Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in severe mental illness: A timely diagnosis to advance the process of quitting smoking

This study receives founding by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness, Instituto Carlos III (FIS PI16/00802).The authors would like to thank M. Osuna, M. Ayora, J. Caballero, P. Zurita, N. Novoa, J. Álvarez, J. Fernández, J. Redondo, M.S. López, I. Caro, F. Valdivia, C. Sádaba, R. Luque, and L. Padilla for their assistance. We also thank the altruistic and generous participation of all the patients in that project.Background. This study has two main objectives: to describe the prevalence of undetected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a clinical sample of smokers with severe mental illness (SMI), and to assess the value of the Tobacco Intensive Motivational Estimated Risk tool, which informs smokers of their respiratory risk and uses brief text messages to reinforce intervention. Method. A multicenter, randomized, open-label, and active-controlled clinical trial, with a 12-month follow-up. Outpatients with schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder were randomized either to the experimental group—studied by spirometry and informed of their calculated lung age and degree of obstruction (if any)—or to the active control group, who followed the 5 A’s intervention. Results. The study sample consisted of 160 patients (71.9% SZ), 78.1% of whom completed the 12-month follow-up. Of the patients who completed the spirometry test, 23.9% showed evidence of COPD (77.8% in moderate or severe stages). TIMER was associated with a significant reduction in tobacco use at week 12 and in the long term, 21.9% of patients reduced consumption and 14.6% at least halved it. At week 48, six patients (7.3%) allocated to the experimental group achieved the seven-day smoking abstinence confirmed by CO (primary outcome in terms of efficacy), compared to three (3.8%) in the control group. Conclusion. In this clinical pilot trial, one in four outpatients with an SMI who smoked had undiagnosed COPD. An intensive intervention tool favors the early detection of COPD and maintains its efficacy to quit smoking, compared with the standard 5 A’s intervention.Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness, Instituto Carlos III FIS PI16/0080

The Virtual Environments and Platforms in the Teaching of English

Abstract The research aims to highlight the significance of virtual learning environments and platforms in promoting cognitive competencies through interactive learning. The objective is to create effective learning environments by utilizing Virtual Learning Environments and implementing platforms to enhance communicative competencies. The methodology employed for this study includes quantitative and qualitative, descriptive, and predictive approaches, using technological innovation through the implementation of the Schoology platform based on the TPACK model. The results of the study indicate that students exhibit high levels of motivation and discernment toward virtual environments, particularly in English classes. Therefore, selecting appropriate didactic resources and incorporating pedagogical mediation is crucial for optimizing learning outcomes. It is essential to educate students on the significance of learning a foreign language and how it can impact the neural structure of the bilingual brain. Virtual environments facilitate interaction between team members, leading to the creation of new networks and learning environments for the development of language and communicative competencies in another language. Keywords: virtual environments, English teaching, technological innovation, TPACK model. Resumen La investigación se enfoca en la importancia de los entornos y plataformas virtuales de aprendizaje porque permiten la interacción para desarrollar competencias cognitivas, para ello el objetivo consiste en generar ambientes de aprendizaje basados en los Entornos Virtuales de Aprendizaje, mediante la implementación de plataformas y fortalecer las competencias comunicativas, con este fin la metodología tiene un enfoque cuantitativo – cualitativo, de naturaleza descriptiva y predictiva desde la innovación tecnológica con la implementación de plataforma Schoology basados en el modelo TPACK. De acuerdo a los resultados, se evidencia que existe un alto discernimiento y motivación de los estudiantes a la implementación de los entornos virtuales, en particular a las clases de inglés. Para lo cual la necesidad de una mediación pedagógica en la selección de los recursos didácticos podría potencializar aún más el aprendizaje, para ello es fundamental hacer comprender a los estudiantes la relevancia de aprender un idioma extranjero y como este cambia en la estructura neuronal y su trascendencia en un cerebro bilingüe. Por tanto, los entornos virtuales promueven la interacción entre equipos de trabajo con la finalidad de generar nuevas redes y ambientes de aprendizaje, para el desarrollo de competencias lingüísticas y comunicativas en otro idioma. Palabras Clave: entornos virtuales, enseñanza inglesa, innovación tecnológica, modelo TPACK

Hybrid algorithm with perturbations for total asymptotically non-expansive mappings in CAT(0) space

In this paper, we establish strong and Δ-convergence theorems of the modified hybrid-CR three steps iteration with perturbations for total asymptotically non-expansive mapping in CAT(0) spaces. Our results improve and extend the corresponding results from the current literature. We also provide three examples to illustrate the convergence behaviour of the proposed algorithm and numerically compare the convergence of the proposed iteration scheme with the existing schemes

