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The STI CNM Real-Time PCR Kit from Vitro S.A. (Spain) demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity, is cost-effective, and can detect the three main etiological agents of urethritis/cervicitis in a single multiplex PCR. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a significant public health problem and a significant burden of morbidity and mortality in hospitals. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the number of daily infections to be 1 million. Currently, the number of infections and antimicrobial-resistant strains is rising. A rapid and accurate etiologic diagnosis is critical to solving this problem. In this study, we compared the STI CNM Real-Time PCR Kit using the Xpert® CT/NG technique (Cepheid®, USA) as Gold Standard for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae and EasyNAT® MG (Ustar Biotechnologies (Hangzhou) Ltd., China) as Gold Standard for the diagnosis of Mycoplasma genitalium infection. Regarding C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae, out of 200 samples, there was a match in 199 cases, with only one positive sample not being detected by the STI CNM Real-Time PCR Kit. This results in a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 100% for this kit. Diagnosing M. genitalium infection, out of 200 samples, the STI CNM Real-Time PCR Kit correctly detected all negative and positive samples, with 100% agreement compared to the reference technique. In summary, the STI assay has a very high sensitivity and specificity, comparable to other commercial diagnostic kits. Furthermore, it has the advantage of bundling the detection of the three main bacterial agents of urethritis/cervicitis, resulting in better cost efficiency.

Meckel’s cave tumour, a rare benign tumour originating from the Schwann cells surrounding the trigeminal nerve within the Meckel’s cave region, can present with a variety of clinical manifestations. We report a case of a 44-year-old male patient who presented with symptoms of tear deficiency, including dryness, ocular discomfort, and blurred vision. Diagnostic evaluation revealed the presence of a Meckel’s cave tumour harming the trigeminal nerve, leading to alacrimia. This case highlights the association between Meckel’s cave tumour and tear deficiency disorders.

The aim of this work is to study the existence of zero-Hopf bifurcations of a new hyperchaotic system, using the averaging theory of dynamical systems of second order. Furthermore, at most one periodic orbit can bifurcate from the origin of coordinates.

Las Myrtaceae constituyen especial interés por su gran endemismo, elevado contenido de aceites esenciales y otros principios activos que pueden ser diferenciados en productos químicos de valor industrial y usados en el control de diferentes plagas. Esta familia cuenta con 144 géneros y 5 500 especies, distribuidas en regiones tropicales y subtropicales. Entre las Myrtaceae que han sido evaluadas con actividad insecticida se encuentran los géneros, Eucalyptus, Pimenta, Callistemon, Eugenia, Pimenta, Callistemon, Psidium, Syzygium y Melaleuca. Sus efectos insecticidas han sido evaluados sobre insectos en los órdenes Coleoptera, Diptera, Hemiptera. Estas especies también han sido referidas en el control de ácaros y en el control de hongos y bacterias. Sus principales compuestos secundarios poseen propiedades sobre la reducción de las poblaciones de insecto, efecto insectistático, repelente y sobre la emergencia de insectos.

Las guías de práctica clínica (GPC) son recomendaciones desarrolladas de forma sistemática para ayudar a profesionales y pacientes en la toma de decisiones sobre la atención sanitaria más apropiada. Destacan entre sus características que deben basarse en la evidencia científica y estar elaboradas por equipos multidisciplinares. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar, en GPC, el contenido de la información sobre aspectos propios del laboratorio clínico y la participación de los profesionales del laboratorio en su elaboración.

Recomendaciones para la realización de las pruebas de función respiratoria en el ámbito de Castilla-La Mancha ante la nueva situación en la que el virus SARS-COV-2 se encuentra en la sociedad. Establecer la forma de proteger al personal sanitario y a los pacientes. Resume: Recommendations for conducting respiratory function tests in the Castilla-La Mancha area in the new situation in which the SARS-COV-2 virus is found in society. Establish ways to protect healthcare personnel and patients.

