Optimization of Clozapine Treatment: Study of Variables Affecting Response in Uruguayan Patients With Schizophrenia.

Purpose/background: Clozapine is the recommended drug for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Drug response could be affected by numerous factors such as age, sex, body mass index, co-medication, consumption of xanthine-containing beverages, smoking, and genetic variants of the enzymes involved in clozapine metabolism (CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and, to a lesser extent, CYP2C19 and CYP2D6). This study evaluated genetic and nongenetic variables that may affect clozapine plasma concentrations in Uruguayan patients with schizophrenia.

Strategies and Management for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal: A Systematic Review of Case Reports and Series.

In recent years, an increasing number of case reports on psychiatric drug withdrawal have emerged, offering detailed clinical insights and valuable real-world evidence on the withdrawal process. The objective of this review was to evaluate the strategies and management for withdrawing psychiatric drugs, as detailed in case reports and series. A systematic review of case reports and series published between 2013 and 2023 was conducted to capture the latest trends in psychiatric drug withdrawal.

Can Deep Learning Search for Exceptional Chiroptical Properties? The Halogenated [6]Helicene Case.

The relationship between chemical structure and chiroptical properties is not always clearly understood. Nowadays, efforts to develop new systems with enhanced optical properties follow the trial-error method. A large number of data would allow us to obtain more robust conclusions and guide research toward molecules with practical applications.

Resilience as a protective factor against depression in informal caregivers.

Introduction: Although previous research has demonstrated that resilience can be protective against various mental health conditions such as depression, existing studies examining the relationship between resilience and depression have limitations. To our knowledge, the moderators of the relationship have not been examined. The aim of this study was to determine whether resilience acts as a protective factor against depression in informal caregivers and to examine potential moderators of the relationship between these variables.

A Configurationally Stable Helical Indenofluorene.

We report the synthesis and study of the optoelectronic, magnetic, and chiroptical properties of a helically chiral diradicaloid based on dibenzoindeno[2,1-]fluorene. The molecule shows a small HOMO-LUMO gap and a moderate singlet-triplet gap, which agrees with the results of DFT calculations. The helical structure of the compound, confirmed by X-ray diffraction, is configurationally stable, which allows the isolation of both enantiomers and the evaluation of the chiroptical properties (ECD).

Curved Nanographenes as Stoppers in a [2]Rotaxane with Two-Photon Excited Emission.

Heptagon-containing distorted nanographenes are used as stoppers for the capping of a [2]rotaxane through a Michael-type addition reaction to vinyl sulfone groups. These curved aromatics are bulky enough to prevent the disassembly of the rotaxane but also give emissive and nonlinear (two-photon absorption and emission) optical properties to the structure.

Relating microtensiometer-based trunk water potential with sap flow, canopy temperature, and trunk and fruit diameter variations for irrigated 'Honeycrisp' apple.

Instrumentation plays a key role in modern horticulture. Thus, the microtensiomenter, a new plant-based sensor that continuously monitors trunk water potential (Ψ) can help in irrigation management decisions. To compare the response of the Ψ with other continuous tree water status indicators such as the sap flow rate, the difference between canopy and air temperatures, or the variations of the trunk and fruit diameter, all the sensors were installed in 2022 in a commercial orchard of 'Honeycrisp' apple trees with M.

The Waste-to-Biomethane Logistic Problem: A Mathematical Optimization Approach.

In this paper, we propose a new mathematical optimization approach to make decisions on the optimal design of the complex logistic system required to produce biogas from waste. We provide a novel and flexible decision-aid tool that allows decision makers to optimally determine the locations of different types of plants (pretreatment, anaerobic digestion, and biomethane liquefaction plants) and pipelines involved in the logistic process, according to a given budget, as well as the most efficient distribution of the products (from waste to biomethane) along the supply chain. The method is based on a mathematical optimization model that we further analyze and that, after reducing the number of variables and constraints without affecting the solutions, is able to solve real-size instances in reasonable CPU times.

Venous Thromboembolism Risk and Adherence to Pharmacological Thromboprophylaxis in Hospitalized Patients in Uruguay: First Nationwide Study.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious, frequent, and preventable medical complication in hospitalized patients. Although the efficacy of prophylaxis (pharmacological and/or mechanical) has been demonstrated, compliance with prophylaxis is poor at international and national levels.

Aim: To determine the indication and use of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients in Uruguay.

Ribonuclease activity undermines immune sensing of naked extracellular RNA.

The plasma membrane and the membrane of endosomal vesicles are considered physical barriers preventing extracellular RNA uptake. While naked RNA can be spontaneously internalized by certain cells types, functional delivery of naked RNA into the cytosol has been rarely observed. Here we show that extracellular ribonucleases, mainly derived from cell culture supplements, have so far hindered the study of extracellular RNA functionality.

Uric acid and acute kidney injury in high-risk patients for developing acute kidney injury undergoing cardiac surgery: A prospective multicenter study.

Purpose: It is unclear whether preoperative serum uric acid (SUA) elevation may play a role in the development of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with cardiac surgery (CSA-AKI). We conducted a cohort study to evaluate the influence of preoperative hyperuricemia on AKI in patients at high risk for developing SC-AKI.

Design: Multicenter prospective international cohort study.

A randomized controlled pilot study of a cognitive-behavioral video game intervention for the promotion of active aging.

Background: Due to the accessibility barriers of in-person programs for active aging, the development of programs that use innovative technologies is needed. Video games can be an engaging tool for disseminating active aging interventions.

Objective: The objective of this pilot study was to analyze the feasibility of a cognitive-behavioral intervention to promote active aging administered through a video game.

Distearoyl phosphatidylglycerol and dioleoyl phosphatidylglycerol increase the retention and reduce the toxicity of amphotericin B-loaded in nanoemulsions.

To develop nanoemulsions (NEs) loading amphotericin B (AmB) and to evaluate the influence of different excipients on the stability and the supramolecular organization, retention and toxicity of AmB. The NEs were developed from different oils, surfactants, external media and anionic lipids (disteaoryl phosphatidylglycerol [DSPG] and dioleoyl phosphatidylglycerol [DOPG]). Their impact on the size, pH, zeta potential, AmB encapsulation efficiency, AmB retention and hemolytic potential of the NEs was evaluated.

Supramolecular Large Nanosheets Assembled at Air/Water Interfaces and in Solution from Amphiphilic Heptagon-Containing Nanographenes.

We report the synthesis of a new set of amphiphilic saddle-shaped heptagon-containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) functionalized with tetraethylene glycol chains and their self-assembly into large two-dimensional (2D) polymers. An in-depth analysis of the self-assembly mechanism at the air/water interface has been carried out, and the proposed arrangement models are in good agreement with the molecular dynamics simulations. Quite remarkably, the number and disposition of the tetraethylene glycol chains significantly influence the disposition of the PAHs at the interface and conditionate their packing under pressure.

Current strategies for tapering psychiatric drugs: Differing recommendations, impractical doses, and other barriers.

While effective ways to prevent withdrawal symptoms from psychiatric drugs remain unclear, a highly accepted clinical approach for treatment discontinuation is to gradually reduce doses over time. The objective of this review is to gather the current strategies for tapering of psychiatric drugs described in the literature and guidelines in an attempt to identify the most promising one. Literature review and search for practice guidelines provided by government agencies and medical organizations were performed.

Efficacy of a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for the Prevention of Depression in Nonprofessional Caregivers Administered through a Smartphone App: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Due to the limited availability of in-person interventions for caregivers, the development of effective programs that use new technologies to prevent depression is needed. The goal of this research was to assess the efficacy of a cognitive behavioral intervention for the prevention of depression, administered to nonprofessional caregivers through a smartphone application (app). One hundred and seventy-five caregivers were randomly assigned to either an app-based cognitive behavioral intervention (CBIA), the CBIA intervention plus a telephone conference call (CBIA + CC), or an attention control group (ACG).

Aligning social networks and co-designed visions to foster systemic innovation in the Alps.

Unlabelled: Mountain regions face substantial challenges and opportunities arising from global change. The capacity of mountain regions for (systemic) innovation will be determinant to the success of system transformations envisioned by social actors of mountain communities. By analysing the social networks of two regions in the Alps and relating them to desired future visions of sustainable regional development, we provide insights about innovative capacities in mountain regions and propose how to strengthen these capacities in order to support regional transformations.

Dimerization, host-parasite communication and expression studies of an Echinococcus granulosus 2DBD nuclear receptor.

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are ligand-modulated transcription factors that regulate various biological processes, such as metabolism, development and reproduction. Although NRs with two DNA-binding domains (2DBD) were identified in Schistosoma mansoni (Platyhelminth, Trematoda) more than fifteen years ago, these proteins have been poorly studied. 2DBD-NRs could become attractive therapeutic targets to combat parasitic diseases such as cystic echinococcosis since this type of protein is absent in vertebrate hosts.

Combining thermal imaging and soil water content sensors to assess tree water status in pear trees.

Volumetric soil water content is commonly used for irrigation management in fruit trees. By integrating direct information on tree water status into measurements of soil water content, we can improve detection of water stress and irrigation scheduling. Thermal-based indicators can be an alternative to traditional measurements of midday stem water potential and stomatal conductance for irrigation management of pear trees ( L.

Mathematical optimization models for reallocating and sharing health equipment in pandemic situations.

In this paper we provide a mathematical programming based decision tool to optimally reallocate and share equipment between different units to efficiently equip hospitals in pandemic emergency situations under lack of resources. The approach is motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic in which many Heath National Systems were not able to satisfy the demand of ventilators, sanitary individual protection equipment or different human resources. Our tool is based in two main principles: (1) Part of the stock of equipment at a unit that is not needed (in near future) could be shared to other units; and (2) extra stock to be shared among the units in a region can be efficiently distributed taking into account the demand of the units.