Valoración de la frecuencia y la regularidad del parpadeo en usuarios de tableta, con y sin la incorporación de un filtro de absorbancia selectiva

Resumen: La creciente dependencia de nuestra sociedad a los dispositivos que incorporan pantallas de visualización de datos (TVs, ordenadores, Smartphones, Tabletas...), y la actual tecnología de ilumianción LED de las mismas, ha provocado el interés por el estudio de los posibles efectos de la radiación de estas pantallas al sistema visual humano, así como alteraciones en el parpadeo y en los ritmos circadianos. Debido a algunas afectaciones visuales, se comercializan filtros de absorción selectiva que filtran la luz azul de los dispositivos, y que son adaptables a pantallas de ordenador, tabletas y pantallas de los Smartphones. En este proyecto, se investiga su influencia en diversos parámetros que definen el parpadeo. Metodología: : Se realizaron varios exámenes de inclusión/exclusión, entre los cuales se presentó un test de evaluación de ojo seco denominado OSDI. Fueron evaluados 29 sujetos de edades comprendidas entre 18 y 29 años, analizándose tres parámetros del parpadeo (regularidad, frecuencia y amplitud del parpadeo, completo o incompleto), en 3 condiciones distintas, presentadas aleatoriamente (posición primaria de mirada o Baseline, lectura en Tableta y Tableta con filtro). En cada una, se gravó el rostro del paciente para el análisis posterior del parpadeo. El análisis posterior (1 minuto del registro) permitió medir los parámetros descritos. Se desarrolló un aplicativo para que la evaluación de los parámetros fuera más repetitiva. Resultados: El uso de Tableta, con o sin filtro, resulta en una disminución de la frecuencia de parpadeo, respecto de la condición baseline. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas entre Tableta con filtro y sin filtro en los parámetros del parpadeo. Se hallaron diferencias entre ambos sexos, tanto en la frecuencia de parpadeo en baseline como en los valores del test OSDI. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos han revelado diferencias entre la frecuencia de parpadeo en posición primaria de mirada y durante la tarea de lectura con Tableta, similar a las variaciones producidas durante la lectura de textos en papel. No obstante, el estudio no ha manifestado diferencias significativas entre la utilización de Tabletas con filtro de absorbancia selectiva y la no utilización del mismo, por lo que hace referencia a la descripción del parpadeo. Son necesarios futuros estudios con un tiempo de lectura más prolongado para examinar su efecto real sobre la fatiga visual, y por extensión, en el patrón del parpadeo.Resum: La creixent dependència de la nostra societat als dispositius amb pantalles de visualització de dades (TVs, ordinadors, smartphones, tabletes...), i l'actual tecnologia d'il·luminació LED de les mateixes, ha provocat l'interès per l'estudi dels possibles efectes de la radiació d'aquestes pantalles al sistema visual humà, així com alteracions en el parpelleig i en els ritmes circadians. Degut a algunes afectacions visuals, es comercialitzen filtres d'absorció selectiva que filtren la llum blava dels dispositius, i que són adaptables a pantalles d’ordinador, tabletes i pantalles dels smartphones. En aquest projecte, s’investiga la seva influència en diversos paràmetres que defineixen el parpelleig. Metodologia: Es van realitzar diversos exàmens d’inclusió/exclusió, entre els quals es va presentar un test d’avaluació de l’ull sec denominat OSDI. Van ser avaluats 29 subjectes d’edats compreses entre els 18 i els 29 anys, analitzant-ne tres paràmetres del parpelleig (regularitat, freqüència i amplitud de parpelleig, complet o incomplet), en 3 condicions diferents, presentades aleatòriament (posició primària de mirada o Baseline, lectura en Tauleta i Tauleta amb filtre). En cadascuna, es va gravar el rostre del pacient per a l’anàlisi posterior del parpelleig. L'anàlisi posterior d'un minut de l'enregistrament va permetre mesurar els paràmetres descrits. Es va desenvolupar un aplicatiu per a què l'avaluació dels paràmetres fos més repetitiva. Resultats: La utilització d’una Tauleta, amb filtre o sense ell, produeix una disminució de la freqüència de parpelleig, respecte a la condició baseline. No s'han trobat diferències estadístiques entre Tauleta amb filtre i sense filtre en els paràmetres avaluats del parpelleig. S'han trobat diferències entre ambdós sexes, tant pel que fa la freqüència del parpelleig en baseline com en els valors del test OSDI. Conclusions: Els resultats obtinguts han revelat diferències entre la freqüència de parpelleig en posició primària de mirada i durant la tasca de lectura amb Tauleta, similar a les variacions produïdes durant la lectura de textos en paper. No obstant, l'estudi no ha posat de manifest diferències significatives entre la utilització de tauletes amb un filtre d’absorbància selectiva i la no utilització del mateix, pel que fa referència a la descripció del parpelleig. Són necessaris futurs estudis amb un temps de lectura més prolongat, per examinar el seu efecte real sobre la fatiga visual, i per extensió en el patró de parpelleig.Purpose: The growing dependence of our society to the devices that incorporate screens of data visualization (TVs, computers, Smartphones, tablets etc. ), and the current ilumiancion LED technology of the same, has sparked interest in the study of the possible effects of the radiation of these screens to the human visual system, as well as alterations in the torque-blinking and circadian rhythms. Due to some visual effects, are marketed selective absorption filters that filter the light blue of the devices, and that are adaptable to computer screens, tablet, and screens of the smartphones. In this project, we investigate their influence on various parameters that define the blink. Methodology: Participants underwent several tests in accordance to the inclusion / exclusion criteria previously defined, including a dry eye symptoms questionnaire (OSDI). Twenty-nine subjects aged between 18 and 29 years were included in the study. For all subjects, three blinking parameters (blink frequency, regularity and amplitude, complete or incomplete) were examined in three different experimental conditions, presented in random order (PPM or baseline, reading with a Tablet without filter and a Tablet with filter). Video recordings were obtained in each condition for posterior analysis. It is development that an application for the evaluation of parameters outside more repetitive. Results: Subjects using a Tablet, either with or without filter, showed a reduction in blinking frequency, when compared with baseline conditions. No statistically significant differences were found between Tablet with and without filter in any of the blinking parameters under study. Gender differences were disclosed in blinking frequency in baseline conditions and in OSDI values. Conclusions: The results have revealed differences between the flashing frequency in primary position of gaze and during the task of reading with Tablet, similar to the variations produced during the reading of texts on paper. However, the study has not shown significant differences between the use of tablets with absorbance selective filter and non-use of the same, by what makes reference to the description of the blink. Future studies are needed with a reading time longer to examine its effect on the actual visual fatigue, and by extension, in the pattern of the blink

