Hydrogymnastics training program on physical fitness in elderly women

Se evaluó un programa de entrenamiento de hidrogimnasia sobre las capacidades físicas en 26 adultas mayores (grupo experimental n=16, grupo control n=10), determinadas mediante el protocolo senior fitness test, la hidrogimnasia fue 5 veces por semana por 12 semanas, con ejercicios aeróbicos del 50%-60% de la FCmáx. Se utilizó ANOVA 2x2, indicando interacción significativa (p=0.052) entre grupos y mediciones en la prueba de resistencia a la fuerza en extremidades inferiores, la prueba de agilidad de 2.4 metros tuvo interacción significativa (p≤0.01) entre grupos y mediciones, las pruebas de capacidad aeróbica step test de 2 minutos (p=0.02) y caminar 6 minutos indicaron interacción significativa entre grupos y mediciones (p=0.50); Se infiere que la hidrogimnasia en las adultas mayores participantes es eficaz en la mejora de las capacidades físicas principalmente aeróbicas, de resistencia a la fuerza y agilidad de miembros inferioresThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a hydrogymnastics training program on physical fitness in 26 elderly women (experimental group n=16, control group n=10). The physical fitness was determined by the senior fitness test protocol, the hydrogymnastics consisted in aerobic exercise at 50%-60% of maximum heart rate, 5 times a week in a period of 12 weeks. ANOVA 2x2 as statistical test was used, indicating statistically significant interaction (p=0.052) between groups and measurements on test strength endurance in the legs by squatting on chair in 30 s, agility test 2.4 meters was significant interaction (p≤0.01) between groups and measures, testing aerobic capacity test step 2 minutes (p=0.02) and six minutes walk indicated significant interaction between groups and measurements (p=0.50), the results shown that hydrogymnastics in the elderly women participants was effective improving endurance, strength and agility mainly in leg

Validity and factorial invariance of the social ecological model in explaining fruit intake in mexican school children

Objetivo: Estimar la bondad de ajuste del modelo Motivación- Habilidad-Oportunidad (MHO), a fin de evaluar la varianza observada en las preferencias para comer fruta y el consumo actual de fruta en niños escolares mexicanos; así como la invarianza factorial a través del género y tipo de población (urbana y semi-urbana) en la que residen los niños. Métodos: Se diseñó un modelo con siete constructos de un cuestionario validado que mide preferencias, habilidades cognitivas, actitudes, modelamiento, percepción de barreras, accesibilidad en la casa, accesibilidad en la escuela y la frecuencia de consumo de fruta. El cuestionario se aplicó en una muestra representativa de 1434 niños escolares de 10 a 12 años, de quinto y sexto grado de educación primaria, en un estudio transversal y ex post facto realizado en 2013 en seis ciudades del Estado de Chihuahua, México. Resultados: El modelo MHO mostró índices de ajuste adecuados y explicó el 39% de la varianza en las preferencias para comer fruta. La estructura del modelo muestra muy buena estabilidad en la estructura factorial y las dimensiones de la escala fueron equivalentes en las muestras analizadas. Conclusión: La modelización mediante ecuaciones estructurales muestra un modelo parsimonioso que, puede ser utilizado para explicar las variaciones en el consumo de fruta en niños escolares mexicanos de 10 a 12 años. La estructura del modelo fue estrictamente invariante y muestra evidencias de validación cruzada. Finalmente, se discuten las modificaciones requeridas para obtener un mejor ajuste de los datos en contextos escolares y las directrices a seguir en futras investigaciones.Objective: To test the goodness of fit of a Motivation- Ability-Opportunity model (MAO-model) to evaluate the observed variance in Mexican schoolchildren’s preferences to eat fruit and daily fruit intake; also to evaluate the factorial invariance across the gender and type of population (urban and semi-urban) in which children reside. Method: A model with seven constructs was designed from a validated questionnaire to assess preferences, cognitive abilities, attitude, modelling, perceived barriers, accessibility at school, accessibility at home, and fruit intake frequency. The instrument was administered in a representative sample of 1434 schoolchildren of 5th and 6th grade of primary school in a cross-sectional and ex post fact study conducted in 2013 in six cities of the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. Results: The goodness of fit indexes was adequate for the MAO-model and explained 39% of the variance in preference to eat fruit. The structure of the model showed very good factor structure stability and the dimensions of the scale were equivalent in the different samples analyzed. Conclusions: The model analyzed with structural equation modeling showed a parsimonious model that can be used to explain the variation in fruit intake of 10 to 12 year old Mexican schoolchildren. The structure of the model was strictly invariant in the different samples analyzed and showed evidence of cross validation. Finally, implications about the modification model to fit data from scholar settings and guidelines for future research are discussed

