Why precision medicine is not the best route to a healthier world

Precision medicine has been announced as a new health revolution. The term precision implies more accuracy in healthcare and prevention of diseases, which could yield substantial cost savings. However, scientific debate about precision medicine is needed to avoid wasting economic resources and hype. In this commentary, we express the reasons why precision medicine cannot be a health revolution for population health. Advocates of precision medicine neglect the limitations of individual-centred, high-risk strategies (reduced population health impact) and the current crisis of evidence-based medicine. Overrated “precision medicine” promises may be serving vested interests, by dictating priorities in the research agenda and justifying the exorbitant healthcare expenditure in our finance-based medicine. If societies aspire to address strong risk factors for non-communicable diseases(such as air pollution, smoking, poor diets, or physical inactivity), they need less medicine and more investment in population prevention strategies

The Iceberg Profile Does Not Influence the Performance of Elite League of Legends Players, but Changes With the Events of the Game

Little is known about the interactions between the iceberg profile, which is characterized by high vigor scores, as opposed to low scores in tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion, and performance in League of Legends (LOL). For these reasons, the objectives of the present research were to analyze whether performance was influenced by the presence of the iceberg profile before the start of the game, and to determine the changes produced in the iceberg profile of esports players as a function of the final outcome of the game, the players' performance during the game, and pre-game anxiety and self-confidence. The participants were players in a professional LOL esports team during a SuperLiga Orange spring split. The POMS and CSAI-2 questionnaires were used. Performance was assessed using in-game variables such as game result, favorable and unfavorable plays, and KDA (kills/deaths/assists ratio). The results showed that no changes were found in the performance of the players according to the pre-game iceberg profile. Changes were found in the pre- and post-game iceberg profile, according to the final outcome of the game, and the favorable and unfavorable plays. Furthermore, the psychological variables cognitive and somatic anxiety, and self-confidence, had a relationship with the presence or absence of the iceberg profile. To conclude, the iceberg profile does not seem to influence the performance of esports players, although it is modified by events that occur during the game.Actividad Física y Deport

Assessment of time intervals in the pathway to oral cancer diagnosis in north-westerm Spain. Relative contribution of patient interval

Despite continuous advances in diagnosis and therapy, oral cancers are mostly diagnosed at advanced stages with minor survival improvements in the last two decades. Both phenomena have been attributed to delays in the diagnosis. This study aims at quantifying the time elapsed until definitive diagnosis in these patients and the patient interval?s contribution. A hospital-based, ambispective, observational study was undertaken on incident cases with a pathological diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma recruited during 2015 at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery services of CHUAC (A Coruña) and POVISA (Vigo) hospitals. 74 consecutive oral cancer patients (59.5% males; median age: 65.0 years (IQ:57-74)) were studied. Most cases (52.7%; n=39) were at advanced stages (TNM III-IV) at diagnosis. The period since first sign/symptom until the patient seeks health care was the longest interval in the pathway to diagnosis and treatment (median: 31.5 days; IQR= 7.0 ? 61.0) and represents >60% of the interval since symptom onset until referral to specialised care (pre-referral interval). The average interval assigned to the patient resulted to be relatively larger than the time elapsed since the patient is seen at primary care until a definitive diagnosis is reached (diagnostic interval). Median of the referral interval for primary care professionals: 6.5 days (IQR= 0.0 ? 49.2) and accounts for 35% (19% - 51%) of the diagnostic interval. The patient interval is the main component of the pathway to treatment since the detection of a bodily change until the definitive diagnosis. Therefore, strategies focused on risk groups to shorten this interval should be implemented in order to ease an early diagnosis of symptomatic oral cancer

Generalities about Design and Operation of Microgrids

The need of new generation systems have motivated the development of microgrids. This new concept may bring significant benefits to the transmission and distribution networks as losses reduction, high degree of efficiency and reliability. This paper presents generalities about microgrids, including general structure and different topologies; also it is proposed an original methodology for facilitating its design and evaluation. Finally, it's analyzed the microgrid located at the Parque Tecnológíco de Guatiguará at the Universidad Industrial de Santander, included an operation analysis for different operations stages of loads and generation,  the performance of operation of storage systems, the interaction with the grid and an energy balance for all the system

