Vertical Jumping as a Monitoring Tool in Endurance Runners: A Brief Review

Jumping performance (e.g., countermovement jump [CMJ]), as a measure of neuromuscular performance, has been suggested as an easy-to-use tool which simultaneously provides neuromuscular and metabolic information and, thereby, allows coaches to confidently monitor the status of their athletes during a workout. This hypothesis has been satisfactorily tested with sprint athletes. However, the rationale for the use of CMJ height loss as an index to monitor the workload during an endurance running session is not sufficiently evidence-based. First, it is assumed that a CMJ height loss occurs during typical interval training for endurance runners. Second, it is also assumed that a significant relationship between metabolic stress and the neuromuscular strain induced during these endurance workouts exists. These two assumptions will be questioned in this review by critically analyzing the kinetics of CMJ performance during and after running workouts, and the relationship between neuromuscular and physiological stress induced during different protocols in endurance runners. The current evidence shows that fatigue induced by common running workouts for endurance runners does not counterbalance the potentiation effect in the CMJ height. Additionally, the findings reported among different studies are consistent regarding the lack of association between CMJ height loss and physiological stress during interval sessions in endurance runners. In practical terms, the authors suggest that this marker of neuromuscular fatigue may not be used to regulate the external training load during running workouts in endurance runners. Nevertheless, the analysis of CMJ height during running workouts may serve to monitor chronic adaptations to training in endurance runners

Dibenzothiophene adsorption at boron doped carbon nanoribbons studied within density functional theory

"The adsorption of dibenzothiophene (DBT) on bare and boron-doped armchair carbon nanoribbons (ACNRs) is being investigated in the framework of the density functional theory by implementing periodic boundary conditions that include corrections from dispersion interactions. The reactivity of the ACNRs is characterized by using the Fukui functions as well as the electrostatic potential as local descriptors. Non-covalent adsorption mechanism is found when using the local Perdew-Becke-Ernzerhof functional, regardless of the DBT orientation and adsorption location. The dispersion interactions addition is a milestone to describe the adsorption process. The charge defects introduced in small number (i.e., by doping with B atoms), within the ACNRs increases the selectivity towards sulfur mainly due to the charge depletion at B sites. The DBT magnitude in the adsorption energy shows non-covalent interactions. As a consequence, the configurations where the DBT is adsorbed on a BC3 island increase the adsorption energy compared to random B arrangements. The stability of these configurations can be explained satisfactorily in terms of dipole interactions. Nevertheless, from the charge-density difference analysis and the weak Bader charge-distribution interactions cannot be ruled out completely. This is why the electronic properties of the ribbons are analyzed in order to elucidate the key role played by the B and DBT states in the adsorbed configurations.

Modelos de escorrentía superficial en la última década. Una revisión bibliográfica

This paper aims to identify surface runoff patterns over the last decade. A literature review was conducted and 56 studies published in Google Scholar, Red de Revistas Científicas de América Latina y el Caribe, España y Portugal (Redalyc), Difusión de Alerta en la Red (Dialnet), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) and Science Direct during the period 2012 to 2022 were found. The search was limited to open access scientific articles. A database was generated in Microsoft Excel 2010. Reference, year of publication, journal name, study area, entity, country, research objective, variables used and abbreviation of surface runoff models were recorded. Seven percent of the articles published are concentrated in the journal Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua. Argentina ranks first in published studies and 80% of the study areas are in watersheds.  The most widely used models for estimating, evaluating, predicting, modeling and simulating surface runoff are Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and Soil Conservation Service-Curve Number (SCS-CN).Este documento tiene como objetivo identificar modelos de escurrimientos superficiales en la última década. Se realizo una revisión de literatura y se encontraron 56 estudios publicados en los buscadores Google Scholar, Red de Revistas Científicas de América Latina y el Caribe, España y Portugal (Redalyc), Difusión de Alerta en la Red (Dialnet), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) y Science Direct durante el periodo de 2012 hasta el 2022. La búsqueda se delimitó en artículo científico de libre acceso. Se genero una base de datos en Microsoft Excel 2010. Se registraron referencia, año de publicación, nombre de la revista, área de estudio, entidad, país, objetivo de la investigación, variables utilizadas y abreviación de modelos de escurrimientos superficiales. El 7 % de los artículos publicados se concentran en la revista Tecnología y Ciencias del Agua. Argentina ocupa el primer lugar en estudios publicados y 80 % de las áreas de estudios es en cuencas hidrográficas. Los modelos más utilizados para estimar, evaluar, predecir, modelar y simular los escurrimientos superficiales son Herramienta para la Evaluación del Suelo y Agua (SWAT) y Servicio de Conservación de Suelo-Número de curva (SCS-CN)

