Estudio estático y dinámico del ángulo Q mediante videofotogrametría 3D

OBJETIVOS: Se estudia la evolución del ángulo Q (Q dinámico) en bipedestación y en una marcha frontal, para obtener los valores de normalidad para futuros estudios dónde la clínica femoropatelar es más acentuada (bajar escaleras y descenso de rampa). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Participaron 20 individuos sanos (10 hombres y 10 mujeres) con edad media de 22,7 años + 3,02 (20-25 años), a los que se realizó un análisis tridimensional del movimiento mediante el sistema de videofotogrametría en 3D Orthobio, en la bipedestación y durante la marcha en terreno llano. RESULTADOS: Hemos observado que durante la bipedestación el ángulo Q estático medio tiene un valor de 16,12º. Los datos obtenidos muestran que el ángulo Q dinámico oscila 8,13º (6,03º-14,16º), produciéndose el valor máximo en el momento del choque de talón y el mínimo poco después del despegue. La media del ángulo Q dinámico en un ciclo de marcha ha sido de 11,47º. En los datos por sexos corresponde a las mujeres es de 12,46º, y el de los hombres de 10,48º. CONCLUSIONES: Durante la marcha el ángulo Q dinámico disminuye con respecto al estático.OBJECTIVES: In this paper we study the evolution of the dynamic Q-angle in bipedal standing and forward gait to obtain values of normality for future studies in which femoropatellar problems are more pronounced (e.g. descending stairs or ramps). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty healthy individuals (10 men and 10 women), with an average age of 22.7 + 3.02 years (i.e. 20–25 years), took part in this study. In these individuals, a tridimensional analysis of movement of bipedal standing and gait on flat terrain was conducted using 3D Orthobio videophotogrammetry. RESULTS: During bipedal standing, the average static Q angle was 16.12º. The dynamic Q angle fluctuated by 8.13º (between 6.03º and 14.16º), the maximum dynamic Q angle was reached as the heel contacted the ground and the minimum was reached just after leaving the ground. The average dynamic Q angle in a gait cycle was 11.47º (12.46º for women and 10.48º for men). CONCLUSIONS: During the cycle, the dynamic Q angle is lower than the static Q angle

Evaluation of toxicological endpoints in female zebrafish after bisphenol A exposure

Given the importance of bisphenol A (BPA) as a xenoestrogen and its potential effects on human and animal, we evaluated BPA exposure's short-term effects on follicular development, yolk protein vitellogenin (VTG) production and aromatase expression in female zebrafish. Histological modifications were observed along with increased presence of atretic follicles. Whole-body VTG concentration increased with the dose of BPA exposure. In contrast, expression of Cyp19a mRNA in the ovaries of BPA-exposed fish exhibited an apparent non- monotonic response curve, marked by downregulation at 1 μg/L BPA, upregulation at 10 μg/L BPA, and a return to downregulation at 100 μg/L BPA and higher doses. Ovaries only exhibited significant increases in follicular atresia and VTG concentration after exposure to 100 μg/L BPA and higher doses. Ovarian histopathology, ar- omatase Cyp19a transcript levels and whole-body VTG protein abundance may be good biomarkers for early detection of environmental BPA exposur

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces a dual response in liver function tests: Association with mortality during hospitalization

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is associated with abnormal liver function tests. We hypothesized that early altered liver biochemistries at admission might have different clinical relevance than subsequent changes during hospitalization. A single-center retrospective study was conducted on 540 consecutive hospitalized patients, PCR-diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. Liver test abnormalities were defined as the elevation of either gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), or aspartate aminotransferase (AST), above the upper limit of normality set by our laboratory. Linear mixed models (LMM) evaluated longitudinal associations, incorporating all available follow-up laboratory chemistries. By the end of the follow-up period, 502 patients (94.5%) were discharged (109 (20.5%) died). A total of 319 (64.3%) had at least one abnormal liver test result at admission. More prevalent were elevated AST (40.9%) and GGT (47.3%). Abnormalities were not associated with survival but with respiratory complications at admission. Conversely, LMM models adjusted for age and sex showed that longitudinal increases during hospitalization in ferritin, GGT, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as a decreased albumin levels, were associated with reduced survival. This dual pattern of liver damage might reconcile previous conflicting reports. GGT and ALP trajectories could be useful to determine who might need more surveillance and intensive care

Effectiveness of an mHealth intervention combining a smartphone app and smart band on body composition in an overweight and obese population: Randomized controlled trial (EVIDENT 3 study)

