The aim of this longitudinal descriptive observational study was to analyze the influence of different lifestyles on arterial stiffness (AS) throughout five years of follow-up and to describe the ...differences by sex in a Spanish adult population without cardiovascular disease at the start of the study. A random stratified sampling by age and sex was used to obtain 501 subjects included in the initial assessment. No cardiovascular disease was allowed in the subjects. The average age was 55.9 years, and 50.3% were women. A total of 480 subjects were analyzed again five years later. Alcohol and tobacco consumption were collected with standardized questionnaires. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed with the Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS) questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed with the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and sedentary time was assessed with the Marshall Sitting Questionnaire (MSQ). AS was assessed by measuring carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and central augmentation index (CAIx) with SphygmoCor System®, and ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) with Vasera VS-1500®. Increases in vascular function measures per year of follow-up were: cfPWV = 0.228 ± 0.360 m/s, baPWV = 0.186 ± 0.308 m/s, CAVI = 0.041 ± 0.181 m/s, and CAIx = 0.387 ± 2.664 m/s. In multiple regression analysis, positive association was shown between an increase in baPWV and tobacco index (β = 0.007) and alcohol consumption (β = 0.005). Negative association was shown between CAVI and Mediterranean diet score (β = −0.051). In multinomial logistic regression analysis, the OR of tobacco index of subjects with a cfPWV increase >P75 was OR = 1.025 and of subjects classified between P25 and P75 was OR = 1.026 regarding subjects classified with an increase <P25. The OR for alcohol consumption of participants with a baPWV increase >P75 was OR = 1.006 regarding subjects classified with an increase <P25. An OR = 0.838 was found in the Mediterranean diet score of subjects with an increased CAVI > P75, and an OR = 0.841 was found of subjects classified between P25–75 regarding subjects classified with an increase <P25. In conclusion, the association of lifestyle between an increase in AS measures at 5 year follow-up differs according to the AS measure analyzed. A positive association was shown with increased cfPWV and tobacco index, as well as alcohol consumption with increased baPWV. However, a negative association with CAVI and adherence to the Mediterranean diet was found.
•There is a need for early detection of patients with COVID-19 who are at risk for hospitalization.•Concomitant profiling of viral and host parameters could help in this regard.•A positive rapid ...nucleocapsid-antigen test in plasma with low S1 antibodies predicts hospitalization.
Identifying patients with COVID-19 who are at risk of poor evolution is key to early decide on their hospitalization. We evaluated the combined impact of nucleocapsid (N)-antigenemia profiled by a rapid test and antibodies against the S1 subunit of the SARS-CoV S protein (S1) on the hospitalization risk of patients with COVID-19.
N-antigenemia and anti-S1 antibodies were profiled at admission to the emergency department in 146 patients with COVID-19 using the Panbio® antigen Rapid Test and the SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G II Quant/SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G assay from Abbott. A multivariable analysis was used to evaluate the impact of these factors on hospitalization.
Patients with a positive N-antigen test in plasma and anti-S1 levels <2821 arbitrary units/mL needed hospitalization more frequently (20 of 23, 87%). A total of 20 of 71 (28.2%) of those showing a negative N-antigen test and anti-S1 ≥2821 arbitrary units/mL were hospitalized for 18 of 52 (34.6%) of the patients with only one of these conditions. Patients with a positive N-antigen test and low antibody levels showed an odds ratio, 95% confidence interval, and P-value for hospitalization of 18.21, 2.74-121.18, and 0.003, respectively, and exhibited the highest mortality (30.4%).
Simultaneous profiling of a rapid N-antigen test in plasma and anti-S1 levels could help to early identify patients with COVID-19 needing hospitalization.
Display omitted
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Background:
SARS-CoV-2 infection affects the vascular endothelium, which mediates the inflammatory and thrombotic cascade. Moreover, alterations in the endothelium are related to arterial stiffness, ...which has been established as a marker of cardiovascular disease. The objective of this study is to analyse how the structure, vascular function, vascular ageing and endothelial damage are related to the biopsychological situation in adults diagnosed with persistent COVID and the differences by gender.
