Biological Role of Nutrients, Food and Dietary Patterns in the Prevention and Clinical Management of Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a growing disabling condition affecting around 280 million people worldwide. This complex entity is the result of the interplay between biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, and compelling evidence suggests that MDD can be considered a disease that occurs as a consequence of an evolutionary mismatch and unhealthy lifestyle habits. In this context, diet is one of the core pillars of health, influencing multiple biological processes in the brain and the entire body. It seems that there is a bidirectional relationship between MDD and malnutrition, and depressed individuals often lack certain critical nutrients along with an aberrant dietary pattern. Thus, dietary interventions are one of the most promising tools to explore in the field of MDD, as there are a specific group of nutrients (i.e., omega 3, vitamins, polyphenols, and caffeine), foods (fish, nuts, seeds fruits, vegetables, coffee/tea, and fermented products) or dietary supplements (such as S-adenosylmethionine, acetyl carnitine, creatine, amino acids, etc.), which are being currently studied. Likewise, the entire nutritional context and the dietary pattern seem to be another potential area of study, and some strategies such as the Mediterranean diet have demonstrated some relevant benefits in patients with MDD; although, further efforts are still needed. In the present work, we will explore the state-of-the-art diet in the prevention and clinical support of MDD, focusing on the biological properties of its main nutrients, foods, and dietary patterns and their possible implications for these patients.Fondo de Investigacion de la Seguridad Social, Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI18/01726 PI19/00766Programa de Actividades de I+D de la Comunidad de Madrid en Biomedicina B2017/BMD3804 B2020/MITICAD-C

Transverse Takahashi Identities and Their Implications for Gauge Independent Dynamical Chiral Symmetry Breaking

In this article, we employ transverse Takahashi identities to impose valuable non-perturbative constraints on the transverse part of the fermion-photon vertex in terms of new form factors, the so called $Y_i$ functions. We show that the implementation of these identities is crucial in ensuring the correct local gauge transformation of the fermion propagator and its multiplicative renormalizability. Our construction incorporates the correct symmetry properties of the $Y_i$ under charge conjugation operation as well as their well-known one-loop expansion in the asymptotic configuration of incoming and outgoing momenta. Furthermore, we make an explicit analysis of various existing constructions of this vertex against the demands of transverse Takahashi identities and the previously established key features of quantum electrodynamics, such as gauge invariance of the critical coupling above which chiral symmetry is dynamically broken. We construct a simple example in its quenched version and compute the mass function as we vary the coupling strength and also calculate the corresponding anomalous dimensions $\gamma_m$. There is an excellent fit to the Miransky scalling law and we find $\gamma_m=1$ rather naturally in accordance with some earlier results in literature, using arguments based on Cornwall-Jackiw-Tomboulis effective potential technique. Moreover, we numerically confirm the gauge invariance of this critical coupling.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figure

Development and evaluation of a multiplex test for the detection of atypical bacterial DNA in community-acquired pneumonia during childhood

AbstractAn incorrect or late diagnosis can lead to an increase in the morbidity and mortality caused by pneumonia, and the availability of a rapid and accurate microbiological test to verify the aetiology is imperative. This study evaluated a molecular test for the identification of the bacterial cause of atypical community-acquired pneumonia (ACAP). Fifty-four children with pneumonia were studied using bacteriological cultures, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Coxiella burnetii, Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Legionella spp. serology, and Streptococcus pneumoniae and Legionella antigens. Simultaneously, the presence of bacterial and fungal DNA was tested for in respiratory secretion samples using the Vircell SL kit, including multiplex PCR and amplicon detection by means of line blots. There were 14 cases of ACAP caused by M. pneumoniae, with positive kit results for 13 of them, and two cases of Q-fever, with negative kit results for Coxiella burnetii. The test was negative in the remaining 38 cases (one staphylococcal pneumonia, 20 Streptococcus pneumoniae pneumonias, and 17 probable viral pneumonias). The sensitivity of the test for the detection of M. pneumoniae was 92.8% and the specificity was 100%. The Vircell SL kit allows detection of M. pneumoniae DNA in respiratory secretion samples from children with ACAP

Evaluation of interindividual and intraindividual variability in basketball jump throws through biomechanical analysis

