Improvements in Pain, Well-being, Arterial Pressure, and Lower Limb Volume Following Andullation Therapy in Healthy and Unhealthy Humans

Our aim was to test the effects of Andullation therapy on pain threshold, pain perception, feeling of well-being, arterial pressure, and leg volume in healthy and unhealthy patients. We used a multidirectional vibration (frequency range: 5–40 Hz; peak-to-peak amplitude: 2–8 mm; acceleration: 0.4–2 m/s 2 ) in an undulatory way through the surface of the body when the patient was in contact with a mattress (“andullation”). The vibes traveled from the heel to the head in a random fashion while the participants (N = 50) were lying on the mattress. We measured the pain threshold using an algometer; pain perception and well-being through a visual analog scale (VAS); arterial pressure with an electronic sphygmomanometer; and leg volume with Kuhnke’s technique. Measurements were made just before the first andullation session and after the fifth andullation session. Every participant received andullation sessions of 30 min a day for 5 consecutive days. The patients’ pain threshold significantly (P <.001) increased by 34.48% and 25.79% in the lumbar and trapezius zones, respectively, after 5 sessions of therapy. The subjective perception of pain decreased by 52.3% and the feeling of well-being increased by 45.1%. The systolic and diastolic pressures significantly (P <.001) decreased by 6.44 and 4.68 mm Hg on average, respectively. Leg volume significantly decreased (P <.01) by 64.39 mL after the fifth andullation session. Despite not including a control group in our study, the andullation intervention showed an improvement in pain, well-being, arterial pressure, and lower limb volume in the studied population.Fundación para la Investigación de la Universidad de Sevilla FIUSHome Health Products HH

An ER-Localized SNARE Protein Is Exported in Specific COPII Vesicles for Autophagosome Biogenesis

The de novo formation of autophagosomes for the targeting of cytosolic material to the vacuole/lysosome is upregulated upon starvation. How autophagosomes acquire membranes remains still unclear. Here, we report that, in yeast, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized Qa/t-SNARE Ufe1 has a role in autophagy. During starvation, Ufe1 is increasingly exported from the ER and targeted to intracellular sites that contain the autophagy markers Atg8 and Atg9. In addition, Ufe1 interacts with non-ER SNARE proteins implicated in autophagosome formation. Loss of Ufe1 function impairs autophagy and results in fewer and smaller autophagosomes. Unlike conventional cargo, the ER export of Ufe1 is significantly reduced in sec23-1 cells, which affects the coat protein (COP)II complex, already at the permissive temperature. Under the same conditions, sec23-1 cells are hypersensitive to starvation and deficient in autophagy. Our data suggest that ER membranes containing Ufe1 are delivered to sites of autophagosome formation in specific COPII vesicles.EMBO short-term fellowship (EMBO ASTF) 293-2015Spanish, Ministry of ScienceSpanish Government BFU2009-07290Ramon y Cajal program Spanish Government BFU2014-59309-

Sport programme imbalance in the Summer Olimpic Games: Solutions coming from the Sportics

El objetivo reglamentario del deporte se refiere al logro principal que debe superar el participante en el deporte para poder puntuar. Este concepto, procedente de los conocimientos de la Spórtica, analiza la esencia interna de cada deporte. El propósito de este trabajo fue determinar el desequilibrio en el conjunto de disciplinas ofertadas en los programas deportivos de los Juegos Olímpicos de verano hasta 2012, en función de los objetivos de la práctica, y proponer soluciones. Se utilizaron metodologías de tipo cuantitativo para codificar los objetivos reglamentarios de las disciplinas deportivas presentes en las 28 ediciones de los Juegos Olímpicos de verano. Se apreció un enorme y continuo desequilibrio (12% deportes con objetivos reglamentarios de reproducir modelos; 88% deportes de superar distancias). En base a los resultados, desde la Spórtica se sugieren propuestas para tratar de incrementar la cantidad de deportes de reproducir modelos de los Juegos Olímpicos (tales como los deportes gimnásticos, acrobáticos y coreográficos). La divulgación de estos deportes depende de la transcendencia mundial que representan los Juegos a nivel educativo, competitivo y recreativoRegulation aim in sports refers to the main achievement that the participant in the sport has to overcome to get the punctuation. This concept, which belongs to the knowledge of the Sportics, analyzes the inner essence of each sport. The purpose of this essay was to determine the imbalance between the disciplines offered in the sport programmes of Summer Olympic Games until London-2012, in depending on the practice aims in sports, and offers solutions. Quantitative methods have been applied to code the regulation aims of the sport disciplines have taken part in the 28 editions of the Summer Olympic Games. An enormous and continuous imbalance had been observed (12% sports which their regulation aims contain models replication; 88% doing distances sports). Based on results, some proposals are suggested from the Sportics to try to increase the number of models replication sports taking place in the Olympic Games (such as gymnastic, acrobatic and choreographic sports). The dissemination of these sports depends on the Games world relevance in the educational, competitive and leisure context