La enfermedad tromboembólica venosa (ETEV) se relaciona con una mortalidad y morbilidad considerables. El trata- miento fundamental ha sido el uso de las heparinas de bajo peso molecular junto a los antagonistas de la vitamina K, en donde la evidencia científica ha demostrado la eficacia y seguridad suficientes en el tratamiento y la prevención secun- daria de la ETEV. No obstante, dicho tratamiento no está exento de complicaciones como el riesgo hemorrágico eleva- do a corto y largo plazo, la inconveniencia del tratamiento parenteral para el paciente, la necesidad de monitorización y las abundantes interacciones farmacológicas, que llegan a limitar la calidad de vida de forma considerable. Es por ello por lo que el uso de los anticoagulantes orales de acción directa (ACOD) ofrecen una alternativa eficaz y segura en los pacientes con ETEV respecto al tratamiento estándar, en pacientes sin cáncer. Sin embargo, en pacientes con cáncer, en donde el riesgo de recurrencia y sangrado es mucho mayor, la evidencia de los ACOD es todavía escasa.

The objectives in each construction process can be multiple. However, the constructions have to be carried out under some restrictions concerning price and terms. They constitute some strategic and interdependent goals. In other words, “time is money”. Several papers support that seasonal effects influence the execution rate of construction. Thus, most of them try to improve the forecasts by evaluating and joining them to the planning, although always measuring their influence indirectly. In this paper, we suggest a methodology to directly measure the influence of the seasonal factors as a whole over the earned value of construction. Additionally, we apply it to a certain case study regarding the subsidised housing of public promotion in the Castilla-La Mancha region (Spain). It is worth mentioning that our results are clarified: we have calculated the average monthly production for each month a year with respect to the annual monthly mean. Moreover, the differences regarding the average monthly production we have contributed are quite significant, and hence they have to be taken into account for each earned value forecast so that a project becomes reliable.

Regarding solving nonlinear equations systems, there is a main problem that is the number and complexity of the linear algebra operations, and the functional evaluations of the applied algorithm. In this paper, an alternative solution will be proposed by means of constructing a converse of the Banach Theorem fixed-point, only to ℝ2 and ℝ3, in the following sense, this being: each root of a non-linear equations system has been considered as a fixed-point. Besides, the compact set and the continuous functions that fulfil the Banach Theorem are built under certain conditions, those that must satisfy the systemfunctions. Thus each iteration only requires the evaluation of two or three functions.

Se realiza una revisión del algoritmo diagnóstico y terapéutico del tromboembolismo pulmonar agudo, así como del pronóstico y del seguimiento a largo plazo de los pacientes.

In the last twenty years, the implementation of High-Speed Rail (HSR) has been one of the major strategies for territorial structuring used by various countries. This model has enhanced the development of countries such as France, Spain, Germany and Japan. At present, the United States and China are also starting to implement this model. Nevertheless, the lack of social and economic profitability of several networks is being increasingly analysed. Many networks located in particular regions serve populations that are not large enough to recover the initial investment. For this reason, it is necessary to evaluate the population served by this transport mode, beyond the number of users. In this sense, it is essential to identify the deficiencies and potentials of implementing a network linked to other secondary networks in a specific territory which can compensate for the so-called tunnel effect. This article proposes to apply a mathematical approach based on graph theory to measure the Degree Accessibility Node (DAN) in a constrained Geographic Information System (GIS) model. Hence, it would be possible to compare regions, especially medium-sized cities, where the implementation of HSR could represent a qualitative leap due to incorporation into large transport networks. The DAN function uses static and dynamic studies to evaluate the level of connection of stations to secondary transport networks—local public transport in this case. Thus, the impact of high-speed trains could be spread to greater territorial and population ranges. Four cases have been studied, two in Germany (one of them, Fulda, is analysed in depth throughout this article) and two in Spain. These two countries were selected since HSR was implemented in the same relative period of time, in comparison with other European countries. Results show relevant differences, suggesting a review of inappropriate policies of transport integration in a city that could weaken the expansion of the positive effects of HSR integration.

The giant Jurassic-aged pockmark field of Beauvoisin developed in a 800 m wide depression for over 3.4 Ma during the Oxfordian; it formed below about 600 m water depth. It is composed of sub-sites organized in clusters and forming vertically stacked carbonate lenses encased in marls . This fine-scale study is focused on a detailed analysis of petrographical organization and geochemical signatures of crystals that grew up in early to late fractures of carbonate lenses, surrounding nodules, and tubes that fed them. The isotopic signature (C, O and Sr) shows that at least three different episodes of fluid migration participated to the mineralization processes. Most of the carbonates precipitated when biogenic seepage was active in the shallow subsurface during the Oxfordian. The second phase occurred relatively soon after burial during early Cretaceous and thermogenic fluids came probably from underlying Pliensbachian, Late Toarcian or Bajocian levels. The third phase is a bitumen-rich fluid probably related to these levels reaching the oil window during Mio-Pliocene. The fluids migrated through faults induced by the emplacement of Triassic-salt diapir of Propiac during the Late Jurassic and that remained polyphased drain structures over time.