Solar and wind potential assessment in the central campus of Universidad Industrial de Santander and Bucaramanga city, Colombia

En este artículo se presenta un estudio estadístico del potencial solar y eólico en el campus central de la Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) y la ciudad de Bucaramanga, con el fn de obtener parámetros característicos que permitan evaluar el recurso energético en la zona. Para ello, se consideraron mediciones horarias de variables como radiación solar, temperatura ambiente, velocidad y dirección del viento para los años 2010, 2011 y 2012, en cuatro puntos estratégicos de la ciudad. Finalmente, se presenta un análisis sobre los resultados obtenidos y la viabilidad energética de implementar sistemas de generación fotovoltaica y eólica en las zonas de estudio.    In this paper, a statistical study of solar and wind potential is presented, in order to estimate the characteristic parameters to assess the energy resource in the central campus of Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) and Bucaramanga, Colombia. To do this, solar radiation, ambient temperature and wind speed, were hourly measured in four strategic zones of the city, for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012. Finally, the energy feasibility for the installation of photovoltaic and wind power generation systems and an analysis of the results are presented

Solar and wind potential assessment in the central campus of Universidad Industrial de Santander and Bucaramanga city, Colombia

En este artículo se presenta un estudio estadístico del potencial solar y eólico en el campus central de la Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) y la ciudad de Bucaramanga, con el fn de obtener parámetros característicos que permitan evaluar el recurso energético en la zona. Para ello, se consideraron mediciones horarias de variables como radiación solar, temperatura ambiente, velocidad y dirección del viento para los años 2010, 2011 y 2012, en cuatro puntos estratégicos de la ciudad. Finalmente, se presenta un análisis sobre los resultados obtenidos y la viabilidad energética de implementar sistemas de generación fotovoltaica y eólica en las zonas de estudio.    In this paper, a statistical study of solar and wind potential is presented, in order to estimate the characteristic parameters to assess the energy resource in the central campus of Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) and Bucaramanga, Colombia. To do this, solar radiation, ambient temperature and wind speed, were hourly measured in four strategic zones of the city, for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012. Finally, the energy feasibility for the installation of photovoltaic and wind power generation systems and an analysis of the results are presented

Body composition and fitness in elite Spanish children tennis players

The aims of this study were to describe body composition and physical fitness changes during a whole-season in elite children tennis players. A total of 7 elite children tennis players participated in the study. Whole body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and physical fitness were assessed during a season. Subjects increased lean and bone percentage, and decreased abdominal fat and total body fat percentage (all p<0.05). From month1 to month5 subjects improved in handgrip right test, standing broad jump and 20m shuttle run test (all p<0.05). From month5 to month10 there were not significant differences in physical fitness, although some showed a decline (back-saver sit and reach and shuttle run 20 m test). During the whole season, subjects decreased sit and reach in the left leg, but increased handgrip dominant test and standing broad jump (all p<0.05). During a season, children tennis players increased lean and bone percentage, and decreased abdominal and total fat percentage (all p<0.05). However, waist circumference and waist to height ratio were not useful to detect body composition changes. In addition, there were asymmetric changes in fitness (maximal isometric strength increased in the dominant hand and flexibility decreased in the contra lateral leg)

The role of basic psychological needs in the adoption of healthy habits by adolescents

Previous research in this field has not examined the significance of each of the basic psycho- logical needs (BPNs) on changes in the physical activity level, adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD), kinanthropometric and derived variables, and the physical fitness of adolescents. Therefore, the purpose of this study was (a) to examine the variances in physical activity, AMD, and kinanthro- pometric and derived variables, as well as fitness levels, among adolescents with varying degrees of satisfaction regarding each of the BPNs and (b) to assess the differences in the study variables among adolescents based on whether the BPNs are satisfied individually or jointly. The sample consisted of 791 adolescents (404 males and 387 females; average age: 14.39 ± 1.26 years old). The findings indicated that adolescents in the highest percentiles (75–100) of competence, autonomy, or relatedness showed higher scores in physical activity and AMD and better kinanthropometric and physical fitness variables than adolescents in the lowest percentiles (0–25). Adolescents who showed joint satisfaction of all BPNs showed the best results on all variables analyzed. In addition, it should be noted that competence played the most relevant role.Actividad Física y DeportePsicologí

