Martial arts and combat sports in the Spanish No-Do newsreels

[EN] In Spain during the Franco era (1939–1975), No‐Do (News and Documentaries) were short newsreels that were compulsoril

Research into the history of martial arts and combat sports in Spain: the Noticiarios y documentales (No-Do – News newsreels (1943–1981)

P. 11-20Antecedentes y objetivo: durante la dictadura de Franco en España (1939–1975), No-Do fueron noticieros cortos que debían mostrarse antes de las proyecciones en los cines. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las noticias sobre artes marciales y deportes de combate (MA&CS) que se muestran en los noticiarios No-Do. Metodología: los 4011 noticiarios contenidos en el Archivo Histórico No-Do fueron la principal fuente de información para este estudio. Utilizamos el motor de búsqueda del sitio web Archive para la recopilación de datos. Luego se analizaron los resultados individualmente y luego se completó una tarjeta para cada una de las noticias seleccionadas. Resultados: el número total de informes recuperados en MA&CS fue de 266. La tasa de noticias de MA&CS por año fue irregular, y osciló entre cero y diecinueve. En cuanto al tipo de historia, las noticias regulares (71.8%) dominaron sobre los cortos de noticias (14.3%) y el reportaje (12.8%). El alcance geográfico de las noticias se equilibró entre los niveles nacional (38%) e internacional (43,2%). Al menos veinte estilos separados de MA&CS fueron mencionados. Los artículos de MA&CS transmitidos fueron principalmente boxeo internacional (42.2%), lucha libre profesional (19.4%), judo (12.3), esgrima (7.1%), karate (4.5%) y jiu-jitsu (2.6%). Los otros MA&CS (por ejemplo, lucha grecorromana, kendo, muay thai, taekwondo o capoeira) oscilaron entre uno y cinco artículos (0.4-1.9%). Conclusión: el No-Do puede ser considerado como una buena fuente de información para enriquecer el estudio de la historia y la evolución de MA&CS en EspañaS

Martial arts and combat sports in the Spanish No-Do newsreels

P. 108-109Artículo que repasa las apariciones de noticias sobre artes marciales y deportes de combate en España durante el franquismo.S

Prevalence of heart failure in the spanish general population aged over 45 years. the PRICE study

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives. Congestive heart failure is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality and both its incidence and prevalence are high. Nevertheless, comprehensive data on this condition in Spain are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of congestive heart failure in Spain. Methods. A demographic study which involved the participation of 15 healthcare centers throughout Spain was carried out. In each health area, a random sample was taken of the population aged 45 years or more. These individuals were examined by their primary care physicians, who made their diagnoses using Framingham criteria. Individuals who satisfied criteria for congestive heart failure were referred to a cardiologist for confirmation of the diagnosis and for echocardiography. Results. Overall, 1776 individuals were evaluated. Their mean age was 64±12 years (range, 45-100 years) and 44% were male. Of these, 242 were referred to a cardiologist. The weighted prevalence of congestive heart failure was 6.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4-8.7). The prevalence was similar in men (6.5%, 95% CI 4.7-8.4) and women (7%, 95% CI 4.4-9.6). When analyzed by age, the prevalence was 1.3% (0.4%-2.1%) in those aged 45-54 years, 5.5% (2.4%-8.5%) in those aged 55-64 years, 8% (4.2%-11.8%) in those aged 65-74 years, and16.1% (11%-21.1%) in those aged over 74 years. Conclusions. Prevalence of congestive heart failure in Spain is high, at about 7%-8%. The prevalence was similar in males and females, and appeared to increase with age.[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. La insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva (ICC) tiene elevadas incidencia, morbilidad y mortalidad y una gran prevalencia. Sin embargo, no hay datos directos sobre este aspecto en nuestro país. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es evaluar la prevalencia de ICC en España. Métodos. Se diseñó un estudio poblacional en el que participaron 15 centros repartidos por toda España. Se seleccionó de forma aleatoria una muestra de la población de 45 o más años de edad atendida en cada área de salud, que fue estudiada por sus médicos de atención primaria. Se utilizaron los criterios de Framingham para el diagnóstico. Las personas con criterios de ICC fueron remitidas a una consulta de cardiología para confirmación diagnóstica y realización de ecocardiograma. Resultados. Se evaluó a 1.776 personas, con una media ± desviación estándar (intervalo) de edad de 64 ± 12 (45-100) años; eran varones el 44%. Se remitió a cardiología a 242 pacientes. La prevalencia ponderada de ICC fue del 6,8% (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 4%-8,7). La prevalencia fue similar en varones (6,5%; IC del 95%, 4,7-8,4) y en mujeres (7%; IC del 95%, 4,4-9,6). Por edades, la prevalencia fue del 1,3% (0,4%-2,1%) entre los 45 y 54 años; el 5,5% (2,4%-8,5%) entre 55 y 64 años; el 8% (4,2%-11,8%) entre 65 y 74 años, y el 16,1% (11%-21,1%) en personas de 75 o más años. Conclusiones. La prevalencia de ICC en España es alta, en torno a un 7-8%. La prevalencia es similar en varones y mujeres, y parece aumentar con la edad

Diseño y desarrollo de un vehículo híbrido multipropósito y ligero para servicios urbanos

La necesidad de reducir las emisiones de CO2 ha obligado a los fabricantes de automóviles a mejorar el consumo de combustible de sus vehículos y a desarrollar arquitecturas híbridas de propulsión, tanto gasolina – eléctrico como con pila de combustible. Aunque la configuración de este tipo de vehículos híbridos puede ser similar a la de los tradicionales de motor térmico, nuevos componentes implican nuevas posibilidades de reconfigurar el sistema de propulsión, diferentes distribuciones de volúmenes y pesos, de manera que se puede mejorar su dinámica y sus prestaciones. El origen del proyecto presentado es la respuesta del INSIA a las necesidades de una empresa de equipamiento urbano de tener un vehículo híbrido para aplicaciones ligeras. Está diseñado para equipar diferentes configuraciones híbridas, tanto de gasolina como de pila de combustible y, por petición del cliente, dispone de paneles solares en el techo de la cabina y de la caja de carga

Molecular Determinants of Kv1.3 Potassium Channels-induced Proliferation

Producción CientíficaChanges in voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv channels) associate to proliferation in many cell types, including transfected HEK293 cells. In this system Kv1.5 overexpression decreases proliferation, whereas Kv1.3 expression increases it independently of K+ fluxes. To identify Kv1.3 domains involved in a proliferation-associated signaling mechanism(s), we constructed chimeric Kv1.3-Kv1.5 channels and point-mutant Kv1.3 channels, which were expressed as GFP- or cherry-fusion proteins. We studied their trafficking and functional expression, combining immunocytochemical and electrophysiological methods, and their impact on cell proliferation. We found that the C terminus is necessary for Kv1.3-induced proliferation. We distinguished two residues (Tyr-447 and Ser-459) whose mutation to alanine abolished proliferation. The insertion into Kv1.5 of a sequence comprising these two residues increased proliferation rate. Moreover, Kv1.3 voltage-dependent transitions from closed to open conformation induced MEK-ERK1/2-dependent Tyr-447 phosphorylation. We conclude that the mechanisms for Kv1.3-induced proliferation involve the accessibility of key docking sites at the C terminus. For one of these sites (Tyr-447) we demonstrated the contribution of MEK/ERK-dependent phosphorylation, which is regulated by voltage-induced conformational changes.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO), Instituto de Salud Carlos III y Programa Estatal de Investigación , Fundación Ramón Areces y Consejería de Sanidad de la Junta de Castilla y León

Modelling aboveground biomass and fuel load components at stand level in shrub communities in NW Spain

Shrub-dominated ecosystems cover large areas globally and play essential roles in ecological processes. Aboveground biomass expressed on an area basis (AGB) is central to many of the ecological processes and services provided by shrublands and is important as the main fuel source for wildfires. Hence, its accurate estimation in shrublands is crucial for ecologists and land managers. This is especially relevant in fire-prone regions such as NW Spain, where shrublands are an important part of the landscape, providing multiple services, but are severely impacted by wildfires. Although biomass models are available for numerous shrub species at the individual plant level, operational models based directly on easily measured shrub stand attributes are scarce. In this study, equations for estimating AGB and loads of different fuel components by size and condition (live and dead) from stand biometric variables were developed for the nine most prevalent shrub communities in NW Spain. Non-linear iterative seemingly unrelated regression was used to fit compatible systems of equations for estimating fuel loads, with shrub stand height and cover and litter depth as predictors for individual shrub communities and all data combined. In general, the goodness-of-fit statistics indicated that the estimates were reasonably accurate for all communities (grouped and ungrouped). The best results were obtained for AGB and total fuel load, including litter, whereas the poorest results were obtained for standing live and dead fine fuel load. Model performance was reduced when height was the only independent variable, although the reduction was small for most fuel categories, except litter load for which the variability was adequately explained by the litter depth. These results illustrate the feasibility of the stand level approach for constructing operational models of shrub fuel load that are accurate for most of fuel components, while also highlighting the ongoing challenges in live and dead fine fuel modelling. The equations developed represent an appreciable advance in shrubland biomass assessment in the region and areas with similar characteristics and may be instrumental in generating fuel maps, fire management improvement and better C storage assessment by vegetation, among other many usesS

