Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) has been described as a risk factor for arterial hypertension (HT). One of the proposed mechanisms linking these conditions is non dipping (ND) pattern in nocturnal ...blood pressure, however evidence is variable and based on specific populations with underlying conditions. Data for OSA and ND in subjects residing at high altitude are currently unavailable.
Identify the prevalence and association of moderate to severe OSA with HT and ND pattern in hypertensive and non-hypertensive otherwise healthy middle-aged individuals in residing at high altitude (Bogotá:2640 mt)
Adult individuals with diagnosis of moderate to severe OSA underwent 24 hour- ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) between 2015 and 2017. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were performed to identify predictors of HT and ND pattern.
Ninety-three (93) individuals (male 62.4% and median age 55) were included in the final analysis. Overall, 30.1% showed a ND pattern in ABPM and 14.9% had diurnal and nocturnal hypertension. Severe OSA (higher apnea-hiponea index AHI) was associated with HT (p = 0.006), but not with ND patterns (p = 0.54) in multivariable regression. Smoking status and lowest oxygen saturation during respiratory events where independently associated with ND pattern (p = 0.04), whereas age (p = 0.001) was associated with HT.
In our sample, one in three individuals with moderate to severe OSA have non dipping patterns suggesting lack of straight association between OSA and ND. Older individuals who have higher AHI are more likely to have HT, and those who smoke have a higher risk of ND. These findings add aditional information to the multiple mechanisms involved in the relationship between OSA and ND pattern, and questions the routine use of 24-hour ABPM, particullary in our region, with limited resources and healthcare acces. However, further work with more robust methodology is needed to draw conclusions.
The European Water Framework Directive establishes the need to define stream type-specific reference conditions to identify “high ecological status”. Methods for selecting reference sites using a ...priori criteria have been proposed by many authors. A review of these criteria revealed that the most relevant criteria for streams and rivers were those related to riparian vegetation, diffuse and point sources of pollution, river morphology and hydrological conditions and regulation. In this work, we propose 20 criteria that reflect the characteristics of Mediterranean streams and their most frequent disturbances for the selection of reference sites in Mediterranean streams in Spain. We studied 162 sites located in 33 Mediterranean basins belonging to five stream types. Of the locations, 57% were selected as a priori reference sites by having applied the proposed criteria. Reference sites were identified for all stream types except for “large watercourses” which includes the lower reaches of some rivers in this study area. This a priori selection of reference sites was subjected to validation using the macroinvertebrate community by applying of an IBMWP threshold, which is considered to be an indicator of undisturbed sites in Mediterranean streams. This approach determined that whole of this selection (100%) could be considered valid reference sites. Furthermore, we identified differences in the reference conditions for each stream type on the basis of macroinvertebrate assemblage composition.
We present a multilocus phylogeny of the class Dacrymycetes, based on data from the 18S, ITS, 28S, RPB1, RPB2, TEF-1α, 12S, and ATP6 DNA regions, with c. 90 species including the types of most ...currently accepted genera. A variety of methodological
approaches was used to infer phylogenetic relationships among the Dacrymycetes, from a supermatrix strategy using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference on a concatenated dataset, to coalescence-based calculations, such as quartet-based summary methods of independent single-locus
trees, and Bayesian integration of single-locus trees into a species tree under the multispecies coalescent. We evaluate for the first time the taxonomic usefulness of some cytological phenotypic characters, i.e., vacuolar contents (vacuolar bodies and lipid bodies), number of nuclei of recently
discharged basidiospores, and pigments, with especial emphasis on carotenoids. These characters, along with several others traditionally used for the taxonomy of this group (basidium shape, presence and morphology of clamp connections, morphology of the terminal cells of cortical/marginal
hyphae, presence and degree of ramification of the hyphidia), are mapped on the resulting phylogenies and their evolution through the class Dacrymycetes discussed. Our analyses reveal five lineages that putatively represent five different families, four of which are accepted and named.
