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The first single crystal structure of the homoleptic copper (II) ML2 complex (M=Cu (II), L = curcumin) was obtained and its structure was elucidated by X-ray diffraction showing a square planar geometry, also confirmed by EPR. The supramolecular arrangement is supported by C-H···O interactions and the solvent (MeOH) plays an important role in stabilizing the crystal packing Crystallinity was additionally assessed by XRD patterns. The log P value of the complex (2.3 ± 0.15) was determined showing the improvement in water solubility. The cytotoxic activity of the complex against six cancer cell lines substantially surpasses that of curcumin itself, and it is particularly selective against leukemia (K562) and human glioblastoma (U251) cell lines, with similar antioxidant activity to BHT. This constitutes the first crystal structure of pristine curcumin complexed with a metal ion.

Abstract  In this contribution, a systematic methodology for solving the kinematic and dynamic analyses of a modular spatial hyper-redundant manipulator built with an optional number of serially connected three-legged in-parallel manipulators are presented. First, the kinematics and dynamics of the base module are carried out using the theory of screws and the principle of virtual work. Next, the expressions obtained for the base module are extended without significant effort to the spatial hyper-redundant manipulator under study. Finally, the proposed methodology of analysis is applied to a 18 degrees of freedom hyper-redundant manipulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The impact of cytomegalovirus infection in elderly subjects remains unclear. This study examined the relationship between humoral immune response to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and all-cause mortality in a cohort of elderly hospitalised patients., Methods: Data were obtained from a random sample of 715 patients (≥65 years old) admitted for any cause in a third level hospital. Serum IgG antibody against CMV was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay., Results: A total of 480 deaths occurred in seropositive patients ( n  = 671) during a follow-up of 7.6 years (mean, 4.6); of which 112 patients died in-hospital or within 30 days after discharge (short-term mortality). For patients with CMV IgG antibody levels in the highest quartile compared with lower quartile, fully adjusted models showed that mortality was 1.40 times (95% CI 1.05-1.86) and 2.20 times (95% CI 1.15-4.21) higher, respectively. The exclusion of patients with cardiovascular disease (angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, or stroke) increases the risk of long-term (HR 2.22, 95% CI 1.36-3.62) and short-term mortality (OR 3.18, 95% CI 1.40-7.24)., Conclusions: Increased IgG antibody levels against CMV are associated with increased short and long-term mortality in elderly hospitalised patients, especially in patients without cardiovascular disease. Key Messages The outcome of elderly hospitalised patients in relation to CMV is unknown. We demonstrate an association between increased anti-CMV IgG levels and mortality. This association is greater in elderly patients without cardiovascular disease.

Introduction: We present the first registry of patients with congenital bleeding disorders and COVID-19. The study has been carried out in the Community of Madrid, which has the highest number of cases in Spain. The objective is to understand the incidence of COVID-19, the course of the disease if it occurs and the psychosocial and occupational impact on this population., Methods: We included 345 patients (246 of haemophilia, 69 of von Willebrand Disease, two rare bleeding disorders and 28 carriers of haemophilia). A telephone survey was used to collect the data., Results: Forty-two patients presented symptoms suggestive of infection by COVID-19, and in six cases, the disease was confirmed by RT-PCR. The cumulative incidence of our series was 1.73%. It is worth noting the complexity of the management of COVID-19 in two patients on prophylaxis with non-factor replacement therapy. Adherence to the prescribed treatment was maintained by 95.5% of patients. Although 94% were independent for daily living activities, 42.4% had a recognized disability and 58% required assistance, provided by the Madrid Haemophilia Association (Ashemadrid) in 75% of cases. Only 4.4% of consultations were held in person., Conclusions: Patients with congenital bleeding disorders infected with SARS-CoV-2 presented a mild course of the disease that did not require admission. Their identification and treatment by a specialist team from a Haemophilia Treatment Center are essential to make a correct assessment of the risk of haemorrhage/thrombosis. COVID-19 had a major impact on the psychosocial aspects of these patients which must be remedied with recovery plans., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Practice is essential in clinical training and can be carried out with simulations. The medical school of the University of Chile performs Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) using standardized simulated patients for interns., Aim: To report the experience with OSCE in an environment with a high number of students., Material and Methods: Four hundred sixty-two students, participated in three OSCEs during 2016 and 2017, during their internal medicine clerkship. Each OSCE consisted of five scenarios of ambulatory care patients with prevalent medical conditions. Every student had to perform history taking, physical examination and deliver a diagnostic hypothesis, and a plan for management and counseling. Simulated patients provided feedback. To assess validity and reliability, in an argument-based model, planning and activity development were declared. The results were evaluated according to students' and organization variables, internal consistency, interobserver and theoretical concordance tests., Results: No significant bias was found by demographic features or evaluation moment. Internal consistency was good (Cronbach 0.8). Simulated patient evaluators had a high correlation with medical evaluators (r = 0.7). There was a low correlation between OSCE results and theoretical tests., Conclusions: OSCE's continuously assess competences during internal medicine clerkship in an environment with a high number of students.

