Differences in Plasma BDNF Levels Between Chronic Primary Musculoskeletal Pain, Fibromyalgia Syndrome, and Asymptomatic Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional study compared plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels among chronic primary musculoskeletal pain patients, chronic widespread pain patients, and asymptomatic controls. The study included 126 participants aged 18-65, divided into three groups of 42 each. Pain intensity was assessed using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and plasma BDNF levels were measured via ELISA.

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Burnout Inventory in University Teachers in Hybrid Education.

Introduction: The scientific literature argues the urgent need for adequate tools to assess burnout in human service professionals, however, little progress has been made on this in university teachers in hybrid environments, even though after the pandemic, these work scenarios are predominant.

Objective: To determine the psychometric properties of invariance between male and female teachers of hybrid education in the Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI).

Method: The anonymous, self-administered SBI was administered to 1060 university teachers in Lima, Peru, from online random sampling.

Catastrophic health expenditure during the COVID-19 pandemic in five countries: a time-series analysis.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted health systems in 2020, but it is unclear how financial hardship due to out-of-pocket (OOP) health-care costs was affected. We analysed catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) in 2020 in five countries with available household expenditure data: Belarus, Mexico, Peru, Russia, and Viet Nam. In Mexico and Peru, we also conducted an analysis of drivers of change in CHE in 2020 using publicly available data.

Microplastics and phthalate esters release from teabags into tea drink: occurrence, human exposure, and health risks.

Tea, the most common infusion worldwide, is usually sold in teabags due to the ease of usage. The increase in the use of plastic materials in the food packaging industry has led to an increase in released contaminants, such as microplastics (MPs) and phthalates (PAEs), in various food products including teabags. In this research, the abundance and features of MPs as well as PAEs concentration were investigated in 45 teabag samples of different Persian and German brands.

Functional fitness and fall risk in older adults practitioners or non-practitioners of Tai Chi.

Tai chi is a fundamental tool that has a significant influence on balance, motor function and fear of falling among older adults. The objective of the study was to verify functional fitness and fall risk in older adults (OA) practitioners and non-practitioners of Tai Chi. An ex-post-facto study was carried out in practicing and non-practicing OA of Tai chi.

Occurrence and ecological risks of microplastics and phthalate esters in organic solid wastes: In a landfill located nearby the Persian Gulf.

Landfill sites are the main source of plastic waste. Thus, municipal solid waste (MSW) in landfills may act as a reservior of microplastics (MPs) and related pollutants such as phthalate esters (PAEs) into surrounding environment. However, there is limited information on MPs and PAEs in landfill sites.

Impact of COVID-19 Mandatory Lockdown Measures on Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Persons with Alzheimer's Disease in Lima, Peru.

Background: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) worsened during the COVID-19 lockdowns, but their progression thereafter is unknown. We present the first longitudinal study tracking them before, during, and after restrictions.

Objectives: To describe the effect of the COVID-19 mandatory lockdowns on Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

Geochemical speciation, ecological risk, and source identification of heavy metal(loid)s in sediments and waters from Musa Estuary, Persian Gulf.

Surface sediment and water samples from 12 stations were collected from Musa Estuary. Metals concentrations (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn) were analyzed by ICP-MS. The highest contribution to ecological risk belonged to Cd (49 %) based on the PERI index.

Insights and Future Directions on the Combined Effects of Mind-Body Therapies with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: An Evidence-based Review.

Mind-body therapies (MBTs) use mental abilities to modify electrical neural activity across brain networks. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that modulates neuronal membrane potentials to enhance neuroplasticity. A combination of these treatment strategies may generate synergistic or additive effects, and thus has been more commonly tested in clinical trials, fostering a novel yet promising field of research.

CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 Genes Associated with Tricontinental and Latin American Ancestry of Pe-ruvians.

Precision medicine seeks to individualize the dose from the beginning of phar-macological therapy based on the characteristics of each patient, genes involved in the metabolic phenotype, ethnicity or miscegenation, with the purpose to minimize adverse effects and optimize drug efficacy. The objective was to re-view studies that describe the association of the CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genes with the tricontinental and Latin American ancestry of Peruvians. A biblio-graphic search was carried out in PubMed/Medline and SciELO, with various descriptors in Spanish and English.

An ecotoxicological perspective of microplastics released by face masks.

The accelerated use, massive disposal, and contamination with face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic have raised new questions regarding their negative impact on the environment emerged. One major concern is whether microplastics (MPs) derived from face masks (FMPs) represent an important ecotoxicological hazard. Here, we discussed the shortcomings, loose ends, and considerations of the current literature investigating the ecotoxicological effects of FMPs on aquatic and terrestrial organisms.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation for People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Scoping Review.

The aim of this scoping review was to determine the characteristics of studies evaluating fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), as well as its effects and safety as a therapeutic intervention for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We conducted a scoping review following the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute. We searched the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Medline until September 19, 2021.

Microsurgical and endovascular treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysms: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms are uncommon vascular lesions of the posterior fossa. In addition to aneurysmal morphology, structural anatomic considerations may confer additional procedural risk, and as a result there is currently no consensus as to whether a surgical or endovascular approach offers greater safety and efficacy for patients.

Evidence Acquisition: We systematically examined peer-reviewed literature describing PICA aneurysm treatment planning from January 2000 to May 2021 using the PRISMA methodology.

Neuroanatomical distribution of the enkephalinergic and tachykininergic systems in the alpaca brainstem: an immunohistochemical study.

Introduction: A recent study has shown a close neuroanatomical relationship between the enkephalinergic (methionine-enkephalin) and tachykininergic (substance P) systems in the alpaca diencephalon. In this study, our aim is to show this relationship in the alpaca brainstem.

Material And Methods: Using an immunohistochemical technique, the distribution of immunoreactive (Ir) fibers and cell bodies containing substance P (SP) or methionine-enkephalin (MET) has been studied in the alpaca brainstem.

Anti-COVID-19 measures threaten our healthy body weight: Changes in sleep and external synchronizers of circadian clocks during confinement.

Background & Aims: Emergency measures in the face of the recent COVID-19 pandemic have been different among countries, although most have opted for confinement and restrictions on social contact. These measures have generated lifestyle changes with potential effects on individuals' health. The disturbances in daily routines due to confinement and remote work have impacted circadian rhythms and energy balance; however, the consequences of these disruptions have not been studied in depth.

Prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in Latin America and the Caribbean: A systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies.

Objective: This study was undertaken to perform an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), describing trends over time, and exploring potential clinical and epidemiological factors explaining the heterogeneity in the region.

Methods: Observational studies assessing the incidence or prevalence of epilepsy in LAC countries up to March 2020 were systematically reviewed according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Meta-analyses and cumulative analyses were performed using random-effects models.

A close neuroanatomical relationship between the enkephalinergic (methionine-enkephalin) and tachykininergic (substance P) systems in the alpaca diencephalon.

Introduction: In the alpaca diencephalon, the distribution of immunoreactive cell bodies and fibers containing methionine-enkephalin (MET) or substance P (SP) has been studied.

Material And Methods: The immunohistochemical study was performed by standard method on the diencephalon of four male alpacas that lived at sea level.

Results: Nerve fibers containing MET or SP were widely distributed in the thalamus and hypothalamus.

Brain perfusion during manic episode and at 6-month follow-up period in bipolar disorder patients: Correlation with cognitive functions.

Background: Patterns of altered cerebral perfusion and cognitive dysfunction have been described in Bipolar Disorder (BD) acute episodes and euthymia. Knowledge of the relationship between cognitive function and perfusion in a manic state and status when followed up is still limited.

Objective: To describe brain perfusion alterations and its relationship with cognitive impairment in patients with BD during manic episodes and after 6 months.

Distribution of alpha-neoendorphin, ACTH (18-39) and beta-endorphin (1-27) in the alpaca brainstem.

Using an immunocytochemical technique, we have studied in the alpaca brainstem the distribution of immunoreactive structures containing prodynorphin (alpha-neoendorphin)- and pro-opiomelanocortin (adrenocorticotrophin hormone (18-39) (ACTH), beta-endorphin (1-27))-derived peptides. No peptidergic-immunoreactive cell body was observed. Immunoreactive fibres were widely distributed, although in most of the brainstem nuclei the density of the peptidergic fibres was low or very low.

Prevalence of problematic cell phone use in an adult population in Spain as assessed by the Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale (MPPUS).

Problematic cell phone use has alarmingly increased in industrialized countries in the past 10 years. For many perpetrators, it can turn into a behavioural addiction, although this is not a recognized medical condition. Although there are many tools for evaluating this use, one of the most widely used tools is the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale (MPPUS), which we test on a representative sample of the population in Spain to obtain an estimate of the prevalence of problematic cell phone use in our midst.

Development of a Mobile Phone Addiction Craving Scale and Its Validation in a Spanish Adult Population.

In some people, problematic cell phone use can lead to situations in which they lose control, similar to those observed in other cases of addiction. Although different scales have been developed to assess its severity, we lack an instrument that is able to determine the desire or craving associated with it. Thus, with the objective of evaluating craving for cell phone use, in this study, we develop and present the Mobile Phone Addiction Craving Scale (MPACS).