BIOMECHANICS OF JUMPS IN RHYTHMIC SPORT GYMNASTICS (RSG) KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE PRINCIPAL JUMPS IN RSG

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze the fundamental kinematic parameters and the technique used in RSG to perform the ‘leap jump’, the ‘leap jump with trunk extension and foot at head’, the ‘corso jump with trunk extension and foot at head’, and the ‘lateral removal jump’. These jumps are the basic jumps in RSG and the most usual in the routines of high level RSG gymnasts. METHODS: Twenty-nine junior high level RSG gymnasts aged 12.9±1.1years, 36.4±6.4 Kg weight and 152.8±8.2 cm height, and seventeen senior high level RSG gymnasts aged 15.7±1.1 years, 47.6±5.5 Kg weight and 165.0±6.2 cm height were observed. Each gymnast performed the four different jumps of their routines, and an international judge selected the best of three attempts. The jumps were filmed and analyzed using the Peak 5 System (Peak Performance Technologies Inc. – Video and Analog Motion Measurement Systems), and the different kinematics parameters observed were: duration of the take off, flight phase and total time of the jumps; horizontal distance traveled; height of the center of mass (CM) at take off, highest point, and the total height of the jumps; linear velocity of CM at take off (horizontal, vertical and resultant); angle of outlet at take off; angle of maximal removal of lower legs during the flight phase; trunk/thigh angle at the highest point of the jump and finally the minimal trunk/thigh angle reached during the flight phase. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The main results of the kinematics parameters show that in both groups of gymnasts the kinematic structure of the basic jumps in RSG may be described solely according to the following parameters: duration of the take off, duration of the flight phase, height of the CM on take off, height of the CM at the highest point, linear velocity of CM at take off (horizontal and vertical), angle of outlet on take off and angle of maximal removal of lower legs during the flight phase. The angle of outlet at take off was the kinematic parameter with the greatest influence on the performance of the junior and senior high gymnasts during the execution of these jumps. REFERENCES: Lisitkaja, T.S. (1985). Ginnastica Ritmica. Societa’ Stampa Sportiva, Rome, Italy. Manoni, L. (1986). Analisi Biomeccanica Computerizzata con Metodo Cinematografico della Doppia Enjambèe. Gymnica, Primo Semestre. Micheles, C.; Ruat, M. (1997). Classification des Sauts à partir de l’étude des Actions Motrices Déclenchées pendant la Phase Aérienne. GRS: Le Sens d’une Évolution. Insep-Publications 18-19,123-129

Convergence among EU Regions (1990-2001): Quality of National Institutions and "Objective 1" Status

This article focuses on convergence in terms of output per working-age person across regions in the European Union for the period 1990-2001. Controlling for the quality of national institutions, we investigate whether the status of “objective 1” region improves the speed of convergence as compared to what would be expected, given the regions’ initial conditions. We find evidence of conditional convergence among EU regions, with the quality of national institutions having a positive impact, but no evidence on a correlation between the eligibility for objective 1 and faster convergence.Convergence, economic growth, European Union, institutions

THE SWALLOW ELEMENT AND MUSCULAR ACTIVATIONS

Swallow is a strength hold element performed on rings routines by the world best gymnasts. The competitive value and the elements intrinsic difficulty are the main reasons to study it from the biomechanical point of view. The aim of this study was to characterize the swallow element in order to identify the muscular activation of the different muscles to create strategies of progression to learn this skill. Surface electromyography was used to evaluate 8 muscles during swallow performance in competitive contest. Results suggest that to perform the swallow element is necessary to stabilize the shoulder joint by activating infraspinatus, serratus anterior and trapezius inferior muscles, which will allow the anterior muscles to support the body mass in balance

Nanosafety: an evolving concept to bring the safest possible nanomaterials to society and environment

