Cell bystander effect induced by radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and magnetic nanoparticles

Induced effects by direct exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) are a central issue in many fields like radiation protection, clinic diagnosis and oncological therapies. Direct irradiation at certain doses induce cell death, but similar effects can also occur in cells no directly exposed to IR, a mechanism known as bystander effect. Non-IR (radiofrequency waves) can induce the death of cells loaded with MNPs in a focused oncological therapy known as magnetic hyperthermia. Indirect mechanisms are also able to induce the death of unloaded MNPs cells. Using in vitro cell models, we found that colocalization of the MNPs at the lysosomes and the non-increase of the temperature induces bystander effect under non-IR. Our results provide a landscape in which bystander effects are a more general mechanism, up to now only observed and clinically used in the field of radiotherapy.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures, submitted to International Journal of Radiation Biolog

Application of modulated chlorophyll fluorescence and modulated chlorophyll fluorescence imaging to study the environmental stress effect

Chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence is a widely used tool to monitor the photosynthetic process in plants subjected to environmental stresses. this review reports the theoretical bases of Chl fluorescence, and the significance of the most important Chl fluorescence parameters. it also reports how these parameters can be utilised to estimate changes in photosystem (Ps) ii photochemistry, linear electron flux and dissipation mechanisms. the relation between actual Psii photochemistry and Co2 assimilation is discussed, as is the role of photochemical and non-photochemical quenching in inducing changes in Psii activity. the application of Chl fluorescence imaging to study heterogeneity on leaf lamina is also considered. this review summarises only some of the results obtained by this methodology to study the effects of different environmental stresses, namely water availability, nutrients, pollutants, temperature and salinity

Errores conceptuales en los modelos atómicos cuánticos

SUMMARY We analyze how the basic concepts about atomic models are introduced into the Spanish educational system. We considered the textbooks most currently used in the educational levels from 8th EGB to the 1st University level. We finally discuss the possible sources of misconceptions

Focusing on increasing velocity during heavy resistance knee flexion exercise boosts hamstring muscle activity in chronic stroke patients

Background. Muscle strength is markedly reduced in stroke patients, which has negative implications for functional capacity and work ability. Different types of feedback during strength training exercises may alter neuromuscular activity and functional gains. Objective. To compare levels of muscle activity during conditions of blindfolding and intended high contraction speed with a normal condition of high-intensity knee flexions. Methods. Eighteen patients performed unilateral machine knee flexions with a 10-repetition maximum load. Surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the quadrics and hamstring muscles and normalized to maximal EMG (nEMG) of the nonparetic limb. Results. For the paretic leg, the speed condition showed higher values of muscle activity compared with the normal and blindfolded conditions for both biceps femoris and semitendinosus. Likewise, the speed condition showed higher co-contraction values compared with the normal and blindfolded conditions for the vastus lateralis. No differences were observed between exercise conditions for the nonparetic leg. Conclusion. Chronic stroke patients are capable of performing heavy resistance training with intended high speed of contraction. Focusing on speed during the concentric phase elicited higher levels of muscle activity of the hamstrings compared to normal and blindfolded conditions, which may have implications for regaining fast muscle strength in stroke survivors

Corrigendum: COVID-19 Confinement and Health Risk Behaviors in Spain

In the original article, the reference for Chen et al. (2009) was incorrectly written as “Chen, P., Mao, L., Nassis, G. P., Harmer, P., Ainsworth, B. E., and Li, F. (2009). Wuhan coronavirus (2019-nCoV): the need to maintain regular physical activity while taking precautions. J. Sport Health Sci. 9, 103–104. doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2020.02.001”. It should be “Chen, P., Mao, L., Nassis, G. P., Harmer, P., Ainsworth, B. E., and Li, F. (2020). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): The need to maintain regular physical activity while taking precautions. J. Sport Health Sci. 9, 103–104. doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2020.02.001”. The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated

The Importance of Lifestyle Factors for Work Ability among Physical Therapists:A Cross-Sectional Study

Lifestyle factors such as smoking, sedentarism, low physical activity levels, and overweight are associated with poor health, and they can potentially influence work ability. However, it remains unknown which lifestyle habits are associated with work ability among physical therapists (PTs). The aim of this study was to examine the associations between smoking, alcohol consumption, BMI, sitting time, and physical activity levels with work ability among PTs utilizing a nationwide questionnaire. Associations were modeled using logistic regression controlled for various confounders. Overweight, sitting >150 min/day, and <75 min/week of leisure-time vigorous physical activity were associated with lower work ability among PTs. Further, the existence of two unhealthy habits showed a weak-to-moderate positive association with lower work ability scores (Model 1: OR, 2.21, 95% CI = 1.16–4.22; Model 2: OR, 2.32, 95% CI, 1.18–4.54), with even stronger associations when three unhealthy habits (Model 1: OR = 3.30, 95% CI, 1.58–6.86; Model 2: OR, 3.34, 95% CI, 1.54–7.26) or four unhealthy habits (Model 1: OR = 8.91, 95% CI, 2.55–31.1; Model 2: OR = 8.20, 95% CI, 2.15–31.2) were present. In conclusion, overweight, low physical activity, and sedentarism were associated with lower levels of work ability, especially when ≥2 unhealthy lifestyle factors were present

Handgrip strength and work limitations:A prospective cohort study of 70,820 adults aged 50 and older

The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between handgrip strength and the incidence of work limitations in European adults aged 50 and older. We conducted a prospective cohort study among adults aged 50 and older from 27 European countries and Israel. Data were collected from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) waves 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Handgrip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer (Smedley, S Dynamometer, TTM) and participants replied to questions about work limitations. Cox regression was conducted for statistical analyses. A total of 70,820 older adults (mean age 61 ± 7.7 years; 54.3 % women) were followed during a mean of 3.8 ± 2.9 years. The fully adjusted model showed that participants with low handgrip strength (<16 kg in women and <27 kg in men) had a significantly higher risk of work limitations compared with participants with normal values of handgrip strength (hazard ratio: 1.36; 95 % confidence interval: 1.28–1.44). Kaplan-Meier trajectories revealed that the survival probability to experience work limitations in the normal handgrip category was 20 % lower than in the low handgrip category in most of the follow-up period. We identified low level of handgrip strength as a risk factor for work limitations in adults aged 50 years or older. This could be used as an accessible measure to screen workers at risk of developing work limitations