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Introducción: La terapia de reminiscencia individual (iTR) ha demostrado mejorar la cognición, el estado de ánimo y la calidad de vida (CdV) de personas con trastornos neurocognitivos (TNC). Objetivo: Se exploraron los predictores de la respuesta positiva a la iTR utilizando el análisis de respuesta, una estrategia analítica de los factores que contribuyen a una respuesta a la intervención. Pacientes y métodos: Reanálisis de un ensayo controlado aleatorizado de 251 adultos mayores portugueses con TNC. Los participantes recibieron dos sesiones de iTR durante 13 semanas (26 sesiones) o el tratamiento habitual. Las variables analizadas fueron la cognición global (Minimental State Examination), la memoria (test de alteración de la memoria), el funcionamiento ejecutivo –batería de evaluación frontal (FAB)–, los síntomas depresivos –escala de depresión geriátrica-15 (GDS-15)– y la CdV –escala de calidad de vida en la enfermedad de Alzheimer (QOL-AD)–. Resultados: Hubo más respondedores en el grupo de intervención que en el de control en los cinco criterios, con diferencias significativas para cognición (p = 0,001; f = 0,202; número necesario para tratar = 5) y memoria (p = 0,004; f = 0,184; número necesario para tratar = 6). En la línea de base, los respondedores tenían: puntuaciones más altas de QOL-AD (30,23 frente a 25,57; p < 0,001; d = –0,774) para la cognición; puntuaciones FAB más bajas (1,41 frente a –2,12; p < 0,001; d = 0,928) para el funcionamiento ejecutivo; y mayores puntuaciones en la GDS-15 para los síntomas depresivos (7,57 frente a 4,91; p < 0,001; d = –0,845) y para la CdV (6,81 frente a 5,33; p = 0,013; d = –0,443). Conclusiones: La iTR mostró altas tasas de respuesta para la cognición y la memoria. Los que tienen peor función ejecutiva, estado de ánimo y CdV se beneficiaron más de la intervención para esas respectivas variables. La iTR tiene efectos beneficiosos en los TNC, con el estado de ánimo y la CdV como factores influyentes.(AU)

Introduction: Non-pharmacological intervention options, including individual reminiscence therapy (iRT), have been effective in improving cognitive functioning, mood, and quality of life (QoL) in persons with neurocognitive disorders (NCD). Objectives: A 13-week randomized trial intervention utilizing iRT was conducted on older adults with NCD. We explored predictors of participants with positive and non-positive intervention responses using responder analysis, an analytic strategy that focuses on contributors to intervention response. Patients and methods: Re-analysis of a published single-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled trial on 251 older adult residents with NCD from residential facilities across Portugal. Participants received 13 weeks of biweekly iRT (26 sessions) or treatment/programming as usual. Outcomes included global cognition (Minimental State Examination), memory (MAT), executive functioning (FAB), depressive symptoms (GDS-15), and QoL (QoL-AD). Results: There were more responders in the intervention than the control group on all five criteria, with significant differences for cognition (p = 0.001; f = 0.202; NNT = 5) and memory (p = 0.004; f = 0.184; NNT = 6). At baseline, intervention responders vs non-responders had: higher QoL-AD scores (30.23 vs 25.57; p < 0.001; d = –0.774) for cognition; lower FAB scores (1.41 vs –2.12; p < 0.001; d = 0.928) for executive functioning; higher GDS-15 scores for the depressive symptoms (7.57 vs 4.91; p < 0.001; d = –0.845), and for QoL (6.81 vs 5.33; p = 0.013; d = –0.443). Conclusions: The iRT intervention showed high response rates for cognition and memory. Those with worse executive dysfunction, mood, and QoL, benefitted most from the intervention for those respective outcomes. Therefore, the presented iRT has beneficial effects for people with NCD, with mood and QoL as important influential factors.(AU)

