Effects of an acute exercise bout on serum hepcidin levels

Iron deficiency is a frequent and multifactorial disorder in the career of athletes, particularly in females. Exercise-induced disturbances in iron homeostasis produce deleterious effects on performance and adaptation to training; thus, the identification of strategies that restore or maintain iron homeostasis in athletes is required. Hepcidin is a liver-derived hormone that degrades the ferroportin transport channel, thus reducing the ability of macrophages to recycle damaged iron, and decreasing iron availability. Although it has been suggested that the circulating fraction of hepcidin increases during early post-exercise recovery (~3 h), it remains unknown how an acute exercise bout may modify the circulating expression of hepcidin. Therefore, the current review aims to determine the post-exercise expression of serum hepcidin in response to a single session of exercise. The review was carried out in the Dialnet, Elsevier, Medline, Pubmed, Scielo and SPORTDiscus databases, using hepcidin (and “exercise” or “sport” or “physical activity”) as a strategy of search. A total of 19 articles were included in the review after the application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria. This search found that a single session of endurance exercise (intervallic or continuous) at moderate or vigorous intensity (60–90% VO2peak) stimulates an increase in the circulating levels of hepcidin between 0 h and 6 h after the end of the exercise bout, peaking at ~3 h post-exercise. The magnitude of the response of hepcidin to exercise seems to be dependent on the pre-exercise status of iron (ferritin) and inflammation (IL-6). Moreover, oxygen disturbances and the activation of a hypoxia-induced factor during or after exercise may stimulate a reduction of hepcidin expression. Meanwhile, cranberry flavonoids supplementation promotes an anti-oxidant effect that may facilitate the post-exercise expression of hepcidin. Further studies are required to explore the effect of resistance exercise on hepcidin expression

Effect of exercise on sleep quality and insomnia in middle-aged women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the effects of programmed exercise (PE) on sleep quality and insomnia in middle-aged women (MAW). METHODS: Searches were conducted in five databases from inception through December 15, 2016 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of PE versus a non-exercising control condition on sleep quality, sleep disturbance and/or insomnia in MAW. Interventions had to last at least 8 weeks. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and insomnia with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Random effects models were used for meta-analyses. The effects on outcomes were expressed as mean differences (MDs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Five publications reported data from four RCTs on PE effects during 12-16 weeks on sleep quality (n=4 studies reporting PSQI results) and/or insomnia (n=3 studies reporting ISI results), including 660 MAW. Low-moderate levels of exercise significantly lowered the PSQI score (MD=-1.34; 95% CI -2.67, 0.00; p=0.05) compared with controls. In a subgroup analysis, moderate PE (aerobic exercise) had a positive effect on sleep quality (PSQI score MD=-1.85; 95% CI -3.62, -0.07; p=0.04), while low levels of physical activity (yoga) did not have a significant effect (MD-0.46, 95% CI -1.79, 0.88, p=0.50). In three studies (two studies of yoga, one study of aerobic exercise), there was a non-significant reduction in the severity of insomnia measured with the ISI score (MD -1.44, 95% CI -3.28, 0. 44, p=0.13) compared with controls. Heterogeneity of effects among studies was moderate to high. CONCLUSION: In middle-aged women, programmed exercise improved sleep quality but had no significant effect on the severity of insomnia.Actividad Física y Deport

Label-free detection of nosocomial bacteria using a nanophotonic interferometric biosensor

Nosocomial infections are a major concern at the worldwide level. Early and accurate identification of nosocomial pathogens is crucial to provide timely and adequate treatment. A prompt response also prevents the progression of the infection to life-threatening conditions, such as septicemia or generalized bloodstream infection. We have implemented two highly sensitive methodologies using an ultrasensitive photonic biosensor based on a bimodal waveguide interferometer (BiMW) for the fast detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), two of the most prevalent bacteria associated with nosocomial infections. For that, we have developed a biofunctionalization strategy based on the use of a PEGylated silane (silane-PEG-COOH) which provides a highly resistant and bacteria-repelling surface, which is crucial to specifically detect each bacterium. Two different biosensor assays have been set under standard buffer conditions: One based on a specific direct immunoassay employing polyclonal antibodies for the detection of P. aeruginosa and another one employing aptamers for the direct detection of MRSA. The biosensor immunoassay for P. aeruginosa is fast (it only takes 12 min) and specific and has experimentally detected concentrations down to 800 cfu mL (cfu: Colony forming unit). The second one relies on the use of an aptamer that specifically detects penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), a protein only expressed in the MRSA mutant, providing a photonic biosensor with the ability to identify the resistant pathogen MRSA and differentiate it from methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA). Direct, label-free, and selective detection of whole MRSA bacteria has been achieved, making possible the direct detection of also 800 cfu mL. According to the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of the device, a theoretical limit of detection (LOD) of around 49 and 29 cfu mL was estimated for P. aeruginosa and MRSA, respectively. Both results obtained under standard conditions reveal the great potential this interferometric biosensor device has as a versatile and specific tool for bacterial detection and quantification, providing a rapid method for the identification of nosocomial pathogens within the clinical requirements of sensitivity for the diagnosis of infections

