Feasible glass-melting process assisted by microwaves

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Reinosa, JJ, García-Baños, B, Catalá-Civera, JM, López-Buendía, AM, Guaita, L, Fernández, JF. Feasible glass-melting process assisted by microwaves. Int J Appl Glass Sci. 2019; 10: 208 219, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/ijag.13093. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.[EN] The advantages of microwave (MW) energy processing have been verified in the sintering of a ceramic frit at a pre-industrial scale. The challenge of achieving high temperature using MW energy at such dimensions was overcome and a mix of natural raw materials was heated until its fluxing point. Changes in dielectric properties of the raw materials mix were also measured in situ with the increase in temperature, being in accordance to thermal processes of a conventional heating process. The properties of the resulting ceramic frit were compared with the same frit obtained by the conventional sintering method. Both frits showed similar thermal behavior regarding DTA-TGA, heating microscopy and XRD (only glassy phase was present). A Raman study confirms the existence of the mentioned glass phase. The application of the frits as glazes were performed and their properties were studied. As a result, glazes with similar properties were obtained which confirms that the MW energy processed frit is suitable for its application as a ceramic glaze.Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Grant/Award Number: CSIC201560E068; Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion Productiva, Grant/Award Number: MAT2017-86450-C4-1-R; Seventh Framework Programme, Daphne Project, Grant/Award Number: 314636Jiménez Reinosa, J.; García-Baños, B.; Catalá Civera, JM.; López-Buendía, ÁM.; Guaita, L.; Fernández, JF. (2019). Feasible glass-melting process assisted by microwaves. International Journal of Applied Glass Science. 10(2):208-219. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijag.13093S20821910

Global mapping of randomised trials related articles published in high-impact-factor medical journals: a cross-sectional analysis

BACKGROUND: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) provide the most reliable information to inform clinical practice and patient care. We aimed to map global clinical research publication activity through RCT-related articles in high-impact-factor medical journals over the past five decades. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of articles published in the highest ranked medical journals with an impact factor > 10 (according to Journal Citation Reports published in 2017). We searched PubMed/MEDLINE (from inception to December 31, 2017) for all RCT-related articles (e.g. primary RCTs, secondary analyses and methodology papers) published in high-impact-factor medical journals. For each included article, raw metadata were abstracted from the Web of Science. A process of standardization was conducted to unify the different terms and grammatical variants and to remove typographical, transcription and/or indexing errors. Descriptive analyses were conducted (including the number of articles, citations, most prolific authors, countries, journals, funding sources and keywords). Network analyses of collaborations between countries and co-words are presented. RESULTS: We included 39,305 articles (for the period 1965-2017) published in forty journals. The Lancet (n = 3593; 9.1%), the Journal of Clinical Oncology (n = 3343; 8.5%) and The New England Journal of Medicine (n = 3275 articles; 8.3%) published the largest number of RCTs. A total of 154 countries were involved in the production of articles. The global productivity ranking was led by the United States (n = 18,393 articles), followed by the United Kingdom (n = 8028 articles), Canada (n = 4548 articles) and Germany (n = 4415 articles). Seventeen authors who had published 100 or more articles were identified; the most prolific authors were affiliated with Duke University (United States), Harvard University (United States) and McMaster University (Canada). The main funding institutions were the National Institutes of Health (United States), Hoffmann-La Roche (Switzerland), Pfizer (United States), Merck Sharp & Dohme (United States) and Novartis (Switzerland). The 100 most cited RCTs were published in nine journals, led by The New England Journal of Medicine (n = 78 articles), The Lancet (n = 9 articles) and JAMA (n = 7 articles). These landmark contributions focuse

Transparency, openness, and reproducible research practices are frequently underused in health economic evaluations

Objectives: To investigate the extent to which articles of economic evaluations of healthcare interventions indexed in MEDLINE incorporate research practices that promote transparency, openness, and reproducibility. Study design and setting: We evaluated a random sample of health economic evaluations indexed in MEDLINE during 2019. We included articles written in English reporting an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio in terms of costs per life years gained, quality-adjusted life years, and/or disability-adjusted life years. Reproducible research practices, openness, and transparency in each article were extracted in duplicate. We explored whether reproducible research practices were associated with self-report use of a guideline. Results: We included 200 studies published in 147 journals. Almost half were published as open access articles (n = 93; 47%). Most studies (n = 150; 75%) were model-based economic evaluations. In 109 (55%) studies, authors self-reported use a guideline (e.g., for study conduct or reporting). Few studies (n = 31; 16%) reported working from a protocol. In 112 (56%) studies, authors reported the data needed to recreate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for the base case analysis. This percentage was higher in studies using a guideline than studies not using a guideline (72/109 [66%] with guideline vs. 40/91 [44%] without guideline; risk ratio 1.50, 95% confidence interval 1.15-1.97). Only 10 (5%) studies mentioned access to raw data and analytic code for reanalyses. Conclusion: Transparency, openness, and reproducible research practices are frequently underused in health economic evaluations. This study provides baseline data to compare future progress in the field.F.C-L. is supported by the Institute of Health Carlos III/CIBERSAM. D.M. is supported by a University Research Chair, University of Ottawa. The funders were not involved in the design of the study or de cision to submit the manuscript for publication, nor they were involved in aspect of the study conduct. The views expressed in this manuscript are those of the authors and may not be understood or quoted as being made on behalf of, or reflection of the position of, the funder(s) or any institution.S