The use of nanomaterials has been increasing in recent times, and they are widely used in industries such as cosmetics, drugs, food, water treatment, and agriculture. The rapid development of new nanomaterials demands a set of approaches to evaluate the potential toxicity and risks related to them. In this regard, nanosafety has been using and adapting already existing methods (toxicological approach), but the unique characteristics of nanomaterials demand new approaches (nanotoxicology) to fully understand the potential toxicity, immunotoxicity, and (epi)genotoxicity. In addition, new technologies, such as organs-on-chips and sophisticated sensors, are under development and/or adaptation. All the information generated is used to develop new in silico approaches trying to predict the potential effects of newly developed materials. The overall evaluation of nanomaterials from their production to their final disposal chain is completed using the life cycle assessment (LCA), which is becoming an important element of nanosafety considering sustainability and environmental impact. In this review, we give an overview of all these elements of nanosafety.European Union’s H2020 project Sinfonia (N.857253). SbDToolBox, with reference NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000047, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fun

Dificuldades e estratégias na integração ao cuidado da pessoa em situação crítica: uma scoping review

Introduction: The nurses’ integration in specialized care provision to critically ill patients is an increasing concern in the context of hiring and mobilizing nursing professionals. An adequate integration is crucial for the nurses’ success and adaptation to the new service, as well as to ensure the quality and safety of the provided care. Objective: To map the existing knowledge on the difficulties experienced by nurses, as well as on the strategies that facilitate their integration in specialized care provision to the critically ill. Method: A scoping review was conducted, following the method proposed in the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ Manual 2015. The following were used as inclusion criteria: Population - nurses; Concept - the experienced difficulties and the strategies employed to facilitate the nurses’ integration; Context - the provision of care to the critically ill. A total of 13 articles, published until May 2020, were included. Results: The following difficulties were reported: communication issues with the team, as well as with the patients and/or their relatives; overall stress; dealing with complex health conditions, as well as with intricate procedures and/or techniques; work overload; high staff turnover rate between services; dealing with a patient’s death and/or with organ donation planning. The following were pointed out as facilitating strategies: simulated practice; performing teamwork; assignment of a nursing supervisor/tutor; receiving feedback; developing resilience mechanisms. Conclusion: As regards care provision, the nurses’ integration process requires planning and the inclusion of facilitating strategies is crucial. Simulated practice leads to the acquisition of fundamental skills, as does the assignment of a nursing supervisor/tutor and receiving feedback on the conducted tasks. In addition to overcoming the difficulties experienced, these strategies also allow developing resilience and coping mechanisms, which help prevent burnout and the adverse effects caused by the high staff turnover rate between services.Introdução: A integração do enfermeiro no cuidado à pessoa em situação crítica constitui uma preocupação cada vez maior devido à mobilização e contratação de profissionais de enfermagem. Uma integração adequada é crucial para o sucesso e adaptação do enfermeiro ao novo serviço, garantindo a qualidade e segurança do cuidado. Objetivo: Mapear o conhecimento relativamente às dificuldades sentidas pelo enfermeiro e estratégias que podem facilitar a sua integração no cuidado à pessoa em situação crítica. Método: Foi realizada uma Scoping Review, com base no Joanna Briggs Institute. Critérios de inclusão: População - enfermeiro; Conceito - dificuldades sentidas e as estratégias facilitadoras na integração; Contexto - cuidado à pessoa em situação crítica. Foram incluídos 13 artigos, publicados até maio de 2020. Resultados: Dificuldades sentidas pelos enfermeiros: comunicação com a equipa, pessoa em situação crítica e/ou familiares; stress; complexidade da situação de saúde, técnicas e/ou procedimentos realizados; sobrecarga de trabalho; rotatividade de enfermeiros entre serviços; lidar com a morte e/ou a doação de órgãos. Estratégias facilitadoras: simulação de situações reais; trabalho em equipa; enfermeiro de referência/tutor; transmissão de feedback; estratégias de resiliência. Conclusão: O processo de integração requer planeamento, sendo crucial o desenvolvimento de estratégias que o facilitem. O treino através da simulação de práticas leva à aquisição de competências fundamentais para o cuidado, tal como a atribuição de um enfermeiro tutor e feedback sobre o trabalho desenvolvido. Isto permite colmatar as dificuldades sentidas através da construção da resiliência e estratégias de coping, prevenindo o burnout e a rotatividade dos profissionais entre serviços.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of chitosan-based nanoparticles for nasal immunization against hepatitis B