Methods:
This cross-sectional, descriptive, observational study will be carried out in the Primary Care Research Unit of Salamanca (APISAL) and in the BioSepsis laboratory of the University of Salamanca. The sample will be selected from the persistent COVID monographic office at the Internal Medicine Service of the University Hospital of Salamanca, and from the population of subjects diagnosed with persistent COVID in the clinical history of Primary Care. Through consecutive sampling, the study will include 300 individuals diagnosed with persistent COVID who meet the diagnosis criteria established by the WHO, after they sign the informed consent. Endothelial damage biomarkers will be measured using ELLA-SimplePlexTM technology (Biotechne). Their vascular structure and function will be analysed by measuring the carotid intima-media thickness (Sonosite Micromax); the pulse wave and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) will be recorded with Sphygmocor System
®
. Cardio Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and ankle-brachial index will be analysed with Vasera VS-2000
®
. The integral assessment of the subjects with persistent COVID will be conducted with different scales that evaluate fatigue, sleep, dyspnea, quality of life, attention, nutrition state, and fragility. We will also evaluate their lifestyles (diet, physical activity, smoking habits and alcohol consumption), psychological factors, and cognitive deterioration, which will be gathered through validated questionnaires; moreover, physical activity will be objectively measured using a pedometer for 7 days. Body composition will be measured through impedance using an Inbody 230. Vascular ageing will be calculated with 10 and 90 percentiles of cfPWV and baPWV. Furthermore, we will analyse the presence of vascular injury in the retina, heart, kidneys and brain, as well as cardiovascular risk. Demographic and analytical variables will also be gathered.
Discussion:
Arterial stiffness reflects the mechanic and functional properties of the arterial wall, showing the changes in arterial pressure, blood flow, and vascular diameter that occur with each heartbeat. SARS-CoV-2 affects the endothelial cells that are infected with this virus, increasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and pro-thrombotic factors, which can cause early vascular ageing and an increase of arterial stiffness. Persistent COVID is a complex heterogeneous disorder that affects the lives of millions of people worldwide. The identifications of potential risk factors to better understand who is at risk of developing persistent COVID is important, since this would enable early and appropriate clinical support. It is unknown whether vascular alterations caused by COVID-19 resolve after acute infection or remain over time, favouring the increase of arterial stiffness and early vascular ageing. Therefore, it is necessary to propose studies that analyse the evolution of persistent COVID in this group of patients, as well as the possible variables that influence it.
Clinical Trial registration:
ClinicalTrials.gov
, identifier NCT05819840
Provider: - Institution: Gredos. Repositorio Documental de la Universidad de Salamanca - Data provided by Europeana Collections- ESOBJETIVO: Análisis de la variables epidemiológicas, clínicas y ...terapéuticas de los pacientes con traumatismo craneoencefálico durante la asistencia sanitaria prehospitalaria. DISEÑO Y EMPLAZAMIENTO: Estudio clínico epidemiológico observacional descriptivo transversal de aquellos individuos que sufrieron una lesión cerebral traumática en la Comunidad Autónoma de Castilla y León, que fueron atendidos por los Servicios de Emergencias Médicos en el periodo de tiempo comprendido entre los años 2008 al 2014. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Revisión sistematizada de las Historias Clínico-Asistenciales. Métodos estadísticos: • Descriptiva de las variables epidemiológicas, con intervalos de confianza al 95 % y niveles de significación habituales 5% y 1%. • Los histogramas y los diagramas de caja (box-plot), para la visualización de las distribuciones de frecuencias. • Test Chi-cuadrado para la asociación entre variables cualitativas. • Test t Student (comparación de dos medias, si la variable presentaba una distribución normal) o el test U de Mann-Whitney (comparación de medianas). • La comparación de medias para más de dos grupos se ha realizado mediante el Análisis de la Varianza (ANOVA) cuando las distribuciones eran normales, si las distribuciones no son normales el test Kruskal- Wallis. El software utilizado para realizar los análisis estadísticos ha sido IBM-SPSS (versión 21), SAS-JMP (versión 7) y MultiBiplot. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron un total de 884 pacientes con una edad media muestral de 51,5 años. Más de dos terceras partes de los lesionados son varones (67%), con edad media de 48,3 años. La categoría modal de 25 a 49 años son los que presentan mayor porcentaje de traumatismos craneoencefálicos. Los principales tipos de incidentes son: caídas casuales (45,05%), los accidentes de tráfico (24,91%), y los incidentes por enfermedad previa del paciente (21,84%). En cuanto a la valoración primaria se obtuvo una Escala de Coma de Glasgow mediana de 15 puntos; una respuesta pupilar normal (64%). En la valoración secundaria los datos son tensión arterial sistólica media 130,23 mmHg y tensión arterial diastólica media 68,71 mmHg; Frecuencia cardiaca media 85 lpm; Saturación de oxígeno media 94,88%. Las medidas terapéuticas aplicadas son fluidoterapia (73%); 291 pacientes recibieron oxigenoterapia (117 mediante intubación orotraqueal); analgesia siendo el Fentanilo el más utilizado (22,4%); inmovilización con diferentes dispositivos. Los tiempos de atención prehospitalaria son: tiempo de asistencia 12,48 minutos, tiempo de estabilización 22,41 minutos y tiempo de traslado a Centro hospitalario de 45,63 minutos. CONCLUSIONES: El perfil epidemiológico encontrado es de un varón que sufre lesión cerebral traumática con una edad media de 51,5 años, siendo el incidente por caída casual el origen más frecuente del traumatismo. Presenta una valoración neurológica dentro de la normalidad con respuesta pupilar normal, con estabilidad hemodinámica. La atención prehospitalaria se basa en fluidoterapia, oxigenoterapia, analgesia e inmovilización adecuada. Los tiempos de atención prehospitalaria se encuentran dentro de las recomendaciones de calidad del Ministerio de Sanidad, Asuntos Sociales e Igualdad.- All metadata published by Europeana are available free of restriction under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. However, Europeana requests that you actively acknowledge and give attribution to all metadata sources including Europeana
Behavioral and substance addictions are prevalent health problems that, alongside obesity, are linked to reduced physical activity and increased sedentary time. Similarly, arterial stiffness and ...vascular aging are processes that begin gradually at an early age and are closely associated with morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases. The main objective of this study is to analyze how addictions are related to obesity and body fat distribution, physical activity, sedentary time, arterial stiffness and vascular aging, as well as sleep quality, cognitive function and gender differences in young adults aged between 18 and 34 years.
This cross-sectional descriptive observational study will analyze data from 500 subjects (250 men and 250 women) aged 18-34 without cardiovascular disease, selected by simple random sampling with replacement from the urban population of the city center of Salamanca (34,044 people aged 18-34, with 18,450 women and 15,594 men). Behavioral and substance addictions, as well as sleep quality and cognitive impairment will be assessed using questionnaires. The Pittisburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) will be used to measure sleep quality and the Ford questionnaire will be used to measure insomnia in response to stress. For obesity, weight, height, waist and hip circumference, body composition will be measured with the
impedance meter. For physical activity and sedentary time, we will use the
accelerometer alongside the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) and the Marshall questionnaire. The
will be used for pulse wave analysis and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), while the
will measure cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Vascular aging will be calculated with the 10th and 90th percentiles of cfPWV or baPWV. Demographic, analytical variables will be collected, as will data to assess vascular, cardiac, renal, and brain injury.
Addictions are on the rise in today's society, affecting the mental health and well-being of those who suffer from them, generating important social problems such as job loss, family dysfunction, debt and social isolation. Together with obesity, they are prevalent health problems in young adults and are associated with lower physical activity and higher sedentary time. Meanwhile, arterial stiffness and vascular aging are processes that begin gradually at an early age and determine morbidity and mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases. The results of this project will allow us to understand the situation regarding behavioral and substance addictions in young adults. Better understanding of these addictions will in turn facilitate the development of more effective prevention strategies and intervention programs, which can then reduce the negative impact at both the individual and societal levels.
ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT05819840.
In this article, we summarize the synthetic approaches developed in our research groups during the last decade to efficiently tune the optical, electrochemical and morphological characteristics of ...oligothiophene–naphthalimide assemblies. Different variables were tuned in these organic semiconductors, such as the planarity and the length of their π-conjugated backbones, the topology and energy levels of the frontier molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) and their molecular dipole moments. The tuning of these properties can be connected with the microstructure properties observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) in thin films as well as with the performances in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). The possibility of incorporating these donor-acceptor assemblies into macromolecular structures is also addressed, and some innovative applications for these macromolecular systems, such as the degradation of organic pollutants in aqueous media, are also presented.
