Laboratory Assessment of Water Permeability Loss of Geotextiles Due to Their Installation in Pervious Pavements

During the last decades, the importance of sustainable development in society has increased considerably. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) are a group of techniques that aim to improve the management of rain and run-off water while reducing their pollution. Many of these systems incorporate geotextiles in their structures, which act as a layer separation and water filter. Some authors defend the idea that by simply being installed, geotextiles partially or totally lose their separation and filtering capacities. This study proposes a testing methodology that can reproduce this effect and obtain a reduction factor for the water permeability of the material after its installation, which is defined here as the ?new condition factor?. The procedure simulated the real installation conditions in the laboratory by causing the specimen to undergo both mechanical and hydraulic damage and subsequently measuring the loss of water permeability that it provoked on the geotextile. Two different nonwoven geotextiles were tested in order to validate the procedure and to obtain initial results that could confirm the need for the new condition factor in the design of pervious pavements with geotextiles. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical significance of the test variableshis research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, grant number BIA2012-32463, and by the Dirección de Investigación of the Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, fund FAA 02/2018. The authors would like to thank the support and collaboration from the Construction Technology Research Group (Grupo de Investigación de Tecnología de la Construcción - GITECO), the Geosynthetics Laboratory of the University of Cantabria (LAGUC), Grupo de Caminos de Santander (GCS) and the Geotechnical Group of the University of Cantabria

Feasibility and safety of an immersive virtual reality-based vestibular rehabilitation programme in people with multiple sclerosis experiencing vestibular impairment: a protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial

Introduction: Vestibular system damage in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may have a central and/or peripheral origin. Subsequent vestibular impairments may contribute to dizziness, balance disorders and fatigue in this population. Vestibular rehabilitation targeting vestibular impairments may improve these symptoms. Furthermore, as a successful tool in neurological rehabilitation, immersive virtual reality (VRi) could also be implemented within a vestibular rehabilitation intervention. Methods and analysis: This protocol describes a parallel-arm, pilot randomised controlled trial, with blinded assessments, in 30 patients with MS with vestibular impairment (Dizziness Handicap Inventory ≥16). The experimental group will receive a VRi vestibular rehabilitation intervention based on the conventional Cawthorne-Cooksey protocol; the control group will perform the conventional protocol. The duration of the intervention in both groups will be 7 weeks (20 sessions, 3 sessions/week). The primary outcomes are the feasibility and safety of the vestibular VRi intervention in patients with MS. Secondary outcome measures are dizziness symptoms, balance performance, fatigue and quality of life. Quantitative assessment will be carried out at baseline (T0), immediately after intervention (T1), and after a follow-up period of 3 and 6 months (T2 and T3). Additionally, in order to further examine the feasibility of the intervention, a qualitative assessment will be performed at T1. Ethics and dissemination: The study was approved by the Andalusian Review Board and Ethics Committee, Virgen Macarena-Virgen del Rocio Hospitals (ID 2148-N-19, 25 March 2020). Informed consent will be collected from participants who wish to participate in the research. The results of this research will be disseminated by publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals

Angioedema, uso de IECA e infección por SARS-CoV-2

The SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as other viral infections, can lead to a considerable variety of cutaneous manifestations. However, angioedema is not usual, generally showing up associated with urticaria and respiratory symptoms. Its emergence in patients who are under ACE inhibitors is not common. It seems that the mechanism by which the virus and ACE inhibitors produce angioedema is similar, both causing dysregulation of ACE-2 receptors and increasing bradykinin levels. It is reasonable to believe that SARS-CoV-2 may act as a potential trigger when combined with the use of these products.La infección por SARS-CoV-2, al igual que otras infecciones víricas, produce una gran variedad de manifestaciones cutáneas. Sin embargo, el angioedema no es frecuente y se presenta generalmente asociado a urticaria y a síntomas respiratorios. Su aparición tampoco es habitual en pacientes que además están en tratamiento con IECA. Parece que el mecanismo por el cual el virus y los IECA producen angioedema es similar, alterando la regulación de los receptores ACE-2 y aumentando los niveles de bradicinina. Es razonable pensar que el SARS-CoV-2 pudiera actuar como un factor precipitante al combinarse con estos productos