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition Microwave-Assisted: Preparation of 7-(4-Substituted-1H1,2,3-Triazol-1-yl)-Fluoroquinolones

Nowadays, the pharmaceutical industry faces the challenge of innovating and increasing the productivity of new medicines due to the increasing multidrug resistance among bacteria, viruses and fungi. The main objective of the present study is connected quinolone and triazole molecules to enhance and broad antibacterial spectrum as well as to have multiple mechanisms of action. Preparation of 4-substituted-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl in C-7 of 6-fluoro- and 6,8-difluoro-quinolone ring is showed. The synthesis involved the preparation of intermediate ethyl 7-azide-1-ethyl-fluoroquinolone-3-carboxylate, followed by copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition to give 13 derivatives. The cycloaddition was carried out by two different methods, where it was observed that the microwave radiation was the best reaction condition, obtaining a range of yields of 47–93%, at 140 °C, 125Wmax for 10 minutes. Therefore, this methodology provided an easy pathway to synthesize a library of fluoroquinolones coupled to 1,2,3-triazole, still unexplored

The Gambling Habits of University Students in Aragon, Spain : A Cross-Sectional Study

Altres ajuts: The publication was funded by the Diputación General de Aragón group (B17-20R).Gambling has become a routine form of entertainment for many young people. The aim of this study was to describe the gambling behavior that university students are developing in Aragon, Spain, and to analyze whether these habits are more common among students of sports science, on the assumption that they are more likely to have a higher exposure to betting company marketing. A cross-sectional design was applied, with data collected on advertising exposure, gambling habits and experiences, and opinions on the impact of gambling and its regulation from 516 undergraduate students from the University of Zaragoza. The online survey included ad hoc questions and the "Pathological Gambling Short Questionnaire" to screen for potential gambling disorders. Almost half of the sample had bet money at least once in their life (48.1%), and 2.4% screened positive for consideration of a possible diagnosis of pathological gambling. Betting shops (44.2%) were the most common gambling option, and students of sports science showed a higher prevalence of pathological gambling and had greater tendencies to make bets. Gambling is perceived as a normal leisure activity by a significant part of university students. The development of transversal strategies is required to raise awareness towards the potential dangers of gambling

Synthesis of Amino Acid–Naphthoquinones and In Vitro Studies on Cervical and Breast Cell Lines

We performed an extensive analysis about the reaction conditions of the 1,4-Michael addition of amino acids to 1,4-naphthoquinone and substitution to 2,3-dichloronaphthoquinone, and a complete evaluation of stoichiometry, use of different bases, and the pH influence was performed. We were able to show that microwave-assisted synthesis is the best method for the synthesis of naphthoquinone–amino acid and chloride–naphthoquinone–amino acid derivatives with 79–91% and 78–91% yields, respectively. The cyclic voltammetry profiles showed that both series of naphthoquinone–amino acid derivatives mainly display one quasi-reversible redox reaction process. Interestingly, it was shown that naphthoquinone derivatives possess a selective antitumorigenic activity against cervix cancer cell lines and chloride–naphthoquinone–amino acid derivatives against breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the newly synthetized compounds with asparagine–naphthoquinones (3e and 4e) inhibited ~85% of SiHa cell proliferation. These results show promising compounds for specific cervical and breast cancer treatmen

Case report: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19, macrophage activation syndrome, and incomplete Kawasaki disease

BackgroundMultisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), is a severe complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), characterized by persistent fever, systemic inflammatory response, and organ failure. MIS-C with a history of COVID-19 may share clinical features with other well-defined syndromes such as macrophage activation syndrome, Kawasaki disease, hemophagocytic syndrome and toxic shock syndrome.Case 1An 11-year-old male with a history of hypothyroidism and precocious puberty with positive antibody test for COVID-19 was admitted for fever, poor general condition, severe respiratory distress, refractory shock, and multiple organ failure. His laboratory examination showed elevated inflammatory parameters, and bone marrow aspirate showed hemophagocytosis.Case 2A 13-year-old male with a history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cognitive delay presented clinical manifestations of Kawasaki disease, fever, conjunctival congestion, exanthema, and hyperemia in oral mucosa, tongue, and genitals, with refractory shock and multiple organ failure. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and antibodies for COVID-19 were negative, inflammation parameters were elevated, and bone marrow aspirate showed hemophagocytosis. Patients required intensive care with invasive mechanical ventilation, vasopressor support, intravenous gamma globulin, systemic corticosteroids, low molecular weight heparin, antibiotics, and monoclonal antibodies and, patient 2 required renal replacement therapy.ConclusionsMultisystemic inflammatory syndrome in children can have atypical manifestations, and identifying them early is very important for the timely treatment and prognosis of patients

Causas associadas à mortalidade por DPOC no Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Docente “Dr. Salvador Allende"

Introduction: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory entity characterized by a partially reversible limitation of airflow. Its main risk factor is smoking and there are multiple factors associated with its high mortality. Objective: to identify the factors associated with death in COPD patients belonging to the Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Docente “Dr. Salvador Allende”, in the period from January 1 to December 31, 2019.Method: an analytical observational epidemiological study of cases and controls was carried out. The cases were deaths (n=34) with a diagnosis of COPD, and the controls were living patients (n=59) with this diagnosis confirmed at discharge. Demographic and clinical variables were considered. The variables were considered: age, sex, smoking, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cor pulmonale, cancer, degree of COPD, cause of hospitalization, site of hospitalization and need for invasive mechanical ventilation. Descriptive statistical methods, univariate and multivariate analysis were used to calculate risk, and logistic regression to assess confounding factors. Results: there was a predominance of patients over 65 years of age, and females. The variables associated with death from COPD were: cancer comorbidity (OR: 5.1; 95% CI: 1.2-22.4; p=0.032) and need for invasive mechanical ventilation (OR: 6.5; CI 95%: 1.1-38.3; p=0.04).Conclusions: cancer comorbidity and the need for invasive mechanical ventilation behave as risk factors for mortality in patients with COPD.Introducción: la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (epoc) es una entidad inflamatoria crónica caracterizada por una limitación, parcialmente reversible, del flujo aéreo. Su principal factor de riesgo es el tabaquismo y existen múltiples factores asociados a su elevada letalidad. Objetivo: identificar los factores asociados con la muerte en pacientes con epoc pertenecientes al Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Docente “Dr. Salvador Allende”, La Habana, Cuba, en el periodo comprendido desde el 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2019. Método: se realizó un estudio epidemiológico observacional analítico de casos y controles. Los casos fueron los fallecimientos (n=34) con diagnóstico de epoc y los controles fueron los pacientes vivos (n=59) con este diagnóstico confirmado al egreso. Fueron consideradas las variables: edad, sexo, tabaquismo, hipertensión arterial, diabetes mellitus, cor pulmonale, cáncer, grado de epoc, causa de hospitalización, sitio de hospitalización y necesidad de ventilación mecánica invasiva. Se emplearon métodos estadísticos descriptivos, análisis univariado y multivariado para calcular el riesgo, y la regresión logística para valorar los factores de confusión. Resultados: hubo predominio de pacientes con edad superior a los 65 años y del sexo femenino. Las variables asociadas con la muerte por epoc fueron: comorbilidad por cáncer (OR: 5,1; IC 95 %: 1,2-22,4; p=0,032) y necesidad de ventilación mecánica invasiva (OR: 6,5; IC 95 %: 1,1-38,3; p=0,04). Conclusiones: la comorbilidad por cáncer y la necesidad de ventilación mecánica invasiva se comportan como factores de riesgo para la mortalidad en pacientes con epoc.Introdução: a doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC) é uma entidade inflamatória crônica caracterizada por uma limitação parcialmente reversível do fluxo aéreo. Seu principal fator de risco é o tabagismo e existem múltiplos fatores associados à sua alta letalidade.Objetivo: identificar os fatores associados ao óbito em pacientes com DPOC pertencentes ao grupo “Dr. Salvador Allende”, Havana, Cuba, no período de 1º de janeiro a 31 de dezembro de 2019. Método: foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico observacional analítico de casos e controles. Os casos eram óbitos (n=34) com diagnóstico de DPOC e os controles eram pacientes vivos (n=59) com esse diagnóstico confirmado na alta. Foram consideradas as variáveis: idade, sexo, tabagismo, hipertensão arterial, diabetes mellitus, cor pulmonale, câncer, grau da DPOC, causa da internação, local da internação e necessidade de ventilação mecânica invasiva. Métodos estatísticos descritivos, análise univariada e multivariada foram usados para calcular o risco e regressão logística para avaliar os fatores de confusão. Resultados: houve predomínio de pacientes com mais de 65 anos e do sexo feminino. As variáveis associadas ao óbito por DPOC foram: comorbidade por câncer (OR: 5,1; IC 95%: 1,2-22,4; p=0,032) e necessidade de ventilação mecânica invasiva (OR: 6,5; IC 95%: 1,1-38,3; p=0,04).Conclusões: a comorbidade oncológica e a necessidade de ventilação mecânica invasiva se comportam como fatores de risco para mortalidade em pacientes com DPOC

