Nanotermodinamika

This work presents a theory that goes beyond the scope of Classical Thermodynamics. It is named Nanothermodynamics, and it was created and developed by physicist Terrell Hill in the 1960s. In essence, it includes the necessary tools for the study of small systems, by means of a thermodynamic potential known as the subdivision potential. In fact, it enables the construction of the "nanocanonical" statistical ensemble, by introducing a distinctive degree of freedom related to its distribution of small systems. Through examples, we shall emphasize the importance of taking account of finite size effects in the nanothermodynamic region. With that being said, undergraduates taking a course on Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics will find it rewarding to understand and internalize the fundamentals of Nanothermodynamics. Even if it has remained abandoned and left aside for many years, Hill’s theory has nowadays proved useful to scientists of wide-ranging areas for the advancement of their research, such as in Chemical Physics and Biology.; Lan honetan, Termodinamika Klasikotik haratago doan teoria aurkeztuko dugu: Terrell Hill fisikariak 1960ko hamarkadan sortutako eta garatutako Nanotermodinamika. Funtsean, sistema txikien azterketarako nahitaezkoa den tresneria biltzen du, banatze-potentzial deritzon potentzial termodinamikoa dela medio. Hain zuzen, horrek ahalbidetzen du, besteak beste, banatzearekin lotutako askatasun-gradu berezia abian jartzeaz bat, multzo estatistiko nanokanonikoaren eraikuntza. Adibideen bidez, eskualde nanotermodinamikoan kasuan kasuko tamaina finituko efektuek duten esanguran sakonduko dugu. Horiek horrela, Termodinamika eta Fisika Estatistikoa irakasgaiko ikasleei arras aberasgarria gertatuko zaie, alde batetik, ohiko Termodina- mikaren irismenaz ohartzea, eta, bestetik, Nanotermodinamikaren nondik norakoak ulertzea eta barneratzea. Aipatzekoa da ezen urte luzez baztertuta egon bada ere, egun Hill-en teoria baliagarria gertatu zaiela hainbat esparrutako zientzialariei; esate baterako, kimika fisikoan eta biologian

Effects of leucine-enriched whey protein supplementation on physical function in post-hospitalized older adults participating in 12-weeks of resistance training program: a randomized controlled trial

Age-related strength and muscle mass loss is further increased after acute periods of inactivity. To avoid this, resistance training has been proposed as an effective countermeasure, but the additional effect of a protein supplement is not so clear. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a whey protein supplement enriched with leucine after resistance training on muscle mass and strength gains in a post-hospitalized elderly population. A total of 28 participants were included and allocated to either protein supplementation or placebo supplementation following resistance training for 12 weeks (2 days/week). Physical function (lower and upper body strength, aerobic capacity and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) test), mini nutritional assessment (MNA) and body composition (Dual X-ray Absorptiometry) were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of resistance training. Both groups showed improvements in physical function after the intervention (p 0.05). Muscle mass did not improve after resistance training in either group (p > 0.05). In conclusion, 12 weeks of resistance training are enough to improve physical function in a post-hospitalized elderly population with no further benefits for the protein-supplemented group.This study was supported by the Basque Government (2016111138), and the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), the University of Granada Plan Propio de Investigación 2016 (Excellence Actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health [UCEES]) and the Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Conocimiento, Investigación y Universidades (ERDF: ref. SOMM17/6107/UGR). MA was supported by a grant from the University of the Basque Country (PIF17/186), IE by a grant from the University of the Basque Country in collaboration with the University of Bordeaux (Université of Bordeaux (UBX)) (PIFBUR16/07) and JRR by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RYC 2010-05957; RYC-2011-09011 and BES-2014-068829).This work was also supported by grants from the Public University of Navarra, 'Plan de Promoción de Grupos de Investigación (2019)'

Determinants of Participation in a Post-Hospitalization Physical Exercise Program for Older Adults