The Tree Biodiversity Network (BIOTREE-NET): prospects for biodiversity research and conservation in the Neotropics

Biodiversity research and conservation efforts in the tropics are hindered by the lack of knowledge of the assemblages found there, with many species undescribed or poorly known. Our initiative, the Tree Biodiversity Network (BIOTREE-NET), aims to address this problem by assembling georeferenced data from a wide range of sources, making these data easily accessible and easily queried, and promoting data sharing. The database (GIVD ID NA-00-002) currently comprises ca. 50,000 tree records of ca. 5,000 species (230 in the IUCN Red List) from \u3e2,000 forest plots in 11 countries. The focus is on trees because of their pivotal role in tropical forest ecosystems (which contain most of the world\u27s biodiversity) in terms of ecosystem function, carbon storage and effects on other species. BIOTREE-NET currently focuses on southern Mexico and Central America, but we aim to expand coverage to other parts of tropical America. The database is relational, comprising 12 linked data tables. We summarise its structure and contents. Key tables contain data on forest plots (including size, location and date(s) sampled), individual trees (including diameter, when available, and both recorded and standardised species name), species (including biological traits of each species) and the researchers who collected the data. Many types of queries are facilitated and species distribution modelling is enabled. Examining the data in BIOTREE-NET to date, we found an uneven distribution of data in space and across biomes, reflecting the general state of knowledge of the tropics. More than 90% of the data were collected since 1990 and plot size varies widely, but with most less than one hectare in size. A wide range of minimum sizes is used to define a \u27tree\u27. The database helps to identify gaps that need filling by further data collection and collation. The data can be publicly accessed through a web application at http://portal.biotreenet.com. Researchers are invited and encouraged to contribute data to BIOTREE-NET

Peripheral T-lymphocytes express WNT7A and its restoration in leukemia-derived lymphoblasts inhibits cell proliferation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>WNT7a, a member of the Wnt ligand family implicated in several developmental processes, has also been reported to be dysregulated in some types of tumors; however, its function and implication in oncogenesis is poorly understood. Moreover, the expression of this gene and the role that it plays in the biology of blood cells remains unclear. In addition to determining the expression of the <it>WNT7A </it>gene in blood cells, in leukemia-derived cell lines, and in samples of patients with leukemia, the aim of this study was to seek the effect of this gene in proliferation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells, sorted CD3 and CD19 cells, four leukemia-derived cell lines, and blood samples from 14 patients with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and 19 clinically healthy subjects. Reverse transcription followed by quantitative Real-time Polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis were performed to determine relative <it>WNT7A </it>expression. Restoration of WNT7a was done employing a lentiviral system and by using a recombinant human protein. Cell proliferation was measured by addition of WST-1 to cell cultures.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>WNT7a is mainly produced by CD3 T-lymphocytes, its expression decreases upon activation, and it is severely reduced in leukemia-derived cell lines, as well as in the blood samples of patients with ALL when compared with healthy controls (<it>p </it>≤0.001). By restoring <it>WNT7A </it>expression in leukemia-derived cells, we were able to demonstrate that WNT7a inhibits cell growth. A similar effect was observed when a recombinant human WNT7a protein was used. Interestingly, restoration of <it>WNT7A </it>expression in Jurkat cells did not activate the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To our knowledge, this is the first report evidencing quantitatively decreased <it>WNT7A </it>levels in leukemia-derived cells and that <it>WNT7A </it>restoration in T-lymphocytes inhibits cell proliferation. In addition, our results also support the possible function of <it>WNT7A </it>as a tumor suppressor gene as well as a therapeutic tool.</p

