Introduction: Medical students represent a new generation of medical thought, and if they have a favourable attitude towards organ donation this will greatly encourage its promotion.
Objective: To ...analyse the attitude of medical students in Spanish universities towards the donation of their own organs and to determine the factors affecting this attitude.
Material and Methods: Type of study: A sociological, interdisciplinary, multicentre, and observational study in Spain. Study population: Students studying a degree in medicine enrolled in Spain (n = 34,000). Sample size: A sample of 9598 students (confidence of 99% and precision of ±1%), stratified by geographical area and academic year. Instrument of measurement: A validated questionnaire of attitude towards organ donation and transplantation (PCID-DTO RIOS) was self-administered and completed anonymously.
Results: The questionnaire completion rate was 95.7% (n = 9.275). 80% were in favour of donation, 2% against and 18% were undecided. The following main variables were related to a favourable attitude: being of the female sex (Odds Ratio = 1.739); being in the sixth year of the degree (OR = 2.506); knowing a donor (OR = 1.346); having spoken about the subject with one's family (OR = 2.132) and friends (OR = 1.333); having a family circle that is in favour, more specifically, having a father (OR = 1.841), mother (OR = 2.538) or partner in favour (OR = 2.192); being a blood donor (OR = 2.824); acceptance of the mutilation of the body if it were necessary (OR = 2.958); and being an atheist or an agnostic (OR = 1.766).
Conclusions: Spanish medical students generally have a favourable attitude towards organ donation, although 20% are not in favour.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
The cyanotoxin cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is the second biggest cause of poisoning worldwide, both in humans and animals. Although CYN primarily affects the aquatic environments and can be absorbed in ...fishes by multiple routes, data reporting its toxicity and mechanism of action are still scarce in this group. Using P. reticulata as model species, it was evaluated whether CYN promotes mutagenic and genotoxic effects in different fish target tissues. Adult females were exposed in a static way to 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 μg L−1 of pure CYN for 24 and 96 hours. For the first time, DNA damage was detected in fish brain after CYN exposition. In brain cells, a concentration‐response DNA damage was observed for both exposure times, suggesting a direct or indirect action of CYN in neurotoxicity. For the liver cells, 96 hours caused an increase in DNA damage, as well the highest percentage of DNA in the tail was reached when used 1.5 μg L−1 of CYN. In peripheral blood cells, an increase in DNA damage was observed for all tested concentrations after 96 hours. In erythrocytes, micronuclei frequency was higher at 1.5 μg L−1 treatment while the erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities (ENA) frequency was significantly higher even at the lowest CYN concentration. Such data demonstrated that acute exposition to CYN promotes genotoxicity in the brain, liver, and blood cells of P. reticulata, as well mutagenicity in erythrocytes. It rises an alert regarding to the toxic effects of CYN for aquatic organisms as well as for human health.
Aim
To evaluate possible modifications in root canal sealers subjected to a variety of heating conditions using vibrational spectroscopy and analysis of physical and chemical properties.
Methodology
...EndoSequence BC Sealer HiFlow, Bio‐C Sealer, BioRoot RCS and AH Plus were analysed chemically using Raman spectroscopy (25–220 °C) and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) (37–100 °C ). For FT‐IR, the materials were tested individually and mixed with root dentine powder. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and coupled energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were used to evaluate surface and chemical elements. ISO 6876‐2012 and ASTM‐C266‐07 specifications were followed to evaluate flow, setting time (moist and dry), solubility and radiopacity. Also, pH analysis at 37 and 100 °C was performed. Shapiro–Wilk and Mixed ANOVA (within and between the effects of the subjects), Levene, and a post hoc analyses with Bonferroni correction were performed (P < 0.05).
Results
Vibrational spectroscopy revealed peaks of tricalcium silicate, dicalcium silicate and zirconium dioxide. Chemical changes in the Raman spectra during heating were discrete, as the inorganic content predominated the signalling for all root canal sealers. FT‐IR analysis exhibited spectral changes in water absorption for EndoSequence BC Sealer HiFlow and Bio‐C Sealer, probably related to dehydration. For BioRoot RCS and AH Plus, no significant chemical changes were observed. Bio‐C Sealer exhibited a band of polyethylene glycol only after heating to 100 °C, probably related to its thermal decomposition. SEM/EDS analysis corroborated the composition results observed in vibrational spectroscopy for all materials. Heating to 100 °C significantly changed the flowability of all calcium silicate‐based sealers with a wide variation in setting times at both temperatures, along with solubility levels above ISO standards. For all tested sealers, radiopacity fulfilled the requirements, and pH exhibited alkaline values.
Conclusions
The tested calcium silicate‐based sealers were affected by heating. Calcium silicate‐based root canal sealers had high solubility which is a concern for their clinical use. AH Plus was the only root canal sealer that was stable after heating.
