Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are widely used in varied applications, which are morphology dependent. Consequently, a morphology-controlled synthesis is mandatory. Although there are ...several studies focused on the plant extract-based biosynthesis of metallic nanoparticles, the use of extracts obtained from agro-wastes is scant. Furthermore, information regarding morphology modification through the use of additional agents is even more scarce. Thus, in this study, AgNPs were synthesized using a malt extract (ME) obtained from an artisanal beer brewing process residue. Additionally, sodium chloride (NaCl), gum arabic (GA), and talc (T) were used in an attempt to modify the morphology of AgNPs. XRD, DLS, SEM, and TEM results demonstrate that stable AgNPs of different sizes and shapes were synthesized. FTIR, HPLC analysis, and the quantification of total proteins, free amino acids, reducing sugars, and total polyphenols before and after AgNPs synthesis showed that ME biomolecules allowed them to act as a source of reducing and stabilizing agents. Therefore, this study provides evidence that ME can be successfully used to biosynthesize AgNPs. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of AgNPs against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria was evaluated. Results indicate that AgNPs show a higher antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria.
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La1-xSrxMnO3 perovskites are of enormous current interest due to their superior magnetoresistance and application as cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells. However, practical applications of ...these perovskites critically depend on size, composition, and concentration of La3+ vacancies at their surfaces. Here we present the fabrication of size controlled (90–255 nm average size), highly crystalline La1-xSrxMnO3 (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5, and 1) nanoparticles, simply by ball-milling of metal acetylacetonate precursors in NaCl and subsequent air-annealing. The size of the nanoparticles increased in the order LaMnO3+ δ < La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 ≈ La0.5Sr0.5MnO3 < SrMnO3. While LaMnO3+δ particles remain well dispersed, a fraction of particles containing Sr remains partially inter-connected after air-annealing (900 °C). A change in site symmetry of the Mn3+-O6 octahedron promoted by the Jahn-Teller distortion of LaMnO3+δ lattice was detected. Substitution of La3+ ions by Sr2+ increases the ferromagnetic interaction in La1-xSrxMnO3 (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5) nanostructures, increasing their Curie temperature and magnetization (Ms) progressively. Effect of particle dispersion due to Sr2+ incorporation on the lattice and magnetic behavior of the nanostructures is discussed considering the Jahn-Teller distortion and La3+ vacancy induced Mn3+ ion oxidation (to Mn4+) in the lattice.
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•La1-xSrxMnO3 perovskite nanoparticles of 90–255 nm av. Size range were fabricated by ball-milling.•Presence of Na+ ion at surface promotes the dispersion of LaMnO3+δ nanoparticles.•Particle dispersion modifies the Tirr of La1-xSrxMnO3 nanostructures.•Substitution of La3+ by Sr2+ in La1-xSrxMnO3 increases their TCurie and Ms.•Jahn-Teller distortion and La3+ vacancy induced Mn3+ oxidation affect their magnetic behavior.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
AbstractObjectiveTo assess whether statin treatment is associated with a reduction in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in old and very old adults with and without ...diabetes.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingDatabase of the Catalan primary care system (SIDIAP), Spain, 2006-15.Participants46 864 people aged 75 years or more without clinically recognised atherosclerotic CVD. Participants were stratified by presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and as statin non-users or new users.Main outcome measuresIncidences of atherosclerotic CVD and all cause mortality compared using Cox proportional hazards modelling, adjusted by the propensity score of statin treatment. The relation of age with the effect of statins was assessed using both a categorical approach, stratifying the analysis by old (75-84 years) and very old (≥85 years) age groups, and a continuous analysis, using an additive Cox proportional hazard model.ResultsThe cohort included 46 864 participants (mean age 77 years; 63% women; median follow-up 5.6 years). In participants without diabetes, the hazard ratios for statin use in 75-84 year olds were 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.86 to 1.04) for atherosclerotic CVD and 0.98 (0.91 to 1.05) for all cause mortality, and in those aged 85 and older were 0.93 (0.82 to 1.06) and 0.97 (0.90 to 1.05), respectively. In participants with diabetes, the hazard ratio of statin use in 75-84 year olds was 0.76 (0.65 to 0.89) for atherosclerotic CVD and 0.84 (0.75 to 0.94) for all cause mortality, and in those aged 85 and older were 0.82 (0.53 to 1.26) and 1.05 (0.86 to 1.28), respectively. Similarly, effect analysis of age in a continuous scale, using splines, corroborated the lack of beneficial statins effect for atherosclerotic CVD and all cause mortality in participants without diabetes older than 74 years. In participants with diabetes, statins showed a protective effect against atherosclerotic CVD and all cause mortality; this effect was substantially reduced beyond the age of 85 years and disappeared in nonagenarians.ConclusionsIn participants older than 74 years without type 2 diabetes, statin treatment was not associated with a reduction in atherosclerotic CVD or in all cause mortality, even when the incidence of atherosclerotic CVD was statistically significantly higher than the risk thresholds proposed for statin use. In the presence of diabetes, statin use was statistically significantly associated with reductions in the incidence of atherosclerotic CVD and in all cause mortality. This effect decreased after age 85 years and disappeared in nonagenarians.
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BFBNIB, CMK, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
This study assessed an innovative temporary edge protection system (TEPS) designed and developed to improve the ergonomics, health and safety at trench works in the construction industry, which ranks ...as one of the most hazardous worldwide. A wooden prototype of this innovative TEPS was built, and its mechanical resistance was compared to a conventional one. Thereafter, field tests were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of this pioneering TEPS. Both in analytical studies and field tests, the mechanical resistance to static loads of the TEPS complied with EU standards, and outperformed the conventional TEPS. The novel TEPS is effective as fall protection for different trench shoring systems and in buildings without edge protection systems. Moreover, this novel lightweight TEPS is easy to transport, with simple and safe on-site installation.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Aim
This study assesses the effect of an intervention to reduce the disruptive behaviours (DB) presented by care recipient users of adult day care centres (ADCC), thereby reducing caregiver overload. ...While ADCC offer beneficial respite for family caregivers, the DB that many care recipients show promote resistance to attending these centres, which can be a great burden on their family caregivers.
Design
Randomized controlled clinical trial.
Methods
The study was carried out with 130 family caregivers of people attending seven ADCC in the municipality of Salamanca (Spain), randomly distributed into intervention and control groups. The intervention was applied across eight sessions, one per week, in groups of 8–10 people where caregivers were trained in the Antecedent‐Behavior‐Consequence (ABC) model of functional behaviour analysis. The primary outcome was the reduction of DB measured with the Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Checklist (RMBPC).
Results
An average reduction in the RMBPC of 4.34 points was obtained in the intervention group after applying the intervention (p < 0.01 (U de Mann–Whitney); Cohen d = 1.00); furthermore, differences were found in the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) (U = −2.67; p = 0.008; Cohen d = 0.50) and in the Short Zarit Burden Interview (Short ZBI) (t = −4.10; p < 0.01; Cohen d = 0.98).
Conclusion
The results obtained suggest that the implementation of this intervention could reduce both the frequency of DB occurrence and the reaction of the caregiver to their appearance. Improvement was also noted in the results regarding overload and emotional state of the family caregiver.
Impact
To our knowledge, this is the first randomized clinical trial to show that an intervention based on the ABC model could reduce the frequency and reaction of DB of care recipients in ADCC increasing their quality of life, and improving the mental health and overload of their family caregivers.
摘要
目的
本研究旨在评估以减少成人日托中心(ADCC)受照顾者破坏性行为(DB)为目的的干预行为的效果,从而能够减少护理者的工作负担。虽然成人日托中心能为不少家庭看护人提供休息时间,然而一些受照顾者所表现出来的破坏性行为却增加了他们进入成人日托中心的阻力,这对于他们的家庭护理人来说是一个巨大的负担。
设计
随机对照临床试验。
方法
本试验由来自西班牙萨拉曼卡市七个成人日托中心的130名家庭护理人员参与,他们被随机分为了干预组和对照组。干预分八个周期实施,一周一次,每组8至10人,家庭护理人员则是在功能性行为分析的前因‐行为‐结果(ABC)模型中接受培训。主要成果是基于修正记忆和行为问题清单(RMBPC),破坏性行为减少。
结果
在实施干预后(p < 0.01 (U de Mann–Whitney),干预组的修正记忆和行为问题清单平均下降了4.34个点。此外,在流行病学研究中心的抑郁测量表(CES‐D)中(U = −2.67; p = 0.008; Cohen d = 0.50)和Zarit负担简谈(Short ZBI)中(t = −4.10; p < 0.01; Cohen d = 0.98),也发现了差异。
结论
试验结果表明,实施这种干预能够降低破坏性行为的发生频率和护理人员对于他们表现的反应程度。并且在家庭护理人员的超负荷状态和情感状态方面,也有所改善。
影响
据我们所知,这是首个基于ABC模型的随机临床试验,本试验表明基于ABC模型实施干预可以降低成人日托中心受照顾者破坏性行为的发生频率,提高他们的生活质量,并改善他们家庭护理人员的心理健康和减少工作负担。
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Background
During the transition to menopause, women experience different psychological, hormonal, and physical alterations that can affect their health. Physical activity is considered an important ...strategy in the prevention and control of such changes.
Aim
To evaluate the short‐term effect of an intensive intervention, based on a combined exercise programme using a Smartband, on the increase of physical activity and the decrease of sedentary lifestyle in postmenopausal and inactive women.
Design
Randomized clinical trial with two parallel groups.
Methods
In total, 100 postmenopausal and inactive women aged 45–70 years will be randomized to a control group or an intervention group. Both groups will be given a standardized advice about physical activity. The intervention group will carry out a supervised 12‐week programme of aerobic and muscle strengthening exercise; moreover, the women in this group will receive a Smartband to assist them in the intervention. The main result will be the increase of physical activity and the decrease of sedentary lifestyle, measured with an accelerometer for 1 week. This programme will be conducted by a nurse and a physiotherapist of the health centre. The study was approved by the Drug Research Ethics Committee of the Salamanca Health Service on 15 February 2019. The project was funded by the Autonomous Government of Castile and Leon and by the Carlos III Health Institute.
Discussion
Physical activity is an important strategy to consider when addressing the changes caused by menopause, although the current evidence shows that further studies should be carried out with longer intervention periods and new technologies.
Impact
This study will allow determining the effectiveness of the intensive intervention based on a combined programme of physical activity using a Smartband in postmenopausal and inactive women.
Trials Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov with identifying code NCT03872258.
摘要
背景
更年期过渡阶段, 女性会经历不同的心理、激素和生理变化, 而此类变化可能会对她们的健康造成影响。人们认为, 可通过体力活动预防和控制此类变化。
目的
使用Smartband, 并以综合锻炼计划为基础, 评估强化干预对绝经后女性和缺少运动的女性增加体力活动和减少久坐生活方式的短期影响
设计
两个平行组的随机临床试验。
方法
共有100名年龄介于45岁和70岁之间女性参与, 此类女性或已绝经或缺少运动, 并且将被随机分到对照组或干预组中。干预组将接受为期12周的有氧和肌肉强化训练; 此外, 该组的女性将获得一个智能手环, 以便协助其进行干预。主要结果为增加体力活动和减少久坐, 在此情况下, 用加速度计测量1周。此项目将由保健中心的一名护士和一名理疗师负责。本研究于2019年2月15日获得萨拉曼卡卫生局药物研究伦理委员会的批准。此项目由卡斯蒂利亚和利昂自治政府以及卡洛斯三世卫生研究所供资。
讨论
如需应对更年期引起的变化, 应增强体力活动, 此为一项重要策略, 尽管当前证据表明, 应通过更长的干预期和新技术开展进一步的研究。
影响
本研究将有助于确定绝经后女性和和缺少运动的女性使用Smartband进行体力活动的综合方案, 及在此基础上进行强化干预的有效性。
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Background
Fever‐7 is a test evaluating host mRNA expression levels of IFI27, JUP, LAX, HK3, TNIP1, GPAA1 and CTSB in blood able to detect viral infections. This test has been validated mostly in ...hospital settings. Here we have evaluated Fever‐7 to identify the presence of respiratory viral infections in a Community Health Center.
