Automated assessment of movement impairment in Huntington's disease

Quantitative assessment of movement impairment in Huntington’s disease (HD) is essential to monitoring of disease progression. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel low cost, objective automated system for the evaluation of upper limb movement impairment in HD in order to eliminate the inconsistency of the assessor and offer a more sensitive, continuous assessment scale. Patients with genetically confirmed HD and healthy controls were recruited to this observational study. Demographic data including age (years), gender and Unified Huntington’s Disease Rating Scale Total Motor Score (UHDRS-TMS) were recorded. For the purposes of this study a modified upper limb motor impairment score (mULMS) was generated from the UHDRS-TMS. All participants completed a brief, standardized clinical assessment of upper limb dexterity whilst wearing a tri-axial accelerometer on each wrist and on the sternum. The captured acceleration data were used to develop an automatic classification system for discriminating between healthy and HD participants and to automatically generate a continuous Movement Impairment Score (MIS) that reflected the degree of the movement impairment. Data from 48 healthy and 44 HD participants was used to validate the developed system, which achieved 98.78% accuracy in discriminating between healthy and HD participants. The Pearson correlation coefficient between the automatic MIS and the clinician rated mULMS was 0.77 with a p-value < 0.01. The approach presented in this study demonstrates the possibility of an automated objective, consistent and sensitive assessment of the HD movement impairment

De un proyecto, un libro Inglés para ciencias y tecnología. Lectura comprensiva de textos- FACET-UNT.

El aporte de la ciencia a la generación de conocimientos y el aumento del volumen de información científica en inglés manifiestan la necesidad de incluir el estudio de dicha lengua en la formación profesional. Esto enfatiza el rol interdisciplinario del idioma inglés en los planes de estudio y su función como instrumento de trabajo y de cultura. El dominio de al menos la habilidad de lectura en dicha lengua deviene condición indispensable para un poder hacer y crear acorde a la época. Inglés para Ciencias y Tecnología - Lectura Comprensiva de Textos surge entonces de la necesidad de proveer un texto, actualizado y con fines pedagógicos, que permita a hispanoparlantes con nulos o escasos conocimientos de idioma inglés, acceder a bibliografía de la especialidad.\ud El presente trabajo incluye una breve caracterización del discurso científico-técnico, la fundamentación teórica que sustenta el diseño de los contenidos del libro, así como ejemplos de algunos textos y actividades que en él se incluyen.\ud A través de esta presentación, intentaremos compartir con colegas dedicados a la enseñanza de lecto- comprensión de textos en inglés una propuesta pedagógica resultado de nuestra experiencia docente como profesores de inglés en la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología, UNT.\u

Productividad y calidad de los pajonales de Sorghastrum setosum (GRISEB.) Hitchc. en Formosa, Argentina

The aim of this work was to determine ways of using Sorghastrum setosum ranges for beef cattle production, based on dry matter production (MS), nutritional compounds, in vitro organic matter digestibility (DIVMO), energy and mineral element contents in forage harvested in different seasons of the year. The experiment was carried out in representative plots, located in the eastern region of Formosa Province (25\ub010'-28\ub000' S lat, 58\ub015'-59\ub020' W long, 65 m.o.s.l.), Argentina, where natural pastures represent 70% of the cattle area and 70% of the provincial bovine population is concentrated. The area has a rainy temperate climate. The geomorphology has low hills and marshlands, with temporary and frequent flooding. Flora composition, utility grade and interspecific forage species input of the main species were determined. Average biomass production was 4.080 kg MS ha-1 yr-1. Average values of main compounds were: crude protein (PC) 5.22%; crude fiber (FC) 38.04%; acid detergent fiber (FDA) 46.87%; DIVMO 29.16%; total digestible nutrients (TND) 55.17%; digestible energy (ED) 4.90 MJ kg-1; P 0.11%; Na 0.02%; Ca 0.18%; Mg 0.08%; Zn 22.55 mg kg-1 and Cu 10 mg kg-1.El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar pautas de utilizaci\uf3n de los pajonales de Sorghastrum setosum , para la producci\uf3n de carne vacuna, basados en la producci\uf3n de materia seca (MS), componentes nutricionales, digestibilidad in vitro de la materia org\ue1nica (DIVMO), energ\ueda y contenido de elementos minerales del forraje cosechado en las diferentes estaciones del a\uf1o. El ensayo se realiz\uf3 en parcelas representativas, ubicadas en la Regi\uf3n oriental de la provincia de Formosa (25\ub010'-28\ub000' lat. Sur, 58\ub015'-59\ub020' long. Oeste, 65 m.s.n..m.), Argentina, donde los pastizales naturales representan el 70% del \ue1rea ganadera y concentran el 70% de la poblaci\uf3n bovina de la provincia. El \ue1rea presenta un clima templado lluvioso. La geomorfolog\ueda es de lomas bajas y esteros, con hidromorfismo temporales y frecuentes. Se determin\uf3 la composici\uf3n flor\uedstica, grado de utilizaci\uf3n, aporte forrajero interespec\uedfico de las principales especies. La producci\uf3n de biomasa promedio fue de 4.080 kg MS ha-1 a\uf1o-1. Los valores promedio de los principales componentes fueron: prote\uedna cruda (PC) 5,22%; fibra cruda (FC) 38,04%; fibra detergente \ue1cido (FDA) 46,87%; DIVMO 29,16%; total de nutrientes digestibles (TND) 55,17%; energ\ueda digestible (ED) 4,90 MJ kg-1; P 0,11%; Na 0,02%; Ca 0,18%; Mg 0,08%; Zn 22,55 mg kg-1y Cu 10 mg kg-1

