La pandemia COVID-19 y su repercusión en la unidad de radiología intervencionista: nuestra experiencia

This paper aims to describe our experience in an interventional radiology unit in a hospital in Spain that was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, we did a prospective observational study of 20 consecutive patients with COVID-19 who underwent 21 interventional radiology procedures between March 13, 2020 and May 11, 2020. We describe the measures taken to reorganize the work and protective measures, as well as the repercussions of the situation on our unit's overall activity and activity in different phases. The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a challenge in our daily work, but learning from our own experience and the recommendations of the Spanish radiological societies (SERVEI and SERAM) has enabled us to adapt successfully. Our activity dropped only 22% compared to the same period in 2019.     

The Impact of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Primary Care: A Population Health Perspective

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the leading cause of liver disease worldwide, with rising rates in parallel to those of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. NAFLD encompasses a wide spectrum of pathology from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis, which are linked to poor outcomes. Studies confirm a significant amount of undiagnosed NAFLD and related fibrosis within the community, increasing the overall burden of the disease. NAFLD appears to be more prevalent in certain populations, such as those with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Early detection and lifestyle modifications, including weight loss and regular exercise, have been shown to improve outcomes. Adverse cardiovascular events are a key contributor to NAFLD-associated morbidity and mortality, and efforts to minimize their occurrence are essential. A targeted and algorithmic approach using noninvasive diagnostic techniques is promptly required to identify and risk-stratify patients with NAFLD. Patients at low risk of progression to NASH and advanced fibrosis can be managed in the primary care setting, while those at high risk of disease progression should be referred to hepatology specialists for surveillance and treatment. This review summarizes the key data of NAFLD's impact within primary care populations and proposes a potential algorithmic approach to identifying and managing such patients.     

Allergic and photoallergic contact dermatitis to chlorpromazine

Chlorpromazine is known to produce both systemic phototoxic and photoallergic reactions. However, it may also cause photoallergic contact dermatitis and, albeit exceptionally, allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). We present a series of photoallergic contact dermatitis and ACD to chlorpromazine diagnosed at a tertiary centre cutaneous allergy unit between 1980 and 2019.     

Analysis of KCNH2 and CACNA1C schizophrenia risk genes on EEG functional network modulation during an auditory odd-ball task

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience - A deficit in task-related functional connectivity modulation from electroencephalogram (EEG) has been described in schizophrenia. The use...     

Extraction of phenolic components from an Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) crop and their potential as antimicrobials and textile dyes

The present work focuses on the use of solid and agricultural residues from Aloe vera crops, as a source of antimicrobial agents and textile dyes. The roots from an A. vera plantation post-harvest were extracted with ethyl acetate, purified and phytochemically characterized to obtain five metabolites: aloesaponarin-I (1), deoxyerythrolaccin (2), lacaic acid D methyl ester (3), aloesaponarin-II (4), and aloesaponol-I (5). Acid hydrolysis of the solid industrial residue gave aloe-emodin (6) as the main product with a good yield. All of the components were tested for the first time against phytopathogenic bacteria strains, and deoxyerythrolaccin and lacaic acid D methyl ester were active against Xanthomonas campestris with MIC values of 46.86 and 93.75 μg/mL, respectively. Aloesaponarin-I and aloe-emodin, the main products, were tested as dyes for polyester fabrics using different mordants and pH bath conditions. The colour of each material was investigated in terms of the CIELAB L*, a* and b* values, and the colour fastness to light and washing was investigated according to the Mexican standard methods (NMX-A-074-INNTEX-2005; NMX-A-105-B02-INNTEX-2010). Aloesaponarin-I dyed polyester bright yellow but the final colour was very sensitive to the pH of the dye bath. Aloe-emodin dyed polyester deep yellow, and the fabrics showed good colour fastness to light and to domestic laundering. This study provides evidence that the phenolic components obtained from agricultural residues of the aloe industry can be useful organic alternatives as antimicrobial agents and textile dyes.