La demande mondiale en produits bio-sourcés en pleine expansion engendre un intérêt croissant pour la recherche de nouvelles ressources de matières premières. Pour générer une valeur économique accrue dans les filières oléo-protéagineuses, les tourteaux, co-produits de l’extraction de l’huile, présentent des qualités pouvant être exploitées dans des secteurs diversifiés. Ces tourteaux sont principalement commercialisés en alimentation animale, mais restent peu utilisés dans le secteur de la chimie ou encore de l’alimentation humaine. Afin d’en étendre les applications, le prétraitement de la matière par broyage et classification granulométrique offre des perspectives technologiques pour la conception de nouveaux procédés d’extraction de composés d’intérêt. Le présent article a pour objectif : d’examiner la pertinence d’une diversification du marché des tourteaux, hors usage traditionnel et dans le secteur de la chimie; de caractériser la composition chimique des tourteaux ainsi que leurs propriétés techno-fonctionnelles; d’évaluer la faisabilité de valoriser ces tourteaux ainsi que leurs différentes fractions comme substituts ou additifs permettant la réduction de la teneur en produits d’origine fossile, par exemple, dans la production de formulations adhésives pour les panneaux de particules. Pour ce faire, un certain nombre d’actions ont été menées : évaluation du marché potentiel et accessible à partir des cultures métropolitaines; analyse du panorama de la propriété intellectuelle pour les marchés identifiés; caractérisation chimique des tourteaux broyés et de ses fractions solubles et insolubles; applicabilité des différentes fractions obtenues, en termes de pouvoir moussant, émulsifiant et gélifiant; premiers tests d’application à partir de tourteaux de colza et de tournesol dans le domaine des panneaux de bois composite. Les résultats obtenus ont permis : de dresser une cartographie de l’activité inventive liée à la valorisation des protéines de tourteaux de soja, colza, tournesol et farine de pois dans des applications variées en mettant en avant le dynamisme et l’intérêt croissant d’industriels et d’universitaires pour l’utilisation des protéines d’origines oléo-protéagineuses; d’explorer les propriétés techno-fonctionnelles apportées par ces tourteaux broyés et leurs dérivés, en particulier dans les domaines des panneaux de bois composite.

The continuous world population growth induces a total protein demand increase based mainly on plant sources. To meet these global nutritional challenges, existing and innovative dry and wet fractionation processes will have to be combined to better valorise plant protein fraction from pulses and oilseeds. The worldwide success of soy protein isolates originate from the intrinsic qualities of soybean proteins but also from a continuous R&D effort since mid-twenty century. Therefore, the soy protein development model can be applied to protein isolates from diverse pulses and oilseeds meals as rapeseed which has already been recognised as novel food protein in Europe. To boost the delivery of plant proteins, agrofood-industries and academics must pool their respective expertise. Innovative and issue solving R&D projects have to be launched to better valorise pulses and oilseed proteins by (i) creating oil extraction processes which preserve native proteins structure; (ii) developing novel protein extraction processes from lab up to industrial pilot scale; (iii) producing plant protein isolates having comparable foaming, emulsifying or gelling functionality than animal; and (iv) generating hydrolysed proteins with high digestibility adapted to human nutrition. It is also essential to initiate research programs to innovate in wet and dry fractionations of plants or to design in vitro models to evaluate proteins digestibility and allergenicity. The increased awareness regarding plant protein valorisation resulted in the creation by agro-industries and academics of the open platform IMPROVE which propose a combination of competencies and equipment to boost market uptake of Plant Based Proteins.

The knowledge about the role of Ni (Ni) in the nutrition, physiology and metabolism of the majority of crops is limited, whereas is considered to be an essential element for the higher plants starting from the 80’s of the twentieth century. The primary function of Ni in plants is defined in terms of its importance for the hydrolysis of urea; however, Ni may have an importance in other physiological processes, such as nitrogen fixation. Although the deficiencies of Ni in plants are relatively rare events, the positive response of yield and nitrogen use efficiency to applications of Ni are shown for different species. The present work summarizes the data about the essentiality of Ni and its function in plant metabolism as well as its agronomic importance for the crops.