It is likely that pollution from chemical facilities will affect the health of any exposed population; however, the majority of scientific evidence available has focused on occupational exposure ...rather than environmental. Consequently, this study assessed whether there could have been an excess of cancer-related mortality associated with environmental exposure to pollution from chemical installations – for populations residing in municipalities in the vicinity of chemical industries. To this end, we designed an ecological study which assessed municipal mortality due to 32 types of cancer in the period from 1999 to 2008. The exposure to pollution was estimated using distance from the facilities to the centroid of the municipality as a proxy for exposure. In order to assess any increased cancer mortality risk in municipalities potentially exposed to chemical facilities pollution (situated at a distance of ≤5 km from a chemical installation), we employed Bayesian Hierarchical Poisson Regression Models. This included two Bayesian inference methods: Integrated Nested Laplace Approximations (INLA) and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC, for validation). The reference category consisted of municipalities beyond the 5 km limit. We found higher mortality risk (relative risk, RR; estimated by INLA, 95% credible interval, 95%CrI) for both sexes for colorectal (RR, 1.09; 95%CrI, 1.05–1.15), gallbladder (1.14; 1.03–1.27), and ovarian cancers (1.10; 1.02–1.20) associated with organic chemical installations. Notably, pleural cancer (2.27; 1.49–3.41) in both sexes was related to fertilizer facilities. Associations were found for women, specifically for ovarian (1.11; 1.01–1.22) and breast cancers (1.06; 1.00–1.13) in the proximity of explosives/pyrotechnics installations; increased breast cancer mortality risk (1.10; 1.03–1.18) was associated with proximity to inorganic chemical installations. The results suggest that environmental exposure to pollutants from some types of chemical facilities may be associated with increased mortality from several different types of cancer.
Display omitted
•Excess risk of cancer mortality was found in the vicinity of chemical facilities.•Colorectal, gallbladder and ovary cancer mortality related to organic chemical facilities.•Ovarian and breast cancer mortality related to explosives/pyrotechnics facilities.•Excess of pleural cancer mortality in municipalities close to fertilizer facilities.•Excess of Breast cancer mortality in municipalities close to inorganic chemical facilities.
Environmental exposure to pollutants from some chemical facilities, measured by proximity, may be associated with increased mortality risk from different types of cancer.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
While it is widely recognized that microstructure plays an important role in the performance of organic photovoltaics (OPV), systematic studies are often challenging, as varying the molecular packing ...through typical chemical means (such as sidechain tuning) often affects the molecular energy levels, thus preventing a clear correlation. In this work we present the synthesis of three perylene imide (PI) based electron acceptors with almost identical energy levels, but distinct packing tendencies. We confirm our initial hypothesis by measuring solution and solid-state absorption, and cyclic voltammetry as well as characterizing the films by grazing incidence wide angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS). In a second step, we repeat the characterization of the three materials in blends with two polymer donors, namely PCDTBT or PBDBT, whose energy levels are well aligned with those of the PI acceptors, and which, additionally, exhibit different degrees of structural order. We show how the initial strong difference between acceptors is partially blurred in blends, but still critical. Finally, we correlate our structural data with OPV devices made with the corresponding six blends. Our data suggest that a good donor acceptor marriage should ensure good energy alignment but also exhibit complementary crystallization tendencies of the two components.
Cognitive instrumental activities of daily living are particularly related to executive functions, such as scheduling appointments, monthly payments, managing the household economy, shopping or ...taking the bus. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the available tests for the assessment of executive functions with ecological validity to predict individuals' functioning.
An electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, PsyCInfo and IEEE Xplore until May 2019, in addition to a manual search. The PRISMA criteria and the Covidence platform were used to select articles and extract data.
After applying the search selection criteria, 76 studies were identified. They referred to 110 tools to assess instrumental activities of daily living. Those that have received most attention are related to menu preparation and shopping. Performance-based measures are the most widely used traditional methods. Most tests were aimed at the adult population with acquired brain damage, cognitive impairment or dementia. There was a predominance of tests based on the Multiple Errands Test paradigm.
In recent years, it has increased the number of tools that assess the instrumental activities of daily living based on technologies such as personal or environmental sensors and serious games.
IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION
Assessment of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living through performance-based measures is especially useful for the early detection of dysfunctions or preclinical disability.
Difficulties in performing instrumental activities of daily living are closely associated with deficits in executive functions and prospective memory.
Activities of Daily Living can be understood as multitasks.
The use of virtual reality-based tests was shown to be sensitive to the detection of cognitive deficits in Activities of Daily Living.
An advantage of using virtual reality in assessments is that it can help to predict the level of personal autonomy in patients who are in an institutional environment and could be a first approximation to the real environment.
Full text
Available for:
IJS, NUK, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
The synthesis and characterization of a family of rationally designed compounds based on naphthalimide units attached, through conjugated nitrogenated linkers ( i.e. pyrazine and imidazoline units), ...to fused thiophene-based moieties is shown. This combination of different donor–acceptor moieties allows fine tuning of the HOMO and LUMO energy levels, and thus the modulation of their electronic properties. A comprehensive physical chemistry study is carried out, in which the nature of the neutral and charged species are analyzed and their electrical performance is understood in terms of molecular and supramolecular characteristics.
PDF