On the removal of s-triazine herbicides from waters using commercial low-cost granular carbons

The adsorption capacities of three low-cost granular active carbons, used in a water treatment facility for the removal of the triazine herbicides propazine, prometryn and prometon, was evaluated. Kinetic studies showed that the three carbon samples used could be suitable in practice for the treatment of moderate contents of the herbicides in contaminated waters. The apparent adsorption rate constants were calculated. Equilibrium studies showed that the data fit the Frumkin isotherm. The results show that in the adsorption process there are repulsive lateral interactions that depend mainly on the adsorbate molecules rather than the nature or distribution of the adsorption sites. Such lateral interactions seem to be established mainly between the isopropyl groups of adjacent molecules, being of the same order for the three molecules

Identification of plasma and urinary metabolites and catabolites derived from orange juice (poly)phenols: analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry

Orange juice is a rich source of (poly)phenols, in particular, the flavanones hesperetin-7-O-rutinoside and naringenin-7-O-rutinoside. Following the acute consumption of 500 mL of orange juice containing 398 μmol of (poly)phenols by 12 volunteers, 0–24 h plasma and urine samples were analyzed by targeted high-performance liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry in order to identify flavanone metabolites and phenolic acid and aromatic catabolites. A total of 19 flavanone metabolites—comprising di-O-glucuronide, O-glucuronide, O-glucuronyl-sulfate, and sulfate derivatives of hesperetin, naringenin, and eriodictyol—and 65 microbial-derived phenolic catabolites, such as phenylpropanoid, phenylpropionic, phenylacetic, benzoic, and hydroxycarboxylic acids and benzenetriol and benzoylglycine derivatives, including free phenolics and phase II sulfate, glucuronide, and methyl metabolites, were identified or partially identified in plasma and/or urine samples. The data obtained provide a detailed evaluation of the fate of orange juice (poly)phenols as they pass through the gastrointestinal tract and are absorbed into the circulatory system prior to renal excretion. Potential pathways for these conversions are proposed

Effects of trapping site on the spectroscopy of 1P1 excited group 12 metal atoms in rare gas matrices

A molecular dynamics deposition model has been used to simulate the growth of rare gas matrices doped with atoms of the group 12 elements zinc, cadmium and mercury. This study investigates the sites occupied by Zn, Cd and Hg metal atoms when isolated in the solid rare gases. To probe the results, the resonance 1 P 1-1 S 0 transitions of the matrix-isolated metal atoms were calculated and compared with the recorded spectra of the M/RG solids. The theoretical spectroscopy obtained in this work was generated using the molecular dynamics with quantum transitions method. In Ne matrices the metal atoms preferably occupy tetra- and hexa-vacancy sites while in the case of Xe matrices, only the single vacancy site is formed. For Ar and Kr matrices Zn but especially Cd can be trapped in tetra- and hexa-vacancy sites in addition to single-vacancy sites, while Hg atoms show exclusive occupancy in single vacancy sites.Fil: Lara Moreno, M.. Universidad de La Habana; Cuba. Instituto Superior de Tecnologías y Ciencias Aplicadas.; Cuba. Université de Bordeaux; Francia. Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique; FranciaFil: Alvarez Hernández, J.. Universidad de La Habana; Cuba. Instituto Superior de Tecnologías y Ciencias Aplicadas.; Cuba. University of Rochester. Department of Chemistry; Estados UnidosFil: Negrín Yuvero, Lázaro Hassiel. Universidad de La Habana; Cuba. Instituto Superior de Tecnologías y Ciencias Aplicadas.; Cuba. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: McCaffrey, J. G.. National University of Ireland. Maynooth University. Department of Chemistry; IrlandaFil: Rojas Lorenzo, G.. Universidad de La Habana; Cuba. Instituto Superior de Tecnologías y Ciencias Aplicadas.; Cub

The use of stable isotope ratio analysis to trace European sea bass (D. labrax) originating from different farming systems

This study aimed to determine whether isotopic ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) can discriminate farmed European sea bass according to different farming systems and geographic origins. Dicentrarchus labrax of commercial size from three different rearing systems (concrete tank inland, sea cages, and extensive methods in valleys or salt works) were collected at the trading period (autumn\u2013winter). For each farming type, different locations spread over Italy were monitored. Once the fish were harvested, the muscle and feed were sampled. For both muscle and feed, \u3b413C and \u3b415N were measured by continuous flow elemental analyzer isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-EA-IRMS) with the goal of discriminating samples based on the rearing system. Additional \u3b42H and \u3b418O measurements of fish samples were performed by continuous flow total combustion elemental analyzer isotope ratio mass spectrometry (CF-TC/EA-IRMS) to track the geographical origin. The measurements of \u3b413C and \u3b415N made it possible to discriminate cultured sea bass from different farming systems (extensive vs. intensive) reared at different geographical sites in Italy. Additional information was obtained from \u3b418O and \u3b42H, which enabled the geographical areas of origin of the sea bass farmed extensively and intensively (in cages) to be distinguished

