Fear of Falling in Older Adults Treated at a Geriatric Day Hospital: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: The fear of falling (FOF) is a geriatric syndrome that causes a decrease in daily activities and personal autonomy. Its prevalence is highly variable as are the methodologies used to assess it. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence and describing the main determinants of FOF in older adults attending a geriatric day hospital. (2) Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study of individuals aged >= 70 years, who attended an ambulatory functional rehabilitation group in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. FOF was assessed using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Other recorded outcomes were: sex, age, marital status, living alone, level of education, degree of autonomy, pain, previous falls, visual acuity, and signs of depression. Prevalence was estimated overall and according to the possible determinants. (3) Results: The study included 62 individuals (66.1% women), with a prevalence of fear of falling of 38.7% (95% CI 26.2-51.2%). The identified determinants were pain (OR = 7.4, 95% CI 1.4-39.7), a history of falls (OR = 25.3, 95% CI 2.1-303.4), poor visual acuity (OR = 5.6, 95% CI 1.0-29.8), and signs of depression (OR = 19.3, 95% CI 1.4-264.3). (4) Conclusions: The prevalence and determinants of fear of falling in older adults attending geriatric day hospitals were similar to those described in those dwelling in the community

El Jardí de les Delícies- interacció humana en un espai de neurorehabiltació

«El Jardí de les Delícies- Interacció humana en un espai de neurorehabilitació» recull experiències compartides per persones en un espai concret com és un centre de neurorehabilitació. Aquest espai és anomenat Persèpolis i l’etnografia que aquí es presenta és el trajecte comprès entre 2008 i 2017 durant la implementació d’un nou model de treball interdisciplinari en el qual professionals, pacients i famílies comparteixen gran part de les hores que té un dia en el context de sessions de tractament. Aquest nou model de treball ha estat basat en el concepte de «Basale Stimulation®» (BS) i és una forma de potenciació de la comunicació, la interacció i el desenvolupament orientada en totes les seves àrees a les necessitats bàsiques de l’ésser humà. BS ha aportat a tots els implicats una manera nova i més àmplia de viure el dia a dia aportant noves oportunitats per tal que les persones que es relacionen amb el món de manera «diferent» puguin desenvolupar-se sent protagonistes de les seves vides més enllà del que es considera que és la rehabilitació en dany cerebral. L’autora, que com a fisioterapeuta ha format part d’aquest equip de neurorehabilitació, està plenament implicada en aquesta etnografia aportant aspectes autoetnogràfics amb gran pes.«El Jardí de les Delícies- Interacció humana en un espai de neurorehabilitació» (“El Jardín de las Delícias- Interacción humana en un espacio de neurorrehabilitación” recoge experiencias compartidas entre personas en un espacio concreto como es un centro de neurorrehabilitación. Este espacio es llamado Persépolis y la etnografía que aquí se presenta es el trayecto comprendido entre 2008 y 2017 durante la implementación de un nuevo modelo de trabajo interdisciplinario en el cual profesionales, pacientes y familias comparten gran parte de las horas que tiene un día en el contexto de sesiones de tratamiento. Este nuevo modelo de trabajo ha estado basado en el concepto de «Basale Stimulation®» (BS) y es una forma de potenciación de la comunicación, la interacción y el desarrollo orientada en todas sus áreas a las necesidades básicas del ser humano. BS ha aportado a todos los implicados una manera nueva y más amplia de ver el día a día aportando nuevas oportunidades para que las personas que se relacionan con el mundo de manera «diferente» puedan desarrollarse siendo protagonistas de sus vidas más allá de lo que se considera que es la rehabilitación en daño cerebral. La autora, que como fisioterapeuta ha formado parte de este equipo de neurorrehabilitación, está plenamente implicada en esta etnografía aportando aspectos autoetnográficos con gran peso.The “Jardí de les Delícies-Interacció humana en un espai de neurorehabilitació” (“The Garden of Delights- Human interaction in a neurorehabilitation space”) collects experiences shared by people in a specific space such as a neurorehabilitation centre. This space is named Persèpolis and the ethnography here introduced is the journey included between 2008 and 2017 during the implementation of a new interdisciplinary work model in which professionals, patients and families share a big part of the hours a day has in the context of the treatment sessions. This new work model has been based in the concept of “Basale Stimulation®” (BS) and it is a way of boosting the communication, the interaction and the development oriented in all its areas to the basic needs of the human being. BS has provided to all the people involved a new and a wider way of living day by day providing new opportunities so that the people who connect with the world in a “different” way are able to develop themselves as being the leading roles in their lives beyond what is considered the brain damage therapy. The author, who as a physiotherapist has been a part of this neurorehabilitation team, is completely involved in this ethnography and contributes with autoethnographic aspects with great weight

Comparación entre la videografía y el método Sit and Reach para la valoración de la flexibilidad isquiotibial en deportistas escolares