Regulation of Fn14 Receptor and NF-κB Underlies Inflammation in Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s disease (MD) is a rare disorder characterized by episodic vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. It is associated with a fluid imbalance between the secretion of endolymph in the cochlear duct and its reabsorption into the subarachnoid space, leading to an accumulation of endolymph in the inner ear. Epidemiological evidence, including familial aggregation, indicates a genetic contribution and a consistent association with autoimmune diseases (AD). We conducted a case–control study in two phases using an immune genotyping array in a total of 420 patients with bilateral MD and 1,630 controls. We have identified the first locus, at 6p21.33, suggesting an association with bilateral MD [meta-analysis leading signal rs4947296, OR = 2.089 (1.661–2.627); p = 1.39 × 10−09]. Gene expression profiles of homozygous genotype-selected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) demonstrated that this region is a trans-expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) in PBMCs. Signaling analysis predicted several tumor necrosis factor-related pathways, the TWEAK/Fn14 pathway being the top candidate (p = 2.42 × 10−11). This pathway is involved in the modulation of inflammation in several human AD, including multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or rheumatoid arthritis. In vitro studies with genotype-selected lymphoblastoid cells from patients with MD suggest that this trans-eQTL may regulate cellular proliferation in lymphoid cells through the TWEAK/Fn14 pathway by increasing the translation of NF-κB. Taken together; these findings suggest that the carriers of the risk genotype may develop an NF-κB-mediated inflammatory response in MD

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements

Forward-central two-particle correlations in p-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=5.02 TeV

Two-particle angular correlations between trigger particles in the forward pseudorapidity range (2.5 2GeV/c. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B. V.Peer reviewe

Event-shape engineering for inclusive spectra and elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV

Peer reviewe

Elliptic flow of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)=2.76TeV

The elliptic flow, v(2), of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays at forward rapidity (2.5 <y <4) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at root s(NN)= 2.76TeVwith the ALICE detector at the LHC. The scalar product, two- and four-particle Q cumulants and Lee-Yang zeros methods are used. The dependence of the v(2) of muons from heavy-flavour hadron decays on the collision centrality, in the range 0-40%, and on transverse momentum, p(T), is studied in the interval 3 <p(T)<10 GeV/c. A positive v(2) is observed with the scalar product and two-particle Q cumulants in semi-central collisions (10-20% and 20-40% centrality classes) for the p(T) interval from 3 to about 5GeV/c with a significance larger than 3 sigma, based on the combination of statistical and systematic uncertainties. The v(2) magnitude tends to decrease towards more central collisions and with increasing pT. It becomes compatible with zero in the interval 6 <p(T)<10 GeV/c. The results are compared to models describing the interaction of heavy quarks and open heavy-flavour hadrons with the high-density medium formed in high-energy heavy-ion collisions. (C) 2015 CERN for the benefit of the ALICE Collaboration. Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake