Assessment of loaded squat jump height with a free-weight barbell and Smith machine : comparison of the take-off velocity and flight time procedures

The aims of this study were to compare the reliability and magnitude of jump height between the two standard procedures of analysing force platform data to estimate jump height (take-off velocity [TOV] and flight time [FT]) in the loaded squat jump (SJ) exercise performed with a free-weight barbell and in a Smith machine. Twenty-three collegiate men (age 23.1 +/- 3.2 years, body mass 74.7 +/- 7.3 kg, height 177.1 +/- 7.0 cm) were tested twice for each SJ type (free-weight barbell and Smith machine) with 17, 30, 45, 60, and 75 kg loads. No substantial differences in reliability were observed between the TOV (Coefficient of variation [CV]: 9.88%; Intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]: 0.82) and FT (CV: 8.68%; ICC: 0.88) procedures (CV ratio: 1.14), while the Smith SJ (CV: 7.74%; ICC: 0.87) revealed a higher reliability than the free-weight SJ (CV: 9.88%; ICC: 0.81) (CV ratio: 1.28). The TOV procedure provided higher magnitudes of jump height than the FT procedure for the loaded Smith machine SJ (systematic bias: 2.64 cm; P0.05). Heteroscedasticity of the errors was observed for the Smith machine SJ (r2: 0.177) with increasing differences in favour of the TOV procedure for the trials with lower jump height (i.e. higher external loads). Based on these results the use of a Smith machine in conjunction with the FT more accurately determine jump height during the loaded SJ

Validez del Ages & Stages questionnaires para predecir el desempeño cognitivo en los primeros años de educación escolar

ResumenIntroducciónEl Ages and Stages questionnaires (ASQ) fue validado en nuestro país para el tamizaje del desarrollo psicomotor. El objetivo es evaluar la validez del ASQ para predecir un menor rendimiento cognitivo en los primeros años de educación escolar.Pacientes y métodoEstudio de pruebas diagnósticas en una muestra de niños de nivel socioeconómico medio alto evaluados previamente con ASQ a los 8, 18 y/o 30 meses, y luego con la Escala de inteligencia para niños de Wechsler-tercera edición (WISC-III) entre los 6 y 9 años de edad. Cada evaluación con ASQ se contabilizó en forma independiente. La Escala de WISC-III fue estandarizada para la muestra, considerando rendimiento bajo cuando el puntaje total estaba bajo una desviación estándar de la media.ResultadosSe incluyeron 123 niños, correspondientes a 174 evaluaciones ASQ (42 de 8; 55 de 18; 77 de 30 meses de edad). El área bajo la curva ROC fue 80,7%, siendo superior a los 8 meses (98,0%) que a los 18 y 30 meses (78,1 y 79,3%, respectivamente). Considerando distintos criterios de corte con ASQ se obtuvo sensibilidad baja (27,8% a 50,0%), pero especificidad elevada (78,8% a 96,2%); el valor predictivo positivo varió entre 21,4% y 45,5%, mientras que el valor predictivo negativo fue 92,0-93,2%.ConclusiónEl ASQ tiene baja sensibilidad pero excelente especificidad para predecir un menor rendimiento cognitivo durante los primeros años de educación escolar, siendo una buena alternativa para monitorizar el desarrollo psicomotor de niños que se atienden en el sector privado de salud de nuestro país.AbstractIntroductionThe Ages and Stages questionnaires (ASQ) has been recently validated in our country for developmental screening. The objective of this study is evaluate the validity of ASQ to predict low cognitive performance in the early years of schooling.Patients and methodDiagnostic test studies conducted on a sample of children of medium-high socioeconomic level were evaluated using ASQ at least once at 8, 18 and/or 30 months old, and later, between 6 and 9 years old, reevaluated using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-third edition (WISC-III). Each ASQ evaluation was recorded independently. WISC-III was standardized, considering underperformance when the total score were under -1 standard deviationResults123 children, corresponding to 174 ASQ assessments (42 of them were 8 months old, 55 were 18 months and 77 were 30 months of age) were included. An area under the ROC curve of 80.7% was obtained, showing higher values at 8 months (98.0%) compared to 18 and 30 months old (78.1 and 79.3%, respectively). Considering different ASQ scoring criteria, a low sensitivity (27.8 to 50.0%), but a high specificity (78.8 to 96.2%) were obtained; the positive predictive value ranged between 21 and 46%, while the negative value was 92.0-93.2%.ConclusionASQ has low sensitivity but excellent specificity to predict a low cognitive performance during the first years of schooling, being a good alternative to monitor psychomotor development in children who attend the private sector healthcare in our country

