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The health crisis caused by COVID-19 in the United Kingdom and the confinement measures that were subsequently implemented had unprecedented effects on the mental health of older adults, leading to the emergence and exacerbation of different comorbid symptoms including depression and anxiety. This study examined and compared depression and anxiety symptom networks in two specific quarantine periods (June-July and November-December) in the older adult population in the United Kingdom. We used the database of the English Longitudinal Study of Aging COVID-19 Substudy, consisting of 5797 participants in the first stage (54% women) and 6512 participants in the second stage (56% women), all over 50 years of age. The symptoms with the highest centrality in both times were: "Nervousness (A1)" and "Inability to relax (A4)" in expected influence and predictability, and "depressed mood (D1"; bridging expected influence). The latter measure along with "Irritability (A6)" overlapped in both depression and anxiety clusters in both networks. In addition, a the cross-lagged panel network model was examined in which a more significant influence on the direction of the symptom "Nervousness (A1)" by the depressive symptoms of "Anhedonia (D6)", "Hopelessness (D7)", and "Sleep problems (D3)" was observed; the latter measure has the highest predictive capability of the network. The results report which symptoms had a higher degree of centrality and transdiagnostic overlap in the cross-sectional networks (invariants) and the cross-lagged panel network model of anxious and depressive symptomatology.

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Background: Previous research has suggested that manipulation and callousness are central to Dark Triad traits, but it has not identified which specific manifestations are expressed across various countries. Objective: This study aimed to identify the core and overlapping manifestations of Dark Triad traits across 10 countries. Methods: We used the Short Dark Triad (SD3) scale and assessed a sample of 8093 participants (59.7% women, M(age) = 32.68 years). For graphical representation, the spinglass algorithm was applied to understand the cluster distribution among Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and subclinical narcissism traits. Centrality indices were used to identify the most influential items, and the clique-percolation algorithm was employed to detect shared attributes among multiple Dark Triad items. Results: Straightforward SD3-21 items demonstrated better interpretability as aversive traits within the broader system. Items with higher centrality values were those related to short-term verbal manipulation from the psychopathy domain, clever manipulation, strategic revenge-seeking from Machiavellianism, and narcissistic motivations for connecting with significant individuals. The most predicted items were linked to planned revenge, using information against others from Machiavellianism, short-term psychopathic verbal manipulation, and narcissistic belief of specialness based on external validation. Items like short-term verbal manipulation had overlaps with both psychopathy and narcissism clusters, while clever manipulation overlapped with Machiavellianism and psychopathy. Conclusion: This cross-cultural study highlights the central role of verbal manipulation within the Dark Triad traits, along with identifying overlapping items among traits measured using straightforward SD3 scale items. In line with our findings, future research that incorporates a wide range of cultural contexts is encouraged to establish the consistency of these findings with the SD3 Scale or alternative measures.

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There are a few studies suggesting that the hippocampus is involved in the regulation of impulsivity, and which attempt to explain drug seeking behavior in addiction. In addition, cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) is highly expressed in the hippocampus (HPP). To further understand the potential role of the hippocampal CB1R in impulsive and drug seeking behaviors, we characterized impulsivity in adolescent and adult male rats, by means of a delay discounting task (DDT) by evaluating preference and seeking motivation for alcohol (10 % v/v) consumption, and analyzing CB1R expression in CA1, CA3 and the dentate gyrus (DG) of the HPP as well as in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Our results show that adolescent rats display more impulsive choices than adult rats in the DDT. The k value is statistically higher in adolescents, further supporting that they are more impulsive. Besides, adolescent rats have higher forced and voluntary alcohol consumption and display a higher alcohol conditioned place preference (CPP) vs. adult rats. In addition, CB1R expression in CA3 and the DG is higher in adolescent vs. adult rats. Our data further support the role of the hippocampus in impulsivity with the potential involvement of the endocannabinoid system, considering that CB1R in CA3 and DG is higher in adolescents, who display impulsivity and alcohol seeking and consumption.

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent health restrictions had an unprecedented impact on mental health, contributing to the emergence and reinforcement of various psychopathological symptoms. This complex interaction needs to be examined especially in a vulnerable population such as older adults. Objective: In the present study we analyzed network structures of depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging COVID-19 Substudy over two waves (Months of June-July and November-December 2020). Methods: For this purpose, we use measures of centrality (expected and bridge-expected influence) in addition to the Clique Percolation method to identify overlapping symptoms between communities. We also use directed networks to identify direct effects between variables at the longitudinal level. Results: UK adults aged >50 participated, Wave 1: 5,797 (54% female) and Wave 2: 6,512 (56% female). Cross-sectional findings indicated that difficulty relaxing, anxious mood, and excessive worry symptoms were the strongest and similar measures of centrality (Expected Influence) in both waves, while depressive mood was the one that allowed interconnection between all networks (bridge expected influence). On the other hand, sadness and difficulty sleeping were symptoms that reflected the highest comorbidity among all variables during the first and second waves, respectively. Finally, at the longitudinal level, we found a clear predictive effect in the direction of the nervousness symptom, which was reinforced by depressive symptoms (difficulties in enjoying life) and loneliness (feeling of being excluded or cut off from others). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that depressive, anxious, and loneliness symptoms were dynamically reinforced as a function of pandemic context in older adults in the UK.