Efecto protector del azul de metileno en la retinopatía del prematuro experimental

Introducción: La hipoxia-isquemia por asfixia perinatal (AP) es causa de lesiones en la retina, pudiendo llevar a la ceguera por retinopatía proliferativa isquémica (RPI). En estudios previos hemos demostrado neurodegeneración, gliosis y neovascularización compatibles con la ROP, e identificado que el sistema nitrérgico está involucrado en su fisiopatología. Objetivos: Analizar la aplicación de azul de metileno como potencial estrategia terapéutica, dado que inhibe a la enzima óxido nítrico sintasa. Métodos: Se estudió la actividad enzimática y expresión de nNOS mediante Western blot, histoquímica de NADPHd e inmunohistoquímica contra nNOS, en la retina de animales de 30 días en un modelo de AP. Resultados: Se observó que a los 30 días postnatal, la nNOS aumenta significativamente su actividad y expresión en aquellos animales sometidos a AP al ser comparados con el grupo control (CTL). En el grupo AP tratado con azul de metileno (AZM) no se encontraron diferencias significativas en la actividad de NOS constitutiva con respecto al grupo CTL, mientras que su expresión evaluada por western blot fue menor. Los estudios realizados con histoquímica para NADPHd e inmunohistoquímica contra nNOS refuerzan estos resultados. Conclusiones: El NO es un radical libre que participa como neurotóxico en el desarrollo de la ROP por AP. La aplicación de azul de metileno como estrategia terapéutica, tiene un potente efecto bloqueante en la actividad de la enzima NOS constitutiva, y en la expresión de la misma. Este hallazgo alienta estudios futuros más exhaustivos para evaluar el uso del azul de metileno con el fin de atenuar o evitar el daño retiniano.Introduction: Hipoxia-ischemia by perinatal asphyxia (PA) is cause of retinal lesions, and can produce blindness by ischemic proliferative retinopathy (IPR). Previously, we have demonstrated retinal neurodegeneration, gliosis and neovascularization. Furthermore, we have identified the involvement of the nitregic system in it physiopatology. Objectives: Studying the participation of nitric oxide (NO) through the neuronal isoform of the enzyme nitric oxide sinthase (nNO) as trigger of the structural and molecular alterations previously observed by our group of research, and analyzing the application of methylene blue (MB) a therapeutic strategy. Methods: The studies were performed in retina by using enzymatic activity, NADPHd histochemical method and immunohistochemistry against nNOS. The studies were applied in three diferent groups (control, PA and MB) of 30 postnatal day animals. Results: At 30 postnatal day, we observed a significant increase of nNOS ativity and expression in retinas of those animals subjected to PA, when compared with the control group. In the group treated with methylene blue we did not found significant diferences in constitutive NOS activity, meanwhile it expression evaluated by western blot was lower than controls. The histochemical and immunohistochemical studies support these results. Conclusions: NO, is a free radical that act as a neurotoxic agent, seems to have a crucial role in the development of ROP after PA. The application of methylene blue as a therapeutic strategy showed a strong protective efect inhibiting the constitutive NOS activity and it expression. This founds stimulates future studies with the aim of using MB in order to avoid or decrease retinal damage.Fil: Rey Funes, Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, J. C.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Cátedra de Farmacología; ArgentinaFil: Ibarra, Mariano Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Peña, Elena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Contartese, Daniela Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Inserra, Pablo Ignacio Felipe. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; ArgentinaFil: López, Juan José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Dorfman, Verónica Berta. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia "Prof. Eduardo de Robertis". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencia; ArgentinaFil: Loidl, Cesar Fabian. Universidad Maimónides. Área de Investigaciones Biomédicas y Biotecnológicas. Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y de Diagnóstico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin