Linking Chronic Otitis Media and Nasal Obstruction: A CFD Approach

Objectives To investigate a possible relationship between altered nasal flow and chronic otitis media (COM) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods Retrospective cohort sample of CT scans from patients with COM and controls without COM to compare the results of various nasal airflow parameters determined by CFD between a group of patients with COM (N = 60) and a control group of subjects without any evidence of ear disease (N = 81). The CT were subjected to various procedures to carry out CFD studies, determining the resistance to nasal flow, the proportion of flow through the right and left nasal cavity, and two nondimensional estimators. The results of CFD studies between patients with COM and controls were compared. Results Whereas only 12.3% of the controls had CFD alteration (10 out of 81), 43.3% of the patients suffering COM displayed alterations of our nondimensional parameters urn:x-wiley:0023852X:media:lary29882:lary29882-math-0001 (26 out of 60). Conclusions According to our results, the incidence of alterations in nasal airflow by studying with CFD is significantly higher in patients with COM than in controls. To our knowledge, this is the first article linking nasal cavity and COM using a CFD approach. Our results support the hypothesis that nasal flow alterations could be implicated in the etiopathogenesis of the COM

Random fractional generalized Airy differential equations: A probabilistic analysis using mean square calculus

[EN] The aim of this paper is to study a generalization of fractional Airy differential equations whose input data (coefficient and initial conditions) are random variables. Under appropriate hypotheses assumed upon the input data, we construct a random generalized power series solution of the problem and then we prove its convergence in the mean square stochastic sense. Afterwards, we provide reliable explicit approximations for the main statistical information of the solution process (mean, variance and covariance). Further, we show a set of numerical examples where our obtained theory is illustrated. More precisely, we show that our results for the random fractional Airy equation are in full agreement with the corresponding to classical random Airy differential equation available in the extant literature. Finally, we illustrate how to construct reliable approximations of the probability density function of the solution stochastic process to the random fractional Airy differential equation by combining the knowledge of the mean and the variance and the Principle of Maximum Entropy.This work has been partially supported by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad grant MTM2017-89664-P. The authors express their deepest thanks and respect to the editors and reviewers for their valuable comments.Burgos-Simon, C.; Cortés, J.; Debbouche, A.; Villafuerte, L.; Villanueva Micó, RJ. (2019). Random fractional generalized Airy differential equations: A probabilistic analysis using mean square calculus. Applied Mathematics and Computation. 352:15-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amc.2019.01.039S152935

Beneficial Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Immune and Reproductive Endometrial Function

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are known by their anti-inflammatory effects through mechanisms such as formation of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM), and more recently a new mechanism dependent on the free fatty acid (FFA) receptors has been studied. DHA and EPA have shown an effect on the release of prostaglandins (PGs) E2 and F2α in endometrial cells, two PGs that have key function in fertility. In addition, other molecules such as cyclooxygenase-2, IL-1β, NF-κB, and intracellular signaling pathways are also affected by omega-3 fatty acids in endometrial cells. In this chapter, we will expose the following issues: eicosanoids in fertility and immune function in the uterus, effect of omega-3 fatty acids on endometrial function: in vivo and in vitro studies, mechanisms of action of omega-3 fatty acids in endometrial cells, and perspectives in health and diseases

Uncertainty quantification analysis of the biological Gompertz model subject to random fluctuations in all its parameters

