Relationship Between Jump Capacity and Performance in BMX Cycling

The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between the results obtained on different vertical jump tests and the top score recorded during a BMX (Bicycle Moto-Cross) test and the rider''s performance. To do so, 10 BMX pilots participated in this study; 5 regarded as the elite group (EG) (age: 18.8 +/- 3.7, weight: 68.4 +/- 8.5 kg, height: 174 +/- 9 cm and previous BMX experience: 8 +/- 3.8 years) and 5 regarded as the recreational group (RG) (age: 19.8 +/- 4.8, weight: 69.2 +/- 11.7 kg, height: 170 +/- 9 cm, previous BMX experience: 4.2 +/- 1.3 years). Vertical jump capacity was obtained using the Bosco protocol, i.e. vertical squat jump (SJ), vertical countermovement jump (CMJ), drop jump (DJ) and repetitive jump (RJ), and time in race in a BMX circuit was determined. The results indicate a direct relationship between the time used to complete the circuit and the height of the jump reached in SJ (r: -.801; p:.017), CMJ (r : -.798; p :.018) and DJ (r : -.782; p:.022). This all suggests that assessing jump capacity using the Bosco test may be a useful tool for assessing BMX performance

Uptake-leak balance of SR Ca2+ determines arrhythmogenic potential of RyR2R420Q+/- cardiomyocytes.

Mutations of the RyR2 are channelopathies that can predispose to life threatening catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardias (CPVTs) during exercise or stress. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms that are causal for the arrhythmias downstream of the β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) activation are not defined. They may be specific and different for each particular RyR2 mutation. Obvious possibilities are the phosphorylation of the mutated RyR2s or the stimulation of the SR Ca2+ pump (SERCA), which could increase SR Ca2+ loading. Potentially arrhythmogenic Ca2+ signals, such as Ca2+ waves, were recorded and analyzed from WT and RyR2R420Q+/- mouse cardiomyocytes with confocal microscopy after field stimulation at 1 Hz. In RyR2R420Q+/- cardiomyocytes we found a higher occurrence and frequency of Ca2+ waves, particularly upon β-AR stimulation with isoproterenol. This was accompanied by a shorter latency to the first spontaneous wave. Wave velocity from raw traces, as well as amplitude and decay time constant (τ) analyzed in de-skewed traces were comparable in both cell types. To obtain further insight into the role of the SERCA we selectively stimulated SERCA in permeabilized myocytes using Fab fragments of a PLB antibody (2D12). Surprisingly, SERCA stimulation alone resulted in considerably higher wave frequencies than when mimicking β-AR stimulation with cAMP, particularly in RyR2R420Q+/- cardiomyocytes. This may be a consequence of some protective SR Ca2+ unloading resulting from the SR Ca2+ leak via phosphorylated RyR2s in cAMP. Spark-to-spark recovery analysis suggested a remarkably higher Ca2+ release sensitivity in RyR2R420Q+/- cells, both in control and upon β-AR stimulation. Together these findings suggest that the fine balance between SR Ca2+ loading via SERCA and the Ca2+ leak via mutated and phosphorylated RyR2s is an important determinant for the overall cellular arrhythmogenicity prevailing in the RyR2R420Q+/- myocytes

Admission tools and academic performance: evidence from a first course in a bachelor’s degree in business administration

[EN] Admission tools have become imperative means for private schools to handle both limited space and the search of excellence. We use a supervised algorithm to predict the score of admitted students in a private-run Spanish business school. The main target is understanding the effects of the features defined in the admission process to assess both the validity of the process and the final ranking of the student after one year in the school, trying to ascertain what is the best mix of the variables in place to forecast the final score of the students when ending their first year in the BBA; along with the mix, we also want to define the decision rules allowing the best prediction. The results will prove that the present admission process in place is working properly even if some fine tuning could be set in place for an even better performance.Lopez-Zafra, J.; Queralt-Sanchez De Las Matas, R.; De Paz-Cobo, S. (2019). Admission tools and academic performance: evidence from a first course in a bachelor’s degree in business administration. En HEAD'19. 5th International Conference on Higher Education Advances. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 573-581. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD19.2019.9301OCS57358

Translocation and Functional Analysis of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi NCPPB 3335 Type III Secretion System Effectors Reveals Two Novel Effector Families of the Pseudomonas syringae Complex

Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi NCPPB 3335 causes olive knot disease and is a model pathogen for exploring bacterial infection of woody hosts. The type III secretion system (T3SS) effector repertoire of this strain includes 31 effector candidates plus two novel candidates identified in this study which have not been reported to translocate into plant cells. In this work, we demonstrate the delivery of seven NCPPB 3335 effectors into Nicotiana tabacum leaves, including three proteins from two novel families of the P. syringae complex effector super-repertoire (HopBK and HopBL), one of which comprises two proteins (HopBL1 and HopBL2) that harbor a SUMO protease domain. When delivered by P. fluorescens heterologously expressing a P. syringae T3SS, all seven effectors were found to suppress the production of defense-associated reactive oxygen species. Moreover, six of these effectors, including the truncated versions of HopAA1 and HopAZ1 encoded by NCPPB 3335, suppressed callose deposition. The expression of HopAZ1 and HopBL1 by functionally effectorless P. syringae pv. tomato DC3000D28E inhibited the hypersensitive response in tobacco and, additionally, expression of HopBL2 by this strain significantly increased its competitiveness in N. benthamiana. DNA sequences encoding HopBL1 and HopBL2 were uniquely detected in a collection of 31 P. savastanoi pv. savastanoi strains and other P. syringae strains isolated from woody hosts, suggesting a relevant role of these two effectors in bacterial interactions with olive and other woody plants

Factores asociados a la infección por el virus del papiloma humano en mujeres del noroeste de México

Research on the association between risk factors and HPV infection in adult women from Hermosillo does not exist, so a study of cases and controls (1: 2) matched by age was designed to analyze this public health problem at local level. Participants were 33 and 66 women with and without HPV, respectively (mean age = 41.8 ± 7.9 years). The difference in characteristics between groups was tested with conditional logistic regression (univariate). Antioxidant intake was adjusted by total energy using the residual method. Two multivariate logistic regression models were generated to identify factors associated with HPV. In both models, the higher consumption of lycopene (OR = 0.96, CI =0.95-0.99, p = 0.019) and the higher Plasma Total Antioxidant Capacity (TACp) (OR = 0.05, CI 95% = 0.03-0.7, p = 0.024), even adjusted by the number of pregnancies, number of sexual partners, and total number of sexual partners per year, reduced the risk of HPV. Multiple pregnancies and sexual behavior increased the risk of HPV, and higher consumption of lycopene and CATp reduced it in the women in this study. Sex education should be strengthened, as well as the consumption of antioxidants in women from Hermosillo to prevent the development of cervical cancer.Investigaciones sobre la asociación entre factores de riesgo y la infección por VPH en mujeres adultas hermosillenses no existen, y por ello se diseñó un estudio de casos y controles (1: 2) pareado por edad para analizar este problema de salud pública a nivel local. Participaron 33 y 66 mujeres con y sin VPH respectivamente (edad media = 41,8 ± 7,9 años). La diferencia de características entre grupos se probó con regresión logística condicional (univariada). La ingesta de antioxidantes se ajustó por energía total utilizando el método residual. Se generaron dos modelos de regresión logística multivariada para identificar los factores asociados con VPH. En ambos modelos, el mayor consumo de licopeno (OR = 0,96, IC =0,95- 0,99, p = 0,019) y la mayor Capacidad Antioxidante Total plasmática (CATp) (OR = 0,05, IC 95% = 0,03-0,7, p = 0,024), ajustados aún con el número de embarazos, número de parejas sexuales, y total de parejas sexuales por año, redujeron el riesgo a VPH.  Los embarazos múltiples y la conducta sexual incrementaron el riesgo a VPH, y los mayores consumos de licopeno y CATp la redujeron en las mujeres de este estudio. Debe fortalecerse la educación sexual, así como el consumo de antioxidantes en las mujeres hermosillenses para prevenir el desarrollo del cáncer de cuello uterino

KCNQ1 suppression-replacement gene therapy in transgenic rabbits with type 1 long QT syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Type 1 long QT syndrome (LQT1) is caused by pathogenic variants in the KCNQ1-encoded Kv7.1 potassium channels, which pathologically prolong ventricular action potential duration (APD). Herein, the pathologic phenotype in transgenic LQT1 rabbits is rescued using a novel KCNQ1 suppression-replacement (SupRep) gene therapy. METHODS KCNQ1-SupRep gene therapy was developed by combining into a single construct a KCNQ1 shRNA (suppression) and an shRNA-immune KCNQ1 cDNA (replacement), packaged into adeno-associated virus serotype 9, and delivered in vivo via an intra-aortic root injection (1E10 vg/kg). To ascertain the efficacy of SupRep, 12-lead electrocardiograms were assessed in adult LQT1 and wild-type (WT) rabbits and patch-clamp experiments were performed on isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes. RESULTS KCNQ1-SupRep treatment of LQT1 rabbits resulted in significant shortening of the pathologically prolonged QT index (QTi) towards WT levels. Ventricular cardiomyocytes isolated from treated LQT1 rabbits demonstrated pronounced shortening of APD compared to LQT1 controls, leading to levels similar to WT (LQT1-UT vs. LQT1-SupRep, P < .0001, LQT1-SupRep vs. WT, P = ns). Under β-adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol, SupRep-treated rabbits demonstrated a WT-like physiological QTi and APD90 behaviour. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first animal-model, proof-of-concept gene therapy for correction of LQT1. In LQT1 rabbits, treatment with KCNQ1-SupRep gene therapy normalized the clinical QTi and cellular APD90 to near WT levels both at baseline and after isoproterenol. If similar QT/APD correction can be achieved with intravenous administration of KCNQ1-SupRep gene therapy in LQT1 rabbits, these encouraging data should compel continued development of this gene therapy for patients with LQT1