Convalescent plasma treatment for patients of 80 years and older with COVID-19 pneumonia

Background: Older patients, frequently with multiple comorbidities, have a high mortality from COVID-19 infection. Convalescent plasma (CP) is a therapeutic option for these patients. Our objective is to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of CP treatment in this population group. Methods: Forty one patients over 80 years old with COVID-19 pneumonia received CP added to standard treatment, 51.2% with high anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers and 48.8% with low titers. Median time between the onset of symptoms and the infusion of plasma was 7 days (IQR 4-10). A similar group of 82 patients who received only standard treatment, during a period in which CP was not available, were selected as a control group. Results: In-hospital mortality was 26.8% for controls and 14.6% for CP patients (P = 0.131) and ICU admission was 8.5% for controls and 4.9% for CP patients (P = 0.467). Mortality tended to be lower in the high-titer group (9.5%) than in the low-titer group (20%), and in patients transfused within the first 7 days of symptom onset (10%) than in patients transfused later (19.1%), although the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.307 and P = 0.355 respectively). There was no difference in the length of hospitalization. No significant adverse events were associated with CP treatment. Conclusions: Convalescent plasma treatment in patients over 80 years old with COVID-19 pneumonia was well tolerated but did not present a statistically significant difference in hospital mortality, ICU admission, or length of hospitalization. The results should be interpreted with caution as only half the patients received high-titer CP and the small number of patients included in the study limits the statistical power to detect significant differences

Higher COVID-19 pneumonia risk associated with anti-IFN-α than with anti-IFN-ω auto-Abs in children

We found that 19 (10.4%) of 183 unvaccinated children hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia had autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs (IFN-alpha 2 in 10 patients: IFN-alpha 2 only in three, IFN-alpha 2 plus IFN-omega in five, and IFN-alpha 2, IFN-omega plus IFN-beta in two; IFN-omega only in nine patients). Seven children (3.8%) had Abs neutralizing at least 10 ng/ml of one IFN, whereas the other 12 (6.6%) had Abs neutralizing only 100 pg/ml. The auto-Abs neutralized both unglycosylated and glycosylated IFNs. We also detected auto-Abs neutralizing 100 pg/ml IFN-alpha 2 in 4 of 2,267 uninfected children (0.2%) and auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-omega in 45 children (2%). The odds ratios (ORs) for life-threatening COVID-19 pneumonia were, therefore, higher for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-alpha 2 only (OR [95% CI] = 67.6 [5.7-9,196.6]) than for auto-Abs neutralizing IFN-. only (OR [95% CI] = 2.6 [1.2-5.3]). ORs were also higher for auto-Abs neutralizing high concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 12.9 [4.6-35.9]) than for those neutralizing low concentrations (OR [95% CI] = 5.5 [3.1-9.6]) of IFN-omega and/or IFN-alpha 2

Análisis de biomarcadores qEEG para la detección de convulsiones en neuropatologías de tipo epiléptico

