Should we measure quality of life among people with HIV? A multicentre survey of physicians' opinions in Spain.

Objectives: We assessed the opinions of physicians caring for people with HIV (PWH) from the multicentre Spanish CoRIS cohort regarding the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: We designed an online self-administered questionnaire comprising 27 structured questions across four domains: (i) sociodemographic and clinical data; (ii) usefulness of measuring HRQoL; (iii) information, training and resource needed; and (iv) whether and how HRQoL should be measured. Physicians completed the questionnaire between April and June 2023.

Multi-loaded PLGA microspheres as neuroretinal therapy in a chronic glaucoma animal model.

This work focused on the co-encapsulation and simultaneous co-delivery of three different neuroprotective drugs in PLGA (poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres for the treatment of glaucoma. For formulation optimization, dexamethasone (anti-inflammatory) and ursodeoxycholic acid (anti-apoptotic) were co-loaded by the solid-in-oil-in-water emulsion solvent extraction-evaporation technique as a first step. The incorporation of a water-soluble co-solvent (ethanol) and different amounts of dexamethasone resulted critical for the encapsulation of the neuroprotective agents and their initial release.

Immune Analysis Using Vitreous Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging in Rats with Steroid-Induced Glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a multifactorial pathology involving the immune system. The subclinical immune response plays a homeostatic role in healthy situations, but in pathological situations, it produces imbalances. Optical coherence tomography detects immune cells in the vitreous as hyperreflective opacities and these are subsequently characterised by computational analysis.

Does the Prevalence of Obesity in the Different Regions of Spain Influence the Attitudes, Perception, and Barriers to Its Treatment?

Introduction: The differences in the prevalence of obesity between the various regions of Spain, partly attributed to socioeconomic differences, may influence the approach to this disease. The aim of this study was to compare differences in attitudes, perception, and barriers to the treatment of obesity between people with obesity (PwO) and health care professionals (HCPs), between the different regions of Spain.

Methods: Sub-analysis of the ACTION-IO Spain study, which included 1,500 PwO and 306 HCP, was performed to identify differences in PwQ and HCPs belonging to regions with high prevalence of obesity (>16%, n = 9 regions, high prevalence of obesity [HPO] group) and low prevalence of obesity (<16%, n = 8 regions, low prevalence of obesity [LPO] group) (self-reported data), according to the 2017 National Health Survey of Spain.

Are lead, cadmium and mercury risk factors for resistant hypertension?

Background: Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) are toxic trace elements that represent a public health problem as risk factors for cardiovascular disease and hypertension (HT) and could also contribute to the development of resistant hypertension (rHT) AIMS: To compare the blood concentrations of Pb, Cd and Hg in subjects with resistant and non-resistant HT and to define whether there is a relationship between its levels and rHT.

Methods: Cross-sectional study. Subjects aged ≥ 21 to ≤ 80 years with a body mass index < 40 kg/m2 were recruited on a discretionary basis from October 2001 to October 2004 in a hypertension unit of a tertiary hospital amongst those sent to the hypertension unit by their family physician.

Chronic Glaucoma Induced in Rats by a Single Injection of Fibronectin-Loaded PLGA Microspheres: IOP-Dependent and IOP-Independent Neurodegeneration.

To evaluate a new animal model of chronic glaucoma induced using a single injection of fibronectin-loaded biodegradable PLGA microspheres (Ms) to test prolonged therapies. 30 rats received a single injection of fibronectin-PLGA-Ms suspension (MsF) in the right eye, 10 received non-loaded PLGA-Ms suspension (Control), and 17 were non-injected (Healthy). Follow-up was performed (24 weeks), evaluating intraocular pressure (IOP), optical coherence tomography (OCT), histology and electroretinography.

New trends towards glaucoma treatment: Topical osmoprotective microemulsions loaded with latanoprost.

The chronic use of hypotensive agents eventually leads to ocular surface damage and poor patient compliance during glaucoma management. Thus, new sustained drug delivery systems are needed. This work aimed to develop osmoprotective latanoprost-loaded microemulsion formulations as new potential glaucoma treatments with ocular surface protective properties.

Clinical Recommendations to Manage Gastrointestinal Adverse Events in Patients Treated with Glp-1 Receptor Agonists: A Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are indicated in type 2 diabetes and obesity for their high efficacy in controlling glycaemia and inducing body weight loss, respectively. Patients may develop gastrointestinal adverse events (GI AEs), namely nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and/or constipation. To minimize their severity and duration, healthcare providers (HCPs) and patients must be aware of appropriate measures to follow while undergoing treatment.

Tunable degrees of neurodegeneration in rats based on microsphere-induced models of chronic glaucoma.

This study compares four different animal models of chronic glaucoma against normal aging over 6 months. Chronic glaucoma was induced in 138 Long-Evans rats and compared against 43 aged-matched healthy rats. Twenty-five rats received episcleral vein sclerosis injections (EPIm cohort) while the rest were injected in the eye anterior chamber with a suspension of biodegradable microspheres: 25 rats received non-loaded microspheres (N-L Ms cohort), 45 rats received microspheres loaded with dexamethasone (MsDexa cohort), and 43 rats received microspheres co-loaded with dexamethasone and fibronectin (MsDexaFibro cohort).

Mimicking chronic glaucoma over 6 months with a single intracameral injection of dexamethasone/fibronectin-loaded PLGA microspheres.

To create a chronic glaucoma animal model by a single intracameral injection of biodegradable poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres (Ms) co-loaded with dexamethasone and fibronectin (MsDexaFibro). MsDexaFibro were prepared by a water-in-oil-in-water emulsion method including dexamethasone in the organic phase and fibronectin in the inner aqueous phase. To create the chronic glaucoma model, an interventionist and longitudinal animal study was performed using forty-five Long Evans rats (4-week-old).

