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[Objective] To examine the relationship between the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) score and sociodemographic, health, emotional and behavioural factors, in a cross-sectional observational study in 447 older adults living in long-term care (LTC) settings in Madrid (Spain)., [Methods] The sample was stratified by nursing home ownership, geographical location, and size. Multiple linear regression analysis was used using backward elimination to identify factors that explained associations with fear, and logistic regression models were used to examine its role as a predictor of adherence to preventive measures., [Results] The mean age of the participants was 83.8 years, most were female, had had COVID-19, and were worried about the pandemic. The average score of the FCV-19S was 18.36 (SD: 8.28; range: 7-35), and the variables associated in the multiple linear regression model (explained variance: 34.00%) were being female, lower level of education, satisfaction with life and the residential home, and higher worry about the pandemic. The logistic regression models showed that fear of COVID-19 was a predictor of adherence to preventive measures like wearing facemasks, washing hands, and avoiding physical contact., [Conclusions] Fear of COVID-19 was significantly related with sex and subjective factors as life satisfaction and worry; and it influences older people's preventive behaviour. Interventions aimed at reducing fear and promoting adherence to preventive measures would improve their mental health and well-being.

The retina may suffer neurodegenerative damages, as other tissues of the central nervous system do, and serious eye diseases may develop. One of them is age-related macular degeneration, which causes progressive loss of vision due to retina degeneration. Treatment of age-related macular degeneration focuses on antioxidant agents and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor compounds, among others, that prevent/diminish oxidative stress and reduce neovascularisation respectively. The phytochemicals, medicinal plants and/or plant-diet supplements might be a useful adjunct in prevention or treatment of age-related macular degeneration owing to their antioxidant and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor properties. This review article presents the most investigated plants and natural products in relation to age-related macular degeneration, such as saffron, ginkgo, bilberry and blueberry, curcuma or turmeric, carotenoids, polyphenols, and vitamins C and E. This study provides up-to-date information on the effects, treatments, safety and efficiency of these phytotherapy products., Depto. de Farmacología, Farmacognosia y Botánica, Fac. de Farmacia, TRUE, pub

BACKGROUND // Multi-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (MRE) are a public health threat, with screening and isolation strategies being important to stop its dissemination. Multiplex PCR is a novel method capable of rapid diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity. In this study, our objective was to evaluate its application to multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae management since its implementation in our hospital. METHODS // An observational retrospective descriptive study of multiplex PCR ALLPLEX TM ENTERO-DR results to screen inpatients colonized by MRE took place from November 2019 to May 2021. We calculated the percentage of positive, negative, non-identifiable or invalid results, identified microorganisms, reason for requesting it and subsequent actions. Median and I.R. from sampling time to partial and theoretical culture time, and since last colonization/infection depending on test results were calculated. RESULTS // Resistance mechanisms were detected in 31.47% of tests, being E. coli ESBL (68.99%) the most frequently isolated microorganism. Median time to partial result was 5.75 hours (I.R.: 2.67), having statistically significant differences with theoretical time. The most important reason to request the test was screening (80.12%) and the most frequent action taken was not to isolate (41.70 %). Whenever forty-nine months or more since last colonization/infection have passed, only 14.81% of the samples tested positive. CONCLUSIONS // Multiplex PCR is a useful test to manage colonized patients, capable of giving a rapid result and allowing for quicker decision-making, contributing to a good use of resources and patient comfort., FUNDAMENTOS // Las enterobacterias multirresistentes (EBMR) suponen una amenaza para la Salud Pública, siendo el cribado y aislamiento de pacientes colonizados importante para evitar su diseminación. La PCR múltiple es una técnica novedosa, capaz de proporcionar un diagnóstico rápido con sensibilidad y especificidad altas. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la aplicación de PCR múltiple en el protocolo de aislamiento por EBMR desde su implantación en nuestro centro. MÉTODOS // Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se analizaron los resultados del estudio de colonización por EBMR a pacientes hospitalizados, mediante PCR múltiple ALLPLEX TM ENTERO-DR, entre noviembre de 2019 y mayo de 2021. Se calcularon las frecuencias de resultado positivo, negativo, no interpretable o inválido, de microorganismos identificados, el motivo de petición y actuación posterior. Se calcularon la mediana y Rango Intercuartílico (R.I.) del tiempo desde el cribado hasta el resultado parcial y final. También se calcularon la mediana y R.I. desde el antecedente de colonización/infección según resultado de la prueba rápida. RESULTADOS // Se detectó mecanismo de resistencia en el 31,47% de las pruebas, siendo más frecuentemente aislado E. coli BLEE (68,99%). La mediana de tiempo hasta el resultado parcial fue de 5,75 horas (R.I.: 2,67), existiendo diferencias estadísticamente significativas con el tiempo de cultivo teórico. El motivo principal de petición fue cribado por antecedente (80,12%) y la actuación más frecuente fue no aislar (41,70%). El 14,81% de las pruebas fue positivo si el antecedente de infección/colonización era mayor a cuarenta y nueve meses. CONCLUSIONES // La PCR múltiple es una prueba útil para el control de la colonización por EBMR, que disminuye el tiempo hasta resultado y facilita la toma de decisiones rápidas, pudiendo contribuir a la adecuada gestión de recursos y comodidad de pacientes.

Ornamental plant species introduced into new environments can exhibit an invasive potential and adaptability to abiotic stress factors. In this study, the drought stress responses of four potentially invasive ornamental grass species (Cymbopogon citratus, Cortaderia selloana, Pennisetum alopecuroides and P. setaceum) were analysed. Several seed germination parameters were determined under increasing polyethylene glycol (PEG 6000) concentrations. Additionally, plants in the vegetative stage were subjected to intermediate and severe water stress treatments for four weeks. All species registered high germination rates in control conditions (no stress treatment), even at high PEG concentrations, except C. citratus, which did not germinate at −1 MPa osmotic potential. Upon applying the water stress treatments, P. alopecuroides plants showed the highest tolerance, and C. citratus appeared the most susceptible to drought. Stress-induced changes in several biochemical markers (photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes, antioxidant compounds, root and shoot Na+ and K+ contents), highlighted different responses depending on the species and the stress treatments. Basically, drought tolerance seems to depend to a large extent on the active transport of Na+ and K+ cations to the aerial part of the plants, contributing to osmotic adjustment in all four species and, in the case of the most tolerant P. alopecuroides, on the increasing root K+ concentration under water deficit conditions. The study shows the invasive potential of all species, except C. citratus, in dry areas such as the Mediterranean region, especially in the current climate change scenario. Particular attention should be given to P. alopecuroides, which is widely commercialised in Europe as ornamental.