Effect of chemical and thermochemical treatments on the surface properties of commercially pure titanium

Chemical and physical methods have been generally used for modifying the surface of titanium implants with the aim of achieving better osseointegration. In this work, an evaluation of the effect of different chemicals and thermochemical treatments on the surface modification of titanium was carried out. Plates of commercially pure titanium were polished and treated with four different methods. Scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and drop shape analysis were used to characterize the modified titanium surface. Our results showed that the AEPTTT surface exhibited the highest Ra values followed by AEAT, AEPT, polished Ti and AE samples. In addition, the AEAT and AEPTTT treatments developed the largest surface area, while the AE treatment produced the lowest surface area. Furthermore, the AEAT treatment created the most hydrophilic surface, which is known to positively affect the osseointegration rate of dental implants.Keywords: Titanium, surface modification, hydrogen peroxide treatment, alkali treatment, thermochemical treatment.

Differential Proliferation Effect of the Newly Synthesized Valine, Tyrosine and Tryptophan–Naphthoquinones in Immortal and Tumorigenic Cervical Cell Lines

We previously showed that microwave assisted synthesis is the best method for the synthesis of naphthoquinone amino acid and chloride-naphthoquinone amino acid derivatives by a complete evaluation of reaction conditions such as stoichiometry, bases, and pH influence. Following the same strategy, we synthesized chloride and non-chloride tyrosine, valine, and tryptophan-naphthoquinones achieving 85–95%, 80–92%, and 91–95% yields, respectively. The cyclic voltammetry profiles showed that both series of naphthoquinone amino acid derivatives mainly display one redox reaction process. Overall, chloride naphthoquinone amino acid derivatives exhibited redox potential values (E1/2) more positive than non-chloride compounds. The six newly synthesized compounds were tested in HPV positive and negative as well as in immortal and tumorigenic cell lines to observe the effects in different cellular context simulating precancerous and cancerous status. A dose-response was achieved to determine the IC50 of six newly synthesized compounds in SiHa (Tumorigenic and HPV16 positive), CaLo (Tumorigenic and HPV18 positive), C33-A (Tumorigenic and HPV negative) and HaCaT (Keratinocytes immortal HPV negative) cell lines. Non-chloride tryptophan-naphthoquinone (3c) and chloride tyrosine-naphthoquine (4a) effects were more potent in tumorigenic SiHa, CaLo, and C33-A cells with respect to non-tumorigenic HaCaT cells. Interestingly, there seems to be a differential effect in non-chloride and chloride naphthoquinone amino acid derivatives in tumorigenic versus non tumorigenic cells. Considering all naphthoquinone amino acid derivatives that our group synthesized, it seems that hydrophobic and aromatic amino acids have the greatest effect on cell proliferation inhibition. These results show promising compounds for cervical cancer treatmen