Dogs are resistant to prion infection, due to the presence of aspartic or glutamic acid at position 163 of their prion protein

Unlike other species, prion disease has never been described in dogs even though they were similarly exposed to the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent. This resistance prompted a thorough analysis of the canine PRNP gene and the presence of a negatively charged amino acid residue in position 163 was readily identified as potentially fundamental as it differed from all known susceptible species. In the present study, the first transgenic mouse model expressing dog prion protein (PrP) was generated and challenged intracerebrally with a panel of prion isolates, none of which could infect them. The brains of these mice were subjected to in vitro prion amplification and failed to find even minimal amounts of misfolded prions providing definitive experimental evidence that dogs are resistant to prion disease. Subsequently, a second transgenic model was generated in which aspartic acid in position 163 was substituted for asparagine (the most common in prion susceptible species) resulting in susceptibility to BSE‐derived isolates. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that the amino acid residue at position 163 of canine cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a major determinant of the exceptional resistance of the canidae family to prion infection and establish this as a promising therapeutic target for prion diseases.MINECO/FEDER. Grant Numbers: AGL2015‐65046‐C2‐1‐R, AGL2008‐05296‐C02 Interreg. Grant Number: POCTEFA EFA148/1

Fiabilidad de la velocidad de ejecución en tres modalidades del ejercicio de press de banca: influencia del nivel de experiencia

Premio Congreso SIBB 2019El objetivo del estudio fue comparar la fiabilidad de la velocidad media propulsiva (VMP) entre tres variantes del ejercicio de press de banca (PB). Quince hombres con experiencia y 15 sin experiencia con el ejercicio de PB realizaron en orden aleatorizado tres variantes del ejercicio de PB en diferentes sesiones (sólo-concéntrico, excéntrico-rápido y excéntrico-controlado). La VMP se registró ante tres cargas (≈ 30%1RM, 50%1RM y 75%1RM) con un transductor lineal de velocidad. La fiabilidad fue siempre alta (coeficiente de variación [CV] ≤ 5,76%, coeficiente de correlación intraclase [CCI] ≥ 0,74). La comparación de los CV reveló una mayor fiabilidad para las variantes sólo-concéntrico y excéntrico-rápido en comparación con la variante excéntrico-controlado (CV ratio > 1,15), no existiendo diferencias significativas en fiabilidad entre las variantes sólo-concéntrico y excéntrico-rápido (CV ratio < 1,15). No se observaron diferencias en fiabilidad entre los participantes con (CV ≤ 5,76%; CCI ≥ 0,83) y sin experiencia (CV ≤ 5,21%; CCI ≥ 0,74). Estos resultados apoyan el uso de las modalidades de PB sólo-concéntrico y excéntrico-rápido para evaluar la fuerza de los miembros superiores a través de la medición de la velocidad de ejecución en participantes con y sin  experiencia con el ejercicio de PB.Award-winningPremio Congreso SIBB 2019Peer Reviewe

Escuelas nacionales de arte de Cubanacán. Diagnóstico y proyecto de restauración de artes plásticas

This article that is presented picks up the result s of the investigations and the restoration project carried out one of the diffused works in the Cuban modern movement, the School of Plastic Arts of Cubanacán, included in the list of monuments of the World Monument Watch. The investigative work, of high scientific rigor, was executed by a multidisciplinary team that was responsible for the determination of the characteristics and quality of the materials, the dimensional risings, of the types and of the pathology, the existent microbial agents, and the forms structural employees and its behaviour. In the structural investigations different techniques were used of diagnostic. The analysis of the causes and the structural solutions leaned on in three-dimensional models and automated planes, what facilitated the interpretation and analysis of the genesis of the damages and of their solution variants. The investigation corroborated that the thermal dilation is the cause of the cracking. accompanied by the humidity like its second cause and origin of great part of the present lesions . The taken solutions are managed to allow that the structure absorb s the thermal dilations and structural movements , with out creating additional risks to the construction, as well as to clean up. to consolidate or to substitute the affected areas.El artículo que se presenta recoge los resultados de las investigaciones y el proyecto de restauración realizados a una de las obras más difundidas del movimiento moderno cubano. la Escuela de Artes Plásticas de Cubanacán, inscrita en la lista de monumentos de la World Monument Watch. El trabajo de investigación, de alto rigor científico, se llevó a cabo por un equipo multidisciplinario que tuvo a su cargo la determinación de las características y calidad de los materiales, los levantamientos dimensionales, tipológicos y patológicos, los agentes microbianos existentes y las formas estructurales empleadas y su comportamiento. En los estudios estructurales se emplearon diferentes técnicas de diagnóstico. El análisis de las causas y las so luciones estructurales se basó en modelos tridimensionales y planos automatizados. lo que facilitó la interpretación y análisis del origen de los daños y de sus vías de solución. La investigación corroboró que la dilatación térmica es la causa del agrietamiento. seguida de la humedad como segunda causa y, origen de gran parte de las lesiones presentes . Las so luciones tomadas están dirigidas a permitir que la estructura absorba las dilataciones térmicas y movimientos estructurales, sin crear riesgos adicionales a la edificación. así como sanear. consolidar o sustituir las zonas afectadas