Efecto de un programa de formación en atención primaria sobre la optimización del tratamiento con bloqueadores beta en pacientes ancianos con insuficiencia cardiaca

[Abstract] Introduction and objectives. Underuse of beta-blockers may contribute to elevated mortality in chronic heart failure. The aim of this study was to determine whether a specific interventional training program for primary care physicians would help optimize the use of beta-blockers in elderly chronic heart failure patients. Methods. This randomized comparative study included 627 patients aged 70 years or more who were discharged consecutively from 53 Spanish hospitals with a principal diagnosis of chronic heart failure. In total, 292 health-care centers in the catchment areas of these hospitals were randomly assigned to two groups: one group of 146 centers carried out an interventional training program on beta-blocker use for primary care physicians belonging to the centers assigned to training, and 146 centers served as a control group. The main outcome variable was the percentage of patients who were receiving a beta-blocker at the maximum or maximum tolerated dose 3 months after hospital discharge. Results. The patients’ mean age was 78±5 years and 42% were women. There was no difference between the groups in demographic characteristics, clinical care, or treatment at discharge. The percentage of patients who received beta-blockers at the maximum tolerated dose 3 months after discharge was greater in the training group (49% vs. 38%; P=.014). Being treated in the training group was an independent predictor of receiving a beta-blocker at the MTD (odds ratio=2.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.29-4.69; P<.001). Conclusions. Implementation of an interventional training program on beta-blocker treatment for primary care physicians improved the use of these medications in elderly chronic heart failure patients.[Resumen] Introducción y objetivos. La infrautilización de bloqueadores beta puede influir en la elevada mortalidad de la insuficiencia cardiaca. El objetivo de nuestro estudio es evaluar si un programa específico de intervención sobre médicos de atención primaria permite optimizar el uso de bloqueadores beta en pacientes ancianos con insuficiencia cardiaca. Métodos. Se diseñó un estudio aleatorizado y comparativo en el que se incluyó a 627 pacientes de 70 o más años, dados de alta de forma consecutiva con el diagnóstico principal de insuficiencia cardiaca en 53 hospitales españoles. Se realizó una asignación aleatoria de los 292 centros de salud de las áreas de esos hospitales a dos grupos (formación, 146 centros, y control, 146 centros), para impartir un programa de intervención y formación sobre bloqueadores beta a los médicos pertenecientes a los centros del grupo formación. La variable principal fue el porcentaje de pacientes que recibían la dosis máxima o máxima tolerada de bloqueadores beta a los 3 meses del alta. Resultados. La edad de los pacientes era de 78 ± 5 años; el 42% eran mujeres. No hubo diferencias entre ambos grupos en sus características demográficas, clínicas o en el tratamiento al alta. El porcentaje de pacientes que recibían la dosis máxima tolerada de bloqueadores beta a los 3 meses del alta fue mayor en el grupo formación (el 49 frente al 38%; p = 0,014); pertenecer al grupo formación fue predictor independiente de recibir la dosis máxima tolerada de bloqueadores beta (odds ratio = 2,46; intervalo de confianza del 95%, 1,29-4,69; p < 0,001). Conclusiones. Un programa de formación sobre bloqueadores beta en atención primaria mejora su uso en pacientes ancianos con insuficiencia cardiaca

Structure and function of the N-terminal extension of the formin INF2

In INF2—a formin linked to inherited renal and neurological disease in humans—the DID is preceded by a short N-terminal extension of unknown structure and function. INF2 activation is achieved by Ca2+-dependent association of calmodulin (CaM). Here, we show that the N-terminal extension of INF2 is organized into two α-helices, the first of which is necessary to maintain the perinuclear F-actin ring and normal cytosolic F-actin content. Biochemical assays indicated that this helix interacts directly with CaM and contains the sole CaM-binding site (CaMBS) detected in INF2. The residues W11, L14 and L18 of INF2, arranged as a 1-4-8 motif, were identified as the most important residues for the binding, W11 being the most critical of the three. This motif is conserved in vertebrate INF2 and in the human population. NMR and biochemical analyses revealed that CaM interacts directly through its C-terminal lobe with the INF2 CaMBS. Unlike control cells, INF2 KO cells lacked the perinuclear F-actin ring, had little cytosolic F-actin content, did not respond to increased Ca2+ concentrations by making more F-actin, and maintained the transcriptional cofactor MRTF predominantly in the cytoplasm. Whereas expression of intact INF2 restored all these defects, INF2 with inactivated CaMBS did not. Our study reveals the structure of the N-terminal extension, its interaction with Ca2+/CaM, and its function in INF2 activatio