Rapid probe of the nicotine spectra by high-resolution rotational spectroscopy

Nicotine has been investigated in the gas phase and two conformational forms were characterized through their rotational spectra. Two spectroscopic techniques have been used to obtain the spectra: a new design of broadband Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) spectroscopy with an in-phase/quadrature- phase-modulation passage-acquired-coherence technique (IMPACT) and narrowband FTMW spectroscopy with coaxially oriented beam-resonator arrangement (COBRA). The rotational, centrifugal distortion and hyperfine quadrupole coupling constants of two conformers of nicotine have been determined and found to be in N-methyl trans configurations with the pyridine and pyrrolidine rings perpendicular to one another. The quadrupole hyperfine structure originated by two 14N nuclei has been completely resolved for both conformers and used for their unambiguous identification. © 2011 the Owner Societies

Rapid evolution of a novel protective symbiont into keystone taxon in Caenorhabditis elegans microbiota

Protective microbes have a major role in shaping host–pathogen interactions, but their relative importance in the structure of the host microbiota remains unclear. Here, we used a network approach to characterize the impact of a novel, experimentally evolved ‘protective microbial symbiont’ (Enterococcus faecalis) on the structure and predicted function of the natural microbiota of the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. We used microbial network analysis to identify keystone taxa and describe the hierarchical placement of protective and non-protective symbionts in the microbiota. We found that early colonization with symbionts produce statistically significant changes in the structure of the community. Notably, only the protective E. faecalis became a keystone taxon in the nematode microbiota. Non-protective lineages of the same bacterial species remained comparatively unimportant to the community. Prediction of functional profiles in bacterial communities using PICRUSt2 showed that the presence of highly protective E. faecalis decreased the abundance of ergothioneine (EGT) biosynthesis pathway involved in the synthesis of the antioxidant molecule EGT, a potential public good. These data show that in addition to direct antagonism with virulent pathogens, keystone protective symbionts are linked to modified bacterial community structure and possible reductions in public goods, potentially driving decreased antioxidant defense. We suggest that this response could suppress infection via wholesale microbial community changes to further benefit the host. These findings extend the concept of protective symbionts beyond bodyguards to ecosystem engineers

El Programa de prevenció i atenció a la cronicitat de Catalunya 2011-2014

Pacient crònic; Prevenció; CatalunyaChronic patient; Prevention; CataloniaPaciente crónico; Prevención; CataluñaLa finalitat del Programa és aportar un nou model d’atenció social i sanitària per a tots els ciutadans de Catalunya, capaç de respondre al repte que representen la cronicitat i la dependència, potenciant la promoció de la salut i la prevenció dels factors de risc i de les malalties cròniques de més impacte i desplegant l’atenció des de les fases més incipients fins als estadis de més complexitat

Multiple health behaviour change primary care intervention for smoking cessation, physical activity and healthy diet in adults 45 to 75 years old (EIRA study): a hybrid effectiveness-implementation cluster randomised trial

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a) a Multiple Health Behaviour Change (MHBC) intervention on reducing smoking, increasing physical activity and adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern in people aged 45–75 years compared to usual care; and b) an implementation strategy. Methods: A cluster randomised effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial-type 2 with two parallel groups was conducted in 25 Spanish Primary Health Care (PHC) centres (3062 participants): 12 centres (1481 participants) were randomised to the intervention and 13 (1581 participants) to the control group (usual care). The intervention was based on the Transtheoretical Model and focused on all target behaviours using individual, group and community approaches. PHC professionals made it during routine care. The implementation strategy was based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Data were analysed using generalised linear mixed models, accounting for clustering. A mixed-methods data analysis was used to evaluate implementation outcomes (adoption, acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility and fidelity) and determinants of implementation success. Results: 14.5% of participants in the intervention group and 8.9% in the usual care group showed a positive change in two or all the target behaviours. Intervention was more effective in promoting dietary behaviour change (31.9% vs 21.4%). The overall adoption rate by professionals was 48.7%. Early and final appropriateness were perceived by professionals as moderate. Early acceptability was high, whereas final acceptability was only moderate. Initial and final acceptability as perceived by the participants was high, and appropriateness moderate. Consent and recruitment rates were 82.0% and 65.5%, respectively, intervention uptake was 89.5% and completion rate 74.7%. The global value of the percentage of approaches with fidelity =50% was 16.7%. Eight CFIR constructs distinguished between high and low implementation, five corresponding to the Inner Setting domain. Conclusions: Compared to usual care, the EIRA intervention was more effective in promoting MHBC and dietary behaviour change. Implementation outcomes were satisfactory except for the fidelity to the planned intervention, which was low. The organisational and structural contexts of the centres proved to be significant determinants of implementation effectiveness. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03136211. Registered 2 May 2017, “retrospectively registered”. © 2021, The Author(s)