En este trabajo se analiza la incidencia de la calidad del sitio web financiero en la generación de confianza que los usuarios del mismo desarrollan hacia el canal Internet. Se discute, con ese fin, la hipótesis que establece una relación entre ambos constructos y que permitirá comprobar si el diseño, estructura de navegación y la información contenida en el sitio favorecen en el usuario la aparición de la confianza online, entendida ésta en términos de confiabilidad y seguridad y privacidad. Para su contrastación hemos formulado un modelo causal.

En dos suelos contrastantes, Andic Eutrudepts (Funza, Cundinamarca) y Typic Hapludands (Saboyá, Boyacá), se evaluó la respuesta agronómica a la aplicación de manganeso de Solanum tuberosum L. y Pisum sativum L. En S. tuberosum se realizó la investigación en dos localidades, Funza y Saboyá, evaluando dosis de Mn de 0,0; 3,0; 4,0; 6,0 kg· ha-1, respectivamente, aplicado en mezcla con el fertilizante NPK en siembra; en Saboyá se contó con un testigo sin aplicación de fertilizante. Las variedades utilizadas en la investigación fueron ‘Diacol Capiro’ en Funza y ‘Parda Pastusa’ en Saboyá. En P. sativum la evaluación se llevó a cabo en la localidad de Funza y se valoraron dosis de Mn de 0,0; 2,5; 5,0; 10,0; 15,0 kg· ha-1 aplicadas en mezcla con el fertilizante recomendado NPK. En todos los casos, se utilizó como fuente sulfato de Mn granulado (Microman, 20% Mn). Los ensayos estuvieron bajo un diseño de bloques completos al azar con tres réplicas. Se observó una respuesta positiva en S. tuberosum bajo Andic Eutrudepts con dosis de Mn de 5,0 a 6,0 kg· ha-1 y en Typic Hapludands con dosis de Mn de 3,0 a 4,0 kg· ha-1, respuesta que provocó un incremento significativo del rendimiento entre 10% y 17%, con relación al tratamiento sin aplicación. En P. sativum la aplicación de Mn generó incrementos altamente significativos en el rendimiento, favorables a dosis de Mn de 2,5 a 3,0 kg· ha-1. Esta investigación es extrapolable a unidades de suelos con características similares y demuestra que existen factores nutricionales pasivos que pueden disminuir la brecha en el potencial de rendimiento.

RESUMEN Los mercados de seguros europeos han evolucionado mucho en los últimos años. Las directrices europeas han fomentado el establecimiento de un mercado de seguros único. Este hecho ha provocado una serie de fusiones y adquisiciones de empresas, así como aumentado la competitividad en los mercados dando lugar a una mayor preocupación por la eficiencia empresarial.Este estudio trata de analizar la eficiencia de cuatro de los principales mercados europeos en el ámbito asegurador, como son Alemania, Francia, Italia y Reino Unido, durante el periodo 2004-2007. Para ello se ha empleado un modelo DEA-CCR input orientado.Los resultados muestran que el mercado italiano es el más eficiente lo cual puede deberse a que está compuesto por un menor número de empresas. Por su parte el mercado británico es el más atomizado, lo que probablemente reduce su ratio de eficiencia a pesar de ser el que mayor número de empresas eficientes posee.ABSTRACT The European Insurance Market has been developed during the last years. With the aim of establishing a Single European Insurance Market, several Directives have been developed. This fact was following by an important process of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), and also by an increase in competitive between firms, which were looking for more efficiency.This work analyses efficiency of four of the main European insurance market – Germany, France, Italy and United Kingdom- during the period 2004-2007. For that purpose, we have chosen a DEA-CCR model, input orientation. Results show that Italian market is the most efficient, probably due to being the one with the least number of firms. On the other hand, United Kingdom has a numerous and very heterogeneous market, which maybe reduce it efficiency rate, even when Britain market is that with more efficient firms.

