RESUMEN

Compound hot-dry events cause more severe impacts on terrestrial ecosystems than dry events, while the differences in recovery time (ΔRT) between hot-dry and dry events and their contributing factors remain unclear. Both remote sensing observations and eddy covariance measurements reveal that hot-dry events prolong the recovery time compared with dry events, with greater prolongation of recovery time in drylands than in humid regions. Random forest regression modeling demonstrates that the difference in vapor pressure deficit between hot-dry and dry events, with an importance score of 35%, is the major factor contributing to ΔRT. The severity of stomatal restriction exceeds that of non-stomatal limitation, which restricts the vegetation productivity that is necessary for the recovery process. These results emphasize the negative effect of vapor pressure deficit on vegetation recovery during hot-dry events and project an extension of drought recovery time considering elevated vapor pressure deficit in a warming world.

RESUMEN

This study aimed to determine COVID-19 recovery time and identify predictors among hospitalized patients in the Dhanusha District of Madhesh Province, Nepal. This hospital-based longitudinal study involved 507 COVID-19 patients admitted to three distinct medical facilities for therapeutic intervention between April and October 2021. Data were collected for patient demography, symptoms, vital signs, oxygen saturation levels, temperatures, heart rates, respiratory rates, blood pressure measurements, and other health-related conditions. Kaplan-Meier survival curves estimated the recovery time, and a Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify the predictors of recovery time. For the total participants, mean age was 51.1 (SD = 14.9) years, 68.0% were males. Of the total patients, 49.5% recovered, and 16.8% died. The median for patient recovery was 26 days (95% CI: 25.1-26.7). Patients with severe or critical conditions were less likely to recover compared to those with milder conditions (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15-0.79; p = 0.012). In addition, an increase in oxygen saturation was associated with an elevated likelihood of recovery (HR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01-1.17, p = 0.018). This study underscores the need for early admission to hospital and emphasizes the targeted interventions in severe cases. Additionally, the results highlight the importance of optimizing oxygen levels in COVID-19 patient care.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: A high prevalence of fatigue and a positive association between fatigue and post-hemodialysis recovery have been reported in predominantly white populations of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. The present study evaluates associations between self-reported fatigue by the 11-item Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire (CFQ-11) and the need for post-hemodialysis recovery in a predominantly African-descent MHD population. METHODS: A total of 233 patients (94% Black or Mixed-Race) participating in the "Prospective Study of the Prognosis of Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis" (PROHEMO), Salvador, Brazil were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The CFQ-11 was used to measure fatigue: <4 for absent or mild, ⩾4 for moderate to severe. Patients were also asked if they needed some time to recover after the hemodialysis. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) of the association with adjustments for age, sex, race, educational level, economic class level, diabetes, hearth failure, and hemoglobin. RESULTS: Mean age was 51.5 ± 12.5 years. Moderate to severe fatigue (⩾4 points) was observed in 70.8% (165/233), and absent or mild fatigue (<4 points) in 29.2% (68/233). Compared to patients with fatigue scores <4 (20.6%), the need for post-hemodialysis recovery was 2.5 times greater in patients with fatigue scores ⩾4 (52.7%). The covariate-adjusted logistic regression OR was 4.60, 95% CI: 2.27, 9.21. CONCLUSION: This study in MHD patients of predominantly African descent supports self-reported fatigue assessed by the CFQ-11 as a relevant predictor of the need for post-hemodialysis recovery. The results offer a rationale for investigating whether interventions to prevent fatigue reduce the need of post-hemodialysis recovery.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

