navigation. Following a structured, theory-based protocol, the patient navigator assists with each step in the LCS process, providing lung cancer education, facilitating shared decision-making visits with primary care providers (PCPs), assisting in making and attending LCS LDCT appointments, arranging follow-up when needed, and offering tobacco cessation support for smokers. The primary outcome is receipt of LCS LDCT at 6 months. Using a sequential explanatory mixed methods approach, qualitative interviews with participants and PCPs will aid in interpreting and contextualizing the trial results. DISCUSSION: This trial will produce the first experimental evidence on patient navigation for cancer screening in a homeless health care setting. Results could inform cancer health equity efforts at the 299 Health Care for the Homeless programs that serve over 900,000 patients annually in the US.

[Pharmacological Treatment of Alcohol Withdrawal]. / Tratamento Farmacológico da Síndrome de Abstinência Alcoólica.

INTRODUCTION: Excessive chronic alcohol users, and particularly patients with alcohol use disorder, may present an alcohol withdrawal syndrome if they abruptly stop drinking. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome requires pharmacological treatment for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms and to prevent withdrawal complications. Medically assisted withdrawal treatment is used in alcohol treatment units, but it is also frequently required in patients admitted to hospital for other conditions. METHODS: Review of major guidelines covering treatment of withdrawal syndrome with the aim to describe recent evidence and recommendations about the pharmacological treatment for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. RESULTS: Four major guidelines concerning treatment of withdrawal syndrome were selected (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, American Society of Addiction Medicine, World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry and American Psychiatric Association) and screened for the recommendations and level of evidence on drug prescribing for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The Maudsley guidelines were also considered in this review. DISCUSSION: All the four reviewed guidelines recommended benzodiazepines as the first line treatment for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. The association of anticonvulsivants, adrenergic alpha-2 agonists, betablockers and antipsychotics with benzodiazepines is recommended for symptom reduction in severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Thiamine should be administered to all patients to prevent Wernicke-Korsakoff encephalopathy. If there is any electrolytic imbalance it should be corrected. CONCLUSION: Maintaining a high level of suspicion for alcohol withdrawal syndrome is important across all clinical settings, and it should be promptly treated.

Introdução: Quando os consumidores excessivos crónicos de álcool, particularmente os indivíduos com o diagnóstico de perturbação de uso de álcool, suspendem abruptamente o consumo de bebidas alcoólicas, pode surgir um quadro clínico denominado síndrome de abstinência alcoólica. Nestes casos, é necessário muitas vezes instituir tratamento farmacológico para aliviar os sintomas e prevenir as complicações da abstinência. O tratamento farmacológico da síndrome de abstinência alcoólica é utilizado em unidades especializadas no tratamento de perturbação de uso de álcool, mas também pode ser necessário em serviços médico-cirúrgicos, quando esta síndrome se manifesta em doentes com perturbação de uso de álcool internados por patologias orgânicas.Métodos: Revisão de guidelines disponíveis na literatura sobre tratamento da síndrome de abstinência alcoólica com o objetivo de determinar qual o tratamento farmacológico recomendado.Resultados: Foram analisadas as quatro guidelines sobre tratamento farmacológico da síndrome de abstinência alcoólica (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, American Society of Addiction Medicine, World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry e American Psychiatric Association), em relação às suas recomendações e evidência da eficácia dos fármacos para tratamento da síndrome de abstinência alcoólica. Esta análise foi ainda complementada pela consulta das guidelines de Maudsley.Discussão: As guidelines analisadas recomendam, como tratamento de primeira linha, o uso de benzodiazepinas. A associação de anticonvulsivantes, agonistas adrenérgicos alfa-2, betabloqueantes e antipsicóticos com benzodiazepinas está recomendada para controlo sintomático em quadros de privação mais exuberantes. É recomendado administrar tiamina para profilaxia da encefalopatia de Wernicke-Korsakoff a todos os doentes. Caso existam desequilíbrios hidroelectrolíticos, estes deverão ser corrigidos.Conclusão: É fundamental manter um nível elevado de suspeita para o eventual aparecimento da síndrome de abstinência alcoólica em todos os contextos clínicos. Nesses casos, importa saber intervir precocemente.

Motor and visuomotor function in 10-year-old children with congenital heart disease: association with behaviour.

BACKGROUND: Children with CHD are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental impairments. There is little information on long-term motor function and its association with behaviour. AIMS: To assess motor function and behaviour in a cohort of 10-year-old children with CHD after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. METHODS: Motor performance and movement quality were examined in 129 children with CHD using the Zurich Neuromotor Assessment providing four timed and one qualitative component, and a total timed motor score was created based on the four timed components. The Beery Test of Visual-Motor Integration and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire were administered. RESULTS: All Zurich Neuromotor Assessment motor tasks were below normative values (all p ≤ 0.001), and the prevalence of poor motor performance (≤10th percentile) ranged from 22.2% to 61.3% in the different components. Visuomotor integration and motor coordination were poorer compared to norms (all p ≤ 0.001). 14% of all analysed children had motor therapy at the age of 10 years. Children with a total motor score ≤10th percentile showed more internalising (p = 0.002) and externalising (p = 0.028) behavioural problems. CONCLUSIONS: School-aged children with CHD show impairments in a variety of motor domains which are related to behavioural problems. Our findings emphasise that motor problems can persist into school-age and require detailed assessment and support.

Strategies for Preparation of Chiral Stationary Phases: Progress on Coating and Immobilization Methods.

Enantioselective chromatography is one of the most used techniques for the separation and purification of enantiomers. The most important issue for a specific successful enantioseparation is the selection of the suitable chiral stationary phase (CSP). Different synthetic approaches have been applied for the preparation of CSPs, which embrace coating and immobilization methods. In addition to the classical and broadly applied coating and immobilization procedures, innovating strategies have been introduced recently. In this review, an overview of different methods for the preparation of coated and immobilized CSPs is described. Updated examples of CSPs associated with the various strategies are presented. Considering that after the preparation of a CSP its characterization is fundamental, the methods used for the characterization of all the described CSPs are emphasized.

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in the Dark-Highlighting the Importance of Genetically Identifying Mosquito Populations in Subterranean Environments of Central Europe.

The common house mosquito, Culex pipiens s. l. is part of the morphologically hardly or non-distinguishable Culex pipiens complex. Upcoming molecular methods allowed us to identify members of mosquito populations that are characterized by differences in behavior, physiology, host and habitat preferences and thereof resulting in varying pathogen load and vector potential to deal with. In the last years, urban and surrounding periurban areas were of special interest due to the higher transmission risk of pathogens of medical and veterinary importance. Recently, surveys of underground habitats were performed to fully evaluate the spatial distribution of rare members of the Cx. pipiens complex in Europe. Subterranean environments and their contribution to mosquito-borne pathogen transmission are virtually unknown. Herein, we review the underground community structures of this species complex in Europe, add new data to Germany and provide the first reports of the Cx. pipiens complex and usually rarely found mosquito taxa in underground areas of Luxembourg. Furthermore, we report the first finding of Culiseta glaphyroptera in Luxembourg. Our results highlight the need for molecular specimen identifications to correctly and most comprehensively characterize subterranean mosquito community structures.