Abstract Background Neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti related peptide (AgRP), cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) and melanocortins, the products of the proopiomelanocortin (POMC), are hypothalamic peptides involved in feeding regulation and energy homeostasis. Recent evidence has demonstrated their expression in rat and human placenta. Methods In the current study, we have investigated the expression of those neuropeptides in the rat placenta by real-time PCR using a model of maternal food restriction. Results Our results showed that placental-derived neuropeptides were regulated through pregnancy and following food restriction. Conclusion These data could indicate that placental-derived neuropeptides represent a local regulatory circuit that may fine-tune control of energy balance during pregnancy.

Within the field of nanomedicine, which is revolutionizing cancer treatment, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have shown advantages over conventional chemotherapy when tested on cancer cells in preclinical studies. SLNs have proven to be an innovative strategy for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer cells, providing greater efficiency than existing treatments in various studies. The encapsulation of antineoplastic drugs in SLNs has facilitated a sustained, controlled, and targeted release, which enhances therapeutic efficiency and reduces adverse effects. Moreover, the surface of SLNs can be modified to increase efficiency. For instance, the coating of these particles with polyethylene glycol (PEG) decreases their opsonization, resulting in a longer life in the circulatory system. The creation of positively charged cationic SLNs (cSLNs), achieved by the utilization of surfactants or ionic lipids with positively charged structural groups, increases their affinity for cell membranes and plasma proteins. Hyaluronic acid has been added to SLNs so that the distinct pH of tumor cells would stimulate the release of the drug and/or genetic material. The current review summarizes the recent research on SLNs, focusing on the encapsulation and transport of therapeutic agents with a cytotoxic effect on triple-negative breast cancer.

In this study, the biodegradation properties of leather treated with various finishing chemicals were evaluated in order to enhance the sustainability of leather processing. We applied advanced analytical techniques, including FT-IR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Leather samples treated with different polymers, resins, bio-based materials, and traditional finishing agents were subjected to a composting process under controlled conditions to measure their biodegradability. The findings revealed that bio-based polyurethane finishes and acrylic wax exhibited biodegradability, while traditional chemical finishes like isocyanate and nitrocellulose lacquer showed moderate biodegradation levels. The results indicated significant differences in the biodegradation rates and the impact on plant germination and growth. Some materials, such as black pigment, nitrocellulose lacquer and wax, were beneficial for plant growth, while others, such as polyurethane materials, had adverse effects. These results support the use of eco-friendly finishes to reduce the environmental footprint of leather production. Overall, this study underscores the importance of selecting sustainable finishing chemicals to promote eco-friendly leather-manufacturing practices.

Purpose: To investigate best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), subretinal fluid (SRF) absorption time or ellipsoid zone (EZ) restoration time and various variables in patients with persistent SRF after successful primary repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD)., Methods: This retrospective multicenter study allowed independent analysis of the healing pattern by two observers based on composite of serial cross-sectional macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans. Univariate and multivariate analyses were implemented., Results: One hundred and three cases had persistent SRF after pars plana vitrectomy, scleral buckling, or pneumatic retinopexy. By univariate analysis, SRF resolution time correlated positively with the number of retinal breaks ( p  < 0.001) and with increased myopia ( p  = 0.011). Using multivariate analysis, final BCVA (log MAR) correlated positively with age, duration of RRD, initial BCVA (OR = 3.28; [95%CI = 1.44-7.47]; p  = 0.015), and SRF resolution time (OR = 0.46 [95%CI 0.21-1.05]; p  = 0.049). EZ restoration time was longer with increasing number of retinal tears (OR = 0.67; [95%CI 0.29-1.52]; p  = 0.030), worse final BCVA, and presence of macula-off RRD (OR = 0.26; [95%CI 0.08-0.88]; p  = 0.056). SRF resolution time correlated marginally with prone position., Conclusions: Residual posterior SRF is more common in eyes with multiple breaks or in myopic eyes. Final BCVA is better in younger subjects and in eyes with shorter duration of RRD. Persistent SRF is a self-limited disorder with a mean resolution of 11.2 months with good visual prognosis improving from a mean baseline logMAR of 1.08 to 0.25 at one year., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