Three out of these four lineages correspond to previously circumscribed and published families (Cerinomycetaceae, Dacrymycetaceae, and Unilacrymaceae), and one is proposed as the new family Dacryonaemataceae. Provisionally, only a single order, Dacrymycetales,
is accepted with in the class. Furthermore, the systematics of the two smallest families, Dacryonaemataceae and Unilacrymaceae, are investigated to the species level, using coalescence-based species delimitation on multilocus DNA data, and a detailed morphological study including
morphometric analyses of the basidiospores. Three species are accepted in Dacryonaema, the type, Da. rufum, the newly combined Da. macnabbii (basionym Dacrymyces macnabbii), and a new species named Da. macrosporum. Two species are accepted in Unilacryma,
the new U. bispora, and the type, U. unispora, the latter treated in a broad sense pending improved sampling across the Holarctic.
Background
The Maternal Child Health Bureau identified six indicators of quality and accessibility essential in achieving coordinated, family-centered, community-based care for children with special ...healthcare needs (CSHCN). Previous research examined associations between children with single conditions and individual indicators. We sought to identify disparities in meeting quality and accessibility indicators for children with different condition types.
Methods
The 2009–2010 National Survey of CSHCN is a nationally representative cross-sectional study with caregiver’s reports on 40,242 children (0–17 years). Children were categorized into one of seven conditions groups: physical health (PHC), mental health (MHC), developmental disability (DD), physical and mental (PHC and MHC), physical and developmental (PHC and DD), mental and developmental (MHC and DD) and physical, mental and developmental (PHC, MHC, and DD). Unadjusted and adjusted analyses determined associations between condition group and quality and access indicators.
Results
Children with DD, alone or in combination with another condition, were significantly less likely to meet each indicator (p < 0.01) after adjusting for individual demographic, child’s activity limitations and family-related characteristics. Compared with children with PHC, those with all three conditions (PHC, MHC, and DD) had the lowest odds of access to medical home (61 % decreased odds (DO)), community services (67 % DO), and adequate insurance (26 % DO); MHC and DD had the lowest odds of partnering in decision making (51 % DO); DD had the lowest odds of healthcare transition service (66 % DO).
Conclusions
Children with DD and multiple conditions experience disparities in quality and access to healthcare services, meeting most indictors half as often as other CSHCN.
With the previous worldwide initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a notable rise in spontaneous pneumomediastinum with/without pneumothorax (SPP) has been noted. Most cases were ...initially reported as complications secondary to barotrauma from mechanical ventilation (MV) with COVID-19. However, with the Delta strain, starting from December 2020, there have been multiple reports of SPP. The SPP is an uncommon complication outside use of assisted ventilation with either noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) or MV. COVID-19 has been linked to higher incidence of SPP without use of NIPPV or MV. We present a series of 5 cases with a polymerase chain reaction–confirmed COVID-19 diagnostic testing whose hospital course was complicated by SPP unrelated to the use of either NIPPV or MV.
Purpose. Biliary atresia precedes liver cirrhosis and liver transplantation. Amniotic membrane (AM) promotes tissue regeneration, inhibits fibrosis, and reduces inflammation. Here, we test amniotic ...membrane potential as a therapeutic tool against cholestatic liver fibrosis. Methods. Three groups of rats were used: sham surgery (SS), bile duct ligature (BDL), and bile duct ligature plus human amniotic membrane (BDL + AM). After surgery, animals were sacrificed at different weeks. Biochemical and histopathological analyses of liver tissue were performed. Collagen was expressed as a percentage of total liver tissue area. qPCR was performed to analyse gene expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (Tgfb1) and apelin (Apln). Statistical analysis performed considered p<0.05 was significant. Results. Groups undergoing BDL developed cholestasis. Biochemical markers from BDL + AM group improved compared to BDL group. Ductular reaction, portal fibrosis, and bile plugs were markedly reduced in the BDL + AM group compared to BDL group. Collagen area in BDL + AM group was statistically decreased compared to BDL group. Finally, expression levels of both Apln and Tgfb1 mRNA were statistically downregulated in BDL + AM group versus BDL group. Conclusion. AM significantly reduces liver fibrosis in a surgical animal model of cholestasis. Our results suggest that AM may be useful as a therapeutic tool in liver cirrhosis.