Professional quality of life and organizational changes: a five-year observational study in Primary Care

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The satisfaction and the quality of life perceived by professionals have implications for the performance of health organizations. We have assessed the variations in professional quality of life (PQL) and their explanatory factors during a services management decentralization process.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>It was designed as a longitudinal analytical observational study in a Health Area in Madrid, Spain. Three surveys were sent out during an ongoing management decentralization process between 2001 and 2005. The professionals surveyed were divided into three groups: Group I (97.3% physicians), group II (92.5% nurses) and group III (auxiliary personnel). Analysis of the tendency and elaboration of an explanatory multivariate model was made. The PQL -35 questionnaire, based on Karasek's demand-control theory, was used to measure PQL. This questionnaire recognizes three PQL dimensions: management support (MS), workload (WL) and intrinsic motivation (IM).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>1444 responses were analyzed. PQL increased 0.16 (CI 95% 0.04 – 0.28) points in each survey. Group II presents over time a higher PQL score than group I of 0.38 (IC 95% 0.18 – 0.59) points. There is no difference between groups I and III.</p> <p>For each point that MS increases, PQL increases between 0.44 and 0.59 points. PQL decreases an average of between 0.35 and 0.49 point, for each point that WL increases.</p> <p>Age appears to have a marginal association with PQL (CI 95% 0.00 – 0.02), as it occurs with being single or not having a stable relationship (CI 95% 0.01 – 0.41). Performing management tasks currently or in the past is related to poorer PQL perception (CI 95% -0.45 – -0.06), and the same occurs with working other than morning shifts (CI 95% -0.03 – -0.40 points).</p> <p>PQL is not related to sex, location of the centre (rural/urban), time spent working in the organization or contractual situation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>With the improvement in work control and avoiding increases in workloads, PQL perception can be maintained despite deep organizational changes at the macro-management level. Different professional groups experience different perceptions depending on how the changes impact their position in the organization.</p

Conformers of β-aminoisobutyric acid probed by jet-cooled microwave and matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic techniques

β-aminoisobutyric acid (BAIBA) has been studied in isolation conditions: in the gas phase and trapped into a cryogenic N2 matrix. A solid sample of the compound was vaporized by laser ablation and investigated through their rotational spectra in a supersonic expansion using two different spectroscopic techniques: broadband chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy and conventional molecular beam Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. Four conformers with structures of two types could be successfully identified by comparison of the experimental rotational and (14)N nuclear quadruple coupling constants with those predicted theoretically: type A, bearing an OH⋯N intramolecular hydrogen bond and its carboxylic group in the trans geometry (H-O-C=O dihedral ∼180°), and type B, having an NH⋯O bond and the cis arrangement of the carboxylic group. These two types of conformers could also be trapped from the gas phase into a cryogenic N2 matrix and probed by Fourier transform infrared (IR) spectroscopy. In situ irradiation of BAIBA isolated in N2 matrix of type B conformers using near-IR radiation tuned at the frequency of the O-H stretching 1st overtone (∼6930 cm(-1)) of these forms allowed to selectively convert them into type A conformers and into a new type of conformers of higher energy (type D) bearing an NH⋯O=C bond and a O-H "free" trans carboxylic group

El Programa de prevenció i atenció a la cronicitat de Catalunya 2011-2014

Pacient crònic; Prevenció; CatalunyaChronic patient; Prevention; CataloniaPaciente crónico; Prevención; CataluñaLa finalitat del Programa és aportar un nou model d’atenció social i sanitària per a tots els ciutadans de Catalunya, capaç de respondre al repte que representen la cronicitat i la dependència, potenciant la promoció de la salut i la prevenció dels factors de risc i de les malalties cròniques de més impacte i desplegant l’atenció des de les fases més incipients fins als estadis de més complexitat