The increasing use of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) in scientific experiments has made it necessary to implement anesthesia protocols guaranteeing minimum pain and suffering for these animals and ensuring the reliability of the results obtained from their research. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of two anesthetics, eugenol and MS-222, in consecutive administrations and evaluate the zebrafish behaviour after repeated anesthesia. Thus, several zebrafish were anaesthetized with eugenol, MS-222, and buffered MS-222 three times repeatedly with a 24-h interval between each exposure. The induction and recovery periods were also timed. Their swimming frequency was determined after each exposure to assess their behaviour after the anesthesia. Anesthesia induction was quicker with eugenol compared to MS-222. However, eugenol presented longer recovery times, which were prolonged after each exposure. Also, the swimming frequency was reduced after each anesthesia with eugenol. The buffered version of MS-222 was more efficacious than the non-buffered one. Both versions of MS-222 did not affect the swimming frequency. Based on these findings, we recommend the utilization of MS-222 buffered rather than eugenol when repeated, brief-duration anesthesia is necessitated for a study.

RESUMEN

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia, and its development process and prediction of the degree of atrial fibrosis are of great significance for treatment and management. Optical imaging technology provides a new means for non-invasive observation of atrial electrical activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the predictive effect of sinus node recovery time on the degree of atrial fibrosis in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and to provide a basis for the application of optical imaging technology in the study of atrial fibrosis. The study collected clinical and optical imaging data from a group of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and used statistical analysis methods to investigate the relationship between sinus node recovery time and the degree of atrial fibrosis. The research results indicate that there is a significant correlation between the recovery time of the sinus node and the degree of atrial fibrosis, that is, there is a positive correlation between the prolonged recovery time of the sinus node and the aggravation of atrial fibrosis. SNRT can serve as an effective indicator for evaluating atrial matrix and can be applied to predict recurrence after catheter ablation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Shortening SNRT through catheter ablation can become an important predictor of effective catheter ablation.

RESUMEN

Aim: Difficulty understanding speech following concussion is likely caused by auditory processing impairments. We hypothesized that concussion disrupts pitch and phonetic processing of a sound, cues in understanding a talker. Patients & methods/results: We obtained frequency following responses to a syllable from 120 concussed and 120 control. Encoding of the fundamental frequency (F0), a pitch cue and the first formant (F1), a phonetic cue, was poorer in concussed children. The F0 reduction was greater in the children assessed within 2 weeks of their injuries. Conclusion: Concussions affect auditory processing. Results strengthen evidence of reduced F0 encoding in children with concussion and call for longitudinal study aimed at monitoring the recovery course with respect to the auditory system.