Functional Enrichment Analysis of Regulatory Elements

This work has been partially supported by FEDER/Junta de Andalucia-Consejeria de Economia y Conocimiento/(grant CV20-36723), grant PID2020-119032RB-I00, MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER/Junta de Andalucia-Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades (Grant P20_00335).Statistical methods for enrichment analysis are important tools to extract biological information from omics experiments. Although these methods have been widely used for the analysis of gene and protein lists, the development of high-throughput technologies for regulatory elements demands dedicated statistical and bioinformatics tools. Here, we present a set of enrichment analysis methods for regulatory elements, including CpG sites, miRNAs, and transcription factors. Statistical significance is determined via a power weighting function for target genes and tested by theWallenius noncentral hypergeometric distribution model to avoid selection bias. These new methodologies have been applied to the analysis of a set of miRNAs associated with arrhythmia, showing the potential of this tool to extract biological information from a list of regulatory elements. These new methods are available in GeneCodis 4, a web tool able to perform singular and modular enrichment analysis that allows the integration of heterogeneous information.FEDER/Junta de Andalucia-Consejeria de Economia y Conocimiento CV20-36723MCIN/AEI PID2020-119032RB-I00FEDER/Junta de Andalucia-Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades P20_0033

Room temperature methane capture and activation by Ni clusters supported on TiC(001): effects of metal-carbide interactions on the cleavage of the C-H bond

Methane is an extremely stable molecule, a major component of natural gas, and also one of the most potent greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. Consequently, the capture and activation of methane is a challenging and intensively studied topic. A major research goal is to find systems that can activate methane even at low temperature. Here, combining ultrahigh vacuum catalytic experiments followed by X-ray photoemission spectra and accurate density functional theory (DFT) based calculations, we show that small Ni clusters dispersed on the (001) surface of TiC are able to capture and dissociate methane at room temperature. Our DFT calculations reveal that two-dimensional Ni clusters are responsible of this chemical transformation, evidencing that the lability of the supported clusters appears to be a critical aspect in the strong adsorption of methane. A small energy barrier of 0.18 eV is predicted for CH4 dissociation into adsorbed methyl and hydrogen atom species. In addition, the calculated reaction free energy profile at 300 K and 1 atm of CH4 shows no effective energy barriers in the system. Comparing with other reported systems which activate methane at room temperature, including oxide and zeolite-based materials, indicates that a different chemistry takes place on our metal/carbide system. The discovery of a carbide-based surface able to activate methane at low temperatures paves the road for the design of new types of catalysts towards an efficient conversion of this hydrocarbon into other added-value chemicals, with implications in climate change mitigation

Microcystin-LR equivalents and their correlation with Anabaena spp. in the main reservoir of a hydraulic system of Central Mexico

The occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms is a characteristic of eutrophic inland water bodies. Valle de Bravo reservoir (Mexico State, Mexico) is the main source of water for the Cutzamala Hydraulic System, which supplies drinking water to the west of Mexico City (~6 million consumers) and suburban areas of Mexico State. The goal of this study was to determine the presence of microcystins (MC-LR equivalents) and their relationship with toxic populations of cyanobacteria recorded some years ago in this important reservoir. We measured the concentration of MC-LR equivalents using a commercial kit (EnviroLogix) based on the ELISA test. The calculation of abundance and biovolume was carried out monthly from February to November 2010. The presence of MC-LR equivalents was related to the biovolume of Anabaena planctonica. The values of this toxin from February to June exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) provisional guideline (1 µg L-1) for finished drinking water sources, particularly in April when the highest value was recorded (5.56 μg L-1). In addition, in April, May, June, and August, the abundance of cyanobacteria exceeded the WHO moderate risk level (10 × 104 cells mL-1) for recreational activities. This study furthers investigations ranging from the characteristics of the water column to benthic cyanobacteria and molecular biology tests to establish which species are toxic in the reservoir

Invasive Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma with Lepidic Growth Pattern in a Pregnant Patient