Analysis of Parainflammation in Chronic Glaucoma Using Vitreous-OCT Imaging.

Glaucoma causes blindness due to the progressive death of retinal ganglion cells. The immune response chronically and subclinically mediates a homeostatic role. In current clinical practice, it is impossible to analyse neuroinflammation non-invasively.

Combined hyperosmolarity and inflammatory conditions in stressed human corneal epithelial cells and macrophages to evaluate osmoprotective agents as potential DED treatments.

Purpose: To develop an easy-to-perform combined model in human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and Balb/c mice macrophages J774.A1 (MP) for preliminary screening of potential ophthalmic therapeutic substances.

Methods: HCECs were exposed to different osmolarities (350-500 mOsm/L) and MTT assay was employed for cell survival and flow cytometry to assess apoptosis-necrosis and relative cell size (RCS) distribution.

Chronic Glaucoma Using Biodegradable Microspheres to Induce Intraocular Pressure Elevation. Six-Month Follow-Up.

Background: To compare two prolonged animal models of glaucoma over 24 weeks of follow-up. A novel pre-trabecular model of chronic glaucoma was achieved by injection of biodegradable poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres (10-20 µm) (Ms20/10) into the ocular anterior chamber to progressively increase ocular hypertension (OHT).

Methods: Rat right eyes were injected to induce OHT: 50% received a suspension of Ms20/10 in the anterior chamber at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks, and the other 50% received a sclerosing episcleral vein injection biweekly (EPIm).

Liposomes as vehicles for topical ophthalmic drug delivery and ocular surface protection.

The development of ophthalmic formulations able to deliver hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs to the inner structures of the eye and restore the preocular tear film has been a leading topic of discussion over the last few years. In this sense, liposomes represent a suitable strategy to achieve these objectives in ocular drug delivery. Knowledge of the different physiological and anatomical eye structures, and specially the ocular surface are critical to better understanding and comprehending the characteristics required for the development of topical ophthalmic liposomal formulations.

Association between coffee consumption and total dietary caffeine intake with cognitive functioning: cross-sectional assessment in an elderly Mediterranean population.

Purpose: Coffee is rich in compounds such as polyphenols, caffeine, diterpenes, melanoidins and trigonelline, which can stimulate brain activity. Therefore, the possible association of coffee consumption with cognition is of considerable research interest. In this paper, we assess the association of coffee consumption and total dietary caffeine intake with the risk of poor cognitive functioning in a population of elderly overweight/obese adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Perceptions, Attitudes, and Barriers to Obesity Management in Spain: Results from the Spanish Cohort of the International ACTION-IO Observation Study.

The prevalence of obesity is rapidly rising in Spain. The Awareness, Care and Treatment in Obesity Management-An International Observation (ACTION-IO) study (NCT03584191) was an international cross-sectional survey conducted to identify the perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and barriers to obesity management for people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs); results from Spain are presented. In Spain, 1500 PwO (body mass index ≥30 kg/m based on self-reported height and weight) and 306 HCPs (in direct patient care for ≥2 years) completed the survey.

Trojan Microparticles Potential for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery.

The administration of drugs to treat ocular disorders still remains a technological challenge in this XXI century. Although there is an important arsenal of active molecules useful to treat ocular diseases, ranging from classical compounds to biotechnological products, currenty, no ideal delivery system is able to profit all their therapeutic potential. Among the Intraocular Drug Delivery Systems (IODDS) proposed to overcome some of the most important limitations, microsystems and nanosystems have raised high attention.

Osmoprotectants in Hybrid Liposome/HPMC Systems as Potential Glaucoma Treatment.

The combination of acetazolamide-loaded nano-liposomes and Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) with similar components to the preocular tear film in an osmoprotectant media (trehalose and erythritol) is proposed as a novel strategy to increase the ocular bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. Ophthalmic formulations based on acetazolamide-loaded liposomes, dispersed in the osmoprotectant solution (ACZ-LP) or in combination with HPMC (ACZ-LP-P) were characterized and in vivo evaluated. The pH and tonicity of both formulations resulted in physiological ranges.

Visual outcomes after progressive apodized diffractive intraocular lens implantation.

Purpose: To assess photopic and mesopic vision in patients implanted with the Bi-Flex® M 677 MY bifocal intraocular lens (IOL).

Methods: In this prospective clinical study, 25 patients with cataract in both eyes were subjected to cataract surgery and bilateral implantation of the Bi-Flex® M 677MY (Medicontur, Hungary) IOL. Three months after surgery, high-contrast photopic uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were determined.

Utility of Bruch membrane opening-based optic nerve head parameters in myopic subjects.

Purpose: To evaluate whether the new rim analysis software with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) shows advantages over the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with moderate myopia.

Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, we studied 65 healthy subjects, 37 with spherical refractive errors in the range of -3 to -6 D (moderate, G1) and 28 with less than -3 D (low/non-myopic, G0). All patients were examined with Heidelberg Spectralis SD-OCT, including Glaucoma Premium Module Edition (GPME) software.

An original phylogenetic approach identified mitochondrial haplogroup T1a1 as inversely associated with breast cancer risk in BRCA2 mutation carriers.

Introduction: Individuals carrying pathogenic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a high lifetime risk of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are involved in DNA double-strand break repair, DNA alterations that can be caused by exposure to reactive oxygen species, a main source of which are mitochondria. Mitochondrial genome variations affect electron transport chain efficiency and reactive oxygen species production.