Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Psychosocial Coping Strategies in Health Sciences Students at the University of Seville: A Pilot Study

The new infection by coronavirus has supposed a challenge to all health systems worldwide, affecting our psychosocial health. Education as we knew it has changed, which is why university students, attending Health Sciences courses in this case, have been affected by the pandemic. This study aimed to analyze the impact of the preventative measures and restrictions associated with COVID-19 on multiple mental health and psychological well-being indicators in Health Sciences students at the University of Seville. A descriptive and cross-sectional pilot study in the University of Seville by means of an online questionnaire elaborated was conducted. Of the final sample (n = 68), more than 60% of the students acknowledged having received specific training by their university and/or health institution where they perform practices on COVID-19 measures; however, they negatively emphasized not having received psychosocial aid or support in most of the cases (94.12%). As the health situation imposed by COVID-19 is considered long-lasting, the proposal is to plan short- and long-term strategies for promotion and intervention in the mental health of students and future health care workers

Discurso de los profesionales de cuidados paliativos de la Comunidad de Madrid sobre la atención psicológica

aim of this study is to show the opinion of the Palliative Care Teams of Madrid about the psychological support provided by their units. Methodology: qualitative according to the following techniques, participant observation, individual interviews to the principal of the different units of the Public Health System, group interviews to the different units, and one group interview with professionals of the private nonprofit units. Results: in general terms, psychological support is provided by medical and nursing professionals, specific therapy is provided by psychology professionals. There is not a clear border between psychological or spiritual needs. Complexity is found in the relational and communicational aspects. There is a lack of formation on psychological support in general practitioners. There are not enough number of psychologist and social workers, moreover in home care. The grief is the main field of psychological support, especially in cases where children are involved. Bereavement groups are most valued. Burnout syndrome requires a special attention even is little demanded by the palliative care teams. Conclusion: in Madrid, psychological support is recognized as necessary for the patients and for the palliative care professionals. It is necessary to increase the resources to cover this support, especially at home careObjetivo: Exponer las opiniones y valoraciones de los profesionales de cuidados paliativos de la Comunidad de Madrid sobre la atención psicológica que se presta en los dispositivos específicos de cuidados paliativos en dicha Comunidad. Método: Metodología cualitativa utilizando las siguientes técnicas: observación participante, entrevistas abiertas individuales a Responsables de los distintos tipos de dispositivos, entrevistas grupales a Equipos de cada uno de dichos dispositivos y una reunión de grupo con profesionales de Unidades de Media y Larga Estancia de Hospitales Concertados. Resultados: La atención a las necesidades psicológicas se presta por parte de los profesionales de medicina y enfermería, de manera genérica, y por parte de los profesionales de psicología de manera específica. La frontera entre la atención a las necesidades psicológicas y a las necesidades espirituales y/o religiosas no aparece con nitidez. Parte de la complejidad de la atención la encuentran en aspectos relacionales y comunicacionales. La formación psicológica del profesional de Atención Primaria es insuficiente así como lo es también el número de profesionales de la psicología, y de trabajo social, especialmente en la atención domiciliaria. El trabajo sobre el duelo es una de las tareas más propias de los profesionales de la psicología especialmente en los casos en los que hay niños involucrados, siendo los ‘grupos de duelo’ uno de los instrumentos más valorados. El síndrome del burnout requiere de atención psicológica y ‘autocuidado’ hacia dentro del equipo aunque hay poca demanda de cuidados para sí mismos. Conclusiones: La atención psicológica específica en la Comunidad de Madrid tanto para los pacientes y familias como para los propios profesionales es reconocida como necesaria por los profesionales de cuidados paliativos pero como insuficientemente cubierta, especialmente en la atención domiciliaria

Características de la utilización de anticonceptivos hormonales orales a través del servicio de dispensación en la farmacia comunitaria