RESUMEN

Arduino microcontrollers are used for a wide range of technological and biomedical applications, such as image classification, computer vision, brain-computer interaction and vision experiments. Here, we present a new cost-effective mini-device based on RGB LED flicker stimulation for the assessment of the chromatic temporal resolution of the visual function based on the concept of critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF). The assembly of the device and its testing in thirty young subjects demonstrate the steady white visual perception of a trichromatic flicker stimulus (mixture of red, green and blue stimuli) beyond the CFF. Macular function as measured by photo-stress recovery time (PRT) was found to be independent of the CFF measurements for red, green and blue lights. However, a statistical correlation was found between the contrast modulation for CFF for red and green stimuli and PRT. Finally, wavefront measurements demonstrate that high-order aberrations improve the temporal resolution of the visual function.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Neonatal asphyxia is a leading cause of early neonatal mortality, accounting for approximately 900,000 deaths each year. Assessing survival rates, recovery time and predictors of mortality among asphyxiated neonates can help policymakers design, implement, and evaluate programs to achieve the sustainable development goal of reducing neonatal mortality to 12/1,000 live births by 2030. The current study sought to ascertain the survival status, recovery time, and predictors of neonatal asphyxia. METHODS: A retrospective follow-up study conducted in Debre Berhan Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, which carried out from May 20th to June 20th, 2023 using records of asphyxiated babies in NICUs from January 1st, 2020 to December 31st, 2022, involving a sample size of 330. Pre-structured questionnaires created in Google Form were used to collect data, and STATA Version 14.0 was utilized for data entry and analysis, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve, log rank test, and median time were calculated. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model was fitted in order to determine the predictors of time to recovery. Variables were statistically significant if their p-value was less than 0.05. RESULTS: Three hundred thirty admitted asphyxiated neonates were followed a total of 2706 neonate -days with a minimum of 1 day to 18 days. The overall incidence density rate of survival was 9.9 per 100 neonates' days of observation (95% CI: 8.85-11.24) with a median recovery time of 9 days (95% CI: 0.82-0.93). Prolonged labor (Adjusted hazard ratio (AHR: 0.42,95%CI:0.21-0.81), normal birth weight (AHR:2.21,95% CI: 1.30-3.70),non-altered consciousness (AHR:2.52,CI:1.50-4.24),non-depressed moro reflex of the newborn (AHR:2.40,95%CI: 1.03-5.61), stage I HIE (AHR: 5.11,95% CI: 1.98-13.19),and direct oxygen administration via the nose (AHR: 4.18,95% CI: 2.21-7.89) were found to be independent predictors of time to recovery of asphyxiated neonates.. CONCLUSION: In the current findings, the recovery time was prolonged compared to other findings. This implies early diagnosis, strict monitoring and provision of appropriate measures timely is necessary before the babies complicated into the highest stage of hypoxic -ischemic encephalopathy(HIE) and managing complications are the recommended to hasten recovery time and increase the survival of neonates.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The six-minute walk test (6MWT) is widely used to assess functional capacity and prognosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, studies on oxygen saturation recovery after the 6MWT in patients with IPF are rare. In our study, we investigated the relationship between oxygen saturation recovery time and dyspnea, fatigue, quality of life, prognostic markers and pulmonary hypertension (PH). METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, IPF patients diagnosed according to current guidelines and followed up in our Interstitial Lung Disease Outpatient Clinic between 2021 and 2022 were included. Demographics, data from spirometry, diffusion capacity measurement, arterial blood gas analysis, transthoracic echocardiography and the 6MWT were recorded. The oxygen saturation recovery time, distance saturation product (DSP), gender-age-physiology (GAP) index and composite physiological index (CPI) scores were calculated. Dyspnea severity was assessed by the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) and Dyspnoea-12 (D-12) scales, fatigue severity by the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) and quality of life by the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). RESULTS: Fifty IPF patients (34 men, 16 women, age: 66.8 ± 7.3 years) were included in the study. The mean FVC was 77.8 ± 19.3%, the DLCO was 52.9 ± 17.1%, the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) was 385.7 ± 90.6 m, the GAP index was 3.5 ± 1.5, and the CPI was 43.7 ± 14.1. Oxygen saturation after the 6MWT reached pretest values at an average of 135.6 ± 73.5 s. The oxygen saturation recovery time was longer in patients with higher GAP index scores (Rs = 0.870, p < 0.001), CPI scores (Rs = 0.906, p < 0.001), desaturation (Rs = 0.801, p < 0.001), FVC%/DLCO% (Rs = 0.432, p = 0.002), sPAP (Rs = 0.492, p = 0.001), TRV (Rs = 0.504, p = 0.001), mMRC (Rs = 0.913, p < 0.001), MFI-20 (Rs = 0.944, p < 0.001), D-12 scale (Rs = 0.915, p < 0.001) and SGRQ scores (Rs = 0.927, p < 0.001); lower FVC (%) (Rs=-0.627, p < 0.001), DLCO (%) (Rs=-0.892, p < 0.001), PaO2 (Rs=-0.779, p < 0.001), DSP (Rs=-0.835, p < 0.001), and 6MWD (Rs=-0.763, p < 0.001). A total of twenty patients (40%) exhibited an increased risk of PH. According to our multiple regression analysis, oxygen saturation recovery time was independently associated with the GAP index (p = 0.036), the lowest oxygen saturation occurring during the 6MWT (p = 0.011) and the SGRQ score (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that oxygen saturation recovery time is associated with dyspnea, fatigue, quality of life, increased risk of PH and prognostic markers in IPF. Therefore, we recommend continuous measurement of oxygen saturation after 6MWT until pretest values are reached.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

CONTEXT: Carbon monoxide, also known as the "silent killer," is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritable gas that, when inhaled, enters the bloodstream and lungs, binds with the hemoglobin, and blocks oxygen from reaching tissues and cells. In this work, the monolayer MoSe2-based CO gas sensors were designed using density functional theory calculation with several dopants including Al, Au, Pd, Ni, Cu, and P. Here, Cu and P were found to be the best dopants, with adsorption energies of -0.67 eV (Cu) and -0.54 eV (P) and recovery times of 1.66 s and 13.8 ms respectively. Cu conductivity for CO adsorption was found to be 2.74 times that of CO2 adsorption in the 1.0-2.26 eV range. P displayed the highest selectivity, followed by Pd and Ni. The dopants, Pd and Ni, were found suitable for building CO gas scavengers due to their high recovery times of 9.76 × 1020 s and 2.47 × 1011 s. Similarly, the adsorption of CO2 on doped monolayer MoSe2 was also investigated. In this study, it is found that monolayer MoSe2 could be employed to create high-performance CO sensors in a CO2-rich environment. METHOD: The electrical characteristics of all doped MoSe2 monolayers are obtained using a DFT calculation with the PBE-GGA method from the Quantum ESPRESSO package. The self-consistent field (SCF) computations were performed using a 7 × 7 × 1 k-point grid and a norm-conserving pseudo potential (NCPP) file. To determine electrical conductivity, the semi-classical version of Boltzmann transport theory, implemented in the Boltz Trap code, was used.

RESUMEN

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a prothrombotic disorder mediated by platelet-activating antibodies targeting platelet factor 4 (PF4) and heparin complex. A higher antibody titer is reflected in a higher optical density (OD) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for heparin-PF4 antibodies. This single-institution retrospective study of 116 HIT patients examined the effect of heparin-PF4 OD on time to platelet recovery, vascular thrombosis, and in-hospital mortality. Patients were divided into 3 cohorts based on heparin-PF4 OD: cohort 1 had an OD ≥ 2 and ≤ 2.4, cohort 2 had an OD > 2.4 and ≤ 2.8, and cohort 3 had an OD > 2.8. A higher OD titer was associated with significantly increased time to platelet recovery when compared between cohorts 1 versus 2 (HR = 0.599, p = 0.0221) and 1 versus 3 (HR = 0.515, p = 0.0014), as well as an increased risk of thrombosis (79.4%-cohort 3 vs 53.8%-cohort 2 vs 46.1%-cohort 1, p = 0.04), but had no impact on mortality (2.62-alive vs 2.65-deceased, p = 0.7432). A higher OD titer can inform risk assessment and support decision-making in HIT patients; however, prospective studies are needed to further clarify the impact of heparin-PF4 OD on outcomes.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

PURPOSE: This work's purpose was to quantify rapid sympathetic activation in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), and to identify associated correlations with symptoms of orthostatic hypotension and common autonomically mediated secondary medical complications. METHODS: This work was a cross-sectional study of individuals with SCI and uninjured individuals. Symptoms of orthostatic hypotension were recorded using the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS)-31 and Autonomic Dysfunction following SCI (ADFSCI) survey. Histories of secondary complications of SCI were gathered. Rapid sympathetic activation was assessed using pressure recovery time of Valsalva maneuver. Stepwise multiple linear regression models identified contributions to secondary medical complication burden. RESULTS: In total, 48 individuals (24 with SCI, 24 uninjured) underwent testing, with symptoms of orthostatic hypotension higher in those with SCI (COMPASS-31, 3.3 versus 0.6, p < 0.01; ADFSCI, 21.2 versus. 3.2, p < 0.01). Pressure recovery time was prolonged after SCI (7.0 s versus. 1.7 s, p < 0.01), though poorly correlated with orthostatic symptom severity. Neurological level of injury after SCI influenced pressure recovery time, with higher injury levels associated with more prolonged time. Stepwise multiple linear regression models identified pressure recovery time as the primary explanation for variance in number of urinary tract infections (34%), histories of hospitalizations (12%), and cumulative secondary medical complication burden (24%). In all conditions except time for bowel program, pressure recovery time outperformed current clinical tools for assessing such risk. CONCLUSIONS: SCI is associated with impaired rapid sympathetic activation, demonstrated here by prolonged pressure recovery time. Prolonged pressure recovery time after SCI predicts higher risk for autonomically mediated secondary complications, serving as a viable index for more "autonomically complete" injury.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Acceleration techniques for one dimensional Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1D NMR) are very useful, both for NMR enthusiasts and for chemists that use NMR for structural elucidation. To the latter, such techniques need to be straightforward. Recovery time Reduction to Decrease the experimental Duration (R2D2) relies on the incremental reduction of a pulse sequence's Recycle Time (TR). A pseudo-2D spectrum is acquired and after two Fourier transform, extraction and addition of the central rows, a 1D spectrum is obtained. Not only can it be applied to any pulse sequence that contains a TR, but it also requires only a list of recovery times and 2D processes to operate. With this method, we were able to easily reduce the experimental time by a factor of 2 and up to 4 using single-pulse, APT and DEPT 13C sequences. Moreover, R2D2 has the potential to be used on other low abundance nuclei (such as 15N or 2H) and numerous other pulse sequences.

RESUMEN

Background: Recovery time is a crucial factor in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of both patients and endoscopy centers. Propofol is often preferred due to its fast onset and minimal side effects. Remimazolam is a new intravenous sedative agent, characterized by its rapid onset of action, quick recovery and organ-independent metabolism. Importantly, its effect can be specifically antagonized by flumazenil. The primary goal of this study is to compare the recovery time of remimazolam besylate and propofol anesthesia during endoscopic procedures in elderly patients. Methods: 60 patients aged 65-95 years who underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy were randomly and equally assigned to two groups: the remimazolam group (Group R) and the propofol group (Group P). The primary measure was the recovery time, defined as the time from discontinuing remimazolam or propofol until reaching an Observer's Assessment of Alertness and Sedation scale (OAA/S) score of 5 (responds readily to name spoken in normal tone). The time required to achieve an OAA/S score of 3 (responds after name spoken loudly or repeatedly along with glazed marked ptosis) was also recorded and compared. Results: The recovery time for Group R (2.6 ± 1.6 min) was significantly shorter than that for Group P (10.8 ± 3.0 min), with a 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.949-9.431 min, p <0.001. Similarly, the time to attain an OAA/S score of 3 was significantly less in Group R (1.6 ± 0.9 min) compared to Group P (9.6 ± 2.6 min), with a 95% CI: 6.930-8.957 min, p <0.001. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that remimazolam anesthesia combined with flumazenil antagonism causes a shorter recovery time for elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy compared to propofol. Remimazolam followed by flumazenil antagonism provides a promising alternative to propofol for geriatric patients, particularly during gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