Background: Older patients often experience a decline in physical function and cognitive status after hospitalization. Although interventions involving physical exercise are effective in improving functional performance, participation in physical exercise interventions among older individuals is low. We aimed to identify factors that contribute to exercise refusal among post-hospitalized older patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study of recruitment data from a randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 495 hospitalized people >= 70 years old. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained from the Basque Public Health System database. We determined physical function with the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), nutritional status with the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, frailty according to the Fried phenotype criteria, and cognitive function with the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). Student's t, Mann-Whitney U, or chi-squared tests were applied for bivariate analysis. Parameters significantly associated with participation were introduced in a logistic multivariate regression model. Results: Among the analyzed patients, 88.8% declined participation in the physical exercise program. Multivariate regression revealed that older age (OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.07-1.19), poor nutritional status (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.69-0.95), and reduced home accessibility (OR: 0.27; 95% CI: 0.08-0.94) were predictors of participation refusal. Moreover, patients who declined participation had worse performance on the SPPB (P < 0.05) and its tests of balance, leg strength, and walking speed (P < 0.05). No differences were found between groups in other variables. Conclusions: This study confirms low participation of older adults in a post-hospitalization physical exercise program. Non-participation was associated with increased age, poor nutritional status, and reduced home accessibility. Our findings support the need for intervention design that accounts for these factors to increase older patient participation in beneficial exercise programs.The study was funded by the Department of Education, Language Policy and Culture (2016111138) and a Programme Contract of the Department of Health, both departments of the Government of the Basque Country, which provided financial support during the research. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis and interpretation or writing the manuscript

Seroreactividad de pacientes de la enfermedad de Crohn a antígenos micobacteriano: datos originales y revisión de los estudios pioneros

The mycobacterial etiology of Crohn’s disease has longtime been the subject of discussion and several studies on this issue have been published. In this paper we set out to critically analyze reports on the humoral response against mycobacterial antigens among Crohn’s disease patients and matched samples of ulcerative colitis, tuberculosis, and healthy controls, published during the decade that followed initial suspicions in the early-mid 1980s. We also provide our own previously unpublished results of the humoral response of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and tuberculosis patients and healthy controls to an adapted paratuberculosis (PPA- 3 antigen) ELISA. Our study indicate that statistical analysis of some studies were not adequate, and that a general signifi cantly (p<0.01) increased reactivity against mycobacterial antigens could be observed in the combined analysis of all available data (meta-analysis). The reactivity of Crohn’s patients did not signfi cantly differ from reactivity of tuberculosis patients against mycobacterial antigen

Contemporary use of cefazolin for MSSA infective endocarditis: analysis of a national prospective cohort

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the real use of cefazolin for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) infective endocarditis (IE) in the Spanish National Endocarditis Database (GAMES) and to compare it with antistaphylococcal penicillin (ASP). Methods: Prospective cohort study with retrospective analysis of a cohort of MSSA IE treated with cloxacillin and/or cefazolin. Outcomes assessed were relapse; intra-hospital, overall, and endocarditis-related mortality; and adverse events. Risk of renal toxicity with each treatment was evaluated separately. Results: We included 631 IE episodes caused by MSSA treated with cloxacillin and/or cefazolin. Antibiotic treatment was cloxacillin, cefazolin, or both in 537 (85%), 57 (9%), and 37 (6%) episodes, respectively. Patients treated with cefazolin had significantly higher rates of comorbidities (median Charlson Index 7, P <0.01) and previous renal failure (57.9%, P <0.01). Patients treated with cloxacillin presented higher rates of septic shock (25%, P = 0.033) and new-onset or worsening renal failure (47.3%, P = 0.024) with significantly higher rates of in-hospital mortality (38.5%, P = 0.017). One-year IE-related mortality and rate of relapses were similar between treatment groups. None of the treatments were identified as risk or protective factors. Conclusion: Our results suggest that cefazolin is a valuable option for the treatment of MSSA IE, without differences in 1-year mortality or relapses compared with cloxacillin, and might be considered equally effective