Patient-reported outcomes and therapeutic affordances of social media findings from a global online survey of people with chronic pain

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from social media use in chronic disease management continue to emerge. While many published articles suggest the potential for social media is positive, there is a lack of robust examination into mediating mechanisms that might help explain social media’s therapeutic value. This study presents findings from a global online survey of people with chronic pain (PWCP) to better understand how they use social media as part of self-management. OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to improve understanding of the various health outcomes reported by PWCP by paying close attention to therapeutic affordances of social media. We wish to examine if demographics of participants underpin health outcomes and whether the concept of therapeutic affordances explains links between social media use and PROs. The goal is for this to help tailor future recommendations for use of social media to meet individuals’ health needs and improve clinical practice of social media use. METHODS: A total of 231 PWCP took part in a global online survey investigating PROs from social media use. Recruited through various chronic disease entities and social networks, participants provided information on demographics, health/pain status, social media use, therapeutic affordances, and PROs from use. Quantitative analysis was performed on the data using descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation, and cluster analysis. RESULTS: The total dataset represented 218 completed surveys. The majority of participants were university educated (67.0%, 146/218) and female (83.9%, 183/218). More than half (58.7%, 128/218) were married/partnered and not working for pay (75.9%, 88/116 of these due to ill health). Fibromyalgia (46.6%, 55/118) and arthritis (27.1%, 32/118) were the most commonly reported conditions causing pain. Participants showed a clear affinity for social network site use (90.0%, 189/210), followed by discussion forums and blogs. PROs were consistent, suggesting that social media positively impact psychological, social, and cognitive health. Analysis also highlighted two strong correlations linking platform used and health outcomes (particularly psychological, social, and cognitive) to (1) the narrative affordance of social media and (2) frequency of use of the platforms. CONCLUSIONS: Results did not uncover definitive demographics or characteristics of PWCP for which health outcomes are impacted. However, findings corroborate literature within this domain suggesting that there is a typical profile of people who use social media for health and that social media are more suited to particular health outcomes. Exploration of the relationship between social media’s therapeutic affordances and health outcomes, in particular the narration affordance, warrants further attention by patients and clinicians

Implementacion de un establecimiento de larga estadia para el adulto mayor en la ciudad de Talca.

127 p.En este trabajo se realiza un estudio para la Implementación de un Establecimiento de Larga Estadía para el Adulto Mayor en la Ciudad de Talca, enfocado especialmente a los segmentos socioeconómicos ABC1 C2. Se lleva a cabo este proyecto porque en el actual escenario no existe un establecimiento que proporcione este tipo de servicio con una alta calidad, existen clientes por abastecer los cuales están en aumento por la transición demográfica que vive el país. Para lograr conocer el atractivo del mercado se utilizan dos herramientas en particular, el Análisis Porter de las fuerzas competitivas del que se genera una estrategia a nivel de negocio, y el Análisis Situacional FODA del que se genera una matriz con el fin crear estrategias para aprovechar las fortalezas internas, las oportunidades externas, disminuir las debilidades y enfrentar las amenazas. Una vez definido el atractivo del mercado se procede a realizar un análisis económico-financiero para evaluar si es factible llevar a cabo el proyecto y como reacciona al disminuir las principales variables de las que depende el ingreso del establecimiento. Una vez llevado a cabo el estudio se logra concluir que el proyecto es factible puesto que presenta un VAN positivo y además una TIR muy por sobre el costo de oportunidad utilizado para la evaluación del proyecto

Energy transfer in single molecular photonic wires

Molecular photonics is a new emerging field of research around the premise that it is possible to develop optical devices using single molecules as building blocks. Truly technological impact in the field requires focussed efforts on designing functional molecular devices as well as having access to their photonic properties on an individual basis. In this Minireview we discuss our approach towards the design and single-molecule investigation of one-dimensional multimolecular arrays intended to work as molecular photonic wires. Three different schemes have been explored: a) perylene-based dimer and trimer arrays displaying coherent exciton delocalisation at room temperature; b) DNA-based unidirectional molecular wires containing up to five different chromophores and exhibiting weak excitonic interactions between neighbouring dyes; and c) one-dimensional multichromophoric polymers based on perylene polyisocyanides showing excimerlike emission. As a whole, our single-molecule data show the importance of well-defined close packing of chromophores for obtaining optimal excitonic behaviour at room temperature. Further improvement on (bio)chemical synthesis, together with the use of single-molecule techniques, should lead in the near future to efficient and reliable photonic wires with true device functionality

Biological and Health-promoting Activity of Vinification Byproducts Produced in Spanish Vineyards

Several by-products are produced in the Spanish agricultural system. Among them, fresh and vinifiedgrape skins represent an abundant source of phenols with a potential nutraceutical value. Fresh grape skinextracts (FGSE) and vinification of grape skin extracts (VGSE) obtained by a microwave-assisted methodhave been chemically and biologically characterised. Their role in the maintenance of genetic stabilitywas stated by in vivo genotoxic and antigenotoxic evaluations (Drosophilla melanogaster wing spot test), aswell as by their potential chemopreventive effect (in an HL60 in vitro model). Total phenolic, anthocyaninand resveratrol contents were chemically characterised in the two extracts, showing some qualitativedifferences. Both extracts and resveratrol were not mutagenic in the Drosophila somatic mutation andrecombination tests, and exerted antigenotoxic activities against hydrogen peroxide. They also showedcytotoxic activity to HL60 leukaemia cells, with an IC50 of 4.5μL/mL, 4.6μL/mL and 98μM respectively andinduced apoptotic internucleosomic fragmentation in the HL60 cell line

Metabolic Adjustments following Glutaminase Inhibition by CB-839 in Glioblastoma Cell Lines

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common primary brain tumor. Unfortunately, it is also one of the cancer types that has the worst morbidity and mortality ratios, so new targets and treatments need to be found. The metabolism of glutamine is fundamental for the proliferation of many tumor cells, including glioblastomas. Glutaminase isoenzyme GLS is one of the responsible enzymes for the pro-oncogenic pathways that induce metabolic reprogramming and leads to altered levels of some amino acids and other key intermediary metabolites in glioblastoma. Using the clinically approved GLS inhibitor CB-839 (Telaglenastat), we found significant changes in glutamine metabolism, including both the oxidative and reductive fates of Gln-derived alpha-ketoglutarate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, in three glioblastoma cell lines. One of them, the T98G glioblastoma cell line, showed the greatest modification of metabolite levels involved in the de novo biosynthetic pathways for nucleotides, as well as a higher content of methylated and acetylated metabolites.This research was funded by Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología of Spain, grant number RTI2018-096866-B-I00 (to J.M.M. and J.M.) and Junta de Andalucía, Grant UMA18-FEDERJA-082 (to J.M.). R.J.D. is supported by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the National Cancer Institute (R35CA220444901), the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, and the Moody Foundation. J.D.l.S.-J. is granted by FPU17/04084, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades. Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Antioxidant responses related to temozolomide resistance in glioblastoma

Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades; Universidad de Málaga CBUA.Glioblastoma remains one of the most challenging and devastating cancers, with only a very small proportion of patients achieving 5-year survival. The current standard of care consists of surgery, followed by radiation therapy with concurrent and maintenance chemotherapy with the alkylating agent temozolomide. To date, this drug is the only one that provides a significant survival benefit, albeit modest, as patients end up acquiring resistance to this drug. As a result, tumor progression and recurrence inevitably occur, leading to death. Several factors have been proposed to explain this resistance, including an upregulated antioxidant system to keep the elevated intracellular ROS levels, a hallmark of cancer cells, under control. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of chemoresistance -including the important role of glioblastoma stem cells-with emphasis on antioxidant defenses and how agents that impair redox balance (i.e.: sulfasalazine, erastin, CB-839, withaferin, resveratrol, curcumin, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine) might be advantageous in combined therapies against this type of cancer.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Evaluation of the LSA-SAF gross primary production product derived from SEVIRI/MSG data (MGPP)