[EN] In spite of its simple formulation via a nonlinear differential equation, the Gompertz model has been widely applied to describe the dynamics of biological and biophysical parts of complex systems (growth of living organisms, number of bacteria, volume of infected cells, etc.). Its parameters or coefficients and the initial condition represent biological quantities (usually, rates and number of individual/particles, respectively) whose nature is random rather than deterministic. In this paper, we present a complete uncertainty quantification analysis of the randomized Gomperz model via the computation of an explicit expression to the first probability density function of its solution stochastic process taking advantage of the Liouville-Gibbs theorem for dynamical systems. The stochastic analysis is completed by computing other important probabilistic information of the model like the distribution of the time until the solution reaches an arbitrary value of specific interest and the stationary distribution of the solution. Finally, we apply all our theoretical findings to two examples, the first of numerical nature and the second to model the dynamics of weight of a species using real data.This work has been supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad (MINECO), the Agencia Estatal de Investigacion (AEI) and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER UE) grant MTM2017-89664-P.Bevia, V.; Burgos, C.; Cortés, J.; Navarro-Quiles, A.; Villanueva Micó, RJ. (2020). Uncertainty quantification analysis of the biological Gompertz model subject to random fluctuations in all its parameters. Chaos, Solitons and Fractals. 138:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chaos.2020.109908S112138Golec, J., & Sathananthan, S. (2003). Stability analysis of a stochastic logistic model. Mathematical and Computer Modelling, 38(5-6), 585-593. doi:10.1016/s0895-7177(03)90029-xCortés, J. C., Jódar, L., & Villafuerte, L. (2009). Random linear-quadratic mathematical models: Computing explicit solutions and applications. Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, 79(7), 2076-2090. doi:10.1016/j.matcom.2008.11.008Dorini, F. A., Cecconello, M. S., & Dorini, L. B. (2016). On the logistic equation subject to uncertainties in the environmental carrying capacity and initial population density. Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation, 33, 160-173. doi:10.1016/j.cnsns.2015.09.009Dorini, F. A., Bobko, N., & Dorini, L. B. (2016). A note on the logistic equation subject to uncertainties in parameters. Computational and Applied Mathematics, 37(2), 1496-1506. doi:10.1007/s40314-016-0409-6Cortés, J.-C., Navarro-Quiles, A., Romero, J.-V., & Roselló, M.-D. (2019). Analysis of random non-autonomous logistic-type differential equations via the Karhunen–Loève expansion and the Random Variable Transformation technique. Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation, 72, 121-138. doi:10.1016/j.cnsns.2018.12.013Calatayud, J., Cortés, J. C., & Jornet, M. (2019). Improving the approximation of the probability density function of random nonautonomous logistic‐type differential equations. Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences, 42(18), 7259-7267. doi:10.1002/mma.5834Casabán, M.-C., Cortés, J.-C., Navarro-Quiles, A., Romero, J.-V., Roselló, M.-D., & Villanueva, R.-J. (2016). Probabilistic solution of the homogeneous Riccati differential equation: A case-study by using linearization and transformation techniques. Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, 291, 20-35. doi:10.1016/j.cam.2014.11.028Hesam, S., Nazemi, A. R., & Haghbin, A. (2012). Analytical solution for the Fokker–Planck equation by differential transform method. Scientia Iranica, 19(4), 1140-1145. doi:10.1016/j.scient.2012.06.018Lakestani, M., & Dehghan, M. (2009). Numerical solution of Fokker-Planck equation using the cubic B-spline scaling functions. Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations, 25(2), 418-429. doi:10.1002/num.20352Mao, X., Yuan, C., & Yin, G. (2005). Numerical method for stationary distribution of stochastic differential equations with Markovian switching. Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, 174(1), 1-27. doi:10.1016/j.cam.2004.03.016Casabán, M.-C., Cortés, J.-C., Navarro-Quiles, A., Romero, J.-V., Roselló, M.-D., & Villanueva, R.-J. (2017). Computing probabilistic solutions of the Bernoulli random differential equation. Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, 309, 396-407. doi:10.1016/j.cam.2016.02.034Kegan, B., & West, R. W. (2005). Modeling the simple epidemic with deterministic differential equations and random initial conditions. Mathematical Biosciences, 195(2), 179-193. doi:10.1016/j.mbs.2005.02.004Cortés, J.-C., Navarro-Quiles, A., Romero, J.-V., & Roselló, M.-D. (2017). Full solution of random autonomous first-order linear systems of difference equations. Application to construct random phase portrait for planar systems. Applied Mathematics Letters, 68, 150-156. doi:10.1016/j.aml.2016.12.015Cortés, J. C., Navarro‐Quiles, A., Romero, J., & Roselló, M. (2019). (CMMSE2018 paper) Solving the random Pielou logistic equation with the random variable transformation technique: Theory and applications. Mathematical Methods in the Applied Sciences, 42(17), 5708-5717. doi:10.1002/mma.5440Dorini, F. A., & Cunha, M. C. C. (2011). On the linear advection equation subject to random velocity fields. Mathematics and Computers in Simulation, 82(4), 679-690. doi:10.1016/j.matcom.2011.10.008Slama, H., El-Bedwhey, N. A., El-Depsy, A., & Selim, M. M. (2017). Solution of the finite Milne problem in stochastic media with RVT Technique. The European Physical Journal Plus, 132(12). doi:10.1140/epjp/i2017-11763-6Hussein, A., & Selim, M. M. (2013). A general analytical solution for the stochastic Milne problem using Karhunen–Loeve (K–L) expansion. Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer, 125, 84-92. doi:10.1016/j.jqsrt.2013.03.018Hussein, A., & Selim, M. M. (2019). A complete probabilistic solution for a stochastic Milne problem of radiative transfer using KLE-RVT technique. Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer, 232, 54-65. doi:10.1016/j.jqsrt.2019.04.034Cortés, J.-C., Jódar, L., Camacho, F., & Villafuerte, L. (2010). Random Airy type differential equations: Mean square exact and numerical solutions. Computers & Mathematics with Applications, 60(5), 1237-1244. doi:10.1016/j.camwa.2010.05.046Bekiryazici, Z., Merdan, M., & Kesemen, T. (2020). Modification of the random differential transformation method and its applications to compartmental models. Communications in Statistics - Theory and Methods, 50(18), 4271-4292. doi:10.1080/03610926.2020.1713372Calatayud, J., Cortés, J.-C., Díaz, J. A., & Jornet, M. (2020). Constructing reliable approximations of the probability density function to the random heat PDE via a finite difference scheme. Applied Numerical Mathematics, 151, 413-424. doi:10.1016/j.apnum.2020.01.012Laird, A. K. (1965). Dynamics of Tumour Growth: Comparison of Growth Rates and Extrapolation of Growth Curve to One Cell. British Journal of Cancer, 19(2), 278-291. doi:10.1038/bjc.1965.32Nahashon, S. N., Aggrey, S. E., Adefope, N. A., Amenyenu, A., & Wright, D. (2006). Growth Characteristics of Pearl Gray Guinea Fowl as Predicted by the Richards, Gompertz, and Logistic Models. Poultry Science, 85(2), 359-363. doi:10.1093/ps/85.2.35

