Abstract
Within the context of complex sexual signaling, most research has focused on exploring the associations between several signals and/or their relationships with different proxies of ...individual quality. However, very few studies have focused on checking whether the expression of one signal is conditioned by the expression of the others. Here, by experimentally shortening the throat feathers of male spotless starlings (Sturnus unicolor), we evaluated the influence of this trait on the color expression of the beak base. In addition, we tested the relationship between these two sexually dimorphic characters with traits indicating individual qualities, such as body condition and color reflectance at the wavelength related to carotenes in the tip of the beak. Our results show that the coloration of the beak base in males, but not in females, is positively related to body condition and to the length of ornamental throat feathers. Moreover, the experimental shortening of throat feathers in males had a negative effect on the blue chroma intensity of their beak base 1 year after manipulation. These results support for the first time a causal link between the expression of two sexually dimorphic characters, which is essential to understand their functionality in a multiple signaling framework.
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a heterogeneous condition with nonspecific symptoms. We aimed to report its management by paediatric gastroenterologists in Spain.
A descriptive study ...by means of a survey sent to 184 active members of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (SEGHNP).
148 responses (80.4%) were received. For patients without predisposing condition, 31.1% employ antibiotics followed by probiotics; 33.1% antibiotherapy concomitant with probiotics; 24.3% only antibiotics and 10.8% only probiotics. 73.8% of participants usually establish the diagnosis through clinical parameters and 90% check the therapeutic response only by clinical data.
There is high variability in the management of SIBO among paediatric population in our country.
BACKGROUND // Knowing the risk status of malnutrition and sarcopenia in institutionalized patients is essential to understand the
current context after the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) ...pandemic.
METHODS // This research used a retrospective, observational study. The results of the Remote Malnutrition APP test (R-MAPP) are
described: risk factors for malnutrition (including COVID-19), the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and the SARC-F, in a selected
sample of 402 residents of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) during 2021. An inferential analysis was performed to determine which factors
were related to the MUST (≥2 points) and SARC-F (≥4 points) response measures. With the factors that obtained statistical significance, a
multivariate regression model was performed, adjusting for each one. of those factors.
RESULTS // Mean age was 84.2 years, 70.1% women. Most frequent risk factor for malnutrition was aging (85.1%). The mean body
mass index was 26.5 (SD 11.6). MUST≥2 points was obtained in 16.2%, and a SARC-F≥4 in 69.9%. COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease / OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.13-0.92; p 0.03) was a protective factor against the risk of malnutrition. The risk of sarcopenia was related
to aging (OR 8.16; 95% CI 4.13-16.20; p 0.00), COVID-19 (OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.17-3.29; p 0.01) and COPD (OR 2.44; 95% CI 1.21-4.89; p 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS // No relationship is found between COVID-19 and high risk of malnutrition. Aging, COVID-19 and COPD are risk factors
for sarcopenia.
FUNDAMENTOS // Conocer el estado de riesgo de desnutrición y sarcopenia de las personas institucionalizadas es clave para
entender el contexto actual tras la repercusión que ha tenido la pandemia por coronavirus (COVID-19).
MÉTODOS // Se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo. Se describen los resultados de la prueba Remote Malnutrition APP
(R-MAPP): factores de riesgo de desnutrición (incluyendo la COVID-19), Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) y la SARC-F, en
una muestra seleccionada de 402 residentes de Castilla-La Mancha (España) durante 2021. Se llevó a cabo un análisis inferencial
para determinar qué factores tenían relación con las medidas de respuesta MUST (≥2 puntos) y SARC-F (≥4 puntos). Con los factores
que obtuvieron significación estadística se realizó un modelo de regresión multivariante ajustando por cada uno de esos factores.
RESULTADOS // La edad media fue de 84,2 años, con un 70,1% de mujeres. El factor de riesgo de desnutrición más frecuente fue el
envejecimiento (85,1%). El Índice de Masa Corporal medio fue 26,5 (DE 11,6). Se obtuvo un MUST mayor o igual a 2 puntos en un 16,2%,
y un SARC-F igual o mayor de 4 en el 69,9%. Se observó, como factor protector, la EPOC (enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica /
OR 0,35; IC 95% 0,13-0,92; p 0,03) contra el riesgo de desnutrición. El riesgo de sarcopenia se relacionó con envejecimiento (OR 8,16;
IC 95% 4,13-16,20; p 0,00), COVID-19 (OR 1,96; IC 95% 1,17-3,29; p 0,01) y EPOC (OR 2,44; IC 95% 1,21- 4,89; p 0,01).
CONCLUSIONES // No se halla relación entre COVID-19 y riesgo alto de desnutrición. Envejecimiento, COVID-19 y EPOC son factores
de riesgo de sarcopenia.
In this work, we propose the OCEAN algorithm, a method for the analysis and selection of the best performing material and working conditions for an efficient separation of carbon dioxide and methane ...from biogas. Molecular simulation and intelligent computational techniques joined forces to generate a reliable database of adsorption values with an optimized number of parameters, allowing an accurate prediction of the adsorption behavior of the materials at any working condition (pressure and temperature). The screening over a large number of possibilities leads to the selection of the optimal combination of material and operational conditions for an enhanced biogas purification process.