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INTRODUCTION: Non-pharmacological intervention options, including individual reminiscence therapy (iRT), have been effective in improving cognitive functioning, mood, and quality of life (QoL) in persons with neurocognitive disorders (NCD). OBJECTIVES: A 13-week randomized trial intervention utilizing iRT was conducted on older adults with NCD. We explored predictors of participants with positive and non-positive intervention responses using responder analysis, an analytic strategy that focuses on contributors to intervention response. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Re-analysis of a published single-blind, multicentre, randomised controlled trial on 251 older adult residents with NCD from residential facilities across Portugal. Participants received 13 weeks of biweekly iRT (26 sessions) or treatment/programming as usual. Outcomes included global cognition (Minimental State Examination), memory (MAT), executive functioning (FAB), depressive symptoms (GDS-15), and QoL (QoL-AD). RESULTS: There were more responders in the intervention than the control group on all five criteria, with significant differences for cognition (p = 0.001; f = 0.202; NNT = 5) and memory (p = 0.004; f = 0.184; NNT = 6). At baseline, intervention responders vs non-responders had: higher QoL-AD scores (30.23 vs 25.57; p < 0.001; d = -0.774) for cognition; lower FAB scores (1.41 vs -2.12; p < 0.001; d = 0.928) for executive functioning; higher GDS-15 scores for the depressive symptoms (7.57 vs 4.91; p < 0.001; d = -0.845), and for QoL (6.81 vs 5.33; p = 0.013; d = -0.443). CONCLUSIONS: The iRT intervention showed high response rates for cognition and memory. Those with worse executive dysfunction, mood, and QoL, benefitted most from the intervention for those respective outcomes. Therefore, the presented iRT has beneficial effects for people with NCD, with mood and QoL as important influential factors.

TITLE: Ensayo aleatorio de terapia de reminiscencia individual para adultos mayores con deterioro cognitivo: un análisis de respuesta de tres meses.Introducción. La terapia de reminiscencia individual (iTR) ha demostrado mejorar la cognición, el estado de ánimo y la calidad de vida (CdV) de personas con trastornos neurocognitivos (TNC). Objetivo. Se exploraron los predictores de la respuesta positiva a la iTR utilizando el análisis de respuesta, una estrategia analítica de los factores que contribuyen a una respuesta a la intervención. Pacientes y métodos. Reanálisis de un ensayo controlado aleatorizado de 251 adultos mayores portugueses con TNC. Los participantes recibieron dos sesiones de iTR durante 13 semanas (26 sesiones) o el tratamiento habitual. Las variables analizadas fueron la cognición global (Minimental State Examination), la memoria (test de alteración de la memoria), el funcionamiento ejecutivo ­batería de evaluación frontal (FAB)­, los síntomas depresivos ­escala de depresión geriátrica-15 (GDS-15)­ y la CdV ­escala de calidad de vida en la enfermedad de Alzheimer (QOL-AD)­. Resultados. Hubo más respondedores en el grupo de intervención que en el de control en los cinco criterios, con diferencias significativas para cognición (p = 0,001; f = 0,202; número necesario para tratar = 5) y memoria (p = 0,004; f = 0,184; número necesario para tratar = 6). En la línea de base, los respondedores tenían: puntuaciones más altas de QOL-AD (30,23 frente a 25,57; p menor de 0,001; d = ­0,774) para la cognición; puntuaciones FAB más bajas (1,41 frente a ­2,12; p menor de 0,001; d = 0,928) para el funcionamiento ejecutivo; y mayores puntuaciones en la GDS-15 para los síntomas depresivos (7,57 frente a 4,91; p menor de 0,001; d = ­0,845) y para la CdV (6,81 frente a 5,33; p = 0,013; d = ­0,443). Conclusiones. La iTR mostró altas tasas de respuesta para la cognición y la memoria. Los que tienen peor función ejecutiva, estado de ánimo y CdV se beneficiaron más de la intervención para esas respectivas variables. La iTR tiene efectos beneficiosos en los TNC, con el estado de ánimo y la CdV como factores influyentes.

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AIM: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the group Reminiscence Therapy (RT) on cognition, depressive symptoms, and quality of life (QOL) in older adults recruited in nursing homes. METHODS: A pilot study with a one-group pretest-posttest design was conducted between September 2017 and March 2018 in five nursing homes from central Portugal. A comprehensive RT program (Core program followed by a Follow-up program) was provided to clinically stable volunteers aged 65 years or more, who did not have severe cognitive impairment. RESULTS: From the 50 older adults (32 women and 18 men, with mean age of 83.32±7.76, and mean education level of 5.48±4.05) considered eligible to participate in the study, 35 (mean age: 84.17±7.46, mean education level of 6.14±4.49) completed the Core Program and 28 completed the Follow-up Program (mean age: 84.25±7.66, mean education level of 6.18±4.57). Based on the Wilcoxon Test, it was observed that the participants' cognitive performance did not change during the two RT programs. No significant changes were confirmed in relation to depressive symptomatology and QOL. CONCLUSION: Although no statistically significant improvements of the older adults' cognitive function, depressive symptomatology, and quality of life were found, the stabilization of such outcomes are relevant from a clinical viewpoint. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