The effect of magnetic activity on low-mass stars in eclipsing binaries

In recent years, analyses of eclipsing binary systems have unveiled differences between the observed fundamental properties of low-mass stars and those predicted by stellar structure models. Particularly, radius and effective temperatures computed from models are ~ 5-10% lower and ~ 3-5% higher than observed, respectively. These discrepancies have been attributed to different factors, notably to the high levels of magnetic activity present on these stars. In this paper, we test the effect of magnetic activity both on models and on the observational analysis of eclipsing binaries using a sample of such systems with accurate fundamental properties. Regarding stellar models, we have found that unrealistically high spot coverages need to be assumed to reproduce the observations. Tests considering metallicity effects and missing opacities on models indicate that these are not able to explain the radius discrepancies observed. With respect to the observations, we have tested the effect of several spot distributions on the light curve analysis. Our results show that spots cause systematic deviations on the stellar radii derived from light curve analysis when distributed mainly over the stellar poles. Assuming the existence of polar spots, overall agreement between models and observations is reached when ~ 35% spot coverage is considered on stellar models. Such spot coverage induces a systematic deviation in the radius determination from the light curve analysis of ~ 3% and is also compatible with the modulations observed on the light curves of these systems. Finally, we have found that the effect of activity or rotation on convective transport in partially radiative stars may also contribute to explain the differences seen in some of the systems with shorter orbital periods.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

New cell wall-affecting antifungal antibiotics

Capítulo 9.Fungi have emerged worldwide as increasingly frequent causes of healthcare-associated infections. Invasive fungal infections can be life-threatening. However, the number of antifungal agents available and their use in therapy is very limited. Recently, a new family of specific fungal cell wall synthesis inhibitors has emerged as an alternative antifungal therapy and is gaining increasing relevance yearly. The cell wall is a multilayer dynamic structure, essential to the integrity and shape of the fungal cell, whose function is to counteract the osmotic forces that could otherwise produce fungal cell lysis. The cell wall is absent in nonfungal cells, therefore representing a useful target in discovering selective drugs for the treatment of fungal infections without causing toxicity in the host. Although fungi exhibit a considerable diversity in their cell wall structure, all present β(1,3)-, β(1,6)- and α(1,3)-glucans, chitin, and mannoproteins as their major cell wall components. Three different cell wall synthesis inhibitors of the lipopeptide family of echinocandins, named caspofungin, micafungin, and anidulafungin, are commercially available and new classes of cell wall synthesis inhibitors are emerging. This review provides an overview of what is so far known about the different classes of cell wall-affecting antifungal agents and their mechanism of action, offering new alternatives with clinical potential.Peer reviewe

iCub platform: IIT workshop in Genova

This document outlines the most important concepts presented during a workshop about the iCub robot done at the Instituto Italiano di Technologia in Genova. Mechanical, electronic as well as rmware and software issues are presented, and the basic procedures to detect and solve the most common problems are described. The most important goal of this workshop was to get the necessary skills to perform the most basic maintenance of the robot without having to depend on the support from IIT. Also a brief introduction to the main issues of the control of the robot were provided.Preprin

Geomorfología del macizo de Cotiella (Pirineo oscense): Cartografía, evolución paleoambiental y dinámica actual de Anchel Belmonte Ribas