5-Methyl-7,8,9,10-tetra­hydro­cyclo­hepta­[b]indol-6(5H)-one

In the title mol­ecule, C14H15NO, the dihedral angle between the benzene and pyrrole rings is 1.99 (12)°. The cyclo­heptene ring adopts a slightly distorted boat conformation

Sociodemographic and environmental factors associated with mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumen: FUNDAMENTOS // Durante la pandemia de la COVID-19 se implementaron medidas de prevención con el propósito de reducir su transmisión comunitaria. El grado de cumplimiento con estas medidas estuvo influenciado por diversos factores sociodemográficos y ambientales. Sin embargo, existe escasa literatura científica que aborde el cumplimiento de las medidas preventivas en la población general. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la asociación entre factores sociodemográficos y ambientales, así como la adhesión al uso de mascarillas en contactos estrechos. MÉTODOS // Se realizó un estudio transversal con 1.778 individuos, identificados mediante el rastreo de contactos estrechos de personas con SARS-CoV-2 por la Central de Coordinación de la COVID-19 de Mallorca, entre febrero y junio de 2021. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y se utilizó un modelo de regresión logística para determinar los factores asociados al incumplimiento del uso de mascarillas. RESULTADOS // La edad media de los participantes fue de 42,8±17,4 años (53,6% de mujeres). El 60,8% (IC 95%: 57,8-62,3) de los contactos estrechos no utilizó mascarilla durante su contacto. No se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en función del sexo o grupo etario (p=0,497 y p=0,536, respectivamente). Las situaciones de mayor incumplimiento con el uso de mascarillas se dieron en el entorno domiciliario, espacios cerrados sin ventilación y al mantener distancias cortas (p<0,001). CONCLUSIONES // Nuestros hallazgos indican una menor adhesión al uso de mascarillas en escenarios de mayor riesgo. Frente a futuras situaciones de crisis sanitaria, se deberían diseñar intervenciones que realcen la conciencia sobre los riesgos y que promuevan una mayor adhesión a medidas de prevención y control.Official College of Nurses of the Balearic Islands (Ref.: 2021-0564); The Florence Nightingale scholarship program, from the Doctoral School of the University of the Balearic Islands and the Official College of Nurses and Nurses of the Balearic Islands (COIBA)

Identifying the interplay between protective measures and settings on the SARS-CoV-2 transmission using a Bayesian network

Data Availability: The used datasets along with the source code are made available through Zenodo repository at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10610726.Contact tracing played a crucial role in minimizing the onward dissemination of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the recent pandemic. Previous studies had also shown the effectiveness of preventive measures such as mask-wearing, physical distancing, and exposure duration in reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission. However, there is still a lack of understanding regarding the impact of various exposure settings on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 within the community, as well as the most effective preventive measures, considering the preventive measures adherence in different daily scenarios. We aimed to evaluate the effect of individual protective measures and exposure settings on the community transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the interaction between different exposure settings and preventive measures in relation to such SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Routine SARS-CoV-2 contact tracing information was supplemented with additional data on individual measures and exposure settings collected from index patients and their close contacts. We used a case-control study design, where close contacts with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 were classified as cases, and those with negative results classified as controls. We used the data collected from the case-control study to construct a Bayesian network (BN). BNs enable predictions for new scenarios when hypothetical information is introduced, making them particularly valuable in epidemiological studies. Our results showed that ventilation and time of exposure were the main factors for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. In long time exposure, ventilation was the most effective factor in reducing SARS-CoV-2, while masks and physical distance had on the other hand a minimal effect in this ventilation spaces. However, face masks and physical distance did reduce the risk in enclosed and unventilated spaces. Distance did not reduce the risk of infection when close contacts wore a mask. Home exposure presented a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and any preventive measures posed a similar risk across all exposure settings analyzed. Bayesian network analysis can assist decision-makers in refining public health campaigns, prioritizing resources for individuals at higher risk, and offering personalized guidance on specific protective measures tailored to different settings or environments.This study was funded by the Royal College of Nurses from the Balearic Islands (Ref.: 2021-0564). This research was also supported by the Florence Nightingale fellowship program, Royal College of Nurses from the Balearic Islands and the Nursing and Physiotherapy Department, University of the Balearic Islands

Effectiveness of a healthy lifestyle promotion program as adjunctive teletherapy for treatment-resistant major depression during COVID 19 pandemic: A randomized clinical trial protocol