Anorexia nervosa and cancer: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

This is the final version of the article. Available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.BACKGROUND: Anorexia nervosa is characterized by a severe restriction of caloric intake, low body weight, fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat, and disturbance of body image. Pathogenesis of the disorder may include genetic predisposition, hormonal changes and a combination of environmental, psychosocial, and cultural factors. Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. At present, no systematic reviews and meta-analyses have evaluated the risk of cancer in people with anorexia nervosa. The objective of this study will be to evaluate the association between anorexia nervosa and the risk of developing or dying from cancer. METHODS/DESIGN: This study protocol is part of a systematic collection and assessment of multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses (umbrella review) evaluating the association of cancer and multiple central nervous system disorders. We designed a specific protocol for a new systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies of anorexia nervosa with risk of developing or dying from any cancer. Data sources will be PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and manual screening of references. Observational studies (case-control and cohort) in humans that examined the association between anorexia nervosa and risk of developing or dying from cancer will be sought. The primary outcomes will be cancer incidence and cancer mortality in association with anorexia nervosa. Secondary outcomes will be site-specific cancer incidence and mortality, respectively. Screening of abstracts and full texts, and data abstraction will be performed by two team members independently. Conflicts at all levels of screening and abstraction will be resolved through discussion. The quality of studies will be assessed by using the Ottawa-Newcastle scale by two team members independently. Random effects models will be conducted where appropriate. Subgroup and additional analyses will be conducted to explore the potential sources of heterogeneity. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) criteria and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach will be used for determining the quality of evidence for cancer outcomes. DISCUSSION: Findings from this systematic review will inform an ongoing umbrella review on cancer and central nervous system disorders. Our systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies will establish the extent of the epidemiological evidence underlying the association between anorexia nervosa and cancer. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42017067462.Specific funding from the Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEOII/2015/021) and CIBERSAM/Institute of Health Carlos III was received for this work. The funders were not involved in the design of the protocol or decision to submit the protocol for publication, nor will they be involved in any aspect of the conduct of the review. BH is supported by a New Investigator Award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Drug Safety and Effectiveness Network. MR is partially funded by the Spanish Health Services Research on Chronic Patients Network (REDISSEC)/Institute of Health Carlos III. The views expressed in this article are the views of the authors and may not be understood or quoted as being made on behalf of, or reflecting the position of, the funder(s) or any institution

The burden of premature mortality in Spain using standard expected years of life lost: a population-based study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Measures of premature mortality have been used to guide debates on future health priorities and to monitor the population health status. Standard expected years of life lost (SEYLL) is one of the methods used to assess the time lost due to premature death. This article affords an overview of premature mortality in Spain for the year 2008.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A population-based study was conducted estimating SEYLL by sex and age groups. SEYLL, a key component of the disability-adjusted life years measure of disease burden, was calculated using Princeton West standard life tables with life expectancy at birth fixed at 80 years for males and 82.5 years for females. Population data and specific death records were obtained from the official registers of the National Institute of Statistics. All data were analysed and prepared in GesMor and Epidat software packages.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The burden of premature mortality was estimated at 2.1 million SEYLL when age at death is taken into account. Males lost 60.9% and females lost 39.1% of total SEYLL. Malignant tumors (34.5%) and cardiovascular diseases (24.0%) were the leading categories in terms of SEYLL. Ischaemic heart disease (8.5%) and lung cancers (8.0%) were the most common specific causes of SEYLL followed by cerebrovascular diseases (5.9%), colorectal cancer (4.1%), road traffic accidents (3.5%), Alzheimer and other dementias (2.9%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2.8%), breast cancer (2.8%) and suicides (2.6%).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In Spain, premature mortality was essentially due to chronic non-communicable diseases. Data provided in this study are relevant for a more balanced health agenda aimed at reducing the burden of premature mortality. This study also represents a first step in estimating the overall burden of disease in terms of premature death and disability.</p

Caracterización genómica y filogenética de bacteriófagos líticos de Ralstonia solanacearum con capacidad de biocontrol en agua medioambiental y en planta