¿La cirugia bariatrica mejora sensiblemente la calidad de vida del paciente?

Objective: The aim of this investigation was to assess the effect of malabsorptive bariatric surgery (BS) on the quality of life (QoL), applying the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) and the bariatric analysis and reporting outcome system (BAROS). Design: A prospective cohort study was performed in 100 adult patients (> 18 years) undergoing bariatric surgery by malabsorptive technique for one year. Research methods and procedures: Patients were monitored from the beginning of the BS program until a year after the intervention, applying the NHP and the BAROS test. At baseline, the mean weight of the women was 132 ± 22 kg and the Body Mass Index (BMI) was 50.7 kg/m2. Results: The values obtained from different areas applying the NHP questionnaire showed statistical significant differences (p < 0.001) with respect to baseline values. According to the BAROS test, 48% of patients lost 25-49% of weight excess and 80.8% had resolved major comorbidities at 1 yr. According to the Moorehead-Ardelt QoL score, there were major improvements in employment and self-esteem in 89% and 87% of patients, respectively, and improvements in physical activity, sexual and social relationships. According to the total mean BAROS score, the outcome was considered “very good”. Conclusion: NHP and BAROS questionnaires appear to be useful and easily applicable tools to assess the QoL of obese patients.Introducción: La obesidad mórbida suele acompañarse de enfermedades graves asociadas que provocan una menor expectativa y peor calidad de vida (CV). Objetivos: evaluar el efecto de la cirugía bariátrica (CB) por técnicas malabsortivas sobre la CV, utilizado (Perfil de Salud del Nottingham (PSN) y el Bariatric analysis and reporting outcome system (BAROS). Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, descriptivo, desde Octubre del 2002 hasta Mayo de 2006, seguimiento a los pacientes desde el inicio al protocolo de CB hasta el año post-intervención., donde se incluyeron 100 pacientes. El 86% mujeres, el peso inicial medio 132±22 kg y IMC de 50,7 kg/m2. Se aplicaron 2 cuestionarios: PSN y el BAROS. Resultado: Los valores obtenidos de las diferentes áreas aplicando el cuestionario PSN al año de la intervención muestran diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0,001) con los valores iniciales. Según BAROS: Porcentaje de sobrepeso perdido (%SP). El 48% de los pacientes perdió entre el 25 y el 49% de su exceso de peso. Condiciones médicas. El 80,8% habían resuelto todas las comorbilidades mayores. CV de Moorehead Ardelt. El aspecto más mejorado fue el empleo el 89% , autoestima solo el 13% no presentó cambios, las áreas de la actividad física, relaciones sexuales y sociales fueron consideradas como mucho mejor. Basándonos en esta clasificación nuestros resultados se pueden calificar de “muy buenos”. Conclusión: Los cuestionarios PSN y BAROS parecen ser herramientas útiles y de fácil aplicación para evaluar la calidad de vida de los pacientes obesos

An amino acid substitution found in animals with low susceptibility to prion diseases confers a protective dominant-negative effect in prion-infected transgenic mice

While prion diseases have been described in numerous species, some, including those of the Canidae family, appear to show resistance or reduced susceptibility. A better understanding of the factors underlying prion susceptibility is crucial for the development of effective treatment and control measures. We recently demonstrated resistance to prion infection in mice overexpressing a mutated prion protein (PrP) carrying a specific amino acid substitution characteristic of canids. Here, we show that coexpression of this mutated PrP and wild-type mouse PrP in transgenic mice inoculated with different mouse-adapted prion strains (22 L, ME7, RML, and 301C) significantly increases survival times (by 45 to 113%). These data indicate that this amino acid substitution confers a dominant-negative effect on PrP, attenuating the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc and delaying disease onset without altering the neuropathological properties of the prion strains. Taken together, these findings have important implications for the development of new treatment approaches for prion diseases based on dominant-negative proteins