NTRODUCCIÓN El 80% de las mujeres españolas en edad fértil utiliza métodos anticonceptivos. Los anticonceptivos orales hormonales son los que obtienen mayor grado de satisfacción entre las usuarias, siendo el segundo método utilizado.OBJETIVO Conocer qué tipo de paciente los demanda, si existen factores de riesgo que desaconsejen su utilización y el cumplimiento de la legislación vigente en cuanto a dispensación.MÉTODO Estudio observacional descriptivo en siete farmacias de la Comunidad de Madrid. Durante seis meses (enero-junio de 2009) se administró en el mostrador un cuestionario ad hoc a las usuarias de métodos anticonceptivos hormonales orales.RESULTADOS/DISCUSIÓN Existe un alto número de usuarias (39,3%) que creen que estos medicamentos pueden ser adquiridos sin receta médica en las farmacias comunitarias, por lo que habrá que realizar más educación sanitaria al respecto. El 97,1% de las recetas prescritas por los médicos no cumplen la legislación actual en lo que se refiere a la duración de tratamiento, ya que según el Real Decreto 1910/1984 la duración de un tratamiento prescrito por un médico no puede ser en ningún momento mayor de tres meses. Aunque existe un tercio de las pacientes que se hace revisiones ginecológicas periódicas, y otro tercio que se hace revisiones de vez en cuando, hay otro tercio que manifiesta que nunca se hace revisiones. En contra de las indicaciones autorizadas para los medicamentos del grupo G03HB, un alto número de pacientes (10,5%) los utiliza solamente con fines anticonceptivos sin tener ningún tipo de enfermedad andrógeno- dependiente

Oclusión de la descendente anterior evaluada con cardio-TC

We introduce the clinical case of a patient with advanced coronary artery disease with complete left descending coronary artery occlusion in which CT scan allowed to evaluate the vessel distal to the occlusion and to choose the best coronary revascularization option. This case is a great example about how CT scan can be useful in the evaluation in selected cases of complex coronary disease.Se presenta el caso de un paciente con enfermedad coronaria avanzada y oclusión de la arteria descendente anterior en el que la cardio-TC permitió valorar el vaso distal a la oclusión y planifi car las opciones de revascularización. El caso es un buen ejemplo de cómo la cardio-TC puede complementar a la coronariografía convencional en algunos casos de enfermedad coronaria compleja

Evolution, geographic spreading, and demographic distribution of Enterovirus D68

Viral evolution; Age distribution; Molecular evolutionEvolución viral; Distribución de edad; Evolución molecularEvolució viral; Distribució per edats; Evolució molecularWorldwide outbreaks of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) in 2014 and 2016 have caused serious respiratory and neurological disease. We collected samples from several European countries during the 2018 outbreak and determined 53 near full-length genome (‘whole genome’) sequences. These sequences were combined with 718 whole genome and 1,987 VP1-gene publicly available sequences. In 2018, circulating strains clustered into multiple subgroups in the B3 and A2 subclades, with different phylogenetic origins. Clusters in subclade B3 emerged from strains circulating primarily in the US and Europe in 2016, though some had deeper roots linking to Asian strains, while clusters in A2 traced back to strains detected in East Asia in 2015-2016. In 2018, all sequences from the USA formed a distinct subgroup, containing only three non-US samples. Alongside the varied origins of seasonal strains, we found that diversification of these variants begins up to 18 months prior to the first diagnostic detection during a EV-D68 season. EV-D68 displays strong signs of continuous antigenic evolution and all 2018 A2 strains had novel patterns in the putative neutralizing epitopes in the BC- and DE-loops. The pattern in the BC-loop of the USA B3 subgroup had not been detected on that continent before. Patients with EV-D68 in subclade A2 were significantly older than patients with a B3 subclade virus. In contrast to other subclades, the age distribution of A2 is distinctly bimodal and was found primarily among children and in the elderly. We hypothesize that EV-D68’s rapid evolution of surface proteins, extensive diversity, and high rate of geographic mixing could be explained by substantial reinfection of adults. Better understanding of evolution and immunity across diverse viral pathogens, including EV-D68 and SARS-CoV-2, is critical to pandemic preparedness in the future

Predictors of Global Non-Motor Symptoms Burden Progression in Parkinson's Disease. Results from the COPPADIS Cohort at 2-Year Follow-Up

Malaltia de Parkinson; Símptomes no motors; ProgressióEnfermedad de Parkinson; Sintomas no motores; ProgresiónParkinson’s disease; Non-motor symptoms; ProgressionBackground and Objective: Non-motor symptoms (NMS) progress in different ways between Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. The aim of the present study was to (1) analyze the change in global NMS burden in a PD cohort after a 2-year follow-up, (2) to compare the changes with a control group, and (3) to identify predictors of global NMS burden progression in the PD group. Material and Methods: PD patients and controls, recruited from 35 centers of Spain from the COPPADIS cohort from January 2016 to November 2017, were followed-up with after 2 years. The Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS) was administered at baseline (V0) and at 24 months ± 1 month (V2). Linear regression models were used for determining predictive factors of global NMS burden progression (NMSS total score change from V0 to V2 as dependent variable). Results: After the 2-year follow-up, the mean NMS burden (NMSS total score) significantly increased in PD patients by 18.8% (from 45.08 ± 37.62 to 53.55 ± 42.28; p < 0.0001; N = 501; 60.2% males, mean age 62.59 ± 8.91) compared to no change observed in controls (from 14.74 ± 18.72 to 14.65 ± 21.82; p = 0.428; N = 122; 49.5% males, mean age 60.99 ± 8.32) (p < 0.0001). NMSS total score at baseline (β = −0.52), change from V0 to V2 in PDSS (Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale) (β = −0.34), and change from V0 to V2 in NPI (Neuropsychiatric Inventory) (β = 0.25) provided the highest contributions to the model (adjusted R-squared 0.41; Durbin-Watson test = 1.865). Conclusions: Global NMS burden demonstrates short-term progression in PD patients but not in controls and identifies worsening sleep problems and neuropsychiatric symptoms as significant independent predictors of this NMS progression.This research was funded by Fundación Española de Ayuda a la Investigación en Parkinson y otras Enfermedades Neuro-degenerativa

Predictors of clinically significant quality of life impairment in Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson's disease; Quality of lifeEnfermedad de Parkinson; Calidad de vidaMalaltia de Parkinson; Qualitat de vidaQuality of life (QOL) plays an important role in independent living in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, being crucial to know what factors impact QoL throughout the course of the disease. Here we identified predictors of QoL impairment in PD patients from a Spanish cohort. PD patients recruited from 35 centers of Spain from the COPPADIS cohort from January 2016, to November 2017, were followed up during 2 years. Health-related QoL (HRQoL) and global QoL (GQoL) were assessed with the 39-item Parkinson’s disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39) and the EUROHIS-QOL 8-item index (EUROHIS-QOL8), respectively, at baseline (V0) and at 24 months ± 1 month (V2). Clinically significant QoL impairment was defined as presenting an increase (PDQ-39SI) or decrement (EUROHIS-QOL8) at V2 ≥ 10% of the score at baseline (V0). A comparison with a control group was conducted for GQoL. GQoL did not change significantly in PD patients (N = 507; p = 0.686) or in the control group (N = 119; p = 0.192). The mean PDQ-39SI was significantly increased in PD patients (62.7 ± 8.5 years old; 58.8% males; N = 500) by 21.6% (from 16.7 ± 13 to 20.3 ± 16.4; p < 0.0001) at V2. Ninety-three patients (18.6%) presented a clinically significant HRQoL impairment at V2. To be younger (OR = 0.896; 95% CI 0.829–0.968; p = 0.006), to be a female (OR = 4.181; 95% CI 1.422–12.290; p = 0.009), and to have a greater increase in BDI-II (Beck Depression Inventory-II) (OR = 1.139; 95% CI 1.053–1.231; p = 0.001) and NMSS (Non-Motor Symptoms Scale) (OR = 1.052; 95% CI 1.027–1.113; p < 0.0001) total scores from V0 to V2 were associated with clinically significant HRQoL impairment at the 2-year follow-up (Hosmer–Lemeshow test, p = 0.665; R 2 = 0.655). An increase in ≥5 and ≥10 points of BDI-II and NMSS total score at V2 multiplied the probability of presenting clinically significant HRQoL impairment by 5 (OR = 5.453; 95% CI 1.663–17.876; p = 0.005) and 8 (OR = 8.217; 95% CI, 2.975–22.696; p = 0.002), respectively. In conclusion, age, gender, mood, and non-motor impairment were associated with clinically significant HRQoL impairment after the 2-year follow-up in PD patients

Non-synonymous variation and protein structure of candidate genes associated with selection in farm and wild populations of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus)

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Predictors of Loss of Functional Independence in Parkinson’s Disease: Results from the COPPADIS Cohort at 2-Year Follow-Up and Comparison with a Control Group