It has been demonstrated that isoflurane-induced anesthesia can increase the blood glucose level, leading to hyperglycemia and several adverse effects. The administration of a mix of ketone diester (KE) and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, named KEMCT, abolished the isoflurane-anesthesia-induced increase in blood glucose level and prolonged the recovery time from isoflurane anesthesia in a male preclinical rodent model, Wistar Albino Glaxo/Rijswijk (WAG/Rij) rats. While most preclinical studies use exclusively male animals, our previous study on blood glucose changes in response to KEMCT administration showed that the results can be sex-dependent. Thus, in this study, we investigated female WAG/Rij rats, whether KEMCT gavage (3 g/kg/day for 7 days) can change the isoflurane (3%)-anesthesia-induced increase in blood glucose level and the recovery time from isoflurane-evoked anesthesia using the righting reflex. Moreover, KEMCT-induced ketosis may enhance both the extracellular level of adenosine and the activity of adenosine A1 receptors (A1Rs). To obtain information on the putative A1R mechanism of action, the effects of an A1R antagonist, DPCPX (1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine; intraperitoneal/i.p. 0.2 mg/kg), on KEMCT-generated influences were also investigated. Our results show that KEMCT supplementation abolished the isoflurane-anesthesia-induced increase in blood glucose level, and this was abrogated by the co-administration of DPCPX. Nevertheless, KEMCT gavage did not change the recovery time from isoflurane-induced anesthesia. We can conclude that intragastric gavage of exogenous ketone supplements (EKSs), such as KEMCT, can abolish the isoflurane-anesthesia-induced increase in blood glucose level in both sexes likely through A1Rs in WAG/Rij rats, while recovery time was not affected in females, unlike in males. These results suggest that the administration of EKSs as an adjuvant therapy may be effective in mitigating metabolic side effects of isoflurane, such as hyperglycemia, in both sexes.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Type A acute aortic dissection (TA-AAD) patients are prone to life-threatening complications and death. This study aimed to analyze the association between eosinophil (EOS) recovery and clinical outcomes in TA-AAD. A total of 274 patients with TA-AAD were eligible for inclusion, and 54 patients died within 1 month. The patients with poor clinical outcomes showed significantly lower EOS count within 8 days after surgery. The time-dependent ROC analysis showed that EOS recovery days predicted 1-month death with an AUC of 0.886 and a cutoff of 6 days. EOS recovery within 6 days was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative infection, a poorer prognosis, and a lower risk of 1-month and 6-month mortality than those requiring more recovery days. Collectively, postoperative early recovery of EOS predicted lower mortality and better prognosis and may be applied as an effective, rapid, and simple tool for the risk stratification and prognostic prediction of patients with TA-AAD.Clinical trial registration number: NCT05409677.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Antioxidants are bioactive molecules that function to scavenge free radicals and balance oxidative stress. Although all antioxidants can act as reactive oxygen species scavengers, their efficacy on eye health may vary. Moreover, the comparative effectiveness and potential additive effect between groups of antioxidants, hitherto, have not been systematically studied. A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted to investigate the comparative or additive effect of dietary antioxidant supplements on eye health. Four databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane) were searched, and relevant randomized controlled trials were identified. Out of 60 articles selected for systematic review, 38 were included in the network meta-analysis, categorized into 8 distinct antioxidant-supplemented groups and placebo. All groups significantly increased macular pigment optical density and contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequency, whereas only the antioxidant mixture + lutein (L) + fatty acid combination exhibited significant improvements in visual acuity (hazard ratio = -0.15; 95% confidence interval: -0.28, -0.02) and L + zeaxanthin combination for photostress recovery time (hazard ratio = -5.75; 95% confidence interval: -8.80, -1.70). Especially, the L + zeaxanthin + fatty acid combination was ranked best for macular pigment optical density (surface under the cumulative ranking: 99.3%) and second best for contrast sensitivity at low spatial frequency (67.7%). However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to low quality of evidence, primarily influenced by indirectness and potential publication bias. Overall, antioxidant supplementation was estimated to improve eye health parameters, whereas different combinations of antioxidants may also have varying effects on improving visual health from multiple perspectives. This study was registered at PROSPERO as CRD42022369250.