Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (EMDR-IGTP) Applied to Caregivers of Patients With Dementia

Caregivers of patients with dementia experience high levels of stress and burden, with effects comparable to those of a traumatic event. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) appear to be effective in recovering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We aimed at investigating the effectiveness of the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (EMDR-IGTP) on the “caregiver syndrome”. Forty-four primary caregivers entered the study. They were randomly assigned to either the “immediate” branch, who received the treatment soon after recruitment, or to the “delayed” branch, who received it two months after recruitment. The treatment consisted of eight group sessions (one per week) spanning over two months. Emotional distress was measured before the treatment, immediately after the end of it, and two months later (follow-up), by means of several clinical scales (Impact of Event Scale-Revised, IES-R; Caregiver Needs Assessment, CNA; Caregiver Burden Inventory, CBI; Anxiety and Depression Scale-Reduced Form, AD-R). The “immediate” branch improved significantly more than the “delayed” (control) branch on The Impact of Event Scale-Revised, the Anxiety, and the Depression scales; however, after treatment such an improvement was maintained only in the first scale. The “delayed” branch took less advantage of the treatment, showing significant reduction only on the Depression scale, an effect which disappeared at follow-up. These preliminary results show for the first time that EMDR-IGTP reduces stress-related symptoms, anxiety, and depression in caregivers of patients with dementia. Interestingly, caregivers who were inserted in a waiting list after recruitment showed smaller treatment effects. Larger samples are needed to better interpret such differential clinical profiles

Allergological and Toxicological Aspects in a Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Cohort

Background. Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic condition characterized by an exaggerated response to toxicants. We ascertained the prevalence of allergy to metals and toxicological aspects in MCS patients. Methods. We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 41 patients with MCS. We performed patch testing (n=21) for dental series and did lymphocyte transformation test (n=18) for metals. We measured mercury in samples of blood (n=19), urine (n=19), saliva (n=20), and scalp hair (n=17) to investigate the association between mercury levels and cases of MCS. Results. The prevalence of metal immune hypersensitivity in a subset of 26 patients was 92.3 percent. Elevations of mercury occurred in 81.2 percent (26 of 32). The mean (±SD) in blood concentrations of mercury was 7.6±13.6 μg/L; mean in urine was 1.9±2.5 μg/L; mean in scalp hair was 2.2±2.5 μg/g; mean in saliva was 38.1±52.1 μg/L. Subgroup analyses showed that elevation of mercury levels in biological matrices were associated with mercury amalgams in patients with MCS (22 patients), compared with controls (8 patients) (odds ratio 11 : 95 percent confidence interval 1.5 to 81.6; P=0.023). Conclusions. Our data show an increased prevalence of metal allergy and elevation of mercury levels in bioindicators among patients with MCS

Optimizing postoperative sexual function after radical prostatectomy

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the complications associated with pelvic surgery. The significance of ED as a complication following pelvic surgery, especially radical prostatectomy (RP), lies in the negative impact that it has on patients’ sexual and overall life. In the literature, rates of ED following RP range from 25% to 100%. Such variety is associated with pelvic dissection and conservation of neurovascular structures. Another important factor impacting on postoperative ED is the preoperative erectile function of the patient. Advances in the knowledge of pelvic anatomy and pathological mechanisms led to a refinement of pelvic surgical techniques, with attention to the main structures that if damaged compromise erectile function. These improvements resulted in lower postoperative ED rates and better erectile recovery, especially in patients undergoing RP. Furthermore, surgery alone is not sufficient to prevent this complication, and thus, several medical strategies have been tested with the aim of maximizing erectile function recovery. Indeed it seems that prevention of postoperative ED must be addressed by a multimodal approach. The aim of this review is to give a picture of recent knowledge, novel techniques and therapeutic approaches in order to reach the best combination of treatments to reduce the rate of ED after pelvic surgery

Simultaneous Tenfold Brightness Enhancement and Emitted-Light Spectral Tunability in Transparent Ambipolar Organic Light-Emitting Transistor by Integration of High-k Photonic Crystal

In organic light-emitting transistors, the structural properties such as the in-plane geometry and the lateral charge injection are the key elements that enable the monolithic integration of multiple electronic, optoelectronic, and photonic functions within the same device. Here, the realization of highly integrated multifunctional optoelectronic organic device is reported by introducing a high-capacitance photonic crystal as a gate dielectric into a transparent single-layer ambipolar organic light-emitting transistor (OLET). By engineering the photonic crystal multistack and bandgap, it is showed that the integration of the photonic structure has a twofold effect on the optoelectronic performance of the device, i.e., i) to modulate the spectral profile and outcoupling of the emitted light and ii) to enhance the transistor sourceâ\u80\u93drain current by a 25-fold factor. Consequently, the photonic-crystal-integrated OLET shows an order of magnitude higher emitted power and brightness with respect to the corresponding polymer-dielectric device, while presenting as-designed electroluminescence spectral and spatial distribution. The results validate the efficacy of the proposed approach that is expected to unravel the technological potential for the realization of highly integrated optoelectronic smart systems based on organic light-emitting transistors