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Perceived Quality of Palliative Care in Nursing Homes

The Nursing Homes End-of-life Programme (NUHELP) was developed in 2017 and is based on quality standards of palliative care, but it was not implemented due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: To describe perceptions among staff at nursing homes and primary health care (PHC) centres regarding the relevance, feasibility, and degree of achievement of quality standards for palliative care in nursing homes and to determine the differences in these perceptions before and after the pandemic. Methodology: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Professionals at eight nursing homes and related PHC centres who participated in NUHELP development assessed 42 palliative care standards at two time points (2018 and 2022). The Mann–Whitney U test was applied to analyse differences in the scores between these two times and between perceptions at nursing homes and at PHC centres. Results: The study population consisted of 58 professionals in 2018 and 50 in 2022. The standard regarding communication with persons affected by the death of a family member was considered less relevant (p = 0.05), and that concerning the culturally sensitive and dignified treatment of the body was less fully achieved (p = 0.03) in 2022 than in 2018. Social support (p = 0.04), sharing information among the care team (p = 0.04), patient participation (p = 0.04) and information about the treatment provided (p = 0.03) were all more poorly achieved in 2022 than in 2018. The perceptions of nursing home and PHC workers differed in several respects. Conclusions: Professional intercommunication and social support should be reinforced, and residents should be more actively involved in decision-making.Consejeria de Salud y Familias, Junta de Andalucia (Fundacion Publica Andaluza Progreso y Salud) AP-0105-201

Dectin-1 Activation Exacerbates Obesity and Insulin Resistance in the Absence of MyD88

This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP, grant numbers 11/15682-4, 12/02270-2, 15/18121-4), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq, Regenera INCT Process Grant 465656/2014-5). JL is funded by the NIH/NIDDK R01DK106210. GDB is funded by the Wellcome Trust and the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology. Open access journalPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Latent Tuberculosis among Persons at Risk for Infection with HIV, Tijuana, Mexico

Interventions that prevent HIV transmission and TB reactivation are needed

New insights into the classification and nomenclature of cortical GABAergic interneurons.

A systematic classification and accepted nomenclature of neuron types is much needed but is currently lacking. This article describes a possible taxonomical solution for classifying GABAergic interneurons of the cerebral cortex based on a novel, web-based interactive system that allows experts to classify neurons with pre-determined criteria. Using Bayesian analysis and clustering algorithms on the resulting data, we investigated the suitability of several anatomical terms and neuron names for cortical GABAergic interneurons. Moreover, we show that supervised classification models could automatically categorize interneurons in agreement with experts' assignments. These results demonstrate a practical and objective approach to the naming, characterization and classification of neurons based on community consensus

Cost of provision of opioid substitution therapy provision in Tijuana, Mexico

Abstract Background Mexico recently enacted drug policy reform to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs and mandated that police refer identified substance users to drug treatment. However, the economic implications of drug treatment expansion are uncertain. We estimated the costs of opioid substitution therapy (OST) provision in Tijuana, Mexico, where opioid use and HIV are major public health concerns. Methods We adopted an economic health care provider perspective and applied an ingredients-based micro-costing approach to quantify the average monthly cost of OST (methadone maintenance) provision at two providers (one private and one public) in Tijuana, Mexico. Costs were divided by type of input (capital, recurrent personnel and non-personnel). We defined “delivery cost” as all costs except for the methadone and compared total cost by type of methadone (powdered form or capsule). Cost data were obtained from interviews with senior staff and review of expenditure reports. Service provision data were obtained from activity logs and senior staff interviews. Outcomes were cost per OST contact and cost per person month of OST. We additionally collected information on patient charges for OST provision from published rates. Results The total cost per OST contact at the private and public sites was $3.12 and$5.90, respectively, corresponding to $95 and$179 per person month of OST. The costs of methadone delivery per OST contact were similar at both sites ($2.78 private and$3.46 public). However, cost of the methadone itself varied substantially ($0.34 per 80 mg dose [powder] at the private site and$2.44 per dose [capsule] at the public site). Patients were charged $1.93–$2.66 per methadone dose. Conclusions The cost of OST provision in Mexico is consistent with other upper-middle income settings. However, evidenced-based (OST) drug treatment facilities in Mexico are still unaffordable to most people who inject drugs