Contact probing of prestressed adhesive membranes of living cells.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of living biological cells is one of main experimental tools that enable quantitative measurements of deformation of the cells and extraction of information about their structural and mechanical properties. However, proper modelling of AFM probing and related adhesive contact problems are of crucial importance for interpretation of experimental data. The Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) theory of adhesive contact has often been used as a basis for modelling of various phenomena including cell-cell interactions. However, strictly speaking the original JKR theory is valid only for contact of isotropic linearly elastic spheres, while the cell membranes are often prestressed. For the first time, effects caused by molecular adhesion for living cells are analytically studied taking into account the mechanical properties of cell membranes whose stiffness depends on the level of the tensile prestress. Another important question is how one can extract the work of adhesion between the probe and the cell. An extended version of the Borodich-Galanov method for non-direct extraction of elastic and adhesive properties of contacted materials is proposed to apply to experiments of cell probing. Evidently, the proposed models of adhesive contact for cells with prestressed membranes do not cover all types of biological cells because the structure and properties of the cells may vary considerably. However, the obtained results can be applied to many types of smooth cells and can be used to describe initial stages of contact and various other processes when effects of adhesion are of crucial importance. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'A cracking approach to inventing new tough materials: fracture stranger than friction'.

Factors associated with disparities in emergency department use among Latino children with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Significant disparities in emergency department (ED) rates exist for Latinos; however, few studies have investigated the factors that may account for these disparities. OBJECTIVES: To examine individual/family and health system factors among Latino and non-Latino white (NLW) children with asthma to explain disparities in ED rates. METHODS: The study was carried out in Puerto Rico (PR) and Rhode Island (RI) with the same design: a cross-sectional, observational approach with repeated measurements of selected variables. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 804 children ages 7 to 15 years, with 405 from PR and 399 from RI. Latino children from both sites had significantly higher rates of ED use as compared with NLWs from RI. Regression analyses showed site, asthma control, parental reported severity of asthma and public insurance to be significantly associated with ED use. CONCLUSION: Latino ethnicity and public insurance were among the most important factors related to frequent ED use. Revisions of the policies driving public insurance to assure better access to specialists, preventive education, and evidence-based treatment are needed. The results also suggest the need for the development of interventions in the ED that are geared toward educating families on how best to use emergency services.

Allergen sensitivity (mites, insects, and pets) in a Puerto Rican population.

OBJECTIVE: The people of Puerto Rico have one of the highest asthma prevalence and morbidity rates in the U.S.A. Limited information is available on the most common allergy sensitivities among island residents. The aims of the study were to determine the most common inhalant allergen sensitivities among a convenience sample in Puerto Rico and determine as well their relationship to an asthma or a rhinitis diagnosis. METHODS: In August of 2008, we evaluated a cohort of subjects visiting ambulatory clinics offering health screening; the clinics were located in two of the island's biggest cities: Guaynabo in the north and Ponce in the south. Subjects over three years of age (or their parents) visiting the clinics answered a survey on asthma and rhinitis and were skin tested for reactivity to common aeroallergens. RESULTS: The survey included 395 subjects with a mean age of 29 years. Thirty-six percent reported a history of asthma, of whom 83% (30% of the total participants) reported still having asthma, and 76% reported having rhinitis. Sixty-five percent of the subjects were sensitive to at least one antigen. Subjects sensitive to mites were 53% more likely to have suffered from asthma than were non-mite-sensitized subjects (OR = 1.53, p < 0.05) sensitivity to mosquitoes (OR = 2.25, p < 0.02), mites (OR = 2.53, p < 0.00001), feathers (OR = 2.72, p < 0.03), dogs (OR = 3.02, p < 0.01), or cats (OR = 3.42, p < 0.001) increased an individual's likelihood of suffering from rhinitis. CONCLUSION: The most common sensitivities identified were to mites and insects. Mite sensitivity was associated with rhinitis and asthma. Sensitivity to animal dander as well as to mosquitoes was associated to with rhinitis. Further studies are warranted to explore the relevance of allergen sensitivity in terms of asthma and rhinitis prevalence and morbidity among residents of Puerto Rico.

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Symptom Experience Index.