DENTRO DE LAS FORMAS GLACIARES DESTACAN 26 CIRCOS Y DOS ÁREAS DE ACUMULACIÓN. SU ALTITUD MEDIA ES DE 2.200 M Y LAS ORIENTACIONES PREFERENTES N Y NE. LA EXISTENCIA DE AMPLIAS DIVISORIAS ENTRE CIRCOS SUGIERE UNA INSUFICIENTE INTENSIDAD DE LA ACTIVIDAD GLACIAR, INCAPAZ DE BORRAR LA BASE ESTRUCTURAL DEL RELIEVE. LOS RASGOS MORFOSEDIMENTARIOS PERMITEN IDENTIFICAR SEIS FASES DE ACTIVIDAD GLACIAR QUE ABARCAN DESDE EL MIS 6 AL MIS 2. A PARTIR DE LA RECONSTRUCCIÓN DE 11 PALEOGLACIARES SE HAN CALCULADO LAS PALEOELAS DESDE LA FASE SALINAS (1.838 M) HASTA LA FASE COLLADETA II (2.380 M), PREVIA A LA DEGLACIACIÓN. EL ASCENSO TÉRMICO CALCULADO DESDE EL MÁXIMO DE LA FASE SALINAS HASTA LA ACTUALIDAD ES DE 7,69ºC. DEL IBÓN DE PLAN SE HA EXTRAÍDO UN TESTIGO DE 12 M DE SEDIMENTO QUE ABARCA LOS ÚLTIMOS 10.000 AÑOS Y DEL QUE SE HA REALIZADO UN ANÁLISIS SEDIMENTOLÓGICO. EN EL SONDEO SE DISTINGUEN 7 FACIES DISTINTAS Y TRES UNIDADES SEDIMENTARIAS. INDICAN UN COMIENZO DEL HOLOCENO HÚMEDO, CON UNA CUENCA POCO VEGETADA. EN EL HOLOCENO MEDIO EL RÉGIMEN LACUSTRE ES MÁS ESTABLE Y FINALMENTE SE REGRESA A CONDICIONES SIMILARES A LAS DE LA UNIDAD BASAL.LAS MORFOLOGÍAS PERIGLACIARES SON NUMEROSAS Y SE REPARTEN CASI A CUALQUIER COTA DEL MACIZO. DESTACAN SIETE GLACIARES ROCOSOS BAJO UNO DE LOS CUALES SE HA DETECTADO LA EXISTENCIA DE PERMAFROST MEDIANTE UN TERMÓMETRO INSTALADO EN EL SUELO, LO QUE SUGIERE SU POSIBLE STATUS DE ACTIVO. TAMBIÉN DESTACAN DOS GENERACIONES DE DERRUBIOS ESTRATIFICADOS, LA MÁS ANTIGUA PREVIA AL MÁXIMO GLACIAR DE LA FASE SALINAS.LOS GRANDES CIRCOS, ARMEÑA, ENTREMÓN Y BATIZIELLAS, PRESENTAN UN EXOKARST MUY DESARROLLADO CON PROFUSIÓN DE DOLINAS (DENSIDADES DE HASTA 98,4 DOLINAS/KM2) Y HASTA 18 TIPOS DE LAPIACES. HAY TOBAS DE SURGENCIA FORMADAS EN EL HOLOCENO INFERIOR Y UNA LIGERA FORMACIÓN ACTUAL EN LAS SURGENCIAS DE FORNOS Y RIANZÉS Y EN EL BARRANCO DE SAN BIZIÉN. LA COMPOSICIÓN ISOTÓPICA DE AGUA Y CARBONATO ES LA PROPIA DE AGUAS FRÍAS EN PRIMAVERA, MARCANDO LA INFLUENCIA DE LA FUSIÓN NIVAL. EN OTOÑO SON CÁLIDAS, EN RELACIÓN CON LAS PRECIPITACIONES ESTIVALES. MEDIANTE 219 TABLETAS COLOCADAS IN SITU DURANTE TRES AÑOS, SE HA CALCULADO UNA TASA DE DENUDACIÓN KÁRSTICA DE 10,51 MM/KA. LAS CONDICIONES MÁS FAVORABLES PARA LA DENUDACIÓN SE DAN ENTRE LOS 1.800 Y 2.400 M Y ORIENTACIONES N Y NE.LA DATACIÓN POR U/Th DE ONCE ESPELEOTEMAS PERTENECIENTES A DOS CAVIDADES INDICA CRECIMIENTOS EN LOS MIS 15, 12, 11, 9, 7, 5 Y 1. EN LA ACTUALIDAD LA DINÁMICA ESPELEOTÉMICA ES REDUCIDA. EL ANÁLISIS ISOTÓPICO DE AGUA Y CARBONATOS INDICA VALORES LIGEROS EN PRIMAVERA, CON AGUA DERIVADA DEL DESHIELO, Y MÁS PESADOS EN OTOÑO. EL DRENAJE SUBTERRÁNEO DEL MACIZO SE VERTEBRA EN TORNO AL SISTEMA DE SURGENCIAS DE FORNOS, EN EL VALLE DEL IRUÉS.SE HA ESTUDIADO TAMBIÉN LA CUEVA HELADA A294. ALOJA UN DEPÓSITO DE HIELO SUBSUPERFICIAL FORMADO POR HIELO DE NEVIZA Y CON EDADES DE ENTRE 6.095 Y 1.900 AÑOS BP, CALCULADAS POR RADIOCARBONO EN RESTOS VEGETALES ATRAPADOS EN EL DEPÓSITO. SU COMPOSICIÓN ISOTÓPICA Y TASAS DE ACUMULACIÓN PERMITEN DISTINGUIR INTERVALOS TEMPORALES DE MAYORES PRECIPITACIONES NIVALES DURANTE ESA PARTE DEL HOLOCENO.EN LA ACTUALIDAD, DIVERSOS PROCESOS GRAVITACIONALES, PERIGLACIARES, KÁRSTICOS Y FLUVIALES ESTÁN ACTIVOS. ALGUNOS REPRESENTAN RIESGOS RESEÑABLES COMO EL FLUJO DE DERRUBIOS DE SARABILLO, LAS CANALES DE ALUDES DEL ACCESO A ARMEÑA, LOS DESPRENDIMIENTOS DE DEBOTAS Y PEÑA DE ARTIÉS Y LA DINÁMICA FLUVIAL DEL CINQUETA.LAS DISTINTAS MORFOLOGÍAS Y SU CONTROL CRONOLÓGICO HAN PERMITIDO ESTABLECER LA EVOLUCIÓN PALEOAMBIENTAL DEL MACIZO DESDE EL PLEISTOCENO SUPERIOR HASTA LA ACTUALIDAD.EL ESTUDIO GEOMORFOLÓGICO DEL MACIZO HA SIDO LA BASE DE UN INVENTARIO SISTEMÁTICO-TEMÁTICO DEL PATRIMONIO GÓGICO RELACIONADO CON LA GEOMORFOLOGÍA. SE HAN IDENTIFICADO 12 LIGs ENTRE ELEMENTOS DEL RELIEVE O DEPÓSITOS SEDIMENTARIOS DE ORIGEN GLACIAR, PERIGLACIAR, KÁRSTICO Y DE LADERAS.<br /