Among the differential diagnoses that should be considered in acute respiratory failure (ARF) are infectious processes, autoimmune diseases, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary neoplasia. Timely diagnosis of lung neoplasia is complicated in the early stages. An opportune diagnosis, as well as the specific treatment, decrease mortality. ARF occurs 1 in 500 pregnancies and is most common during the postpartum period. Among the specific etiologies that cause ARF during pregnancy that must be considered are: (1) preeclampsia; (2) embolism of amniotic fluid; (3) peripartum cardiomyopathy; and (4) trophoblastic embolism. The case of a 36-year-old patient with a 33-week pregnancy and ARF is presented. The patient presented dyspnea while exerting moderate effort that progressed to orthopnea and type 1 respiratory insufficiency. Imaging studies showed bilateral alveolar infiltrates and predominantly right areas of consolidation. Blood cultures, a galactomannan assay and IgG antibodies against mycoplasma pneumoniae, were reported as negative. Autoimmune etiology was ruled out through an immunoassay. A percutaneous pulmonary biopsy was performed and an invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma with lepidic growth pattern (i.e. lepidic pulmonary adenocarcinoma, LPA) result was reported. This etiology is rare and very difficult to recognize in acute respiratory failure cases. After infectious, autoimmune and interstitial lung fibrosis have been excluded the clinician must suspect of lung cancer in a patient with acute respiratory failure and chest imaging compatible with the presence of ground-glass nodular opacities, a solitary nodule or mass with bronchogram, and lung consolidation. In the presence of acute respiratory failure, the suspicion of pulmonary neoplasia in an adult of reproductive age must be timely. Failure to recognize this etiology can lead to fatal results

Regulation of markers of synaptic function in mouse models of depression: chronic mild stress and decreased expression of VGLUT1

Depression has been linked to failure in synaptic plasticity originating from environmental and/or genetic risk factors. The chronic mild stress (CMS) model regulates the expression of synaptic markers of neurotransmitter function and associated depressive-like behaviour. Moreover, mice heterozygous for the synaptic vesicle protein (SVP) vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1), have been proposed as a genetic model of deficient glutamate function linked to depressive-like behaviour. Here, we aimed to identify, in these two experimental models, mechanisms of failure in synaptic plasticity, common to stress and impaired glutamate function. First, we show that CMS induced a transient decrease of different plasticity markers (VGLUT1, synapsin 1, sinaptophysin, rab3A and activity regulated cytoskeletal protein Arc) but a long-lasting decrease of the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as well as depressive-like behaviour. The immediate early gene (IEG) Arc was also downregulated in VGLUT1+/- heterozygous mice. In contrast, an opposite regulation of synapsin 1 was observed. Finally, both models showed a marked increase of cortical Arc response to novelty. Increased Arc response to novelty could be suggested as a molecular mechanism underlying failure to adapt to environmental changes, common to chronic stress and altered glutamate function. Further studies should investigate whether these changes are associated to depressive-like behaviour both in animal models and in depressed patients

Ophthalmologic Psychophysical Tests Support OCT Findings in Mild Alzheimer’s Disease

Purpose. To analyze in mild Alzheimer’s disease (MAD) patients, GDS-4 (Reisberg Scale), whether or not some psychophysical tests (PTs) support OCT macular findings in the same group of MAD patients reported previously. Methods. Twenty-three MAD patients and 28 age-matched control subjects with mean Mini Mental State Examination of 23.3 and 28.2, respectively, with no ocular disease or systemic disorders affecting vision were included. Best-corrected visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS) (3, 6, 12, and 18 cpds), color perception (CP), and perception digital test (PDT) were tested in one eye of each patient. Results. In comparison with the controls, MAD patients presented (i) a significant decrease in VA, PDT, and CS for all spatial frequencies analyzed, especially the higher ones, and (ii) a significant increase in unspecific errors on the blue axis (P<0.05 in all instances). In MAD patients, a wide aROC curve was plotted in all PTs. Conclusions. In MAD, CS, VA, and the tritan axis in CP were impaired. The PTs with the greatest predictive value are the higher spatial frequencies in CS and tritan unspecific errors in CP. PT abnormalities are consistent with the structural findings reported in the same MAD patients using OCT

Observational-Epidemiological study on the use of drugs to treat obesity: A Brazilian profile of 520 answers

In a modern world, where day-to-day worry and stress prevails, along with an ever-increasing workday, care with diet is often overlooked and, combined with a sedentary lifestyle, increases obesity rates in all the world. The purpose of this work is to analyze society's view about the treatment of obesity with medications, comparing it with the treatment of other diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Through a questionnaire, on the internet, carried out from July to September 2020, with 14 multiple-choice questions answered by 520 people, 91.7% of the participants answered that obesity is a disease, however, 47.3% of people still think that the use of drugs for their treatment is not necessary and only 37.7% believe in the effectiveness of such a method. In addition, 26.2% believe that all obese people eat a high amount of food and practice little physical activity. As for the comparison with other diseases, 33.3% of the respondents believe that diabetes should be treated with medication and obesity should not, and 32.3% believe that hypertension should use this method and obesity should not. With such results, it was concluded that the society's view is still quite stigmatized regarding the treatment of obesity by drugs, which implies prejudice and the difficulty in adhering to this method by obese people and, with this, is the difficulty in reducing the rates obesity and all comorbidities related to it