Existen diferentes test para evaluar la flexibilidad articular. El objetivo de nuestro estudio era el de comparar el test de sit and reach y el de goniometría de la rodilla en extensión, mediante videografía para la valoración de la flexibilidad isquiotibial en una muestra de 139 deportistas escolares, de edades comprendidas entre los 7 y los 16 años. El coeficiente de Kappa muestra una concordancia muy débil entre las dos pruebas (0,022 (I.C. 95% -0,07 – 0,12)). Demostrando que el sit and reach no es un test válido para la evaluación de la flexibilidad isquiotibial.There are different test to evaluate flexibility of human movement. The comparison of sit and reach test and videogaphy measurement of hamstrings flexibility was the purpose of this study. 139 scholar football players, between 7 and 16 years old, were evaluated. Kappa coefficient shows little concordance between the two tests (0,022 (I.C. 95% -0,07 – 0,12)) which demonstrates that sit and reach test is not valid enough for hamstrings flexibility evaluatio

Accidents de trànsit en vehicles de dues rodes a Barcelona: motos, ciclomotors i bicicletes

Forma part de la col·lecció: Pacte per la Mobilitat. Barcelona;

Lysyl oxidase-like 3 is required for melanoma cell survival by maintaining genomic stability

Lysyl oxidase-like 3 (LOXL3) is a member of the lysyl oxidase family comprising multifunctional enzymes with depicted roles in extracellular matrix maturation, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. In silico expression analyses followed by experimental validation in a comprehensive cohort of human cell lines revealed a significant upregulation of LOXL3 in human melanoma. We show that LOXL3 silencing impairs cell proliferation and triggers apoptosis in various melanoma cell lines. Further supporting a pro-oncogenic role in melanoma, LOXL3 favors tumor growth in vivo and cooperates with oncogenic BRAF in melanocyte transformation. Upon LOXL3 depletion, melanoma cells display a faulty DNA damage response (DDR), characterized by ATM checkpoint activation and inefficient ATR activation leading to the accumulation of double-strand breaks (DSBs) and aberrant mitosis. Consistent with these findings, LOXL3 binds to proteins involved in the maintenance of genome integrity, in particular BRCA2 and MSH2, whose levels dramatically decrease upon LOXL3 depletion. Moreover, LOXL3 is required for efficient DSB repair in melanoma cells. Our results reveal an unexpected role for LOXL3 in the control of genome stability and melanoma progression, exposing its potential as a novel therapeutic target in malignant melanoma, a very aggressive condition yet in need for more effective treatment options

Involvement of the 14-3-3 gene family in autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia: Genetics, transcriptomics and functional analyses

The 14-3-3 protein family are molecular chaperones involved in several biological functions and neurological diseases. We previously pinpointed YWHAZ (encoding 14-3-3ζ) as a candidate gene for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) through a whole-exome sequencing study, which identified a frameshift variant within the gene (c.659-660insT, p.L220Ffs*18). Here, we explored the contribution of the seven human 14-3-3 family members in ASD and other psychiatric disorders by investigating the: (i) functional impact of the 14-3-3ζ mutation p.L220Ffs*18 by assessing solubility, target binding and dimerization; (ii) contribution of common risk variants in 14-3-3 genes to ASD and additional psychiatric disorders; (iii) burden of rare variants in ASD and schizophrenia; and iv) 14-3-3 gene expression using ASD and schizophrenia transcriptomic data. We found that the mutant 14-3-3ζ protein had decreased solubility and lost its ability to form heterodimers and bind to its target tyrosine hydroxylase. Gene-based analyses using publicly available datasets revealed that common variants in YWHAE contribute to schizophrenia (p = 6.6 × 10-7), whereas ultra-rare variants were found enriched in ASD across the 14-3-3 genes (p = 0.017) and in schizophrenia for YWHAZ (meta-p = 0.017). Furthermore, expression of 14-3-3 genes was altered in post-mortem brains of ASD and schizophrenia patients. Our study supports a role for the 14-3-3 family in ASD and schizophrenia

Prevalence of urinary incontinence in Andorra: impact on women's health.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a frequent public health problem with negative social consequences, particularly for women. Female susceptibility is the result of anatomical, social, economic and cultural factors. The main objectives of this study are to evaluate the prevalence of UI in the female population of Andorra over the age of 15 and, specifically, to determine the influence of socio-demographic factors. A secondary aim of the study is to measure the degree of concern associated with UI and whether the involved subjects have asked for medical assistance, or not. METHODS: Women aged 15 and over, answered a self-administered questionnaire while attending professional health units in Andorra during the period November 1998 to January 2000. A preliminary study was carried out to ensure that the questionnaire was both understandable and simple. RESULTS: 863 completed questionnaires were obtained during a one year period. The breakdown of the places where the questionnaires were obtained and filled out is as follows: 32.4% – medical specialists' offices; 31.5% – outpatient centres served exclusively by nurses; 24% – primary care doctors' offices; 12% from other sources. Of the women who answered the questionnaire, 37% manifested urine losses. Of those,45.3% presented regular urinary incontinence (RUI) and 55.7% presented sporadic urinary incontinence (SporadicUI). In those women aged between 45 and 64, UI was present in 56% of the subjects. UI was more frequent among parous than non-parous women. UI was perceived as a far more bothersome and disabling condition by working, middle-class women than in other socio-economic groups. Women in this particular group are more limited by UI, less likely to seek medical advice but more likely to follow a course of treatment. From a general point of view, however, less than 50% of women suffering from UI sought medical advice. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of UI in the female population of Andorra stands at about 37%, a statistic which should encourage both health professionals and women to a far greater awareness of this condition

Reproductive factors and risk of mortality in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition; a cohort study

Abstract Background Reproductive events are associated with important physiologic changes, yet little is known about how reproductive factors influence long-term health in women. Our objective was to assess the relation of reproductive characteristics with all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk. Methods The analysis was performed within the European Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition prospective cohort study, which enrolled >500,000 women and men from 1992 to 2000, who were residing in a given town/geographic area in 10 European countries. The current analysis included 322,972 eligible women aged 25–70 years with 99 % complete follow-up for vital status. We assessed reproductive characteristics reported at the study baseline including parity, age at the first birth, breastfeeding, infertility, oral contraceptive use, age at menarche and menopause, total ovulatory years, and history of oophorectomy/hysterectomy. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality were determined using Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for menopausal status, body mass index, physical activity, education level, and smoking status/intensity and duration. Results During a mean follow-up of 12.9 years, 14,383 deaths occurred. The HR (95 % CI) for risk of all-cause mortality was lower in parous versus nulliparous women (0.80; 0.76–0.84), in women who had ever versus never breastfed (0.92; 0.87–0.97), in ever versus never users of oral contraceptives (among non-smokers; 0.90; 0.86–0.95), and in women reporting a later age at menarche (≥15 years versus <12; 0.90; 0.85–0.96; P for trend = 0.038). Conclusions Childbirth, breastfeeding, oral contraceptive use, and a later age at menarche were associated with better health outcomes. These findings may contribute to the development of improved strategies to promote better long-term health in women

Reproductive factors and risk of mortality in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition; a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Reproductive events are associated with important physiologic changes, yet little is known about how reproductive factors influence long-term health in women. Our objective was to assess the relation of reproductive characteristics with all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk. METHODS: The analysis was performed within the European Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition prospective cohort study, which enrolled >500,000 women and men from 1992 to 2000, who were residing in a given town/geographic area in 10 European countries. The current analysis included 322,972 eligible women aged 25-70 years with 99 % complete follow-up for vital status. We assessed reproductive characteristics reported at the study baseline including parity, age at the first birth, breastfeeding, infertility, oral contraceptive use, age at menarche and menopause, total ovulatory years, and history of oophorectomy/hysterectomy. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality were determined using Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for menopausal status, body mass index, physical activity, education level, and smoking status/intensity and duration. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 12.9 years, 14,383 deaths occurred. The HR (95 % CI) for risk of all-cause mortality was lower in parous versus nulliparous women (0.80; 0.76-0.84), in women who had ever versus never breastfed (0.92; 0.87-0.97), in ever versus never users of oral contraceptives (among non-smokers; 0.90; 0.86-0.95), and in women reporting a later age at menarche (≥15 years versus <12; 0.90; 0.85-0.96; P for trend = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Childbirth, breastfeeding, oral contraceptive use, and a later age at menarche were associated with better health outcomes. These findings may contribute to the development of improved strategies to promote better long-term health in women

Reproductive factors and risk of mortality in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition; a cohort study

Background: Reproductive events are associated with important physiologic changes, yet little is known about how reproductive factors influence long-term health in women. Our objective was to assess the relation of reproductive characteristics with all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk. Methods: The analysis was performed within the European Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition prospective cohort study, which enrolled > 500,000 women and men from 1992 to 2000, who were residing in a given town/geographic area in 10 European countries. The current analysis included 322,972 eligible women aged 25-70 years with 99 % complete follow-up for vital status. We assessed reproductive characteristics reported at the study baseline including parity, age at the first birth, breastfeeding, infertility, oral contraceptive use, age at menarche and menopause, total ovulatory years, and history of oophorectomy/hysterectomy. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) for mortality were determined using Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for menopausal status, body mass index, physical activity, education level, and smoking status/intensity and duration. Results: During a mean follow-up of 12.9 years, 14,383 deaths occurred. The HR (95 % CI) for risk of all-cause mortality was lower in parous versus nulliparous women (0.80; 0.76-0.84), in women who had ever versus never breastfed (0.92; 0.87-0.97), in ever versus never users of oral contraceptives (among non-smokers; 0.90; 0.86-0.95), and in women reporting a later age at menarche (>= 15 years versus < 12; 0.90; 0.85-0.96; P for trend = 0.038). Conclusions: Childbirth, breastfeeding, oral contraceptive use, and a later age at menarche were associated with better health outcomes. These findings may contribute to the development of improved strategies to promote better long-term health in women