Bgs1p localization during the life cycle

[EN]Schizosaccharomyces pombe Bgs1p/Cps1p has been identified as a putative (1,3)β-Dglucan synthase (GS) catalytic subunit with a possible function during cytokinesis and polarized growth. To study this possibility, double mutants of cps1-12 and cdc septation mutants, were made. The double mutants displayed several hypersensitive phenotypes and altered actin distribution. Epistasis analysis showed mutations prior to septum synthesis were dominant over cps1-12, while cps1-12 was dominant over the end of septation mutant cdc16-116, suggesting Bgs1p is involved in septum cell-wall (1,3)β-D-glucan synthesis at cytokinesis. We have studied the in vivo physiological localization of Bgs1p in a bgs1Δ strain containing a functional GFP-bgs1+ gene (integrated single copy and expressed under its own promoter). During vegetative growth, Bgs1p always localizes to the growing zones: one or both ends during cell growth, and contractile ring and septum during cytokinesis. Bgs1p localization in cdc septation mutants indicates that Bgs1p needs the medial ring and septation initiation network (SIN) proteins to localize properly with the rest of septation components. Bgs1p localization in the actin mutant cps8-188 shows it depends on actin localization. In addition, Bgs1p remains polarized in the mislocalized growing poles and septa of tea1-1 and tea2-1 mutants. During the meiotic process of the life cycle, Bgs1p localizes to the mating projection, to the cell-to-cell contact zone during cell fusion and to the neck area during zygote formation. Also, Bgs1p localization suggests it collaborates in forespore and spore wall synthesis. During spore germination, Bgs1p localizes first around the spore during isotropic growth, then to the zone of polarized growth and finally, to the medial ring and septum. At the end of spore-cell division, the Bgs1p displacement to the old end only occurs in the new cell. All these data shows Bgs1p is localized to the areas of polarized cell wall growth and according to that, we propose it might be involved in synthesizing the lineal (1,3)β-D-glucan of the primary septum, as well as a similar lineal (1,3)β-D-glucan when other processes of cell wall growth or repair are needed

Citotoxicidad de suavizantes catiónicos sobre una línea celular establecida de mamífero.

Este articulo expone de forma detallada el proceso de determinación de la toxicidad de cuatro suavizantes catiónicos de uso textil, mediante técnicas in vitro con cultivos celulares. Se ha utilizado como parámetro de referencia el contenido total de proteinas.The determination of the toxicity of four textile cationic softeners are shown in this paper. In vitro technique with mammal cultured cells has been used and the quantity of total proteins has been measured.On expose le procédé pour la détermination de la toxicité de quatre tensoactives cationiques usés dans l'industrie textile. On mesure avec techniques in vitro avec cultures cellulaires le niveau de proteines totales.Peer Reviewe