Reliability of low-cost near-infrared spectroscopy in the determination of muscular oxygen saturation and hemoglobin concentration during rest, isometric and dynamic strength activity

Indexación ScopusBackground: The objective of this study was to establish the reliability of the Humon Hex near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) in determining muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) and hemoglobin concentration (Hgb) at rest and during isometric and dynamic strength exercises using a functional electromechanical dynamometer (FEMD). Methods: The SmO2 and Hgb values of sixteen healthy adults (mean ± standard deviation (SD): Age = 36.1 ± 6.4 years) were recorded at rest and during isometry (8 s), dynamic strength I (initial load of 40% of the average isometric load, with 2 kg increments until muscle failure) and dynamic strength II (same as I, but with an initial load of 40% of the maximum isometric load) activity. To evaluate the reliability in the determination of SmO2 and Hgb of this device, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and coefficient of variation (CV) were obtained. Results: The main results obtained are SmO2 at rest (CV = 5.76%, SEM = 3.81, ICC = 0.90), isometric strength (CV = 3.03%, SEM = 2.08, ICC = 0.92), dynamic strength I (CV = 10.6, SEM = 7.17, ICC = 0.22) and dynamic strength II (CV = 9.69, SEM = 6.75, ICC = 0.32); Hgb at rest (CV = 1.97%, SEM = 0.24, ICC = 0.65), isometric strength (CV = 0.98%, SEM = 0.12, ICC = 0.96), dynamic strength I (CV = 3.25, SEM = 0.40, ICC = 0.54) and dynamic strength II (CV = 2.74, SEM = 0.34, ICC = 0.65). Conclusions: The study shows that Humon Hex is a reliable device to obtain SmO2 and Hgb data in healthy adult subjects at rest and during isometric strength, providing precision for measurements made with this device. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/23/882

Glutaminase and MMP-9 downregulation in cortex and hippocampus of LPA1 receptor null mice correlate with altered dendritic spine plasticity

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an extracellular lipid mediator that regulates nervous system development and functions acting through G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Here we explore the crosstalk between LPA1 receptor and glutamatergic transmission by examining expression of glutaminase (GA) isoforms in different brain areas isolated from wild-type (WT) and KOLPA1 mice. Silencing of LPA1 receptor induced a severe down-regulation of Gls-encoded long glutaminase protein variant (KGA) (glutaminase gene encoding the kidney-type isoforms, GLS) protein expression in several brain regions, particularly in brain cortex and hippocampus. Immunohistochemical assessment of protein levels for the second type of glutaminase (GA) isoform, glutaminase gene encoding the liver-type isoforms (GLS2), did not detect substantial differences with regard to WT animals. The regional mRNA levels of GLS were determined by real time RT-PCR and did not show significant variations, except for prefrontal and motor cortex values which clearly diminished in KO mice. Total GA activity was also significantly reduced in prefrontal and motor cortex, but remained essentially unchanged in the hippocampus and rest of brain regions examined, suggesting activation of genetic compensatory mechanisms and/or post-translational modifications to compensate for KGA protein deficit. Remarkably, Golgi staining of hippocampal regions showed an altered morphology of glutamatergic pyramidal cells dendritic spines towards a less mature filopodia-like phenotype, as compared with WT littermates. This structural change correlated with a strong decrease of active matrix-metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of KOLPA1 mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate that LPA signaling through LPA1 influence expression of the main isoenzyme of glutamate biosynthesis with strong repercussions on dendritic spines maturation, which may partially explain the cognitive and learning defects previously reported for this colony of KOLPA1 mice

A large, ten-generation family with autosomal dominant preaxial polydactyly/triphalangeal thumb: Historical, clinical, genealogical, and molecular studies

We present a large, ten-generation family of 273 individuals with 84 people having preaxial polydactyly/triphalangeal thumb due to a pathogenic variant in the zone of polarizing activity regulatory sequence (ZRS) within the exon 5 of LMBR1. The causative change maps to position 396 of the ZRS, located at position c.423 + 4909C > T (chr7:156791480; hg38; LMBR1 ENST00000353442.10; rs606231153 NG_009240.2) in the intron 5 of LMBR1. The first affected individual with the disorder was traced back to mid-1700, when some settlers and workers established in Cervera de Buitrago, a small village about 82 km North to Madrid. Clinical and radiological studies of most of the affected members have been performed for 42 years (follow-up of the family by LFGA). Molecular studies have confirmed a pathogenic variant in the ZRS that segregates in this family. To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest family with preaxial polydactyly/triphalangeal thumb reported so far.Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Grant/Award Number: PI20/0105