Background: High anti-Coxiella burnetii phase I IgG titres are associated with chronic Q fever; an infectious disease with high mortality. Prognostic significance of lower or medium IgG phase I titres remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to explore this issue in a high-risk population., Methods: Sero-epidemiological and prospective study of 456 hospitalised patients aged 65 and older (Burgos; Spain). Serum IgG antibody phase I and II were determined by immunofluorescence assay., Results: A lower or medium IgG phase I titres (<1:1024) was observed in 180 (39.4%) patients. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was associated with these titres, but not the traditional risk factors of chronic Q fever (cardiac valve disease, and vascular grafts or valvular prosthesis) (adjusted OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.18-2.61). Lower or medium IgG phase I titres were also associated with decreased survival at 30 months follow-up in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (but not in the total sample) after adjusting for others comorbidities: IgG phase I titres≥1:32 (HR 1.77; 95% CI 1.14 4-2.74), ≥1:64 (HR 1.90; 95% CI 1.21-2.99)-3.25), and ≥1:128 (HR 2.00; 95% CI 1.23-3.25)., Conclusion: Lower or medium IgG phase I titres against C. burnetii, even the lowest, should not be discarded in elderly patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Serological follow-up should be recommended in this group of patients., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) catalyzes hydrolytic and irreversible deamination of deoxyadenosine into deoxyinosine and of adenosine into inosine, and is related to lymphocytic proliferation and differentiation. The measurement of ADA activity in body fluids is a useful tool in the evaluation of mycobacterial infections. Elevated ADA activity has been found in pleural effusions of patients with pleural tuberculosis relative to those from patients with nontuberculous pleural diseases, and is mainly associated with cellular host factors such as monocyte-macrophages or lymphocytes. In contrast, there is little information about ADA activity measurement in mycobacteria culture supernatants., Methods: We evaluated ADA activity as described by Giusti in the culture supernatants of eight Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates., Results: Mycobacteria culture supernatants did not display any ADA activity., Conclusions: This result supports the notion that Mycobacterium tuberculosis is not the source of ADA activity. However, increased ADA activity in biological fluids from tuberculosis patients might be due to the interaction of the mycobacterium with host factors.

A description is made of a leptospirosis outbreak in children who bathed in the Cimarron Channel in Morón. Ciego de Avila. The outbreak started on September 25 and ended on October 20, 1986. Six cases were reported, of which four had meningoencephalic appearance. Ages ranged from 8 to 13 years. Fever, cephalalgia, arthralgia and myalgia were the most common signs and symptoms in the confirmed cases. All the patients were positive to Canicola serogroup. The results of a survey on 12 dogs in the zone surrounding the Cimarron Channel suggest that they were the reservoir which contaminated the Channel waters.