This article describes findings from the evaluation of Healthy Families NZ (HFNZ), an equity-driven, place-based community health initiative. Implemented in nine diverse communities across New Zealand, HFNZ aims to strengthen the systems that can improve health and well-being. Findings highlight local needs and priorities including the social mechanisms important for reorienting health and policy systems towards place-based communities. Lessons encompass the importance of local lived experience in putting evidence into practice; the strength of acting with systems in mind; the need for relational, learning, intentional, and well-resourced community organisation; examples of how to foster place-based 'community-up' leadership; and how to enable responsiveness between communities and local and national policy systems. A reconceptualisation of scaling in the context of complexity and systems change is offered, which recognises that relationships and agency are key to making progress on the determinants of health., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To conduct a proof-of-concept study of the detection of two synthetic models of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using polarimetric imaging., Approach: Two SARS-CoV-2 models were prepared as engineered lentiviruses pseudotyped with the G protein of the vesicular stomatitis virus, and with the characteristic Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Samples were prepared in two biofluids (saline solution and artificial saliva), in four concentrations, and deposited as 5-µL droplets on a supporting plate. The angles of maximal degree of linear polarization (DLP) of light diffusely scattered from dry residues were determined using Mueller polarimetry from87 samples at 405 nm and 514 nm. A polarimetric camera was used for imaging several samples under 380-420 nm illumination at angles similar to those of maximal DLP. Per-pixel image analysis included quantification and combination of polarization feature descriptors in 475 samples., Main Results: The angles (from sample surface) of maximal DLP were 3° for 405 nm and 6° for 514 nm. Similar viral particles that differed only in the characteristic spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2, their corresponding negative controls, fluids, and the sample holder were discerned at 10-degree and 15-degree configurations., Significance: Polarimetric imaging in the visible spectrum may help improve fast, non-contact detection and identification of viral particles, and/or other microbes such as tuberculosis, in multiple dry fluid samples simultaneously, particularly when combined with other imaging modalities. Further analysis including realistic concentrations of real SARS-CoV-2 viral particles in relevant human fluids is required. Polarimetric imaging under visible light may contribute to a fast, cost-effective screening of SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens when combined with other imaging modalities., Competing Interests: Emilio Gomez-Gonzalez reports financial support was provided by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Institute of Health ‘Carlos III’. Emilio Gomez-Gonzalez reports financial support was provided by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and ERDF. Francisco Jose Garcia-Cozar reports financial support was provided by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Institute of Health ‘Carlos III’. Alejandro Barriga-Rivera reports financial support was provided by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and ERDF. Olga Muñoz reports financial support was provided by Center of Excellence ‘Severo Ochoa’. Juan Carlos Gomez-Martin reports financial support was provided by Center of Excellence ‘Severo Ochoa’. Jose Luis Ramos reports financial support was provided by Center of Excellence ‘Severo Ochoa’. Olga Muñoz reports financial support was provided by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (LEONIDAS Grant). Juan Carlos Gomez-Martin reports financial support was provided by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (LEONIDAS Grant). Jose Luis Ramos reports financial support was provided by Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (LEONIDAS Grant). Emilio Gomez-Gonzalez has patent Apparatus and method for the optical detection of pathogens at a distance pending to Universidad de Sevilla and Andalusian Health Service. Alejandro Barriga-Rivera has patent Apparatus and method for the optical detection of pathogens at a distance pending to Universidad de Sevilla and Andalusian Health Service. Javier Marquez-Rivas has patent Apparatus and method for the optical detection of pathogens at a distance pending to Universidad de Sevilla and Andalusian Health Service. One coauthor serves as Handling Associate Editor for the Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy & Radiative Transfer - Olga Muñoz, (© 2023 The Author(s).)

Introduction: In Aotearoa New Zealand, being enrolled with a Primary Health Care (PHC) provider furnishes opportunities for lower cost access to PHC, preventative care and secondary health care services, and provides better continuity of care. We examine the characteristics of populations not enrolled, and whether enrolment is associated with amenable mortality., Method: We retrieved records of all deaths registered 2008 to 2017 in Aotearoa New Zealand, which included demographic and primary cause of death information. Deaths were classified as premature (aged under 75 years) or not, and amenable to health care intervention or not. The Primary Health Organisation (PHO) Enrolment Collection dataset provided the PHC enrolment status. Logistic regression was used to estimate the risk of amenable deaths by PHO enrolment status, adjusted for the effects of age, sex, ethnicity and deprivation., Results: A total of 308,628 mortality records were available. Of these, 38.2% were premature deaths, and among them 47.8% were amenable deaths. Cardiovascular diseases made up almost half of the amenable deaths. Males, youths aged 15-24 years, Pacific peoples, Māori and those living in the most socio-economically deprived areas demonstrated a higher risk of amenable mortality compared to their respective reference category. One in twenty (4.3%) people who had died had no active enrolment status in any of the calendar years in the study. The adjusted odds of amenable mortality among those not enrolled in a PHO was 39% higher than those enrolled [Odds Ratio = 1.39, 95% Confidence Interval 1.30-1.47]., Implications: Being enrolled in a PHC system is associated with a lower level of amenable mortality. Given demonstrated inequities in enrolment levels across age and ethnic groups, efforts to improve this could have significant benefits on health equity., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Silwal et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