With current drug treatments failing due to toxicity, low efficacy and resistance; leishmaniasis is a major global health challenge that desperately needs new validated drug targets. Inspired by ...activity of the natural chalcone 2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone (DMC), the nitro-analogue, 3-nitro-2',4',6'- trimethoxychalcone (NAT22, 1c) was identified as potent broad spectrum antileishmanial drug lead. Structural modification provided an alkyne containing chemical probe that labelled a protein within the parasite that was confirmed as cytosolic tryparedoxin peroxidase (cTXNPx). Crucially, labelling is observed in both promastigote and intramacrophage amastigote life forms, with no evidence of host macrophage toxicity. Incubation of the chalcone in the parasite leads to ROS accumulation and parasite death. Deletion of cTXNPx, by CRISPR-Cas9, dramatically impacts upon the parasite phenotype and reduces the antileishmanial activity of the chalcone analogue. Molecular docking studies with a homology model of in-silico cTXNPx suggest that the chalcone is able to bind in the putative active site hindering access to the crucial cysteine residue. Collectively, this work identifies cTXNPx as an important target for antileishmanial chalcones.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Aims: The herb–shrub flora has been widely neglected in science and conservation policy throughout the world, so that this biodiversity component remains largely unknown. The objective of this study ...was to elucidate the spatial patterns of species richness and phytogeographic regions of the Cerrado herb–shrub flora, and to estimate the percentage of areas with high species richness that is still covered by natural vegetation and is located in protected areas or priority areas for conservation. Location: Central Brazil and surrounding territories. Methods: To estimate the pattern of species richness we produced species distribution models (SDMs) for 5362 species using botanical records combined with 17 least correlated environmental variables. All SDMs were tested against a biascorrected null model and the 5039 significant SDMs were stacked to generate the pattern of botanical richness. The resulting presence-absence matrix was subjected to a partitioning around medoids (PAM) cluster analysis to delineate phytogeographic regions. Results: The pattern of species richness indicated that highest levels of richness are in the central–south and west parts of the Cerrado. The study recognized two floristically distinct clusters at the core of the Cerrado region, and seven additional regions that share floristic elements with the two core clusters. Many areas with high levels of modelled species richness are located outside protected and priority areas for conservation. Conclusions: We recognized patterns of regional variation, reflected in the phytogeographic division. Furthermore, we show that the current protected areas in Brazil do not effectively protect high richness areas of the herb–shrub flora.
Health professionals are asked to promote health, especially organ transplantation; however, they do not always have specific training.
To analyze information about donation and organ transplantation ...among Spanish medical students.
The population under study is medical students in Spanish universities using the database of the International Donor Collaborative Project, stratified by geographic area and academic year (n = 9275). The instrument used is the attitude questionnaire for organ donation for “PCID-DTO-Ríos” transplantation, validated with an explained variance of 63.203% and α = 0.834. The Student t test was applied together with the χ2 test, complemented by an analysis of the remainders, and Fisher's exact test was applied.
Of the students, 74% indicate that they have received information from university professors about organ transplant. Concerning specific issues with the donation, it is notable that only 66.7% (n = 6190) know and accept the concept of brain death as the death of a person. However, only 22% consider themselves as having good information, and 35.3% indicate that their information is scarce or void. Students indicate having received information about transplant from other extra-university sources, such as television and Internet (80.9%), books and magazines (73.2%), and the press (66.9%). From the information obtained in the sociofamilial field, 60.7% have obtained information from the family and 58.1% from friends. Of this information, 9% has been negative from friends, 7.5% from family, 6% from the Internet and television, and 4% from university professors.
Spanish medical students believe they have little information about organ transplantation and have received negative information.
•Spanish medical students believe they have little information about organ transplantation.•A high percentage of medical students in Spain have received some negative information about donation and organ transplantation.•The sources of information related to the sociofamilial environment are the most influential on the attitude toward donation and organ transplantation among Spanish medical students.•Four percent of medical students indicate having received negative information from university professors about donation and organ transplantation.
Religious factors have conditioned the attitude toward organ donation and transplantation (ODT) since the beginning of transplantation, despite the fact that most religions are in favor of ...transplantation.
To assess the impact of religious beliefs of medical students on their attitude toward ODT.
Population under study: Medical students in Spanish universities. Study sample: Stratified by geographical area and academic course. Assessment instrument: Attitude ODT questionnaire PCID-DTO-Ríos, anonymous and self-administered.
Of all students, 42% (n = 3907) declare themselves atheists or agnostics. The remaining 58% (n = 5368) declare themselves to be religious, the majority being Catholic (55%, n = 5102). Of the rest, 0.2% are Muslims (n = 8), 0.1% Protestants (n = 1), and the remaining 2.7% (n = 257) indicate other religious doctrines but do not want to specify it. Regarding their attitude toward ODT, those who consider themselves atheists or agnostics have a more favorable attitude than those who consider themselves religious (84% versus 76%; P < .001). Among those who follow some kind of religion, Catholics are more in favor of ODT than non-Catholics (77% vs 64%, P < .001). Note that among the religious, only 57% (n = 3050) know which religion is in favor of transplantation, while 22% (n = 1,152) consider that it has not been pronounced on the matter, 13% (n = 723) think the religion is against donation, and the remaining 8% (n = 443) do not know.