Cytogenetic abnormalities (CAs) such as t(4;14), t(14;16) or del(17p), and nonhyperdiploidy are associated with poor prognosis in multiple myeloma. We evaluated the influence of CAs by FISH and DNA ...ploidy by flow cytometry on response and survival in 232 elderly, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients receiving an induction with weekly bortezomib followed by maintenance therapy with bortezomib-based combinations. Response was similar in the high-risk and standard-risk CA groups, both after induction (21% vs 27% complete responses CRs) and maintenance (39% vs 45% CR). However, high-risk patients showed shorter progression-free survival (PFS) than standard-risk patients, both from the first (24 vs 33 months; P = .04) and second randomization (17 vs 27 months; P = .01). This also translated into shorter overall survival (OS) for high-risk patients (3-year OS: 55% vs 77%; P = .001). This adverse prognosis applied to either t(4;14) or del(17p). Concerning DNA ploidy, hyperdiploid patients showed longer OS than nonhyperdiploid patients (77% vs 63% at 3 years; P = .04), and this was more evident in patients treated with bortezomib, thalidomide, and prednisone (77% vs 53% at 3 years; P = .02). The present schema does not overcome the negative prognosis of high-risk CAs and nonhyperdiploidy. This trial was registered with www.ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT00443235.
Purpose
Use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) has markedly increased during the last decade. However, there are few studies on use of PICCs in patients with haematological ...malignancies (HM) receiving intensive chemotherapy. Preliminary data suggest a higher rate of PICC-related complications in these high-risk patients. This prospective observational single-centre study aimed to investigate PICC-related complications after implementation of a multidisciplinary approach to PICC care and compared it with previous literature.
Methods
A total of 44 PICCs were inserted in 36 patients (27.3 %, thrombocytopenia <50 × 10
9
/L at insertion) over 5045 PICC days (median duration, 114.5 days).
Results
No major insertion-related complications were observed. Major late complications were obstruction in 13.6 % (1.19/1000 PICC days) of patients, catheter-related bloodstream infection in 6.8 % (0.59/1000 PICC days), and catheter-related thrombosis in 4.5 % (0.39/1000 PICC days). Premature PICC removal occurred in 34 % (2.97/1000 PICC days) of patients. The overall rate of potentially major dangerous complications was particularly low (11.36 %, 0.99/1000 PICC days) compared with previous studies.
Conclusions
This study highlights the utility of a multidisciplinary approach for PICC care in adults with HM receiving intensive chemotherapy. We provide further data to support use of PICCs in such patient populations.
In recent years, guidelines for vitamin D supplementation have been updated and prophylactic recommended doses have been increased in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF).
To evaluate safety and ...efficacy of these new recommendations.
Two cohorts of pancreatic insufficient CF patients were compared before (cohort 1: 179 patients) and after (cohort 2: 71 patients) American CF Foundation and European CF Society recommendations were published. Cohort 2 patients received higher Vitamin D doses: 1509 (1306-1711 95% CI) vs 1084 (983-1184 95% CI) IU/Day (
< 0.001), had higher 25 OH vitamin D levels: 30.6 (27.9-33.26 95% CI) vs. 27.4 (25.9-28.8 95% CI) ng/mL (
= 0.028), and had a lower prevalence of insufficient vitamin D levels (<30 ng/mL): 48% vs 65% (
= 0.011). Adjusted by confounding factors, patients in cohort 1 had a higher risk of vitamin D insufficiency: OR 2.23 (1.09-4.57 95% CI) (
= 0.028).
After the implementation of new guidelines, CF patients received higher doses of vitamin D and a risk of vitamin D insufficiency decreased. Despite this, almost a third of CF patients still do not reach sufficient serum calcidiol levels.
Introducción: La vacunación es una herramienta esencial en la prevención de enfermedades altamente contagiosas. Actualmente, dicho procedimiento comienza a ser menos empleado debido, entre otros, a ...diversos factores económicos y sociales, que han promovido la reaparición de patologías que estaban prácticamente desaparecidas. Objetivos: Definir el estado inmunitario de los trabajadores sanitarios del Hospital de Poniente de la provincia de Almería y observar la eficacia de las vacunas administradas por el Servicio de Prevención en el personal sanitario no inmunizado. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo en el que se evalúa mediante serología, la inmunidad frente al sarampión, la rubéola, la parotiditis, la varicela y la hepatitis B previa y posterior a la administración de vacunas en el personal sanitario (n = 923). Resultados: Se observa un alto porcentaje de la población trabajadora sanitaria con anticuerpos protectores frente a los microorganismos del estudio, ya sea por una correcta pauta vacunal en la infancia como por la posterior vacunación por parte del Servicio de Prevención (alta tasa de seroconversión). Conclusión: El estudio señala la importancia de la vacunación como medida preventiva contra las enfermedades estudiadas, por lo que justifica la necesidad de poner en marcha campañas informativas que refuercen su uso.
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