Tese de doutoramento em Ciências Farmacêuticas, na especialidade de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, apresentada à Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de CoimbraVaccines are one of medicine greatest achievements, reducing the incidence of infectious diseases and eradicating otherwise fatal diseases worldwide. However, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still a major global health concern and the most common cause of chronic liver disease and mortality from hepatocellular carcinoma. New generation vaccines are needed in order to overcome the limitations of the current HBV vaccines in the market. In this regard, mucosal immunization constitutes an attractive alternative to the available parenteral vaccine, especially in developing countries, since it would be best suited for mass immunization and would provide protection at the pathogen entry site. The main objective of this thesis was to develop the next generation of HBV vaccines exploiting the immunomodulatory and mucoadhesive properties of chitosan-based delivery nanoparticles. This strategy would improve not only mucosal- and cell-mediated immunity, but would also allow the vaccine to be efficiently administered through the nasal mucosa. To achieve this goal, two different approaches were developed and tested. First, a novel prototypic system combining two well-established immunopotentiators, chitosan and aluminium salts, was produced to deliver hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Adjuvant combination has been considered a promising strategy to boost immunogenicity. The second approach involved the generation of a gene delivery system consisting of complexes of human serum albumin (HSA)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles with DNA (HSA-CH NP/DNA) encoding HBsAg. The two delivery systems were characterized and evaluated, both in vitro and in vivo. In order to fulfill the main goal, we established a detailed methodology to easily obtain large quantities of endotoxin-free chitosan without modifying its immunomodulatory properties. Bacterial endotoxins content was assessed according to the recommendations of the International Council for Harmonization (ICH) guideline and validated with in vitro data. Chitosan-aluminium nanoparticles (CH-Al NPs) were prepared using a nanoprecipitation technique; the optimal formulation exhibited a mean diameter of 280 nm and a positive surface charge, showing no cytotoxic effects in two different cell lines and in a primary culture of splenocytes, in the dose used for in vivo studies. In vitro uptake studies showed that CH-Al NPs were efficiently internalized by epithelial cells, demonstrating potential as a delivery system for a wide range of model antigens. Immunization studies showed that mice subcutaneously immunized with HBsAg adjuvanted with CH NPs displayed enhanced humoral and cellular immune responses. To understand the underlying mechanisms of adjuvanticity of CH-Al NPs, the ability of CH-Al NPs to promote dendritic cell (DC) activation and their potential to stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses was assessed. Results were correlated to those obtained with chitosan in solution (CH sol.) and conventional chitosan particles (CH-Na NPs). All the formulations were capable of modulating Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9 agonist, CpG, induced cytokine secretion in bone-marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and induced DC maturation in the absence of cytokine production. After intraperitoneal (I.P.) injection, CH-Al NPs were capable of generating a local immune response comparable to that elicited by the vaccine adjuvant alum, with recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils and concomitant disappearance of resident macrophages and mast cells. After vaccination with CH-Al NPs in combination with HBsAg, mice developed high antigen-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers in the serum, as well as in nasal and vaginal washes, generating an overall improved immune profile in comparison to the commercially available vaccine Engerix-B. In the second approach, a DNA vaccine was developed in which a plasmid coding for the HBsAg was adsorbed on the surface of the HSA-loaded CH NPs. The presence of HSA enhanced transfection activity and facilitated DNA release from the complex by weakening the interaction between positively charged nanoparticles and negatively charged plasmid DNA (pDNA). To assess in vivo the value of the developed formulation, immunization studies were conducted. Nasal immunization with HSA-CH NP/DNA complexes elicited high levels of serum anti-HBsAg IgG and antigen-specific IgA in nasal and vaginal secretions, while no systemic or mucosal responses were detected after immunization with DNA alone. These results confirm the ability of this novel delivery system to generate a mucosal immune response, making it a valuable adjuvant for nasal vaccination against HBV. Overall, our findings add to our knowledge of the mechanism of action of chitosan-based formulations and illustrate that proper design is vital in order to generate an effective adjuvant for HBV vaccines, capable of driving mucosal immune responses in addition to potent humoral and cell-mediated immunity.As vacinas são uma das maiores conquistas da medicina, reduzindo a incidência de doenças infeciosas e erradicando mundialmente doenças que outrora seriam fatais. Apesar de existir no mercado uma vacina