This study aimed to assess whether the advanced characteristics of serum lipoprotein subclasses could better predict the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its severity compared to other established risk factors in subjects with type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes. This observational, cross-sectional substudy analyzed DR-related data from 309 T1D and 264 T2D subjects. The advanced lipoprotein and glycoprotein profile was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (Liposcale test). NMR analysis of lipoproteins revealed that T1D subjects with DR showed standard non-HDL particles, despite higher IDL lipid concentrations. Notably, IDL lipids were elevated in T1D subjects with worsened DR. VLDL and LDL were smaller, whereas HDL triglycerides were increased in DR compared with non-DR. On the other hand, the T2D subjects with DR showed altered characteristics in the LDL fraction, mainly revealed by a significant decrease in smaller LDL and a reduction in LDL-C. Moreover, the glycoprotein profile did not reveal significant changes among DR groups, regardless of the type of diabetes. However, lipoprotein characteristics and glycoproteins unveiled by NMR analysis did not improve the predictive value of conventional lipids or other traditional, well-established biomarkers of DR in our cohorts.

Effective testing is essential to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission. Here we report a-proof-of-concept study on hyperspectral image analysis in the visible and near-infrared range for primary screening at the point-of-care of SARS-CoV-2. We apply spectral feature descriptors, partial least square-discriminant analysis, and artificial intelligence to extract information from optical diffuse reflectance measurements from 5 µL fluid samples at pixel, droplet, and patient levels. We discern preparations of engineered lentiviral particles pseudotyped with the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 from those with the G protein of the vesicular stomatitis virus in saline solution and artificial saliva. We report a quantitative analysis of 72 samples of nasopharyngeal exudate in a range of SARS-CoV-2 viral loads, and a descriptive study of another 32 fresh human saliva samples. Sensitivity for classification of exudates was 100% with peak specificity of 87.5% for discernment from PCR-negative but symptomatic cases. Proposed technology is reagent-free, fast, and scalable, and could substantially reduce the number of molecular tests currently required for COVID-19 mass screening strategies even in resource-limited settings., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Glioma is the most common and aggressive primary tumor of the central nervous system. The standard treatment for malignant gliomas is surgery followed by chemoradiotherapy. Unfortunately, this treatment has not produced an adequate patient response, resulting in a median survival time of 12-15 months and a 5-year overall survival of <5%. Although new strategies have been sought to enhance patient response, no significant increase in the global survival of glioma patients has been achieved. The option of developing new drugs implies a long and costly process, making drug repurposing a more practical alternative for improving glioma treatment. In the last few years, researchers seeking more effective cancer therapy have pursued the possibility of using anti-hormonal agents, such as mifepristone. The latter drug, an antagonist for progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors, has several attractive features: anti-tumor activity, low cytotoxicity to healthy cells, and modulation of the chemosensitivity of several cancer cell lines in vitro . Hence, the addition of mifepristone to temozolomide-based glioblastoma chemotherapy may lead to a better patient response. The mechanisms by which mifepristone enhances glioma treatment are not yet known. The current review aims to discuss the potential role of mifepristone as an adjuvant drug for the treatment of high-grade gliomas., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Llaguno-Munive, Vazquez-Lopez, Jurado and Garcia-Lopez.)