Background: Mobile health (mHealth) is currently among the supporting elements that may contribute to an improvement in health markers by helping people adopt healthier lifestyles. mHealth interventions have been widely reported to achieve greater weight loss than other approaches, but their effect on body composition remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to assess the short-term (3 months) effectiveness of a mobile app and a smart band for losing weight and changing body composition in sedentary Spanish adults who are overweight or obese. Methods: A randomized controlled, multicenter clinical trial was conducted involving the participation of 440 subjects from primary care centers, with 231 subjects in the intervention group (IG; counselling with smartphone app and smart band) and 209 in the control group (CG; counselling only). Both groups were counselled about healthy diet and physical activity. For the 3-month intervention period, the IG was trained to use a smartphone app that involved self-monitoring and tailored feedback, as well as a smart band that recorded daily physical activity (Mi Band 2, Xiaomi). Body composition was measured using the InBody 230 bioimpedance device (InBody Co., Ltd), and physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Results: The mHealth intervention produced a greater loss of body weight (–1.97 kg, 95% CI –2.39 to –1.54) relative to standard counselling at 3 months (–1.13 kg, 95% CI –1.56 to –0.69). Comparing groups, the IG achieved a weight loss of 0.84 kg more than the CG at 3 months. The IG showed a decrease in body fat mass (BFM; –1.84 kg, 95% CI –2.48 to –1.20), percentage of body fat (PBF; –1.22%, 95% CI –1.82% to 0.62%), and BMI (–0.77 kg/m2, 95% CI –0.96 to 0.57). No significant changes were observed in any of these parameters in men; among women, there was a significant decrease in BMI in the IG compared with the CG. When subjects were grouped according to baseline BMI, the overweight group experienced a change in BFM of –1.18 kg (95% CI –2.30 to –0.06) and BMI of –0.47 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.80 to –0.13), whereas the obese group only experienced a change in BMI of –0.53 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.86 to –0.19). When the data were analyzed according to physical activity, the moderate-vigorous physical activity group showed significant changes in BFM of –1.03 kg (95% CI –1.74 to –0.33), PBF of –0.76% (95% CI –1.32% to –0.20%), and BMI of –0.5 kg/m2 (95% CI –0.83 to –0.19). Conclusions: The results from this multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial study show that compared with standard counselling alone, adding a self-reported app and a smart band obtained beneficial results in terms of weight loss and a reduction in BFM and PBF in female subjects with a BMI less than 30 kg/m2 and a moderate-vigorous physical activity level. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to ensure that this profile benefits more than others from this intervention and to investigate modifications of this intervention to achieve a global effect

Evaluation of integrated care services in Catalonia: Population-based and service-based real-life deployment protocols

Background: Comprehensive assessment of integrated care deployment constitutes a major challenge to ensure quality, sustainability and transferability of both healthcare policies and services in the transition toward a coordinated service delivery scenario. To this end, the manuscript articulates four different protocols aiming at assessing large-scale implementation of integrated care, which are being developed within the umbrella of the regional project Nextcare (2016-2019), undertaken to foster innovation in technologically-supported services for chronic multimorbid patients in Catalonia (ES) (7.5 M inhabitants). Whereas one of the assessment protocols is designed to evaluate population-based deployment of care coordination at regional level during the period 2011-2017, the other three are service-based protocols addressing: i) Home hospitalization; ii) Prehabilitation for major surgery; and, iii) Community-based interventions for frail elderly chronic patients. All three services have demonstrated efficacy and potential for health value generation. They reflect different implementation maturity levels. While full coverage of the entire urban health district of Barcelona-Esquerra (52

Adaptation and Incremental Validity of the Pemberton Happiness Index: A New Measure of Integrative well-being for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Introduction. The assessment of well-being is crucial for measuring the effects of psychosocial interventions in people with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study was to adapt and validate a measure of integrative well-being, the Pemberton Happiness Index (PHI) to use it specifically for this population. Methods. The Pemberton Happiness Index was first tailored to individuals with intellectual disabilities (PHI-Intellectual Disabilities). Then a sample of 130 adults with mild-moderate intellectual disabilities completed this adapted version alongside other well-being and affective measures. Results. The psychometric properties of this new PHI-Intellectual Disabilities were shown to be very good (i.e., internal consistency, convergent and incremental validity). Conclusion. The study provides initial evidence of the reliability and validity of a brief measure of well-being that can be used for both applied and research purposes specifically for adults with mild-moderate intellectual disabilities.Plena inclusiónDepto. de Personalidad, Evaluación y Psicología ClínicaFac. de PsicologíaTRUEpu

Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis perturbation in the basis of bisphenol A (BPA) reproductive toxicity in female zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Thousands of safety-related studies have been published on bisphenol A (BPA), an ubiquitous environmental pollutant with estrogenic activity and many other potential biological effects. In recent years, BPA exposure has been shown to cause anovulation and infertility through irreversible alteration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in several organisms, including fish and mammals. Recently, the European Chemical Agency classified BPA as a “substance of very high concern” because of its endocrine-disrupting properties, which have serious effects on human health. Given the risk of exposure to BPA as a pollutant in the environment, food, and drinking water, the objective of our study was to assess the effects of this compound on the adeno-hypophysis by means of a histopathological and morphometric study of the gonadotroph cells. In addition, using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays, we analyzed the changes in the expression of Cyp19b (an aromatase gene). Zebrafish were randomly distributed into five groups: a control group and 4 treated groups which were exposed to different BPA concentrations (1, 10, 100 and 1000 μg/L). The effects of the different doses on Cyp19b mRNA molecules followed a non-monotonic curve, with the 1 and 1000 μg/L doses causing dramatic decreases in the number of Cyp19b transcripts while the doses of 10 and 100 μg/L caused important increases. The consequences might be deregulation of gonadotropic hormones causing degeneration of gonadotropic cells, as observed in BPA treated animals. This is the first study in which the gonadotroph cells have been evaluated using histomor- phological endpoints after BPA exposure in zebrafis

