Health-related quality of life determinants in Spanish children with eosinophilic esophagitis.

Objectives: To study the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its possible determinant factors in Spanish children with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and their parents.

Methods: Multicenter observational cross-sectional study. The Spanish version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Eosinophilic Esophagitis Module was filled out by EoE patients aged 8-18 and their parents.

Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea during Pregnancy on Fetal Development: Gene Expression Profile of Cord Blood.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is quite prevalent during pregnancy and is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, but its potential influence on fetal development remains unclear. This study investigated maternal OSA impact on the fetus by analyzing gene expression profiles in whole cord blood (WCB). Ten women in the third trimester of pregnancy were included, five OSA and five non-OSA cases.

Dieback and Replacement of Riparian Trees May Impact Stream Ecosystem Functioning.

Alders are nitrogen (N)-fixing riparian trees that promote leaf litter decomposition in streams through their high-nutrient leaf litter inputs. While alders are widespread across Europe, their populations are at risk due to infection by the oomycete Phytophthora ×alni, which causes alder dieback. Moreover, alder death opens a space for the establishment of an aggressive N-fixing invasive species, the black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia).

Invitation strategies and participation in a community-based lung cancer screening programme located in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation.

Introduction: Although lung cancer screening is being implemented in the UK, there is uncertainty about the optimal invitation strategy. Here, we report participation in a community screening programme following a population-based invitation approach, examine factors associated with participation, and compare outcomes with hypothetical targeted invitations.

Methods: Letters were sent to all individuals (age 55-80) registered with a general practice (n=35 practices) in North and East Manchester, inviting ever-smokers to attend a Lung Health Check (LHC).

Benefits of Paediatric to Adult Transition Programme in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: The BUTTERFLY Study of GETECCU and SEGHNP.

(1) Background: Transition is a planned movement of paediatric patients to adult healthcare systems, and its implementation is not yet established in all inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) units. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of transition on IBD outcomes. (2) Methods: Multicentre, retrospective and observational study of IBD paediatric patients transferred to an adult IBD unit between 2017-2020.

Warming overrides eutrophication effects on leaf litter decomposition in stream microcosms.

Several human activities often result in increased nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs to running waters through runoff. Although headwater streams are less frequently affected by these inputs than downstream reaches, the joint effects of moderate eutrophication and global warming can affect the functioning of these ecosystems, which represent two thirds of total river length and thus are of major global relevance. In a microcosm study representing streams from a temperate area (northern Spain), we assessed the combined effects of increased water temperature (10.

Hospital-based proton therapy implementation during the COVID pandemic: early clinical and research experience in a European academic institution.

Introduction: A rapid deploy of unexpected early impact of the COVID pandemic in Spain was described in 2020. Oncology practice was revised to facilitate decision-making regarding multimodal therapy for prevalent cancer types amenable to multidisciplinary treatment in which the radiotherapy component searched more efficient options in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic, minimizing the risks to patients whilst aiming to guarantee cancer outcomes.

Methods: A novel Proton Beam Therapy (PBT), Unit activity was analyzed in the period of March 2020 to March 2021.

Corrigendum: Practice-oriented solutions integrating intraoperative electron irradiation and personalized proton therapy for recurrent or unresectable cancers: Proof of concept and potential for dual FLASH effect.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.

Community-acquired pneumonia - An EFIM guideline critical appraisal adaptation for internists.

Background: In real-life settings, guidelines frequently cannot be followed since many patients are multimorbid and/or elderly or have other complicating conditions which carry an increased risk of drug-drug interactions. This document aimed to adapt recommendations from existing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) to assist physicians' decision-making processes concerning specific and complex scenarios related to acute CAP.

Methods: The process for the adaptation procedure started with the identification of unsolved clinical questions (PICOs) in patients with CAP and continued with critically appraising the updated existing CPGs and choosing the recommendations, which are most applicable to these specific scenarios.

Amphibian loss alters periphyton structure and invertebrate growth in montane streams.

Amphibians are declining worldwide due to a combination of stressors such as climate change, invasive species, habitat loss, pollution and emergent diseases. Although their losses are likely to have important ecological consequences on the structure and functioning of freshwater ecosystems, this issue has been scarcely explored. We conducted an experiment in three montane streams-where primary production is the main source of energy and carbon-to assess the effects of amphibian disappearance (i.

Coupling Two Laser-Cooled Ions via a Room-Temperature Conductor.

We demonstrate coupling between the motions of two independently trapped ions with a separation distance of 620  μm. The ion-ion interaction is enhanced via a room-temperature electrically floating metallic wire which connects two surface traps. Tuning the motion of both ions into resonance, we show flow of energy with a coupling rate of 11 Hz.

Characterization of Potassium-Induced Natriuresis in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women During Both Low and High Sodium Intake.

Background: Potassium-induced natriuresis may contribute to the beneficial effects of potassium on blood pressure but has not been well-characterized in human postmenopausal hypertension. We determined the time course and magnitude of potassium-induced natriuresis and kaliuresis compared with hydrochlorothiazide in 19 hypertensive Hispanic postmenopausal women. We also determined the modulating effects of sodium intake, sodium-sensitivity, and activity of the thiazide-sensitive NCC (sodium-chloride cotransporter).