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There is a growing need to implement and evaluate the technological solutions that allow the early detection of age-related frailty and enable assessment of the predictive values of frailty components. The broad use of these solutions may ensure an efficient and sustainable response of health and social care systems to the challenges related to demographic aging. In this paper, we present the protocol of the ModulEn study that aims to develop and validate a predictive model for frailty. For this purpose, the sample composed by older adults aged 65-80 years and recruited from the community will be invited to use an electronic device ACM Kronowise® 2.0. This device allows proactive and continuous monitoring of circadian health, physical activity, and sleep and eating habits. It will be used during a period of seven to ten days. The participants will also be given the questionnaires evaluating the variables of interest, including frailty level, as well as their experience and satisfaction with the device use. Data provided from these two sources will be combined and the relevant associations will be identified. In our view, the implications of this study' findings for clinical practice include the possibility to develop and validate tools for timely prevention of frailty progress. In the long term, the ModulEn may contribute to the critical reduction of frailty burden in Europe.

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The covalent grafting of two amino-fullerene C60 derivatives (C60-LC-NH2 and C60-SC-NH2, LC=long chain and SC=short chain) onto the surface of TEMPO oxidized nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC-COOH) has been reported for the first time. These hybrids (NCC-LC-C60 and NCC-SC-C60) form stable colloidal suspensions at concentrations up to 0.5mg/mL and act as effective photosensitizers for singlet oxygen production as demonstrated by the oxidation of L-methionine-methyl ester to the corresponding sulphoxide. Using the same approach, in a one-pot reaction both a fluorescent target molecule (FITC-LC-NH2) and the C60-LC-NH2 derivative have been successfully attached covalently onto the NCC-COOH surface. These hybrids, which showed no cytotoxicity on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells could be good candidates in photodynamic cancer therapy.

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Control over chemical functionalization is a crucial point in the field of nanotechnology. Herein, we present the covalent functionalization of several carbon nanoforms (single-walled carbon nanotubes, double-walled carbon nanotubes, multi-walled carbon nanotubes and carbon nanohorns) by means of diphenyl dichalcogenides. These ones show different reactivity to the nanomaterials and are able to modify their electronic properties depending on the electronegativity of the functionalizing heteroatom. Theoretical calculations were also performed to support the experimental results. All the modified structured nanocarbons were thoroughly characterized by TGA Raman, XPS, UV/Vis/nIR, IR and TEM techniques. Our findings propose a simple approach to functionalize carbon nanomaterials and, in the meantime, to tune their electronic properties.

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Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are an extremely rare outcome of the collapse of massive stars and are typically found in the distant universe. Because of its intrinsic luminosity (L ~ 3 × 10(53) ergs per second) and its relative proximity (z = 0.34), GRB 130427A reached the highest fluence observed in the γ-ray band. Here, we present a comprehensive multiwavelength view of GRB 130427A with Swift, the 2-meter Liverpool and Faulkes telescopes, and by other ground-based facilities, highlighting the evolution of the burst emission from the prompt to the afterglow phase. The properties of GRB 130427A are similar to those of the most luminous, high-redshift GRBs, suggesting that a common central engine is responsible for producing GRBs in both the contemporary and the early universe and over the full range of GRB isotropic energies.

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Long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are bright flashes of high-energy photons that can last for tens of minutes; they are generally associated with galaxies that have a high rate of star formation and probably arise from the collapsing cores of massive stars, which produce highly relativistic jets (collapsar model). Here we describe gamma- and X-ray observations of the most distant GRB ever observed (GRB 050904): its redshift (z) of 6.29 means that this explosion happened 12.8 billion years ago, corresponding to a time when the Universe was just 890 million years old, close to the reionization era. This means that not only did stars form in this short period of time after the Big Bang, but also that enough time had elapsed for them to evolve and collapse into black holes.