INTRODUCTION: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) has a high prevalence and can be exacerbated by poor physical health and economic hardships, which have become common stressors during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The therapeutic approaches used to treat these patients are not always available, may be not be accepted by some patients, and often require face-to-face interactions. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study will be to evaluate the effectiveness of an Internet-based adjuvant lifestyle-based intervention for patients with TRD. METHODS: This will be a parallel, randomized, and controlled clinical trial. A total of 180 patients with TRD will be randomly allocated (1:1:1) to 1 of 3 groups: treatment prescribed by the mental health team and written suggestions for lifestyle changes (placebo control group); treatment prescribed by the mental health team, written suggestions for lifestyle changes, and an 8-week mindfulness-based cognitive therapy program (active control group); or treatment prescribed by the mental health team, written suggestions for lifestyle changes, and an 8-week lifestyle change promotion program (intervention group). We will perform this study during the COVID-19 pandemic, and will administer interventions by teletherapy, and contact participants by telephone calls, text messages, and/or teleconferences. We will collect patient data using questionnaires administered at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and after 6 and 12 months. The primary outcome will be score on the Beck Depression Inventory-II. The secondary outcomes will be score on the Clinical Global Impressions Scale (used to quantify and track patient progress and treatment response over time) and health-related quality of life measured using the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions Questionnaire. DISCUSSION: Patients with TRD are especially vulnerable when face-to-face psychotherapy is unavailable. The main strength of the proposed study is the novelty of the intervention to be used as an adjuvant therapy. Our results may provide guidance for treatment of patients with TRD in future situations that require lockdown measures. CLINICALTRIALS REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04428099

Nutrition screening tools for risk of malnutrition among hospitalized patients

Background: Malnutrition is a clinical problem with a high prevalence in hospitalized adult patients. Many nutritional screening tools have been developed but there is no consensus on which 1 is more useful. The purpose of this review protocol is to provide an overview of which nutritional screening tool is most valid to identify malnutritional risk in hospitalized adult patients and to analyze the sensitivity and specificity of the different tools. Methods: The protocol of this systematic review and meta-analysis was registered on the INPLASY website (https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2020-9-0028/) and INPLASY registration number is INPLASY202090028. We will perform a systematic literature search of main databases: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and Web of Science and the Cochrane database. Also, grey literature will be search. Peer-reviewed studies published in English, Portuguese or Spanish language will be selected. Screening of titles, abstract and full text will be assessed for eligibility by 2 independent blinded reviewers and any discrepancies will be resolved via consensus. After screening the studies, a meta-analysis will be conducted, if it is possible. Results: Results from this systematic review will help health professionals to identify malnutrition in hospitalized patients and to make decisions to prevent or treat it as well as provide new clues to researchers. Conclusion: Our systematic review will provide aknowledge about the most valid malnutrition risk screening tool in hospitalized adult patients

Personal protective measures and settings on the risk of SARS-COV-2 community transmission: a case-control study

A preprint of this article is available on SSRN at https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4395325. It has not been certified by peer review.Copyright: © 2023 Huguet-Torres, Castro-Sánchez, Capitán-Moyano, Rodríguez-Sánchez, Bennasar-Veny and Yañez. Background: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, nurses of primary health care has been an important role in Spain. Even so, the data obtained in the tracing have been scarcely used to investigate the possible mechanisms of transmission. Few studies focused on community transmission, evaluating the effectiveness of individual protective measures and exposure environment. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the association between individual protective measures and SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the community and to compare secondary attack rates in different exposure settings. Methods: A case-control study from contact tracing of SARS-CoV-2 index patients. COVID-19 contact tracing was led by nurses at the COVID-19 Coordinating Centre in Majorca (Spain). During the systematic tracing, additional information for this study was collected from the index patient (social-demographic variables, symptoms, the number of close contacts). And also, the following variables from their close contacts: contact place, ventilation characteristics mask-wearing, type of mask, duration of contact, shortest distance, case-contact relationship, household members, and handwashing, the test result for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic. Close contacts with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 were classified as "cases" and those negative as "controls". Results: A total of 1,778 close contacts from 463 index patients were identified. No significant differences were observed between the sexes but between age groups. Overall Secondary Attack Rate (SAR) was 24.0% (95% CI: 22.0%-26.0%), 36.9% (95% CI: 33.2%-40.6%) in closed spaces without ventilation and 50.7% (95% CI: 45.6%-55.8%) in exposure time >24 hours. A total of 49.2% of infections occurred among household members. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that open-air setting (OR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.27-0.71), exposure for less than 1 hour (OR 0.19, 95% CI: 0.11-0.32), and wearing a mask (OR 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28-0.85) had a protective effect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the community. Conclusions: Ventilation of the space, mask-wearing and shorter exposure time were associated with a lower risk of transmission in the community. The data obtained allowed an assessment of community transmission mechanisms and could have helped to improve and streamline tracing by identifying close contacts at higher risk.Royal College of Nurses from the Balearic Islands (Ref.: 2021-0564); Florence Nightingale fellowship program, Royal College of Nurses from the Balearic Islands and the Nursing and Physiotherapy Department, University of the Balearic Islands