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Spatial aspects of visual performance are usually evaluated through visual acuity charts and contrast sensitivity (CS) tests. CS tests are generated by vanishing the contrast level of the visual charts. However, the quality of retinal images can be affected by both ocular aberrations and scattering effects and none of those factors are incorporated as parameters in visual tests in clinical practice. We propose a new computational methodology to generate visual acuity charts affected by ocular scattering effects. The generation of glare effects on the visual tests is reached by combining an ocular straylight meter methodology with the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage's (CIE) general disability glare formula. A new function for retinal contrast assessment is proposed, the subjective straylight function (SSF), which provides the maximum tolerance to the perception of straylight in an observed visual acuity test. Once the SSF is obtained, the subjective straylight index (SSI) is defined as the area under the SSF curve. Results report the normal values of the SSI in a population of 30 young healthy subjects (19 ± 1 years old), a peak centered at SSI = 0.46 of a normal distribution was found. SSI was also evaluated as a function of both spatial and temporal aspects of vision. Ocular wavefront measures revealed a statistical correlation of the SSI with defocus and trefoil terms. In addition, the time recovery (TR) after induced total disability glare and the SSI were related; in particular, the higher the RT, the greater the SSI value for high- and mid-contrast levels of the visual test. No relationships were found for low contrast visual targets. To conclude, a new computational method for retinal contrast assessment as a function of ocular straylight was proposed as a complementary subjective test for visual function performance.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is a public health problem that affects physical and psychosocial well-being. It manifests as a rapid deterioration in nutritional status and bilateral edema due to inadequate food intake or illness. METHODS: This study is a retrospective cohort of 1208 children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Sofala Province from 2018 to 2022. It includes hospitalized children aged 6-59 months with SAM and related complications. The dependent variable is recovery, and the independent variables include age, sex of the child, vomiting, dehydration, hypoglycemia, nutritional edema and anthropometry. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and bivariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The crude analysis revealed significant factors for nutritional recovery in children with SAM, including age, weight, height, malaria, diarrhea and dehydration. Children under 24 months had a 28% lower likelihood of recovery. Weight below 6.16 kg decreased the likelihood by 2%, and height above 71.1 cm decreased it by 20%. Conversely, malaria, diarrhea and dehydration increased the likelihood of recovery. However, after adjustment, only diarrhea remained a significant predictor of nutritional recovery. CONCLUSION: This study found that diarrhea is a predictor of nutritional recovery in children with SAM.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Background: Individuals receiving hemodialysis often experience concurrent symptoms during treatment and frequently report feeling unwell after dialysis. The degree to which intradialytic symptoms are related, and which specific symptoms may impair health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is uncertain. Objectives: To explore intradialytic symptoms clusters, and the relationship between intradialytic symptom clusters with dialysis treatment recovery time and HRQoL. Design/setting: We conducted a post hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study of 118 prevalent patients receiving hemodialysis in two centers in Calgary, Alberta and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Participants: Adults receiving hemodialysis treatment for at least 3 months, not scheduled for a modality change within 6 weeks of study commencement, who could provide informed consent and were able to complete English questionnaires independently or with assistance. Methods: Participants self-reported the presence (1 = none to 5 = very much) of 10 symptoms during each dialysis treatment, the time it took to recover from each treatment, and weekly Kidney Disease Quality of Life 36-Item-Short Form (KDQoL-36) assessments. Principal component analysis identified clusters of intradialytic symptoms. Mixed-effects, ordinal and linear regression examined the association between symptom clusters and recovery time (categorized as 0, >0 to 2, >2 to 6, or >6 hours), and the physical component and mental component scores (PCS and MCS) of the KDQoL-36. Results: One hundred sixteen participants completed 901 intradialytic symptom questionnaires. The most common symptom was lack of energy (56% of treatments). Two intradialytic symptom clusters explained 39% of the total variance of available symptom data. The first cluster included bone or joint pain, muscle cramps, muscle soreness, feeling nervous, and lack of energy. The second cluster included nausea/vomiting, diarrhea and chest pain, and headache. The first cluster (median score: -0.56, 25th to 75th percentile: -1.18 to 0.55) was independently associated with longer recovery time (odds ratio [OR] 1.62 per unit difference in score, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.23-2.12) and decreased PCS (-0.72 per unit difference in score, 95% CI: -1.29 to -0.15) and MCS scores (-0.82 per unit difference in score, 95% CI: -1.48 to -0.16), whereas the second cluster was not (OR 1.24, 95% CI: 0.97-1.58; PCS 0.19, 95% CI -0.46 to 0.83; MCS -0.72, 95% CI: -1.50 to 0.06). Limitations: This was an exploratory analysis of a small data set from 2 centers. Further work is needed to externally validate these findings to confirm intradialytic symptom clusters and the generalizability of our findings. Conclusions: Intradialytic symptoms are correlated. The presence of select intradialytic symptoms may prolong the time it takes for a patient to recover from a dialysis treatment and impair HRQoL.