BACKGROUND: Lymphedema is a common late and chronic adverse effect of breast cancer treatment. This study aimed to translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the BCLE-SEI Spanish version with Spanish-speaking breast cancer patients. METHOD: 286 patients were recruited (2018 to 2020), from the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. Data analysis included descriptive statistics; internal consistency and test-retest reliability; principal component analysis and exploratory factor analysis; average variance extracted; and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: No semantic modifications to items were needed. The scores of the instrument demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach´s alpha = .95-.97; McDonald´s omega = .96-.98) and test-retest reliability (r = .78-.87, n = 29). A significant difference was observed between the lymphedema group and non-lymphedema group (p < .001) in terms of total scale, symptom occurrence (p < .001), symptom distress in the physical-functional (p < .001), and psychosocial dimension (p < .001). Principal component analysis for symptom occurrence revealed a unidimensional factor and two factors were identified for symptom distress via exploratory factor analysis, the two of which explained 45.71% and 54.77% of the total sample variance, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided initial evidence to support the psychometric properties of the BCLE-SEI Spanish version.

A nutrition education intervention in adolescents who play soccer: The IDEHA-F project.

BACKGROUND: Diet and physical activity are prioritised in behavioural interventions given their influence on major child health issues. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of an educational intervention, based on the Behaviour Change Wheel model, on adherence to healthy eating habits in adolescent soccer players in Asturias, Spain. METHOD: This pilot study involved 319 soccer players (mean age=14.19 years; SD=1.089), who were distributed into a control group (CG) and an intervention group (IG). The response variables were: the usage rate of, adherence to, and acquisition of knowledge of the Mediterranean diet. The intervention included posters, a web-app, and practical activities. RESULTS: The mean score on the knowledge questionnaire was 2.53 for the CG and 3.42 for the IG (p <.001). A weak direct correlation was observed between diet knowledge and KIDMED scores (r =.222, p =.013). The total pre-test KIDMED (p <.001) and diet knowledge ( p =.05) scores explained approximately 33% of the total post-test KIDMED score. CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of posters and a web app as intervention tools have been shown to be feasible in order to provide information on healthy eating habits to adolescents who play soccer and to help them maintain those eating habits.

Marcadores fenotípicos en cepas de Aeromonas aisladas en Cuba de niños con enfermedad diarreica aguda

Se estudiaron 27 casos de Aeromonas aisladas de 300 niños menores de 5 años con enfermedad diarreica aguda (EDA), con el objetivo de demostrar la presencia de algunos marcadores fenotípicos asociados con la enteropatogenicidad, entre ellos: descarboxilación de la lisina, producción de acetil metil carbinol, enteroxigenicidad, citoxicidad y hemólisis. El ciento por ciento de las cepas estudiadas poseía 2 o más de los marcadores investigados y 13 (48 %) lisaron los eritrocitos de conejo con títulos mayor de 1:16. Se demostró la presencia de los marcadores en las especies Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas sobria y Aeromonas caviae.

Yersinia enterocolítica: investigación en 1 300 niños menores de 5 años con enfermedad diarreica aguda / Yersinia enterocolitica: research in 1 300 children younger than five years with acute diarrheic disease

Se investigó la presencia de Yersinia enterocolítica en las heces de 1 300 niños menores de 5 años hospitalizados por presentar enfermedad diarreica aguda en Cuba durante los años 1985-1988 en diferentes hospitales pediátricos provinciales, así como de Ciudad de La Habana. Se empleó la base de agar selectivo para Yersinia suplementada con cefsuloidin, irgasán y novobiocina (CIN) y solución salina amortiguada como medio de enriquecimiento. Este último a 4 -C durante 21 días con resiembras semanales al medio selectivo. No se obtuvo aislamiento de Yersinia enterocolítica en ninguno de los pacientes estudiados

Yersinia enterocolítica: investigación en 1 300 niños menores de 5 años con enfermedad diarreica aguda / Yersinia enterocolitica: research in 1 300 children younger than five years with acute diarrheic disease

Se investigó la presencia de Yersinia enterocolítica en las heces de 1 300 niños menores de 5 años hospitalizados por presentar enfermedad diarreica aguda en Cuba durante los años 1985-1988 en diferentes hospitales pediátricos provinciales, así como de Ciudad de La Habana. Se empleó la base de agar selectivo para Yersinia suplementada con cefsuloidin, irgasán y novobiocina (CIN) y solución salina amortiguada como medio de enriquecimiento. Este último a 4 -C durante 21 días con resiembras semanales al medio selectivo. No se obtuvo aislamiento de Yersinia enterocolítica en ninguno de los pacientes estudiados