El estudio del funcionamiento y patologías del sistema nervioso central constituye un área del máximo interés a nivel mundial. Este hecho está en gran medida relacionado con el aumento de la esperanza de vida y, con ello, el incremento en la incidencia de las patologías neurodegenerativas. El diagnóstico precoz de estas patologías constituye un problema de gran entidad. Son necesarios biomarcadores con alta especificidad y sensibilidad para conseguir avanzar en el diagnóstico precoz, basados en análisis de líquido cerebroespinal, sangre, genéticos, o no invasivos como la Resonancia Magnética, la Tomografía por Emisión de Positrones o la Electroencefalografía (EEG). La Electroencefalografía Cuantitativa (qEEG) es una herramienta diagnóstica novedosa en la práctica clínica con gran potencial en diferentes patologías. Su carácter no invasivo, sin radiación emitida, así como su alta resolución temporal, la convierten en una aproximación con grandes ventajas. Los estudios que existen al respecto la sitúan como una prometedora técnica para el diagnóstico precoz de numerosas patologías, como la epilepsia, la depresión, el Alzheimer o las crisis de pacientes en coma. Sin embargo, los biomarcadores propuestos presentan en ocasiones resultados parciales, y son necesarios estudios adicionales. En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de la aplicación de la qEEG a la detección de estadios epilépticos en pacientes, con la finalidad de tratar de predecir el inicio de las convulsiones. Las características temporo-frecuenciales de las señales son fundamentales para este objetivo. Los resultados demuestran que existen diferencias en ciertos parámetros, que podrían ser empleados como biomarcadores de las convulsiones.Este trabajo ha sido parcialmente financiado por los proyectos del Plan Nacional de I+D+i “Nuevas fases activas en nano-óxidos de metales de transición y tierras raras estabilizadas a alta presión” (Mat2015-69508-P) y Acción Estratégica en Salud “Electroencefalografía intracortical en pacientes con daño cerebral agudo” (PI17/00156), cofinancia DER, y por la Fundación San Cándido

Entrepreneurial intention, expectations of success and self-efficacy in undergraduate students of health sciences

Background: Entrepreneurial intention is considered to be the best predictor of entrepreneurial behaviour. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) explains the degree of correlation between variables such as entrepreneurial intention, perceived feasibility and perceived desirability. Knowing the entrepreneurial intention of students of Health Sciences will help to guide and promote effective university policies to support entrepreneurship. The authors aimed to analyse the entrepreneurial intention of university students in the field of Health Sciences. Methods: A cross‑sectional study was conducted in the Faculties of Health Sciences of two public universities of Southern Spain. 1518 students of different degrees of Health Sciences (Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Dentistry, Nursing and Occupational Therapy), from first to fourth year. An online structured questionnaire was used, the Entrepreneurial Event Model (EEM) adapted to the Spanish context. This measurement model was completed with 8 items from the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire‑MSLQ. Results: The hypothetical model showed that perceived desirability and perceived feasibility were positive and significant predictors of entrepreneurial intention. Perceived desirability showed an indirect effect on entrepreneurial intention through perceived feasibility. Expectation of success and self‑efficacy had no direct effect on entrepreneur‑ ial intention. Conclusions: Perceived desirability and perceived feasibility are related to entrepreneurial intention in Health Sci‑ ences students

Impact of lack of face-to-face schooling during COVID-19 confinement on family quality of life of children with disabilities and typical development.

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of the lack of face-to-face schooling during the COVID-19 confinement on the family quality of life of children aged 3-6 years with hemiplegia, obstetrical brachial palsy, and typical development. An observational and cross-sectional study, using an online survey hosted in Google Forms from October to December 2020, was performed in families with children with infantile hemiplegia, obstetrical brachial palsy, and typical development aged 3-6 years living in Spain. The quality of life and family impact (measured through Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaires, PedsQL™) were evaluated, as well as the affected upper limb side, the presence of other associated problems, the parents' job, lack of use of the affected upper limb, and the type of online intervention using different channels: phone calls, emails, and video calls. Family expectations on the treatment and on their acquired capacity to solve problems related to their children were also measured. A total of 93 families participated in the study and the children's quality of life and family impact obtained a strong correlation in three populations: infantile hemiplegia (r = 0.844), obstetrical brachial palsy (r = 0.513), and typical development (r = 0.904). There was no association between quality of life and online intervention (phone calls and emails were selected), p > 0.05. The deprivation of schooling coupled with home confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic had a greater impact on the quality of life of children with disabilities: infantile hemiplegia and obstetrical brachial palsy than on typically developing children and on their families. However, the online intervention did not produce improvements in quality of life, which could be a consequence of using emails or phone calls instead of video calls to interact with the families