Contexte: Il arrive fréquemment que les personnes qui reçoivent des traitements d'hémodialyse éprouvent des symptômes concomitants pendant la dialyze et signalent un malaise après le traitement. On en sait toutefois peu sur le degré de corrélation de ce malaise avec les symptômes intradialytiques et sur les symptômes précis qui peuvent altérer la qualité de vie liée à la santé (QVLS). Objectifs: Explorer différents groupes de symptômes intradialytiques et la relation de ceux-ci avec le temps de récupération post-dialyze et la QVLS. Cadre et conception de l'étude: Nous avons procédé à une analyze post-hoc d'une étude de cohorte prospective portant sur 118 patients prévalents recevant une hémodialyse dans deux centers, soit à Calgary (Alberta) et à Hamilton (Ontario) au Canada. Sujets: Des adultes qui recevaient des traitements d'hémodialyse depuis au moins trois mois ­ sans changement de modalité prévu dans les six semaines suivant le début de l'étude ­ qui pouvaient donner leur consentement éclairé et qui étaient en mesure de remplir des questionnaires en anglais de façon autonome ou avec de l'aide. Méthodologie: Pour chaque traitement de dialyze, les participants devaient autoévaluer le degré de présence (de 1 [non présent] à 5 [très présent]) de dix symptômes et le temps nécessaire pour récupérer de chaque traitement, puis remplir des évaluations hebdomadaires à l'aide du questionnaire KDQoL-36. Une analyze des composantes principales a permis de définir des groupes de symptômes intradialytiques. Une régression à effets mixtes, ordinale et linéaire, a servi à examiner l'association entre les groupes de symptômes et le temps de récupération (0 heure; de 0 à 2 heures; de 2 à 6 hures; plus de 6 heures), et les scores des composantes physiques et psychologiques du KDQoL-36. Résultats: Cent seize patients ont rempli un total de 901 questionnaires sur les symptômes intradialytiques. Le symptôme le plus fréquemment déclaré était le manque d'énergie (56 % des traitements). Deux groupes de symptômes intradialytiques ont expliqué 39 % de la variance totale des données disponibles sur les symptômes. Le premier groupe comprenait des douleurs osseuses ou articulaires, des crampes musculaires, des douleurs musculaires, une sensation de nervosité et un manque d'énergie. Le deuxième groupe comprenait des nausées/vomissements, de la diarrhée, des douleurs thoraciques et des maux de tête. Le premier groupe (score médian : ­0,56; du 25e au 75e percentile : ­1, 18 à 0,55) a été indépendamment associé à un temps de récupération plus long (rapport de cotes : 1,62 par unité de différence de score; IC 95 % : 1,23 à 2,12) et à une diminution des scores des composantes physiques (RC : ­0,72; IC 95 % : ­1, 29 à ­0,15) et des scores des composantes psychologiques (RC : ­0,82; IC 95 % : ­1, 48 à ­0,16). Le deuxième groupe n'a pas été associé avec le temps de récupération (RC : 1,24; IC 95 % : 0,97 à 1,58) ni avec le score des composantes physiques (RC : 0,19; IC 95 % : ­0,46 à 0,83) et les scores des composantes psychologiques (RC : ­0,72; IC 95 % : ­1, 50 à 0,06). Limites: Il s'agissait d'une analyze exploratoire d'un petit ensemble de données provenant de deux centers. D'autres études externes sont nécessaires pour valider ces résultats et, ainsi, confirmer nos groupes de symptômes intradialytiques et la généralisabilité de nos résultats. Conclusion: Les symptômes intradialytiques sont corrélés. La présence de certains symptômes intradialytiques peut prolonger le temps de récupération post-dialyze et altérer la qualité de vie des patients.