Depletion of Murine Intestinal Microbiota: Effects on Gut Mucosa and Epithelial Gene Expression

Background Inappropriate cross talk between mammals and their gut microbiota may trigger intestinal inflammation and drive extra-intestinal immune-mediated diseases. Epithelial cells constitute the interface between gut microbiota and host tissue, and may regulate host responses to commensal enteric bacteria. Gnotobiotic animals represent a powerful approach to study bacterial-host interaction but are not readily accessible to the wide scientific community. We aimed at refining a protocol that in a robust manner would deplete the cultivable intestinal microbiota of conventionally raised mice and that would prove to have significant biologic validity. Methodology/Principal Findings Previously published protocols for depleting mice of their intestinal microbiota by administering broad-spectrum antibiotics in drinking water were difficult to reproduce. We show that twice daily delivery of antibiotics by gavage depleted mice of their cultivable fecal microbiota and reduced the fecal bacterial DNA load by 400 fold while ensuring the animals' health. Mice subjected to the protocol for 17 days displayed enlarged ceca, reduced Peyer's patches and small spleens. Antibiotic treatment significantly reduced the expression of antimicrobial factors to a level similar to that of germ-free mice and altered the expression of 517 genes in total in the colonic epithelium. Genes involved in cell cycle were significantly altered concomitant with reduced epithelial proliferative activity in situ assessed by Ki-67 expression, suggesting that commensal microbiota drives cellular proliferation in colonic epithelium. Conclusion We present a robust protocol for depleting conventionally raised mice of their cultivatable intestinal microbiota with antibiotics by gavage and show that the biological effect of this depletion phenocopies physiological characteristics of germ-free mice

La Red Internacional de Inventarios Forestales (BIOTREE-NET) en Mesoamérica: avances, retos y perspectivas futuras

Conservation efforts in Neotropical regions are often hindered by lack of data, since for many species there is a vacuum of information, and many species have not even been described yet. The International Network of Forest Inventory Plots (BIOTREE-NET) gathers and facilitates access to tree data from forest inventory plots in Mesoamerica, while encouraging data exchange between researchers, managers and conservationists. The information is organised and standardised into a single database that includes spatially explicit data. This article describes the scope and objectives of the network, its progress, and the challenges and future perspectives. The database includes above 50000 tree records of over 5000 species from more than 2000 plots distributed from southern Mexico through to Panama. Information is heterogeneous, both in nature and shape, as well as in the geographical coverage of inventory plots. The database has a relational structure, with 12 inter-connected tables that include information about plots, species names, dbh, and functional attributes of trees. A new system that corrects typographical errors and achieves taxonomic and nomenclatural standardization was developed using The Plant List (http://theplantlist.org/) as reference. Species distribution models have been computed for around 1700 species using different methods, and they will be publicly accessible through the web site in the future (http://portal.biotreenet.com). Although BIOTREE-NET has contributed to the development of improved species distribution models, its main potential lies, in our opinion, in studies at the community level. Finally, we emphasise the need to expand the network and encourage researchers willing to share data and to join the network and contribute to the generation of further knowledge about forest biodiversity in Neotropical regions

Assessing the Aspirations and Fears of Costa Rican Youth in Long-term Correctional Confinement

This study used the Possible Selves Questionnaire (PSQ) with 30 incarcerated youth in a long term juvenile correctional facility in Costa Rica. The PSQ is a self-administered survey that measures a person’s aspirations and fears for the future and strategies to achieve who they wish to become and avoid becoming. Results showed that while participants reported having Expected and Feared Selves, they struggled to identify concrete strategies to reach their goals. This vulnerable, incarcerated, population faces a variety of social challenges that may hinder their ability to avoid the behavior that led to their initial incarceration once they are released from correctional confinement. Limitations of using the PSQ with Costa Rican youth are also discussed.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Sociales::Facultad de Educación::Escuela de Orientación y Educación Especia