The religion professed by medical students conditions their attitude toward donation, with the atheists and agnostics being more in favor of donation.
•The religion professed by medical students conditions their attitude toward donation; atheists and agnostics are more in favor of donation.•Those who consider themselves atheists or agnostics have a more favorable attitude toward organ donation than those who consider themselves religious.•Among those who follow some kind of religion, Catholics are more in favor of ODT than non-Catholics.•Professional religion for medical students in Spain conditions the attitude toward organ donation.
Aims
To identify the prevalence, clinical and functional factors associated with urinary symptoms (US) in community‐dwelling older adults with acute low back pain (LBP).
Methods
This was a ...cross‐sectional study of data's baseline of Back Complaints in the Elders Consortium. All elders had LPB heightened. We analyzed data on urinary symptoms, intensity of pain (Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), disability (Roland Morris RM), depressive symptoms (CES‐D), and gait speed (m/s) in the Brazilian older adults. The sample was of 586 consecutive participants of BACE‐Study. Ethical approval was obtained. In addition to the prevalence analysis, logistic regression analysis was performed.
Results
The prevalence of US was 18.4% and were associated with CES‐D (odds ratio OR = 2.84; 95% confidence interval CI 1.66–4.86), slower gait speed (OR = 0.33; 95% CI 0.14–0.78), and LBP‐related disability (OR = 1.09; 95% CI 1.04–1.13) after adjusting for radiculophaty and other confounding factors.
Conclusions
In community‐dwelling older people with LBP, US were associated with depressive symptoms, gait speed, and disability. Our findings may provide a new framework for US management with respect to clinical and functional capacity. Specific physical examinations should be encouraged to assess the with acute LBP and US. Others factors can be associated with US in elders with LBP.
Despite sensitization of medical students toward the donation of organs, a non-negligible percentage of students are not in favor of donation.
To analyze the reasons of Spanish medical students who ...do not have a favorable attitude toward the donation of their own organs after death.
The population under study is medical students in Spanish universities, using the database of the International Donor Collaborative Project, stratified by geographic area and academic year. The questionnaire completion was anonymous and self-administered. The study group is medical students with an unfavorable attitude toward organ donation. The assessment instrument used is a validated questionnaire of attitude toward the donation of organs for transplant, “PCID-DTO-Ríos.” The reasons against the donation are valued in the questionnaire through a question.
Of the participants included in the PCID, students who are not in favor of organ donation were selected (n = 1899). Of them, 8.1% (n = 154) are against and 91.1% (n = 1745) are doubtful. The main reasons indicated are the fear of apparent death in 11.4% of respondents, fear of possible mutilation after donation in 11.1%, and religious reasons in 2.6%. Of those, 6.9% indicate other reasons but do not clearly specify the reasons, using words such as “fear” (2.5%) or “doubts about the process” (4.1%); 66.2% (n = 1257) indicated an “assertive refusal” (“I don't want to express my reasons”).
Twenty percent of Spanish medical students are not in favor of donating their organs and are not in favor of showing their reasons.
•Most Spanish medical students who are not in favor of organ donation do not indicate their reasons.•The main reason among Spanish medical students for not being in favor is the fear of apparent death.•Spanish medical students who are not in favor of organ donation are mainly in the first years of their career and without prior awareness of the subject.
Awareness of organ donation among Spanish doctors and medical students is very positive. However, the emerging group of professionals of non-Spanish nationality studying in Spain has not been ...analyzed.
To analyze the differences in the attitudes toward the different types of donation among medical students, according to their nationality.
The population under study is medical students in Spanish universities using the database of the International Collaborative Donor Project, stratified by geographic area and academic year. Groups under study include students of non-Spanish nationality as group 1 (n = 1570) and students of Spanish nationality as Group 2 (n = 7705). Instruments are validated questionnaires of attitude toward donation “PCID-DTO-Ríos,” “PCID-DVR-Ríos,” “PCID-DVH-Ríos,” and “PCID-XenoTx-Ríos.”
The attitude toward the donation of own organs after death is similar in both groups (P = .703). Non-Spaniards are 79.2% in favor compared to 79.6% of Spaniards. Living kidney donation, both unrelated (33.3% vs 29.3% in favor; P = .001) and related (91.2% vs 89, 6% in favor; P = .047), is more favorable among non-Spanish students. There are no differences regarding non-related living liver donation (29.7% vs 29.3% in favor; P = .063), but there are differences in the results for related living liver donation (94.1% vs 88%; P < .001). The attitude toward xenotransplantation of organs is similar (80.8% vs 80.8%; P = .999).
Awareness of the donation of organs among Spanish medical students is similar to non-Spanish students studying in Spain, except the attitude toward living donation.
•The acceptance of different types of organ donation among medical students is high.•The attitude toward living donation is more favorable among non-Spanish medical students studying in Spain.•Medical students in Spain of non-Spanish nationality have the same awareness regarding organ donation as Spaniards, so they do not require special training.
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