Estudio estático y dinámico del ángulo Q mediante videofotogrametría 3D

OBJETIVOS: Se estudia la evolución del ángulo Q (Q dinámico) en bipedestación y en una marcha frontal, para obtener los valores de normalidad para futuros estudios dónde la clínica femoropatelar es más acentuada (bajar escaleras y descenso de rampa). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Participaron 20 individuos sanos (10 hombres y 10 mujeres) con edad media de 22,7 años + 3,02 (20-25 años), a los que se realizó un análisis tridimensional del movimiento mediante el sistema de videofotogrametría en 3D Orthobio, en la bipedestación y durante la marcha en terreno llano. RESULTADOS: Hemos observado que durante la bipedestación el ángulo Q estático medio tiene un valor de 16,12º. Los datos obtenidos muestran que el ángulo Q dinámico oscila 8,13º (6,03º-14,16º), produciéndose el valor máximo en el momento del choque de talón y el mínimo poco después del despegue. La media del ángulo Q dinámico en un ciclo de marcha ha sido de 11,47º. En los datos por sexos corresponde a las mujeres es de 12,46º, y el de los hombres de 10,48º. CONCLUSIONES: Durante la marcha el ángulo Q dinámico disminuye con respecto al estático.OBJECTIVES: In this paper we study the evolution of the dynamic Q-angle in bipedal standing and forward gait to obtain values of normality for future studies in which femoropatellar problems are more pronounced (e.g. descending stairs or ramps). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty healthy individuals (10 men and 10 women), with an average age of 22.7 + 3.02 years (i.e. 20–25 years), took part in this study. In these individuals, a tridimensional analysis of movement of bipedal standing and gait on flat terrain was conducted using 3D Orthobio videophotogrammetry. RESULTS: During bipedal standing, the average static Q angle was 16.12º. The dynamic Q angle fluctuated by 8.13º (between 6.03º and 14.16º), the maximum dynamic Q angle was reached as the heel contacted the ground and the minimum was reached just after leaving the ground. The average dynamic Q angle in a gait cycle was 11.47º (12.46º for women and 10.48º for men). CONCLUSIONS: During the cycle, the dynamic Q angle is lower than the static Q angle

Fault Detection in Soft-started Induction Motors using Convolutional Neural Network Enhanced by Data Augmentation Techniques

Stray flux analysis is an interesting source of information for the diagnosis of Induction Motors (IMs). The widespread use of these motors in industry leads to a necessity of additional tools and methods for their predictive maintenance. On the other hand, soft-starters are increasingly used to reduce the high consumption of IMs at start-up. In this work, AI techniques based on convolutional neural networks are applied to detect rotor faults in soft-started motors. The objective is the automatic early detection of broken bars, avoiding the necessity of user intervention to interpret the obtained results. This work proves the potential of the methodology, including a successful set of experimental results

Draft Genome Resources of Two Strains (“ESVL” and “IVIA5901”) of Xylella fastidiosa Associated with Almond Leaf Scorch Disease in Alicante, Spain

An outbreak of Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex sequence type ST6 was discovered in 2017 in mainland Spain affecting almond trees. Two cultured almond strains, “ESVL” and “IVIA5901,” were subjected to high throughput sequencing and the draft genomes assembled. Phylogenetic analysis conclusively indicated they belong to the subspecies multiplex, and pairwise comparisons of the chromosomal genomes showed an average nucleotide identity higher than 99%. Interestingly, the two strains differ for the presence of the plasmids pXF64-Hb_ESVL and pUCLA-ESVL detected only in the ESVL strain. The availability of these draft genomes contribute to extend the European genomic sequence dataset, a first step toward setting new research to elucidate the pathway of introduction and spread of the numerous strains of this subspecies so far detected in Europe.This work was funded by European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Research Programme Projects XF-ACTORS (Xylella fastidiosa Active Containment Through a Multidisciplinary-Oriented Research Strategy grant 727987) and MSCA-RISE-2016 CURE-XF (Capacity Building and Raising Awareness in Europe and in Third Countries to Cope with Xylella fastidiosa); COST Action CA16107 EuroXanth, supported by European Cooperation in Science and Technology; and Project Desarrollo de estrategias de erradicación, contención y control de en España: Diagnóstico, estructura genética y gama de huéspedes project E-RTA2017-00004-C06-02 from Programa Estatal de I+D+I Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad of the Spanish Government. This work used the Vincent J. Coates Genomics Sequencing Laboratory at University of California, Berkeley, supported by NIH S10 OD018174 Instrumentation Grant.Peer reviewe