The role of impulsivity in dropout from treatment for cigarette smoking

AbstractImpulsivity is a variable that has been associated with drug use. This study analyzes impulsivity from two different paradigms, one considering it as a trait and the other based on its behavioral correlates, such as disinhibition and impulsive decision-making in the treatment prognosis (maintain abstinence, relapse and dropout) of smokers after outpatient treatment. The participants in the study were 113 smokers who requested treatment for nicotine addiction. They were assigned to three groups according to whether or not they remained abstinent one month after beginning treatment; thus, group 1 was abstinent, group 2 had relapsed, and group 3 had dropped out of treatment. The participants filled out the Semi-structured Interview for Smokers, the Fargerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, the Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R) and the Delay Discounting Task (DDT). The Delay Discounting variable presents lower scores in the dropout group than in the relapse and abstinent groups, with the highest scores in the relapse group. Differences were also found on the Harm Avoidance (HA) variable, with lower scores in the dropout group compared to the relapse group. The importance of these results lies in the consideration of the smoker’s personality profile in order to prevent both dropout and relapse

Identification of a Shared Microbiomic and Metabolomic Profile in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases

Dysbiosis has been described in systemic autoimmune diseases (SADs), including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS), and primary anti-phosholipid syndrome (PAPS), however the biological implications of these associations are often elusive. Stool and plasma samples from 114 subjects, including in SLE (n = 27), SjS (n = 23), PAPs (n = 11) and undifferentiated connective tissue (UCTD, n = 26) patients, and geographically-matched healthy controls (HCs, n = 27), were collected for microbiome (16s rRNA gene sequencing) and metabolome (high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry) analysis to identify shared characteristics across diseases. Out of 130 identified microbial genera, a subset of 29 bacteria was able to differentiate study groups (area under receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) = 0.730 ± 0.025). A fair classification was obtained with a subset of 41 metabolic peaks out of 254 (AUROC = 0.748 ± 0.021). In both models, HCs were well separated from SADs, while UCTD largely overlapped with the other diseases. In all of the SADs pro-tolerogenic bacteria were reduced, while pathobiont genera were increased. Metabolic alterations included two clusters comprised of: (a) members of the acylcarnitine family, positively correlating with a Prevotella-enriched cluster and negatively correlating with a butyrate-producing bacteria-enriched cluster; and (b) phospholipids, negatively correlating with butyrate-producing bacteria. These findings demonstrate a strong interaction between intestinal microbiota and metabolic function in patients with SADs.This work was supported by EU/EFPIA/Innovative Medicines Initiative Joint Undertaking PRECISESADS grant No. 115565

Relict periglacial soils on Quaternary terraces in the central Ebro Basin (NE Spain)

Pedofeatures associated with ancient cold climatic conditions have been recognized in soils on terraces in the Monegros area (central Ebro Basin, Spain), at a latitude of 41°49′N and an altitude of 300 m a.s.l. Eleven soil profiles were described on fluvial deposits corresponding to the most extensive terrace (T5) of the Alcanadre River, Middle Pleistocene in age (MIS8–MIS7). Each soil horizon was sampled for physical, chemical, mineralogical and micromorphological analyses. Macromorphological features related to pedocryogenic processes were described: involutions, jacked stones, shattered stones, detached and vertically oriented carbonatic pendents, fragmented carbonatic crusts, laminar microstructures, succitic fabric, silt cappings on rock fragments and aggregates, and irregular, broken, discontinuous and deformed gravel and sandy pockets. Accumulations of Fe–Mn oxides, dissolution features on the surface of carbonatic stones, and calcitic accumulations were identified related to vadose–phreatic conditions. The observed periglacial features developed under cold environmental conditions in exceptional geomorphic and hydrological conditions. This soil information may have potential implications in studies of paleoclimate in the Ebro Valley as well as in other Mediterranean areas