El objetivo del presente estudio ha sido cuantificar las diferencias en la ejecución del lanzamiento en salto analizando la variabilidad intrasujetos e intersujetos. En la mayoría de las investigaciones, donde se pretende estudiar un gesto deportivo desde el punto de vista biomecánico, se selecciona el mejor intento, determinado por el rendimiento obtenido en términos de distancia o altura alcanzada del lanzamiento, descartándose la posibilidad de intravariabilidad entre ensayos. Sin embargo, este aspecto de variabilidad, no debe ser del todo olvidado en gestos como el lanzamiento en salto baloncesto, donde las condiciones contextuales de su aplicación se modifican constantemente durante la competición y donde la variabilidad intrasujeto podría aportarnos mayor conocimiento de este gesto. La muestra ha estado compuesta por jugadores profesionales de baloncesto pertenecientes a la liga ACB, utilizando la fotogrametría tridimensional para el análisis del gesto. Los resultados obtenidos, indican que la intervariabilidad es mayor que la intravariabilidad en todas las variables cinemáticas analizadas.Peer Reviewe

Smoke and fire dynamics in atria and large enclosures: An overview

The proliferation of atria within modern large buildings is relatively recent. An atrium can be defined as a large open space connecting two or more storeys. Atria are important architectonical features since the 60's and can be found, among others, in shopping centres, office buildings and high-rise buildings, airports, stations and sports centres. However, the atrium represents an innovative, complex and non conventional architectonical element that can lead to fire environments diverging significantly from those in conventional compartments used in the development of current codes and standards. They are a source of discussion in the fire safety community because smoke can easily spread from one floor to another making the traditional methodologies for compartmentation of little or null effect. The design of smoke management in atria has been based on prescriptive codes since the 70's. It was not until the mid 80's that the phenomena started to be the objective of both experimental and numerical studies. It is because of the subsequent improved understanding on fire dynamics and smoke management together with the increased computing power available nowadays, that there is a progressive movement from prescriptive-based to performance-based codes which is also chaning the way atria are designed. The aim of the present work is to provide a broad overview of the current state-of-the-art of fires in atria. A brief introduction to the characteristics and types of atrium structures is presented first. Then, a description of the fire dynamics as well as the main safety problems that arise in case of fire are considered. A historical discussion of the research, including experimental and numerical studies, is presented, and current design methodologies and fire safety strategies are discussed. The final part of the overview addresses the international tendencies towards the introduction of performance-based fire protection codes. This overview highlights the need for further experimental studies and validations of numerical simulations for a wider range of fire conditions. © 2010 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved

Diferencias biomecánicas entre jugadores principiantes y de alto rendimiento en el lanzamiento en salto en baloncesto

La valoración y el aprendizaje de la técnica del lanzamiento en salto en baloncesto están relacionados con el conocimiento de la diferencias existentes en la ejecución técnica de este gesto entre jugadores con diferente nivel de rendimiento. Las diferencias obtenidas en las variables biomecánicas, entre los tres niveles de rendimiento establecido, ha aportado los aspectos claves en los que debemos focalizar nuestra atención durante la ejecución de este gesto. La muestra que se ha utilizado para realizar esta investigación ha estado compuesta por jugadores representativos de tres niveles de rendimiento, analizándose los lanzamientos mediante la metodología de análisis tridimensionales de video (50 Hz). En general, se puede afirmar que las diferencias halladas entre jugadores de alto rendimiento y jugadores en fase de aprendizaje tienen su fin en la fase final de salida del balón, en donde los jugadores con menor nivel de rendimiento lanzan en trayectoria ascendente del centro de gravedad con el objeto de poder aplicar al balón una gran velocidad de salida. Por lo que se deduce que no existe un modelo teórico universal aplicable del alto rendimiento a jugadores en proceso formativo.Peer Reviewe

Análisis biomecánico de la técnica individual de los finalistas masculinos del lanzamiento de peso en el Campeonato del Mundo de Atletismo Valencia 08

