The effects of age and emotional valence on recognition memory: An ex-Gaussian components analysis

This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Moret-Tatay, Carmen, Moreno-Cid, Amparo, Iracema de Lima Argimon, Irani , Quarty Irigaray, Tatiana , Szczerbinski, Marcin , Murphy, Mike , Vázquez-Martínez, Andrea , Vázquez-Molina, Joan , Saiz Mauleón, María Begoña, Navarro Pardo, Esperanza, Fernández de Córdoba, Pedro. (2014). The effects of age and emotional valence on recognition memory: An ex-Gaussian components analysis.Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 55, 5, 420-426. DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12136, which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12136. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.[EN] The aim of this work was to study the effects of valence and age on visual image recognition memory. The International Affective Picture System (IAPS) battery was used, and response time data were analyzed using analysis of variance, as well as an ex-Gaussian fit method. Older participants were slower and more variable in their reaction times. Response times were longer for negative valence pictures, however this was statistically significant only for young participants. This suggests that negative emotional valence has a strong effect on recognition memory in young but not in old participants. The tau parameter, often related to attention in the literature, was smaller for young than old participants in an ex-Gaussian fit. Differences on the tau parameter might suggest poorer attentional performance in old participants.This work was supported by the Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia of Spain (project MTM2006-14961-C05-02)Moret-Tatay, C.; Moreno-Cid, A.; Iracema De Lima Argimon, I.; Irigaray, TQ.; Szczerbinski, M.; Murphy, M.; Vázquez-Martínez, A.... (2014). The effects of age and emotional valence on recognition memory: An ex-Gaussian components analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. 55(5):420-426. https://doi.org/10.1111/sjop.12136S42042655

Rhinitis associated with asthma is distinct from rhinitis alone: TARIA‐MeDALL hypothesis

Asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis (AD) are interrelated clinical phenotypes that partly overlap in the human interactome. The concept of “one-airway-one-disease,” coined over 20 years ago, is a simplistic approach of the links between upper- and lower-airway allergic diseases. With new data, it is time to reassess the concept. This article reviews (i) the clinical observations that led to Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA), (ii) new insights into polysensitization and multimorbidity, (iii) advances in mHealth for novel phenotype definitions, (iv) confirmation in canonical epidemiologic studies, (v) genomic findings, (vi) treatment approaches, and (vii) novel concepts on the onset of rhinitis and multimorbidity. One recent concept, bringing together upper- and lower-airway allergic diseases with skin, gut, and neuropsychiatric multimorbidities, is the “Epithelial Barrier Hypothesis.” This review determined that the “one-airway-one-disease” concept does not always hold true and that several phenotypes of disease can be defined. These phenotypes include an extreme “allergic” (asthma) phenotype combining asthma, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial of Atorvastatin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased cardiovascular event (CVE) risk. The impact of statins in RA is not established. We assessed whether atorvastatin is superior to placebo for the primary prevention of CVEs in RA patients. Methods: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial was designed to detect a 32% CVE risk reduction based on an estimated 1.6% per annum event rate with 80% power at P 50 years or with a disease duration of >10 years who did not have clinical atherosclerosis, diabetes, or myopathy received atorvastatin 40 mg daily or matching placebo. The primary end point was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or any arterial revascularization. Secondary and tertiary end points included plasma lipids and safety. Results: A total of 3,002 patients (mean age 61 years; 74% female) were followed up for a median of 2.51 years (interquartile range [IQR] 1.90, 3.49 years) (7,827 patient‐years). The study was terminated early due to a lower than expected event rate (0.70% per annum). Of the 1,504 patients receiving atorvastatin, 24 (1.6%) experienced a primary end point, compared with 36 (2.4%) of the 1,498 receiving placebo (hazard ratio [HR] 0.66 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.39, 1.11]; P = 0.115 and adjusted HR 0.60 [95% CI 0.32, 1.15]; P = 0.127). At trial end, patients receiving atorvastatin had a mean ± SD low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level 0.77 ± 0.04 mmoles/liter lower than those receiving placebo (P < 0.0001). C‐reactive protein level was also significantly lower in the atorvastatin group than the placebo group (median 2.59 mg/liter [IQR 0.94, 6.08] versus 3.60 mg/liter [IQR 1.47, 7.49]; P < 0.0001). CVE risk reduction per mmole/liter reduction in LDL cholesterol was 42% (95% CI −14%, 70%). The rates of adverse events in the atorvastatin group (n = 298 [19.8%]) and placebo group (n = 292 [19.5%]) were similar. Conclusion: Atorvastatin 40 mg daily is safe and results in a significantly greater reduction of LDL cholesterol level than placebo in patients with RA. The 34% CVE risk reduction is consistent with the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ Collaboration meta‐analysis of statin effects in other populations

Communicating through self-directed work teams (SDWTs) within an SME learning organization

Teamwork is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for many job functions in those learning organizations striving towards total quality management (TQM). However, the daunting task of creating a teamwork environment in many manufacturing companies is often left to proactive senior management, who assume the responsibility for creating a culture of interdependency, among all employees. This opportunity for maximizing employee potential through empowered teamwork represents a challenge for many managers. These “champions for success” will inevitably contribute towards improving business performance through re-engineering the people process. Their actions will also facilitate the development of an organizational culture, which thrives on teamwork. Describes a case experience of an SME that has developed a team-based learning organization, where all employees are empowered to challenge the status quo and make continuous improvements. Then reports on how the formation of self-directed work teams (SDWTs) have been used as a strategy for getting a diverse group of people with different attitudes, skills and personalities, to work together towards common goals. Continues by presenting the use of a simple decision-making framework which was developed by the case study company, and is contributing towards the empowerment of all team members. Concludes with some of the benefits experienced by the company, during their pursuit of TQM, through flexible SDWTs

Neutrophils, eosinophils, and intraepithelial lymphocytes in the squamous esophagus in subjects with and without gastroesophageal reflux symptoms

Abstract Whilst intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) are considered normal within the distal esophageal mucosa, they have an increasingly recognised role in the pathogenesis of reflux esophagitis, and IEL quantification establishes the diagnosis of lymphocytic esophagitis. Knowledge regarding the upper limit of a normal IEL count in health is lacking. We studied 117 non-healthcare seeking adult volunteers from a random community sample (the Kalixanda study) with esophageal biopsies 2 cm above the gastroesophageal junction. Subjects were divided into four groups based on the presence or absence of gastro-esophageal reflux symptoms and/or esophagitis on endoscopy. Asymptomatic subjects with no endoscopic esophagitis were selected as controls, and the cell counts in this group were used to define the upper limit of normal of IELs, eosinophils and neutrophils. The entire sample was used to identify independent predictors of increased cellular counts by logistic regression analysis. None of the healthy controls had an IEL count of more than three per five high power fields (HPF), and therefore this was considered as the upper limit of normal; no controls had eosinophils or neutrophils in esophageal biopsies. Independent predictors of an elevated IEL count were spongiosis on histology (OR 11.17, 95% CI 3.32–37.58, P &lt; 0.01) and current smoking (OR 4.84, 95% CI 1.13–2.71, P = 0.03). A receiver operating characteristics analysis concluded that a threshold of 3 IELs/5HPFs performs best in predicting reflux symptoms when a normal esophageal mucosa is visualized on endoscopy (sensitivity = 100.0%, specificity = 35.2%). The healthy esophageal mucosa does not contain more than three IELs per five HPF in the distal esophagus