Diabetes risk detection study in primary care according to FINDRISC questionnaire in the Municipality of Gral. Pueyrredón (DR. Diap study)

Conocer la magnitud del riesgo de padecer diabetes mellitus 2 (DM2) en la población del Municipio de Gral. Pueyrredón que concurre a los Centros Asistenciales de Atención Primaria. Materiales y métodos: estudio observacional para determinar el riesgo de padecer DM2 mediante una entrevista donde se indagaron sobre las ocho preguntas del cuestionario FINDRISC. Resultados: la muestra del estudio estuvo constituida por 2.784 pacientes, el 54% conformada por mujeres. La edad fue agrupada en menos de 45 años el 47,5% (1.323), de 45 a 54 años el 20,9% (582), de 55 a 64 años el 18,3% (510) y más de 64 años el 13,2% (368). El 20% de la población presentó una puntuación de la escala de riesgo del cuestionario FINDRISC igual o mayor a 15, alto riesgo a muy alto riesgo de padecer diabetes en los próximos 10 años. El 43,38% presentó un IMC>30 y el 25,97% declaró recibir medicación para la hipertensión arterial. El 55,37% refería actividad física baja, el 50,79% no ingería verduras y frutas en forma diaria y el 17,98% declaró cifras de glucemias elevadas. Las variables que con mayor frecuencia se asociaron a una escala de riesgo >15 fueron: sedentarismo (80,9%), cintura >102/88 (65,7/77,2%), antecedente de hiperglucemia (64,0%), alimentación no saludable (61,9%) e IMC>30 (61,8%). El riesgo >15 según IMC fue: IMC 30 el 45,4%. Conclusiones: el 20% de la población encuestada está en alto riesgo de padecer diabetes. Una de cada dos o tres personas sin diabetes que asisten a un centro de Atención Primaria tiene un FINDRISC >15. Esta escala de riesgo es una herramienta simple, económica, de rápida confección, no invasiva y segura para detectar individuos con alto riesgo de padecer diabetes tipo 2. También puede usarse para identificar DM2 no detectada y factores de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular.Objective: to determine the size of the population at risk of developing diabetes mellitus in the population of the municipality of Gral. Pueyrredón who go-attend to Health Centers for Primary Care. Materials y methods: observational study to determine the risk of developing DM2, through an interview where questions were asked about the 8 questions Questionnaire FINDRISC. Results: the study sample consisted of 2.784 patients, 54% were women. Age was grouped in less than 45 years old 47.5 % (1.323) from 45 to 54 years old 20.9% (582) from 55 to 64 years old 18.3% (510), and over 64 years old 13.2% (368). 20% of the population has a score of the risk scale questionnaire FINDRISC greater than or equal to 15, high risk to very high risk of developing diabetes in the next 10 years. The 43,38% showed a BMI >30 and 25.97% was currently receiving medication for high blood pressure. The 55.37% reported low physical activity, 50.79% do not eat vegetables and fruits on a daily basis and 17.98% declared high blood glucose. The variables most commonly associated with a risk score >15 were: sedentary lifestyle (80.9%), waist >102/88 (65.7/77.2%), history of hyperglycemia (64.0%), unhealthy diet (61.9%) and BMI>30 (61.8%). The risk >15 according to BMI was: BMI 30 45.4%. Conclusions: 20% of the surveyed population is at high risk for diabetes. One of every 2 or 3 non-diabetic patients attending to a primary care center have a FINDRISC >15. This diabetes risk scale is a simple, inexpensive tool, making quick, noninvasive and safe exploration to identify individuals at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It also can be used to identify undetected DM2 and risk factors for cardio vascular disease.Fil: Guzmán Rodríguez, Segundo. Hospital Transito Caceres de Allende ; Gobierno de la Provincia de Cordoba; ArgentinaFil: Faingold, María Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología "Dr. César Milstein". Fundación Pablo Cassará. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología "Dr. César Milstein"; ArgentinaFil: Suarez, Raúl Oscar. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Guzmán Rodríguez, Sofía. Centro de Especialidades Médicas Ambulatorias; ArgentinaFil: López Priori, Mariel. Centro de Especialidades Médicas Ambulatorias; ArgentinaFil: Martinez Arca, Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Lalli, Alejandra. Universidad del Cema; ArgentinaFil: Bonanno, Anastasia. Universidad del Cema; ArgentinaFil: Bozzone, Griselda. Universidad del Cema; ArgentinaFil: Pagani, Gabriela. Universidad del Cema; ArgentinaFil: Dottavio, Esteban. No especifica;Fil: Orosco, Laura Mabel. No especifica;Fil: Alzueta, Guillermo. No especifica;Fil: Scandurra, Adriana. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Passoni, Lucía Isabel. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; ArgentinaFil: Ciccioli, Carlos. No especifica;Fil: Leoni, Leandro. Universidad del Cema; ArgentinaFil: Zantleifer, Débora. Universidad del Cema; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, María Laura. Universidad del Cema; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez, Manuela. Universidad del Cema; Argentin