Opioid overdose is a leading cause of death in the United States. The only treatment available currently is the competitive antagonist, naloxone (Narcan®). Although naloxone is very effective and has ...saved many lives, as a competitive antagonist it has limitations. Due to the short half‐life of naloxone, renarcotization can occur if the ingested opioid agonist remains in the body longer. Moreover, because antagonism by naloxone is surmountable, renarcotization can also occur in the presence of naloxone if a relatively larger dose of opioid agonist is taken. In such circumstances, a long‐lasting, non‐surmountable antagonist would offer an improvement in overdose treatment. Methocinnamox (MCAM) has been reported to have a long duration of antagonist action at mu opioid receptors in vivo. In HEK cells expressing the human mu opioid receptor, MCAM antagonism of mu agonist‐inhibition of cAMP production was time‐dependent, non‐surmountable and non‐reversible, consistent with (pseudo)‐irreversible binding. In vivo, MCAM injected locally into the rat hindpaw antagonized mu agonist‐mediated inhibition of thermal allodynia for up to 96 h. By contrast, antagonism by MCAM of delta or kappa agonists in HEK cells and in vivo was consistent with simple competitive antagonism. Surprisingly, MCAM also shifted the concentration‐response curves of mu agonists in HEK cells in the absence of receptor reserve in a ligand‐dependent manner. The shift in the D‐Ala2,N‐MePhe4,Gly‐ol5‐enkephalin (DAMGO) concentration‐response curve by MCAM was insensitive to naloxone, suggesting that in addition to (pseudo)‐irreversible orthosteric antagonism, MCAM acts allosterically to alter the affinity and/or intrinsic efficacy of mu agonists.
Methocinnamox (MCAM) is a (pseudo‐)irreversible, orthosteric antagonist at mu opioid receptors. In addition, MCAM produces a naloxone insensitive shift in agonist concentration‐response curves which suggests that MCAM acts allosterically to alter the affinity and/or intrinsic efficacy of mu agonists.
Commercial spray-dried powder flavors (strawberry and orange) encapsulated in different amorphous matrices (maltodextrin and maltodextrin-sucrose) were stored for 20 days under constant relative ...humidities of 32%, 43%, 58% and 75%. Glass transition temperatures (
T
g) of the different powders and maltodextrin DE 12 were measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Caking/collapse visual observations and aroma strength (measured by a trained sensory panel) were recorded and correlated with the glass transition temperature of the different spary-dried flavors. Glass transition data explained collapse occurrence and loss of aroma strength in encapsulated strawberry and orange flavors after storage at various relative humidities.
The presence of sucrose in the carrier formulation negatively affects storage stability of the encapsulated flavor.
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•Fuel properties of the olive tree pruning were improved by torrefaction.•Changes in properties of solid are mainly sensitive to torrefaction temperature.•Higher heating value ...increased from 17.32MJ/kg to 20.50MJ/kg.•The hemicellulose is the component more affected during the torrefaction.•Effect of torrefaction on pyrolytic behavior of material was investigated.
In this work, the effect of experimental conditions of torrefaction on properties of olive tree pruning was investigated. This study has demonstrated that fuel properties of olive tree pruning were improved by torrefaction. For example, torrefaction at 300°C during 60min provided to raw biomass an increase on the ratio of fixed carbon to volatiles (from 0.23 to 0.39) and it improved its fuel quality. Elemental analysis revealed that the composition of olive tree pruning moved from lignocellulosic biomass to coal (for example, from O/C and H/C ratios of 1.02 and 0.17 for raw biomass to 0.90 and 0.15 for torrefied sample at 300°C during 10min). Also, as a result of torrefaction, a more homogeneous solid with higher heating value was obtained. However, bulk density of solid did not change significantly after torrefaction process. In addition, SEM analysis indicated that the olive tree pruning surface structure was broken and destroyed by torrefaction process. Also, the thermogravimetric analysis of native and torrefied samples in nitrogen atmosphere showed a strong degradation of hemicellulose and, also, in severe torrefaction conditions, a modification on the thermal stability of cellulose. Finally, an investigation on the pyrolysis kinetics of native and torrefied samples was presented. Lower energy activation values of main lignocellulosic pseudo-components were obtained for torrefied samples.
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