Enfermedad de Parkinson; Dependencia; DiscapacidadMalaltia de Parkinson; Dependència; DiscapacitatParkinson’s disease; Dependency; DisabilityBackground and objective: The aim of this study was to compare the progression of independence in activities of daily living (ADL) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients versus a control group, as well as to identify predictors of disability progression and functional dependency (FD). Patients and Methods: PD patients and control subjects, who were recruited from 35 centers of Spain from the COPPADIS cohort between January 2016 and November 2017 (V0), were included. Patients and subjects were then evaluated again at the 2-year follow-up (V2). Disability was assessed with the Schwab & England Activities of Daily Living Scale (S&E-ADLS) at V0 and V2. FD was defined as an S&E-ADLS score less than 80%. Results: In the PD group, a significant decrease in the S&E-ADLS score from V0 to V2 (N = 507; from 88.58 ± 10.19 to 84.26 ± 13.38; p < 0.0001; Cohen’s effect size = −0.519) was observed but not in controls (N = 124; from 98.87 ± 6.52 to 99.52 ± 2.15; p = 0.238). When only patients considered functional independent at baseline were included, 55 out of 463 (11.9%) converted to functional dependent at V2. To be a female (OR = 2.908; p = 0.009), have longer disease duration (OR = 1.152; p = 0.002), have a non-tremoric motor phenotype at baseline (OR = 3.574; p = 0.004), have a higher score at baseline in FOGQ (OR = 1.244; p < 0.0001) and BDI-II (OR = 1.080; p = 0.008), have a lower score at baseline in PD-CRS (OR = 0.963; p = 0.008), and have a greater increase in the score from V0 to V2 in UPDRS-IV (OR = 1.168; p = 0.0.29), FOGQ (OR = 1.348; p < 0.0001) and VAFS-Mental (OR = 1.177; p = 0.013) (adjusted R-squared 0.52; Hosmer and Lemeshow test = 0.94) were all found to be independent predictors of FD at V2. Conclusions: In conclusion, autonomy for ADL worsens in PD patients compared to controls. Cognitive impairment, gait problems, fatigue, depressive symptoms, more advanced disease, and a non-tremor phenotype are independent predictors of FD in the short-term.Fundación Curemos el Parkinso

Deficiency in Tissue Non-Specific Alkaline Phosphatase Leads to Steatohepatitis in Mice Fed a High Fat Diet Similar to That Produced by a Methionine and Choline Deficient Diet

Funding: This research was funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitivity of Spain, partly with Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional FEDER funds [BFU2014-57736-P, AGL2014-58883-R, SAF2017-88457-R, AGL2017-85270-R] and by Junta de Andalucía [CTS235, CTS164]. MTG, RGB and CHC were supported by fellowships from the Ministry of Education. CIBERehd is funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Institutional Review Board Statement: The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and approved by the Animal Welfare Committee of the University of Granada (registry number: CEEA 01/03/2017–029). Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable for studies not involving humans. Acknowledgments: We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Mercedes González and the rest of the group.The liver expresses tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), which may participate in the defense against bacterial components, in cell regulation as part of the purinome or in bile secretion, among other roles. We aimed to study the role of TNAP in the development of hepatosteatosis. TNAP+/− haplodeficient and wild type (WT) mice were fed a control diet (containing 10% fat w/w) or the same diet deficient in methionine and choline (MCD diet). The MCD diet induced substantial weight loss together with hepatic steatosis and increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) plasma levels, but no differences in IL-6, TNF, insulin or resistin. There were no substantial differences between TNAP+/− and WT mice fed the MCD diet. In turn, TNAP+/− mice receiving the control diet presented hepatic steatosis with alterations in metabolic parameters very similar to those induced by the MCD diet. Nevertheless, no weight loss, increased ALT plasma levels or hypoglycemia were observed. These mice also presented increased levels of liver TNF and systemic resistin and glucagon compared to WT mice. The phenotype of TNAP+/− mice fed a standard diet was normal. In conclusion, TNAP haplodeficiency induces steatosis comparable to that produced by a MCD diet when fed a control diet.Ministry of Economy and Competitivity of SpainEuropean Commission BFU2014-57736-P AGL2014-58883-R SAF2017-88457-R AGL2017-85270-RJunta de Andalucia CTS235 CTS164Ministry of EducationInstituto de Salud Carlos III European Commissio