Ultrasound imaging evaluation of textural features in athletes with soleus pathology : a novel case-control study

Background: the aim of this study was to compare the echotexture of patients with soleus muscle injury and age matched controls. Methods: a sample of 62 athletes was recruited at the private clinic and was divided in two group: a healthy group (n = 31) and a soleus pathology group whose athletes had soleus muscle injury, located in the central tendon (n = 31). The muscle thickness (MTh), echointensity (EI) and echovariation (EV) were analyzed. An intra-rater reliability test (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient-ICC) was performed in order to analyze the reliability of the values of the measurements. Results: Sociodemographic variables did not show statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). Ultrasound imaging measurements who reported statistically significant differences were EI (p = 0.001) and standard deviation (SD) (p = 0.001). MTh and EV variables did not show statistically significant differences (p = 0.381 and p = 0.364, respectively). Moreover, reliability values for the MTh (ICC = 0.911), EI (ICC = 0.982), SD (ICC = 0.955) and EV (ICC = 0.963). Based on these results the intra-rater reliability was considered excellent. Conclusion: Athletes with a central tendon injury of soleus muscle showed a lower EI when they were compared to healthy athletes. The echogenicity showed by the quantitative ultrasound imaging measurement may be a more objective parameter for the diagnosis and follow-up the soleus muscle injurie

The Giardial Arginine Deiminase Participates in Giardia-Host Immunomodulation in a Structure-Dependent Fashion via Toll-like Receptors

Beyond the problem in public health that protist-generated diseases represent, understanding the variety of mechanisms used by these parasites to interact with the human immune system is of biological and medical relevance. Giardia lamblia is an early divergent eukaryotic microorganism showing remarkable pathogenic strategies for evading the immune system of vertebrates. Among various multifunctional proteins in Giardia, arginine deiminase is considered an enzyme that plays multiple regulatory roles during the life cycle of this parasite. One of its most important roles is the crosstalk between the parasite and host. Such a molecular “chat” is mediated in human cells by membrane receptors called Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Here, we studied the importance of the 3D structure of giardial arginine deiminase (GlADI) to immunomodulate the human immune response through TLRs. We demonstrated the direct effect of GlADI on human TLR signaling. We predicted its mode of interaction with TLRs two and four by using the AlphaFold-predicted structure of GlADI and molecular docking. Furthermore, we showed that the immunomodulatory capacity of this virulent factor of Giardia depends on the maintenance of its 3D structure. Finally, we also showed the influence of this enzyme to exert specific responses on infant-like dendritic cells

Laser-based surface multistructuring using optical elements and the Talbot effect

We present a laser based technique combined with the Talbot effect for microstructuring surfaces. The use of the Talbot effect is introduced as a solution to avoid damage of the periodic object used for micropattering different surfaces during the ablation process. The fabrication of two periodic objects (a mask and a microlens array) for micropattering surfaces and the identification of their Talbot planes is presented. A metal foil is ablated at distances corresponding to selected Talbot planes of the periodic objects. The setup allows us to design the desired pattern and the result is a multistructured surface with a high number of identical microholes, achieving a minimum diameter around 4μm. The different aspect of the periodic object working in direct contact and working at these Talbot distances is shown. These pictures reveal the advantages of working of using Talbot effect for a rapid, repeatable and no-contaminant multistructuring. Some industrial applications are illustrated.This work has been supported by the Consellería de Cultura, Xunta de Galicia/FEDER, Spain under Contract EM2012/019S

Multisensor fusion of environment measures using Bayesian Networks

Autonomous mobile robots usually require a large number of sensor types and sensing modules. There are different sensors, some complementary and some redundant. Integrating the sensor measures implies several multisensor fusion techniques. These techniques can be classified in two groups: low level fusion, used for direct integration of sensory data; and high level fusion, which is used for indirect integration of sensory data. We have developed a system to integrate indirect measures of different sensors. This system allows us to use any type of sensor which provides measures of the robot's environment It Is designed as a Belief Bayesian Network. The method needs that the user creates a low level fusion module and an interface between that module and our fusion system

Solución tecnológica que permita mejorar la experiencia y accesibilidad del cliente en el sistema financiero basada en el OpenBanking