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Heat treatment during pasteurization of mango (Mangifera indica L.) pulp reduces the phenolic content and its potential health benefits. The bioactive content, phenolics profile, and antioxidant capacity of 'Ataulfo' mango pulp after ohmic heating (OH) treatment (15.0-20.0 V/cm), and conventional heating (CT, 72 °C) were evaluated. No significant differences were observed in the gallic acid and mangiferin content and its antioxidant capacity (ABTS). Mass spectrometry analysis (LC/MS-TOF) showed that all treatments produced the same profile of phenolic compounds, including 6 phenolic acids, 2 gallotannins, 1 benzophenone, 2 xanthones, and 3 flavonoids. PCA analysis confirmed that mangiferin and gallic acid were the main contributors to the ABTS antioxidant capacity. These results demonstrate that OH treatments can preserve the compositions of phenolic compounds mango pulp, thus maintaining its potential health benefits.

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Background: The unmet neurosurgical need has remained patent in developing countries, including Peru. However, continuous efforts to overcome the lack of affordable care have been achieved, being neurosurgical missions one of the main strategies. We chronicle the humanitarian labor of organizations from high-income countries during their visit to Peru, the contributions to local trainees' education, and the treatment of underserved patients. Furthermore, we discuss the embedded challenges from these missions and the future perspective on long-term partnerships and sustainability. Methods: This is a narrative review. We searched the literature in PubMed and Google Scholar about neurosurgical missions conducted in Peru. Results: Since 1962, twelve organizations from high-income countries have delivered humanitarian help in Peru by training local neurosurgeons, treating low-income patients, and providing surgical instrumentation. Out of the three main regions of Peru, cities on the coast and highlands have hosted most of these missions, with no reported outreach in the amazon area. About 75% of the organizations are headquartered in the United States, followed by Canada, Luxembourg, and Spain. In addition, 50% of the organizations have an active partnership. The predominant focus of these missions has been pediatrics, neuro-oncology, and spine surgery. Conclusion: Neurosurgical missions have represented a strategy to close the disparity in education and treatment in Peru. However, additional efforts must be conducted to improve long-term partnership and sustainability, such as adopting standardized indicators for progress tracking, incorporating remote technologies for continuous training and communication, and expanding partnerships in less attended areas.

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Resumen Objetivo: Mostrar los resultados en el corto y mediano plazo del tratamiento endovascular de angioplastia transluminal percutánea (ATP) con balón en pacientes en estado de isquemia crítica por enfermedad arterial obstructiva infrapoplítea. Materiales y Método: Estudio descriptivo, observacional, retrospectivo. Se incluyeron los pacientes hospitalizados entre 2009 y 2018 por isquemia crítica Fontaine III o IV sometidos a una ATP del territorio infrapoplíteo. Se observó como objetivos primarios la preservación de la extremidad afectada y la mortalidad posoperatoria a un año plazo, y como objetivos secundarios los procedimientos adicionales en pacientes con lesiones o necrosis distales, estadía hospitalaria, complicaciones posoperatorias y necesidad de reintervención. Resultados: Se incluyeron 42 pacientes con un promedio de edad de 66 años (46-82), con importantes comorbilidades. Un 83,3% ingresó en etapa Fontaine IV. En 16 casos se realizó una angioplastia percutánea en más de una arteria. No se colocó stents. Se presentaron complicaciones en 3 pacientes, 2 requirieron una amputación mayor y en otro se debió efectuar un nuevo procedimiento endovascular de rescate. La estadía hospitalaria promedio fue 22 días. No hubo mortalidad precoz posprocedimiento. La mortalidad global a un año fue 9,5%. A todos los pacientes en etapa Fontaine IV se les efectuó algún procedimiento adicional, a 31 una amputación menor, 3 cerraron sus lesiones por segunda intención y en otro se realizó un injerto dermo-epidérmico. De los 35 pacientes con seguimiento, 77% preservó su extremidad a un año. Conclusión: La reparación endovascular mediante una angioplastia percutánea en estos casos es un procedimiento seguro y tiene una alta tasa de preservación de la extremidad inicial a un año de seguimiento.

Aim: Show initial and midterms results of endovascular Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) in critical limb isquemia (CLI) patients caused by below-the-knee arterial disease. Materials and Method: Observational, descriptive and retrospective study. 42 CLI patients admitted in our hospital from 2009 until 2018 with Fontaine III or IV treated by PTA in infrapopliteal arteries were analyzed, collecting demographic, clinical and surgical characteristics, additional procedures in Fontaine IV, hospital stay, postoperative complications, need of reintervention, limb preservation and mortality with one year follow-up after procedure. Results: 42 patients, average age 66 year-old (46-82), with significant comorbidities. Fontaine IV stage patients were 83.3%. In 16 cases more than one artery was intervened. No stent revascularization was performed. Complications occurred in 3 patients, 2 required major amputation and an urgent endovascular reintervention was required in another. Average hospital stay was 22 days with no post-operative mortality. One-year global mortality was 9.5 One-year follow-up in 35 patients shows that 77% preserved their limb. Conclusión: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty procedure in this patients has a high rate of limb preservation in a one-year follow-up. There was no post-operative mortality.

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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to test the psychometric properties of the Spanish validation of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) in a Paraguayan population. METHODS: Participants were recruited through an Internet-based survey. All participants whose scores in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and The Fear Questionnaire (FQ) were greater than zero were included. 1245 subjects responded voluntarily: 1077 subjects, scoring >0, were considered. RESULTS: To establish construct validity of the FCV-19S, an exploratory factor analysis was performed using the KMO test, which was adequate, and the Bartlett sphericity test, which was significant (p <.0001). The CFI, NFI, GFI, TLI and RMSEA indices were used to evaluate the model and showed good adjustment. Cronbach's α showed valid internal consistency (α = 0.86). This validation was supported by significant correlation (p <.001) with the HADS scale for anxiety and depression and with the FQ scale for specific phobia. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the FCV-19S is a 7-item scale with two dimensions, psychological symptoms and physiological symptoms, which demonstrated robust psychometric properties in a Paraguayan population.

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