3D Brownian Diffusion of Submicron-Sized Particle Clusters

We report on the translation and rotation of particle clusters made through the combination of spherical building blocks. These clusters present ideal model systems to study the motion of objects with complex shape. Because they could be separated into fractions of well-defined configurations on a sufficient scale and their overall dimensions were below 300 nm, the translational and rotational diffusion coefficients of particle duplets, triplets and tetrahedrons could be determined by a combination of polarized dynamic light scattering (DLS) and depolarized dynamic light scattering (DDLS). The use of colloidal clusters for DDLS experiments overcomes the limitation of earlier experiments on the diffusion of complex objects near surfaces because the true 3D diffusion can be studied. When the exact geometry of the complex assemblies is known, different hydrodynamic models for calculating the diffusion coefficient for objects with complex shapes could be applied. Because hydrodynamic friction must be restricted to the cluster surface the so-called shell model, in which the surface is represented as a shell of small friction elements, was most suitable to describe the dynamics. A quantitative comparison of the predictions from theoretical modeling with the results obtained by DDLS showed an excellent agreement between experiment and theory

Adherence to treatment to help quit smoking: effects of task performance and coping with withdrawal symptoms

Background: Currently the combined cognitive-behavioral and pharmacological treatment is the best option to quit smoking, although success rates remain moderate. This study aimed to identify predictors of continuous abstinence in an assisted smoking cessation program using combined treatment. In particular, we analyzed the effects of socio-demographic, smoking-, and treatment-related variables. In addition, we analyzed the effect of several risk factors on abstinence, and estimated a model of risk for smoking relapse.Methods: Participants were 125 workers at the University of Granada (50 males), with an average age of 46.91 years (SD = 8.15). They were recruited between 2009 and 2013 at an occupational health clinic providing smoking cessation treatment. Baseline measures included socio-demographic data, preferred brand of cigarettes, number of years smoking, use of alcohol and/or tranquilizers, past attempts to quit, Fargerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, Smoking Processes of Change Scale, and Coping with Withdrawal Symptoms Interview. Participants were invited to a face-to-face assessment of smoking abstinence using self-report and cooximetry hemoglobin measures at 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up. The main outcome was smoking status coded as “relapse” versus “abstinence” at each follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to estimate the probability of continued abstinence during 12 months and log-rank tests were used to analyze differences in continued abstinence as a function of socio-demographic, smoking-, and treatment-related variables. Cox regression was used to analyze the simultaneous effect of several risk factors on abstinence.Results: Using alcohol and/or tranquilizers was related to shorter abstinence. Physical exercise, the number of treatment sessions, performance of treatment tasks, and coping with withdrawal symptoms were related to prolonged abstinence. In particular, failure to perform the treatment tasks tripled the risk of relapse, while lack of coping doubled it.Conclusions: Our results show that physical exercise, performance of treatment-related tasks, and effective coping with withdrawal symptoms can prolong abstinence from smoking. Programs designed to help quit smoking can benefit from the inclusion of these factors.This research was supported by the Occupational Medicine Area (Prevention Service) of the University of Granada

Evolution of the use of corticosteroids for the treatment of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Spain between March and November 2020: SEMI-COVID national registry

Objectives: Since the results of the RECOVERY trial, WHO recommendations about the use of corticosteroids (CTs) in COVID-19 have changed. The aim of the study is to analyse the evolutive use of CTs in Spain during the pandemic to assess the potential influence of new recommendations. Material and methods: A retrospective, descriptive, and observational study was conducted on adults hospitalised due to COVID-19 in Spain who were included in the SEMI-COVID- 19 Registry from March to November 2020. Results: CTs were used in 6053 (36.21%) of the included patients. The patients were older (mean (SD)) (69.6 (14.6) vs. 66.0 (16.8) years; p < 0.001), with hypertension (57.0% vs. 47.7%; p < 0.001), obesity (26.4% vs. 19.3%; p < 0.0001), and multimorbidity prevalence (20.6% vs. 16.1%; p < 0.001). These patients had higher values (mean (95% CI)) of C-reactive protein (CRP) (86 (32.7-160) vs. 49.3 (16-109) mg/dL; p < 0.001), ferritin (791 (393-1534) vs. 470 (236- 996) µg/dL; p < 0.001), D dimer (750 (430-1400) vs. 617 (345-1180) µg/dL; p < 0.001), and lower Sp02/Fi02 (266 (91.1) vs. 301 (101); p < 0.001). Since June 2020, there was an increment in the use of CTs (March vs. September; p < 0.001). Overall, 20% did not receive steroids, and 40% received less than 200 mg accumulated prednisone equivalent dose (APED). Severe patients are treated with higher doses. The mortality benefit was observed in patients with oxygen saturation </=90%. Conclusions: Patients with greater comorbidity, severity, and inflammatory markers were those treated with CTs. In severe patients, there is a trend towards the use of higher doses. The mortality benefit was observed in patients with oxygen saturation </=90%

Characterization of biomass ashes produced at different temperatures from olive-oil-industry and greenhouse vegetable wastes

Reuse and recycling of biomass ashes as new resources can boost the development of a circular and sustainable economy. This requires knowledge concerning the characteristics and properties of the ash for different applications. In this study, novel biomass ashes from combustion, at different temperatures, of olive-oil wastes and from the gasification of greenhouse vegetables wastes were characterized and compared by ICP-MS, XRF, XRD, FT-IR, and SEM-EDS among other analytical techniques. All ashes were alkaline (pH between 9.9 and 13.3) and had high salinity (42–132 dS m). They had high amounts of Si, Ca, and K; moderate of P, Mg, Al, S, and Cl; and low Na and heavy metals. By comparison, the ash from greenhouse vegetables waste was richer in aluminosilicates and calcite whereas those from olive-oil wastes showed the presence of soluble minerals such as carbonates, sulphates, and chlorides. The high K amounts (23–58 g kg) found in the ashes from olive wastes would enable its reuse as natural K fertilizer or as a raw material in the manufacture of K chemical fertilizers. The ashes resulting from higher temperatures had lower carbon contents, higher amounts of particles <250 µm, smaller surface areas and higher hygroscopicity which would influence the use of these materials as potential catalyst or sorbents. High combustion temperatures favoured the presence of numerous spherical particles of different sizes, associated with the presence of silica, and also particle aggregates coated by laminar microcrystalline particles. The ashes produced at lower temperatures were dominated by plane crystalline particles and other large, long, carbonaceous shapes with reticular structures.This study was financed by the Junta de Andalucía, Spain, through Excellence Project P07-RNM-2746. M. Quirantes thanks the Junta de Andalucía, for their doctoral grants associated to project P07-RNM-2746. We thank the biomass power plants of Gasification Plant of Albaida, Nijar, Almeria; Energy La Loma S.A., Villanueva del Arzobispo, Jaén; Baena Agroenergy S.L., Córdoba; Oleícola El Tejar S.L., Palenciana, Córdoba and the olive-oil extraction plant of Romeroliva, S.L., Deifontes, Granada for providing the ashes from greenhouse vegetable wastes, dry olive cake, wet olive cake mixed with olive leaves or bagasse and olive pits, respectively, used in this study. The authors appreciate the assistance of J. Huertas, G. Delgado and R. Delgado for, respectively, XRD, FRX and SEM-EDS analysis. The authors also thank David Nesbitt for assisting in the translation of the manuscript into English

Sensitization to cow's milk protein in a dairy worker.

Repeated skin exposure and inhalation of milk proteins may lead to IgE-mediated sensitization, normally manifested at the site of contact. Although this is a phenomenon predominantly found in children, it has also been observed in adults. To describe a case of a worker who, after being exposed to milk proteins for many years, eventually experienced episodes of anaphylaxis. A 62-year-old worker experienced severe episodes of anaphylaxis following the intake of dairy products. He had worked in the dairy industry for 17 years, where he was exposed to dried milk every day. This case report illustrates how continued exposure to milk proteins, either by skin contact or inhalation, may lead to sensitization which could result in severe manifestations of anaphylaxis