El presente proyecto tiene como objetivo proponer una solución tecnológica que permita mejorar la experiencia y accesibilidad del cliente al momento de realizar la solicitud de un préstamo en una entidad financiera. A través de un Portal Web y/o Aplicación Móvil el cliente solicitará un préstamo donde podrá visualizar, comparar alternativas de créditos en línea que las entidades financieras nos otorguen y elegir la oferta que mejor le convenga. Estas integraciones que se tendrá con las entidades financieras se lograrán cumpliendo normativas y regulaciones internacionales como el PSD2 y estándares como el Open Banking las cuales promueven la innovación, competencia y favorece la adaptación de los servicios bancarios a las nuevas tecnologías. Dependiendo del monto que solicite el cliente, la Fintech podrá financiar el préstamo solicitado. En caso de que el monto supere lo permitido por la Fintech, la solicitud de préstamo se deriva a las diferentes entidades financieras suscritas en el Portal Web. Generando mecanismos de competencia, mejorando la oferta hacia el cliente y promoviendo la inclusión financiera tanto a personas bancarizadas, como no bancarizadas. El otorgamiento de crédito a un cliente debe pasar por un proceso de pre-evaluación, dicho proceso emplea un modelo predictivo de riesgos basados en datos no paramétricos, que permita evaluar el nivel de riesgo, su promesa de pago y el compromiso del cliente para con el préstamo.The objective of this project is to propose a technological solution to improve the experience and accessibility of the client when applying for a loan in a financial institution. Through a Web Portal and/or Mobile Application, the client who wants to request a loan will be able to view, compare online credit alternatives that financial entities grant us and choose the offer that best suits him or her. The integrations that we will have with financial entities will be achieved by complying with international regulations and regulations such as PSD2 and international standards such as Open Banking, which promote innovation and competition, and it also favor the adaptation of banking services to new technologies. Depending on the loan amount requested by the client, the Fintech would finance the request, but if the amount exceeds what is allowed by the Fintech, the loan request is derived to the different financial entities subscribed to the Web Portal, generating competition mechanisms, improving the offer to the client, and promoting financial inclusion for both banked and unbanked people. The granting of credit to a client must go through a pre-evaluation process. This process uses a predictive risk model based on non-parametric data, which allows the evaluation of the client’s level of risk, the payment promise and the client's commitment to the loan.Tesi

Multilevel Approach for the Treatment of Giardiasis by Targeting Arginine Deiminase

Giardiasis represents a latent problem in public health due to the exceptionally pathogenic strategies of the parasite Giardia lamblia for evading the human immune system. Strains resistant to first-line drugs are also a challenge. Therefore, new antigiardial therapies are urgently needed. Here, we tested giardial arginine deiminase (GlADI) as a target against giardiasis. GlADI belongs to an essential pathway in Giardia for the synthesis of ATP, which is absent in humans. In silico docking with six thiol-reactive compounds was performed; four of which are approved drugs for humans. Recombinant GlADI was used in enzyme inhibition assays, and computational in silico predictions and spectroscopic studies were applied to follow the enzyme’s structural disturbance and identify possible effective drugs. Inhibition by modification of cysteines was corroborated using Ellman’s method. The efficacy of these drugs on parasite viability was assayed on Giardia trophozoites, along with the inhibition of the endogenous GlADI. The most potent drug against GlADI was assayed on Giardia encystment. The tested drugs inhibited the recombinant GlADI by modifying its cysteines and, potentially, by altering its 3D structure. Only rabeprazole and omeprazole decreased trophozoite survival by inhibiting endogenous GlADI, while rabeprazole also decreased the Giardia encystment rate. These findings demonstrate the potential of GlADI as a target against giardiasis

Laser Surface Microstructuring of Biocompatible Materials Using a Microlens Array and the Talbot Effect: Evaluation of the Cell Adhesion

A laser based technique for microstructuring titanium and tantalum substrates using the Talbot effect and an array of microlenses is presented. By using this hybrid technique; we are able to generate different patterns and geometries on the top surfaces of the biomaterials. The Talbot effect allows us to rapidly make microstructuring, solving the common problems of using microlenses for multipatterning; where the material expelled during the ablation of biomaterials damages the microlens. The Talbot effect permits us to increase the working distance and reduce the period of the patterns. We also demonstrate that the geometries and patterns act as anchor points for cells; affecting the cell adhesion to the metallic substrates and guiding how they spread over the materialThis work has been supported under contracts MAT2015-71119-R, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, and ISCIII/PI14-01140/FEDER, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain. M. Aymerich acknowledges a Pre-Doctoral Fellowship from Xunta de Galicia (Spain) financed by the Secretaría Xeral de Universidades and the Fondo Social Europeo (FSE). D. Nieto thanks the Consellería de Cultura, Spain for their support under the Galician Programme for Research Innovation and Growth (2011–2015) (I2C Plan)S

Antimicrobial Resistance in E. coli Isolated from the Biological Samples in Zacatecas patients

The problem of antimicrobial resistance has led Health Services take to stop population from self-medicating. The use of antibiotics to trigger a possible mutation of the most common bacteria of which the human being has contact, so it is important to evaluate the consequences. The present study was to evaluate the antibacterial sensitivity necessary to determine the antibiotic to be prescribed; were analyzed cultures of 48 patients who already referred symptoms were used between hospital inpatients and outpatients of different sex and age ranges groups. The biological samples were vaginal exudates and urine cultures. The results reports indicate that resistance predominates over sensitivity a fact that must draw attention to taking decisive measures in this regard

The visigothic tomb of "Sapatio"

Se ofrece en este trabajo el estudio de una tumba visigoda localizada en la Fase III de la Intervención Arqueológica en la Plaza de España de Écija (Sevilla), en la que confluye la información arqueológica con la antropológica y epigráfica.In this paper is offered the study of a visigothic tomb excavated in the 3rd phase of the archaeological excavations carried out in the Plaza de España of Ecija (Seville), in which the archaeological evidence meets with anthropological and epigraphic documentation