El objetivo de este estudio ha sido realizar un análisis descriptivo de la técnica individual de los ocho finalistas masculinos de lanzamiento de peso en el Campeonato del Mundo de Atletismo de Pista Cubierta, celebrado en Valencia, 2008. Para este estudio, se han utilizado técnicas fotogramétricas tridimensionales (3D) a partir de la filmación del gesto con dos cámaras de video sincronizadas temporalmente a 100 Hz, analizándose el mejor lanzamiento de cada atleta. Se parte de un análisis temporal, donde se ha dividido el gesto en seis fases. A partir de esas fases, se describen las gráficas de velocidad tangencial del CG y el peso con respecto al tiempo. A continuación, se registraron los factores que determinan la trayectoria del peso durante el vuelo (factores de producto), así como el compromiso de otros factores causales que determinan la eficacia del lanzamiento de peso. Además de confirmar la relación entre los factores de producto, los resultados ponen de manifiesto que cada lanzador utiliza una secuencia temporal y ritmo de ejecución propio e individual, confirmándose que la ejecución técnica del lanzamiento de peso es individual y está condicionada por características antropométricas, capacidad muscular y el grado de automatización de la secuencia temporal individual.The aim of this study is to make a descriptive analysis of the individual technique of the eight men finalists in the shot put in the 2008 Valencia Indoor World Championships. To do this three-dimensional photogrammetric techniques (3D) were used, filming the action with two video cameras temporally synchronized at 100 Hz. Six puts were recorded during the men’s final, subsequently analysing the longest throw of each putter. A temporal analysis was first made, dividing the throwing action into six phases. Starting from these phases, graphs of the tangential velocity of the thrower’s CG and the time taken in the shot are described. Then the factors that determine the trajectory of the shot during flight (product factors) and the contribution of the other causal factors for the efficiency of the put are recorded. As well as confirming the relation between the product factors, the results show that each thrower uses his/her own temporal sequence and rhythm of execution, confirming that the technical execution of the shot put is individual and conditioned by anthropometrical characteristics, muscular capacity and the degree of automation of the individual temporal sequence.Peer Reviewe

Experimental study of a gas-loquid cylindrical cyclone separator performance

New data of the experimental performance of a Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC) separator are presented. The data were collected using a 2 3/4” (0.07m) ID GLCC model working with an air-glycerin mixture. The inlet liquid flow rate, the inlet gas flow rate, the tangential liquid velocity inside the separator body and the gas carry under were measured for an operation regime without liquid carry over. The influence of the first three parameters over the gas carry under was established. Results show the separator efficiency is mainly affected by the inlet gas flow rate for the explored conditions with slug flow at the GLCC entrance

Experimental study of a gas-loquid cylindrical cyclone separator performance

New data of the experimental performance of a Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone (GLCC) separator are presented. The data were collected using a 2 3/4” (0.07m) ID GLCC model working with an air-glycerin mixture. The inlet liquid flow rate, the inlet gas flow rate, the tangential liquid velocity inside the separator body and the gas carry under were measured for an operation regime without liquid carry over. The influence of the first three parameters over the gas carry under was established. Results show the separator efficiency is mainly affected by the inlet gas flow rate for the explored conditions with slug flow at the GLCC entrance

Regenerative Endodontics Success Factors and their Overall Effectiveness: An Umbrella Review

Introduction: Regenerative endodontics is a developing field of dentistry and aims to recover the physiological and anatomical functions of the tooth for cases of severe dental caries, pulpal pathologies and dental trauma. Materials and Methods: This umbrella review seeks to discover the scientific evidence on the effectiveness and the factors result in successful regenerative endodontic therapies in teeth with necrotic pulps and with incomplete root development. The study was conducted following the PRISMA Guidelines. There were no restrictions regarding search period. A comprehensive literature search was carried out in EMBASE, LILACS, PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A quality evaluation was conducted by using AMSTAR-2. A descriptive analysis of the included systematic reviews and meta-analysis were conducted. Results: Thirteen descriptive systematic reviews and 7 meta-analyses were included. Three articles evidenced low methodological quality according to AMSTAR-2 tool. Overall success rates for the endodontic regeneration procedures ranged from 50% to 98% and the survival rates were between 94% and 100%. Pulp regeneration had a high success rate, evidenced by factors such as the resolution of symptoms, healing, increased root length, dentin thickening and recovery of sensitivity. Follow-up varied from 1 to 48 months for the original studies included in the systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Conclusions: Endodontic practice offers the clinician a good treatment option in case of necrotic pulp with immature roots such as the endodontic regeneration, that is supported by high and moderate quality scientific literature