Epigenetic control of the EWS-FLI1 promoter in Ewing's sarcoma

Q2Q1Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a primary bone marrow tumor that very rarely develops in extra-osseous tissues, such as lung. The hallmark of ES tumors is a translocation between chromosomes 11 and 22, resulting in a fusion protein, commonly referred to as EWS-FLI1. The epigenetic profile (histone acetylation and methylation enrichment of the promoter region) that may regulate the expression of the aberrant transcription factor EWS-FLI1, remains poorly studied and understood. Knowledge of epigenetic patterns associated with covalent histone modification and expression of enzymes associated with this process, can contribute to the understanding of the molecular basis of the disease, as well as to the identification of possible molecular targets involved in expression of the EWS-FLI1 gene, so that therapeutic strategies may be improved in the future. In the present study, the transcriptional activation and repression of the EWS-FLI1 fusion gene in ES was accompanied by selective deposition of histone markers on its promoter. The EWS-FLI1 fusion gene was evaluated in two patients with ES using conventional cytogenetic, fluorescence in situ hybridization and nested PCR assays, which revealed that the aberrant expression of the EWS-FLI1 gene is accompanied by enrichment of H3K4Me3, H3K9ac and H3K27ac at the promoter region.N/

Predicting the growth of lettuce from soil infrared reflectance spectra: the potential for crop management

How well could one predict the growth of a leafy crop from reflectance spectra from the soil and how might a grower manage the crop in the light of those predictions? Two fields in the Cambridgeshire Fens in eastern England where farmers grow lettuce commercially were studied. Topsoil was sampled and analysed for various nutrients, particle-size distribution, and organic carbon concentration. Crop measurements (lettuce diameter) were derived by photogrammetry. Reflectance spectra were obtained in the laboratory from the soil in the near- and mid-infrared ranges, and these were used to predict crop performance by partial least squares regression (PLSR). Individual soil properties were also predicted from the spectra by PLSR. These estimated soil properties were used to predict lettuce diameter with a linear model (LM) and a linear mixed model (LMM): considering differences between lettuce varieties and the spatial correlation between data points. The PLSR predictions of the soil properties and lettuce diameter were close to observed values, with the latter showing a mean squared error (MSE) of 3.90 cm2 for Field 1 and 6.87 cm2 for Field 2. Prediction of lettuce diameter from the estimated soil properties with the LMs gave somewhat poorer results than those that used the soil spectra as predictor variables (difference in MSE for Field 1: 0.69 cm2 and Field 2: 2.12 cm2). Predictions from LMMs were more precise than those from the raw spectra (by PLSR alone) with a difference in mean squared error (MSE) of 2.12 cm2 for Field 1 and of 5.10 cm2 for Field 2. All model predictions improved when the effects of variety were taken into account. Predictions from the reflectance spectra, via the estimation of soil properties, can enable growers to decide what treatments to apply to grow lettuce and how to vary their treatments within their fields to maximize the net profit from the crop

Digestibility of (Poly)phenols and Antioxidant Activity in Raw and Cooked Cactus Cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica)

This study aims to investigate whether heat treatment applied to cactus cladodes influences the bioaccessibility of their (poly)phenolic compounds after simulated gastric and intestinal digestion. A total of 45 (poly)phenols were identified and quantified in raw and cooked cactus cladodes by ultra high performance liquid chromatography photodiode array detector high resolution mass spectrometry. Both flavonoids (60-68% total), mainly isorhamnetin derivatives, and phenolic acids (32-40%) with eucomic acids as the predominant ones significantly ( p < 0.05) increased with microwaving and griddling processes. After in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, 55-64% of the total (poly)phenols of cooked cactus cladodes remained bioaccessible versus 44% in raw samples. Furthermore, digestive conditions and enzymes degraded or retained more flavonoids (37-63% bioaccessibility) than phenolic acids (56-87% bioaccessibility). Microwaved cactus cladodes contributed the highest amount of (poy)phenols (143.54 mg/g dm) after gastrointestinal process, followed by griddled samples (133.98 mg/g dm), showing the highest antioxidant capacity. Additionally, gastrointestinal digestion induced isomerizations among the three stereoisomeric forms of piscidic and eucomic acids