The objective of this study is to describe a completely new 10-day gross primary production (GPP) product (MGPP LSA-411) based on data from the geostationary SEVIRI/MSG satellite within the LSA SAF (Land Surface Analysis SAF) as part of the SAF (Satellite Application Facility) network of EUMETSAT. The methodology relies on the Monteith approach. It considers that GPP is proportional to the absorbed photosynthetically active radiation APAR and the proportionality factor is known as the light use efficiency ε. A parameterization of this factor is proposed as the product of a εmax, corresponding to the canopy functioning under optimal conditions, and a coefficient quantifying the reduction of photosynthesis as a consequence of water stress. A three years data record (2015–2017) was used in an assessment against site-level eddy covariance (EC) tower GPP estimates and against other Earth Observation (EO) based GPP products. The site-level comparison indicated that the MGPP product performed better than the other EO based GPP products with 48% of the observations being below the optimal accuracy (absolute error < 1.0 g m−2 day−1) and 75% of these data being below the user requirement threshold (absolute error < 3.0 g m−2 day−1). The largest discrepancies between the MGPP product and the other GPP products were found for forests whereas small differences were observed for the other land cover types. The integration of this GPP product with the ensemble of LSA-SAF MSG products is conducive to meet user needs for a better understanding of ecosystem processes and for improved understanding of anthropogenic impact on ecosystem services.The objective of this study is to describe a completely new 10-day gross primary production (GPP) product (MGPP LSA-411) based on data from the geostationary SEVIRI/MSG satellite within the LSA SAF (Land Surface Analysis SAF) as part of the SAF (Satellite Application Facility) network of EUMETSAT. The methodology relies on the Monteith approach. It considers that GPP is proportional to the absorbed photosynthetically active radiation APAR and the proportionality factor is known as the light use efficiency epsilon. A parameterization of this factor is proposed as the product of a epsilon(max), corresponding to the canopy functioning under optimal conditions, and a coefficient quantifying the reduction of photosynthesis as a consequence of water stress. A three years data record (2015-2017) was used in an assessment against site-level eddy covariance (EC) tower GPP estimates and against other Earth Observation (EO) based GPP products. The site-level comparison indicated that the MGPP product performed better than the other EO based GPP products with 48% of the observations being below the optimal accuracy (absolute error <1.0 g m(-2) day(-1)) and 75% of these data being below the user requirement threshold (absolute error <3.0 g m(-2) day(-1)). The largest discrepancies between the MGPP product and the other GPP products were found for forests whereas small differences were observed for the other land cover types. The integration of this GPP product with the ensemble of LSA-SAF MSG products is conducive to meet user needs for a better understanding of ecosystem processes and for improved understanding of anthropogenic impact on ecosystem services.Peer reviewe

Imported Human West Nile Virus Lineage 2 Infection in Spain: Neurological and Gastrointestinal Complications

We report the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) lineage 2 infection imported to Spain by a traveler returning from Romania. Serum, cerebrospinal fluid and urine samples were analyzed and West Nile virus infection was identified by PCR and serological tests. The patient developed fever, diarrhea and neurological symptoms, accompanied by mild pancreatitis, described previously in very few cases as a complication of WNV infection and by alithiasic cholecystitis. Viral RNA was detected in urine until 30 days after the onset of symptoms and neutralizing antibodies were detected at very low titers. The phylogenetic analysis in a fragment of the NS5 gene of the virus showed a homology with sequences from WNV lineage 2 belonging to the monophyletic Central/Southern European group.This work was partially funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III Projects “PI14CIII/00014” and “PI19CIII_00014”.S