Methods
A prospective study was conducted in the “Servicio de Urgencias de Atención Primaria” in Salamanca, Spain. Patients with clinical signs of respiratory infection and at least one point in the National Early Warning Score were recruited. Fever‐7 mRNAs were profiled on a Nanostring nCounter® SPRINT instrument from blood collected upon patient enrolment. Viral diagnosis was performed on nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) using the Biofire‐RP2 panel.
Results
A respiratory virus was detected in the NPAs of 66 of the 100 patients enrolled. Median National Early Warning Score was 7 in the group with no virus detected and 6.5 in the group with a respiratory viral infection (P > .05). The Fever‐7 score yielded an overall AUC of 0.81 to predict a positive viral syndromic test. The optimal operating point for the Fever‐7 score yielded a sensitivity of 82% with a specificity of 71%. Multivariate analysis showed that Fever‐7 was a robust marker of viral infection independently of age, sex, major comorbidities and disease severity at presentation (OR CI95%, 3.73 2.14‐6.51, P < .001).
Conclusions
Fever‐7 is a promising host immune mRNA signature for the early identification of a respiratory viral infection in the community.
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BFBNIB, DOBA, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The association between community violence and mental health has been studied by reports of individual experiences, particularly in adolescents and youths, but little is known about the effect of ...living in disordered and violent communities. This study aims to determine the possible relation between living in disordered and violent community environments and psychological distress in Mexican adolescents and youths regardless of their individual experience of victimization and to assess the potential modifying effect of sex and age on this association. Data come from a cross-sectional survey with a representative sample of adolescents and youths living in Mexican municipalities, including 39,639 participants aged from 12 to 29 years. Disordered and violent community environments were assessed using reports from a secondary sample of adults who lived in the same communities as participants. Using exploratory factor analysis, three contextual variables related to disordered and violent community environment were created: social disorder, vandalism, and criminality. Multilevel linear regression models with random intercept were estimated. Adolescents and youths who lived in environments with higher social disorder had more psychological distress. Men in environments with greater vandalism had a higher level of psychological distress. Unexpectedly, women from communities with higher levels of crime had fewer symptoms. It is necessary to address the violence that exists in these communities, creating strategies that reduce not only crime, but also the social disorder and vandalism that could contribute to developing negative effects on mental health.
‘Lockdown’ periods in response to COVID-19 have provided a unique opportunity to study the impacts of economic activity on environmental pollution (e.g., NO2, aerosols, noise, light). The effects on ...NO2 and aerosols have been very noticeable and readily demonstrated, but that on light pollution has proven challenging to determine. The main reason for this difficulty is that the primary source of nighttime satellite imagery of the earth is the SNPP-VIIRS/DNB instrument, which acquires data late at night after most human nocturnal activity has already occurred and much associated lighting has been turned off. Here, to analyze the effect of lockdown on urban light emissions, we use ground and satellite data for Granada, Spain, during the COVID-19 induced confinement of the city’s population from 14 March until 31 May 2020. We find a clear decrease in light pollution due both to a decrease in light emissions from the city and to a decrease in anthropogenic aerosol content in the atmosphere which resulted in less light being scattered. A clear correlation between the abundance of PM10 particles and sky brightness is observed, such that the more polluted the atmosphere the brighter the urban night sky. An empirical expression is determined that relates PM10 particle abundance and sky brightness at three different wavelength bands.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Primary cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs) constitute a heterogeneous group of diseases that affect the skin. Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) account for the majority of these lesions ...and have recently been the focus of extensive translational research. This review describes and discusses the main pathobiological manifestations of MF/SS, the molecular and clinical features currently used for diagnosis and staging, and the different therapies already approved or under development. Furthermore, we highlight and discuss the main findings illuminating key molecular mechanisms that can act as drivers for the development and progression of MF/SS. These seem to make up an orchestrated constellation of genomic and environmental alterations generated around deregulated T-cell receptor (TCR)/phospholipase C, gamma 1, (PLCG1) and Janus kinase/ signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) activities that do indeed provide us with novel opportunities for diagnosis and therapy.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
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