Registro Nacional de Fracturas de Cadera (RNFC): Resultados del primer año y comparación con otros registros y estudios multicéntricos españoles

Background: The Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry (Registro Nacional de Fracturas de Cadera or RNFC) is a Spanish, prospective, multi- centric registry, commenced in 2017. The goal of this paper is to present the data from the first annual report and to compare them with autonomic registries and recent prospective multi-centric studies performed in Spain. Methods: We included persons 75 years of age or older treated for fragility hip fractures in any of the centers participating in the RNFC between January and October 2017. The descriptive statistics of each variable used the mean (and standard deviation) or the median (and interquartile ranges) for the ordinal variables and the percentage for the categoric variables. A descriptive analysis of the casemix was performed and compared with available data from the aforementioned studies. Results: The RNFC included 7.208 patients from 54 hospitals, with a mean age of 86.7 (SD 5.6) years; 75.4% were women, and 36.4% showed cognitive decline. Mean surgical delay was 75.7 (SD 63.6) hours, and length of stay averaged 10.9 (SD 6.7) days. Of the patients who lived at home (75.4%), less than half (37.0%) returned home at discharge. One-month mortality was 7.1%. Comparison with other studies showed important differences, especially regarding patients newly sent to nursing homes (7.7-29.4%) and with antiosteoporotic treatment at discharge (14.5-36.7%). Conclusions: The RNFC is the largest prospective database to date that offers data regarding the characteristics of patients hospitalized for hip fractures in Spain. Comparison with recent studies showed some important differencesFundamentos: El Registro Nacional de Fracturas de Cadera (RNFC) es un registro español multicéntrico, prospectivo y continuo, que comenzó en 2017. El objetivo de este artículo fue presentar los datos del primer informe anual y compararlos con los registros autonómicos y los estudios multicéntricos realizados recientemente en España. Métodos: Se incluyeron las personas de 75 años o más atendidas con el diagnóstico de fractura de cadera por fragilidad en alguno de los hospitales participantes en el RNFC, entre enero y octubre de 2017. En el análisis estadístico se utilizó la media y desviación estándar o mediana y rangos intercuartílicos para las variables numéricas y los porcentajes para las variables categóricas. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo global de la casuística y se comparó con los datos disponibles de los estudios previos mencionados. Resultados: Se registraron 7.208 personas de 54 hospitales, con una edad media de 86,7 años (DE 5,6). El 75,4% fueron mujeres y el 36,4% presentaron deterioro cognitivo previo. La demora quirúrgica media fue de 75,7 horas (DE 63,6) y la estancia media fue de 10,9 días (DE 6,7). De las personas que vivían en un domicilio antes de la fractura (75,4%), menos de la mitad (37,0%) volvieron a él tras el alta hospitalaria. Al mes, había fallecido el 7,1%. La comparación con los otros estudios mostró algunas diferencias importantes, sobre todo en la ubicación previa, en el porcentaje de pacientes institucionalizados de novo (7,7-29,4%) y en el porcentaje con tratamiento antiosteoporótico al alta (14,5-36,7%). Conclusiones: El RNFC es la mayor base de datos prospectiva que aporta datos sobre el perfil de los pacientes hospitalizados por fractura de cadera en España. La comparación con otros estudios recientes muestra algunas diferencias importantesThe RNFC has been financed through donations by AMGEN SA, UCB Pharma, Abbott Laboratories and FAES Farma, as well as a Research Grant from the Fundación Mutua Madrileña (AP169672018)

Quality of life assessed with the medical outcomes study short form 36-item health survey of patients on renal replacement therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36) is the most widely used generic instrument to estimate quality of life of patients on renal replacement therapy. Purpose of this study was to summarize and compare the published literature on quality of life of hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), and renal transplant (RTx) patients. Methods: We used random-effects regression analyses to compare the SF-36 scores across treatment groups and adjusted this comparison for age and prevalence of diabetes using random-effects meta-regression analyses. Results: We found 52 articles that met the inclusion criteria, reporting quality of life of 36,582 patients. The unadjusted scores of all SF-36 health dimensions were not significantly different between HD and PD patients, but the scores of RTx patients were higher than those of dialysis patients, except for the dimensions Mental Health and Bodily Pain. Point differences between dialysis and RTx patients varied from 2 to 32. With adjustment for age and diabetes, the differences became smaller (point difference 2–22). The significance of the differences of both dialysis groups compared with RTx recipients disappeared for the dimensions Vitality and Social Functioning. The significance of the differences between HD and RTx patients disappeared on the dimensions Physical Functioning, Role Physical, and Bodily Pain. Conclusion: We conclude that dialysis patients have a lower quality of life than RTx patients, but this difference can partly be explained by differences in age and prevalence of diabetes. Keywords: hemodialysis, meta-analysis, peritoneal dialysis, quality of life, renal transplantation

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London