In the United States, 1.1 million persons are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and approximately 37,800 new infections occur annually. Ending the HIV epidemic requires reducing HIV transmissions by 90% within the next 10 years and requires expanded HIV testing, antivirals for persons infected with HIV, and scale-up of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent new infections. Community pharmacies are widely accessible and employ highly trained health care professionals on-site who can initiate PrEP and PEP. Recommendations are offered to implement a community pharmacy PrEP program. Pharmacy, government, and HIV prevention leaders must be prepared to support and promote transformative changes, including (1) modification or expansion of existing state-specific scope of practice to initiate PrEP and PEP, (2) encouraging pharmacist education about PrEP and PEP, (3) identification and screening of candidates for PrEP eligibility, (4) incorporating pharmacy laboratory ordering and monitoring logistics, (5) adjusting workflow and ensuring confidential spaces for sensitive discussions, and (6) addressing reimbursement to maintain pharmacist-delivered PrEP and PEP programs. HIV disproportionately affects minority communities and younger individuals who may not be engaged in the health care system. Community pharmacies are accessible and can help increase PrEP use. Expansion of community pharmacy PrEP programs are needed to help end the HIV epidemic. Implementation of PrEP requires adaptation of the pharmacy profession to support incorporation of PrEP in a community pharmacy. Endorsement and support of community pharmacists are needed to implement PrEP to increase HIV prevention efforts and expand pharmacists' scope of practice., (Copyright © 2020 American Pharmacists Association®. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To discuss the design and implementation of a community pharmacy-initiated HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) program developed in collaboration with the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH)., Setting: A community pharmacy in San Francisco and the SFDPH developed a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) that allowed community pharmacists to initiate PrEP and PEP to prevent HIV acquisition and increase uptake in vulnerable populations., Practice Description: A community pharmacy in San Francisco's Mission District, an urban, historically Hispanic/Latino/Latinx neighborhood. The primary collaborative practice team consisted of 1 community pharmacy technician, 4 community pharmacists, and 1 designated overseeing physician at SFDPH., Practice Innovation: The pharmacy and the SFDPH collaborated together for 20 months from start to implementation of the CPA and the PrEP program. An interdisciplinary team of pharmacists, pharmacy personnel, public health physicians, and health department staff members worked together to design, launch, and maintain the program. Pharmacists were trained by SFDPH staff members on HIV testing and counseling and implementation of the PrEP protocol, including PEP initiation and sexually transmitted disease testing. A Department of Public Health secure portal was used to share patient information. An SFDPH physician reviewed patients' charts regularly and communicated with PrEP pharmacists as needed., Results: Between April 2018 and the end of March 2019, 6 patients received PEP and 53 patients completed a PrEP initiation visit, of whom 96% (n = 51) filled their prescription. Approximately 47% (n = 24) of clients who started PrEP self-identified as Hispanic or Latino, 10% (n = 5) were black or African American, and 82% (n = 42) identified as men who have sex with men., Conclusion: Implementation of a CPA between a community pharmacy and a local health department enabled the launch of pharmacist-delivered PrEP, further expanding the landscape of access points to vulnerable populations in San Francisco., (Copyright © 2020 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Bacteria are often found in close association with surfaces, resulting in the formation of biofilms. In Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), biofilms are implicated in the resilience of chronic infections, presenting a serious clinical problem world-wide. Here, S. aureus biofilms are grown under flow within clinical catheters at 37 °C. The lipid composition and biophysical properties of lipid extracts from these biofilms are compared with those from exponential growth and stationary phase cells. Biofilms show a reduction in iso and anteiso branching compensated by an increase in saturated fatty acids compared to stationary phase. A drastic reduction in carotenoid levels is also observed during biofilm formation. Thermotropic measurements of Laurdan GP and DPH polarization, show a reduction of lipid packing at 37 °C for biofilms compared to stationary phase. We studied the effects of carotenoid content on DMPG and DPPG model membranes showing trends in thermotropic behavior consistent with those observed in bacterial isolates, indicating that carotenoids participate in modulating lipid packing. Additionally, bending elastic constant (k c ) measurements using vesicle fluctuation analysis (VFA) show that the presence of carotenoids can increase membrane bending rigidity. The antimicrobial peptide Magainin H2 was less activity on liposomes composed of stationary phase compared to biofilms or exponential growth isolates. This study contributes to an understanding of how Staphylococcus aureus modulates the composition of its membrane lipids, and how those changes affect the biophysical properties of membranes, which in turn may play a role in its virulence and its resistance to different membrane-active antimicrobial agents., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)