Ralstonia solanacearum, agente etiológico de la marchitez bacteriana, es una de las bacterias fitopatógenas más devastadoras. Los virus bacteriófagos (fagos) que la infectan pueden ser agentes prometedores de control biológico que permitan agrosistemas sostenibles. Tres fagos líticos de R. solanacearum, vRsoP-WF2, vRsoP-WM2 y vRsoP-WR2, aislados de agua de distintos ríos españoles han demostrado su capacidad de biocontrol del patógeno tanto en agua medioambiental como en planta, siendo necesaria su caracterización genómica para profundizar en el conocimiento de su biología. En este trabajo, se secuenciaron y realizaron análisis bioinformáticos de los genomas completos de los tres fagos, así como análisis filogenéticos con una selección de fagos activos frente a R. solanacearum y a la especie fitopatógena estrechamente relacionada R. pseudosolanacearum

Distribución de Brenneria spp. en la Comunidad Valenciana y especies forestales a las que afecta

El género Brenneria agrupa especies bacterianas que producen chancros con lesiones necróticas y exudados en plantas leñosas. En España, en los últimos años, se han identificado varias Brenneria sp. como responsables de chancros bacterianos en quercíneas (B. quercina), nogales (B. nigrifluens y B. rubrifaciens) y chopos (Brenneria sp.). En la Comunidad Valenciana también se han detectado focos de B. quercina en encinas de algunos parajes de importancia medioambiental, pero todavía se dispone de escasa información acerca de la incidencia de esta bacteriosis en nuestra Comunidad. Sin embargo, no existen referencias de la presencia de Brenneria spp. en nogal o chopo en la Comunidad Valenciana, aunque no se puede descartar su presencia o introducción a través de material vegetal. El objetivo del presente trabajo ha sido conocer la incidencia de dichas bacteriosis en nuestra Comunidad. Para ello, se han continuado las prospecciones en masas de quercíneas de distintos orígenes geográficos de la Comunidad Valenciana iniciadas en un estudio anterior, y se han centrado en aquellas zonas o especies del género Quercus en las que la bacteria no había sido detectada previamente. Además, se han iniciado prospecciones en otras especies forestales de interés para nuestra Comunidad, como Juglans regia y Populus spp

The pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: A systematic review with network meta-analyses of randomised trials

BACKGROUND: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorders in childhood. A wide variety of treatments have been used for the management of ADHD. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of pharmacological, psychological and complementary and alternative medicine interventions for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We performed a systematic review with network meta-analyses. Randomised controlled trials (≥ 3 weeks follow-up) were identified from published and unpublished sources through searches in PubMed and the Cochrane Library (up to April 7, 2016). Interventions of interest were pharmacological (stimulants, non-stimulants, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and other unlicensed drugs), psychological (behavioural, cognitive training and neurofeedback) and complementary and alternative medicine (dietary therapy, fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, herbal therapy, homeopathy, and physical activity). The primary outcomes were efficacy (treatment response) and acceptability (all-cause discontinuation). Secondary outcomes included discontinuation due to adverse events (tolerability), as well as serious adverse events and specific adverse events. Random-effects Bayesian network meta-analyses were conducted to obtain estimates as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% credibility intervals. We analysed interventions by class and individually. 190 randomised trials (52 different interventions grouped in 32 therapeutic classes) that enrolled 26114 participants with ADHD were included in complex networks. At the class level, behavioural therapy (alone or in combination with stimulants), stimulants, and non-stimulant seemed significantly more efficacious than placebo. Behavioural therapy in combination with stimulants seemed superior to stimulants or non-stimulants. Stimulants seemed superior to behavioural therapy, cognitive training and non-stimulants. Behavioural therapy, stimulants and their combination showed the best profile of acceptability. Stimulants and non-stimulants seemed well tolerated. Among medications, methylphenidate, amphetamine, atomoxetine, guanfacine and clonidine seemed significantly more efficacious than placebo. Methylphenidate and amphetamine seemed more efficacious than atomoxetine and guanfacine. Methylphenidate and clonidine seemed better accepted than placebo and atomoxetine. Most of the efficacious pharmacological treatments were associated with harms (anorexia, weight loss and insomnia), but an increased risk of serious adverse events was not observed. There is lack of evidence for cognitive training, neurofeedback, antidepressants, antipsychotics, dietary therapy, fatty acids, and other complementary and alternative medicine. Overall findings were limited by the clinical and methodological heterogeneity, small sample sizes of trials, short-term follow-up, and the absence of high-quality evidence; consequently, results should be interpreted with caution. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical differences may exist between the pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment used for the management of ADHD. Uncertainties about therapies and the balance between benefits, costs and potential harms should be considered before starting treatment. There is an urgent need for high-quality randomised trials of the multiple treatments for ADHD in children and adolescents. PROSPERO, number CRD42014015008