profilática contra a hepatite B, a infeção pelo vírus da hepatite B (VHB) continua a ser um dos principais problemas de saúde pública e a causa mais comum de doença hepática crónica e mortalidade por carcinoma hepatocelular. É por isso necessário uma nova geração de vacinas que ultrapassem as limitações das vacinas contra o VHB atualmente no mercado. Nesse sentido, a imunização pelas mucosas constitui uma alternativa apelativa à vacina parentérica disponível, especialmente nos países em desenvolvimento, uma vez que seria mais adequada para imunização em massa e proporcionaria proteção no local de entrada do patogéneo, nomeadamente no caso de uma doença sexualmente transmitida. Neste sentido, o principal objetivo desta tese consiste em desenvolver a próxima geração de vacinas contra o VHB explorando as propriedades imunomoduladoras e mucoadesivas de nanopartículas à base de quitosano. Esta nova vacina melhoraria não só a imunidade ao nível das mucosas e a mediada por células, como permitiria que a vacina fosse administrada de forma eficiente através da mucosa nasal. Para atingir este objetivo, duas estratégias diferentes foram desenvolvidas e testadas. Primeiro, foi otimizado um novo sistema protótipico de liberação do antigénio de superfície do vírus da hepatite B (HBsAg), combinando dois imunopotenciadores bem estabelecidos, o quitosano e os sais de alumínio, uma vez que a combinação de adjuvantes tem sido considerada uma estratégia promissora para potenciar a resposta imunológica; segundo, foram também desenvolvidos complexos de nanopartículas de quitosano carregados com albumina de soro humano (HSA) e complexados com ADN (HSACH NP/ADN), usados para estimular a resposta imune sistémica e nas mucosas após administração intranasal. Os dois sistemas de libertação de moléculas ativas foram caracterizados e avaliados quer in vitro, quer in vivo. Para cumprir o objetivo principal, estabelecemos uma metodologia detalhada de modo a obter facilmente quitosano livre de endotoxinas, sem comprometer as suas propriedades bioquímicas. O conteúdo das endotoxinas bacterianas foi avaliado em conformidade com as recomendações da diretiva do Conselho Internacional de Harmonização (ICH) e validado com dados obtidos em estudos in vitro. As nanopartículas de quitosano alumínio (CH-Al NPs) foram preparadas utilizando uma técnica de nanoprecipitação; a formulação otimizada exibiu um diâmetro médio de 280 nm e uma carga de superfície positiva, não apresentando efeitos citotóxicos em duas linhas celulares diferentes e numa cultura primária de esplenócitos, para a dose utilizada posteriormente em estudos de imunização. Estudos de internalização in vitro demonstraram que as CH-Al NPs foram eficientemente internalizadas por células epiteliais exibindo potencial como sistema de libertação para uma ampla gama de antigénios modelo. Estudos in vivo mostraram que murganhos imunizados pela via subcutânea com HBsAg coadjuvado com CH NP apresentaram uma melhor resposta imune humoral e celular quando comparado com o grupo de murganhos vacinados apenas com o antigénio. Para entender os mecanismos subjacentes de adjuvanticidade das CH-Al NPs, avaliou-se a sua capacidade para promover a ativação de células dendríticas (DC), e o seu potencial para estimular respostas imunes inatas e adaptativas. Os resultados foram correlacionados com os obtidos com quitosano em solução (CH sol.) e partículas de quitosano convencionais (CH-Na NP). Todas as formulações foram capazes de modular a secreção de citoquinas induzida por agonistas dos recetores tipo-Toll (TLR)-9, CpG, em células dendríticas derivadas da medula óssea de murganho (BMDCs) e induziram a maturação de DC na ausência de produção de citoquinas. Após a injeção intraperitoneal (I.P.), as CH-Al NPs foram capazes de gerar uma resposta imunitária local comparável à evocada por sais de alumínio usado com adjuvantes em vacina que se caracterizou por recrutar neutrófilos e eosinófilos e por um desaparecimento de macrófagos e mastócitos. Após a vacinação com CH-Al NP pela via subcutânea em combinação com HBsAg, os murganhos desenvolveram títulos elevados de anticorpos IgG anti-HBsAg no soro, bem como nas lavagens nasais e vaginais, gerando um perfil imunológico melhorado em comparação com a vacina comercialmente disponível, Engerix-B. Na segunda abordagem foi desenvolvida uma vacina de ADN na qual um plasmídeo que codifica o HBsAg foi adsorvido na superfície das CH-NPs carregadas com HSA. A presença de HSA aumentou a atividade de transfecção e facilitou a libertação de ADN a partir do complexo, por enfraquecer a interação entre nanopartículas positivamente carregadas e o ADN carregado negativamente. Para avaliar o potencial da formulação desenvolvida foram conduzidos estudos in vivo. A imunização com complexos HSA-CH NP/ADN originou níveis elevados de anticorpos IgG anti-HBsAg e anticorpos IgA específicos contra o HBsAg nas secreções nasais e vaginais, enquanto não foram detetadas respostas sistémicas ou nas mucosas após imunização com ADN sozinho. Estes resultados demonstram o potencial deste novo sistema de administração em gerar uma resposta imune nas mucosas, tornando-o num adjuvante promissor para a vacinação nasal contra o HBV. De modo geral, os resultados obtidos melhoram o nosso conhecimento de formulações à base de quitosano e demonstram que o design apropriado é vital para a formular um adjuvante eficaz para vacinas contra o HBV, capaz de produzir respostas imune ao nível das mucosas além de potenciar imunidade humoral e celular