Microplastics increase susceptibility of amphibian larvae to the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

Microplastics (MPs), a new class of pollutants that pose a threat to aquatic biodiversity, are of increasing global concern. In tandem, the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) causing the disease chytridiomycosis is emerging worldwide as a major stressor to amphibians. We here assess whether synergies exist between this infectious disease and MP pollution by mimicking natural contact of a highly susceptible species (midwife toads, Alytes obstetricans) with a Bd-infected reservoir species (fire salamanders, Salamandra salamandra) in the presence and absence of MPs.

[Euthanasia: is this the law we need?].

The Spanish Euthanasia Law introduces a new right that is added to the portfolio of services provided by the Spanish health system and whose application is guaranteed within a period of 40 days. From the perspective of clinical experience, it is argued that without the effective right to quality palliative care and given the current shortcomings in dependant care, this law may send a threatening message to particularly fragile and dependant individuals that will lead to them feeling like a burden to their families and society. It is reasoned that basing the right to die on the dignity of the individual may have unexpected social repercussions.

Thiazide-Sensitive NCC (Sodium-Chloride Cotransporter) in Human Metabolic Syndrome: Sodium Sensitivity and Potassium-Induced Natriuresis.

The thiazide-sensitive sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC;SLC12A3) is central to sodium and blood pressure regulation. Metabolic syndrome induces NCC upregulation generating sodium-sensitive hypertension in experimental animal models. We tested the role of NCC in sodium sensitivity in hypertensive humans with metabolic syndrome.

A common fungicide impairs stream ecosystem functioning through effects on aquatic hyphomycetes and detritivorous caddisflies.

Fungicides can reach streams through runoff or adhered to leaf litter, and have the potential to adversely affect processes such as litter decomposition and associated communities. This study investigated the effects of chlorothalonil, a widely used fungicide, on litter decomposition, detritivorous invertebrates (larvae of the insect Sericostoma pyrenaicum) and aquatic hyphomycetes (AHs), using stream microcosms. We considered the single and combined effects of two exposure modes: waterborne fungicide (at two concentrations: 0.

Microplastics have lethal and sublethal effects on stream invertebrates and affect stream ecosystem functioning.

Microplastics (MPs) are contaminants of increasing concern due to their abundance, ubiquity and persistence over time. However, knowledge about MP distribution in fresh waters and their effects on freshwater organisms is still scarce, and there is virtually no information about their potential influence on ecosystem functioning. We used a microcosm experiment to examine the effects of MPs (fluorescent, 10-μm polystyrene microspheres) at different concentrations (from 0 to 10 particles mL) on leaf litter decomposition (a key process in stream ecosystems) and associated organisms (the caddisfly detritivore Sericostoma pyrenaicum), and the extent to which MPs were attached to leaf litter and ingested and egested by detritivores, thus assessing mechanisms of MP trophic transfer.

Microplastics impair amphibian survival, body condition and function.

Microplastics (MPs) are contaminants of increasing concern; they are abundant, ubiquitous and persistent over time, representing potential risks for organisms and ecosystems. However, such risks are still virtually unknown for amphibians, despite the particular attention that these organisms often receive because of their global decline. We examined the effects of MPs (fluorescent, 10-μm polystyrene microspheres) at different concentrations (from 0 to 10 particles mL) on tadpoles of the common midwife toad, Alytes obstetricans, using a microcosm experiment.

Efficacy of tocilizumab monotherapy after response to combined tocilizumab and methotrexate in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: the randomised JUST-ACT study.

Objectives: The aim of the JUST-ACT study was to assess whether the add-on effect of tocilizumab (TCZ) to background methotrexate (MTX) observed in MTX-inadequate responders with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), would be sustained when MTX is withdrawn.

Methods: A double-blind, parallel-group, phase 3 study in biologic-naïve RA patients with a disease activity score 28 (DAS28)>3.2 despite MTX which were treated with TCZ+MTX for an initial 16-week period.

Postdural Puncture Headache and Epidural Blood Patch in a Large Obstetric Anaesthesia Population.

Objective: Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is the most common serious complication in obstetric anesthesia. We show the incidence of accidental dural puncture (ADP), PDPH, epidural blood patch (EBP) and associated morbidity following a protocol established in an obstetric anesthesia department.

Methods: An observational, prospective, analytical study performed in 66,540 epidural labor analgesia procedures.

Single-Center Evaluation of the Pharmacokinetics and Safety of the Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist Azilsartan Medoxomil in Mild to Moderate Hepatic Impairment.

Azilsartan medoxomil (AZL-M) is a potent angiotensin II receptor blocker that decreases blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner. It is a prodrug that is not detected in blood after its oral administration because of its rapid hydrolysis to the active moiety, azilsartan (AZL). AZL undergoes further metabolism to the major metabolite, M-II, and minor metabolites.