Convergence among EU regions (1990-2001) : quality of national institutions and "objective 1" status

This article focuses on convergence in terms of output per working-age person across regions in the European Union for the period 1990-2001. Controlling for the quality of national institutions, we investigate whether the status of “objective 1” region improves the speed of convergence as compared to what would be expected, given the regions’ initial conditions. We find evidence of conditional convergence among EU regions, with the quality of national institutions having a positive impact, but no evidence on a correlation between the eligibility for objective 1 and faster convergence

Chitosan Plus Compound 48/80: Formulation and Preliminary Evaluation as a Hepatitis B Vaccine Adjuvant

Current vaccine research is mostly based on subunit antigens. Despite the better toxicity profile of these antigens they are often poorly immunogenic, so adjuvant association has been explored as a strategy to obtain a potent vaccine formulation. Recently, mast cell activators were recognized as a new class of vaccine adjuvants capable of potentiating mucosal and systemic immune responses. In this study, a co-adjuvanted delivery system was developed and characterized, combining the mast cell activator C48/80 with chitosan nanoparticles (Chi-C48/80 NPs), and the results were compared with plain chitosan nanoparticles. The adsorption of model antigens onto the NP surface as well as the biocompatibility of the system was not affected by the incorporation of C48/80 in the formulation. The stability of the nanoparticles was demonstrated by studying the variation of size and zeta potential at different times, and the ability to be internalized by antigen presenting cells was confirmed by confocal microscopy. Vaccination studies with hepatitis B surface antigen loaded Chi-C48/80 NPs validated the adjuvanticity of the delivery system, demonstrating for the first time a successful association between a mast cell activator and chitosan nanoparticles as a vaccine adjuvant for hepatitis B virus, applied to a nasal vaccination strategy