Thermal and current flow effects of a capacitive–resistive electric transfer application protocol on chronic elbow tendinopathy. A cadaveric study

Lateral elbow tendinopathy, or “tennis elbow”, is a pathology that affects around 1.3% of the general population. Capacitive–resistive electric transfer therapy aims to provoke temperature and current flow changes in superficial and deep tissues. The aim of this in vitro study was to analyze the thermal behavior and transmission of electric current on the superficial and deep tissues of the elbow during the application of different modalities of a capacitive–resistive electric transfer treatment protocol for chronic elbow tendinopathy. A cross-sectional study was designed; five fresh cryopreserved cadavers (10 elbows) were included in this study. A 30 min intervention was performed based on a protocol commonly used in clinics for the treatment of chronic lateral elbow tendinopathy by diathermy using the “T-Plus.” Common extensor tendon, radiohumeral capsule, and superficial temperatures were registered after each application for the duration of the 30 min treatment protocol. During all applications, we observed a current flow of over 0.03 A. The protocol showed a statistically significant increase in superficial temperature by 24% (5.02¿) (p < 0.005), the common extensor tendon by 19.7% (4.36¿) (p < 0.007), and the radiohumeral joint capsule by 17.5% (3.41¿) (p < 0.005) at the end of the 30 min protocol compared with the baseline temperature. The different applications of the protocol showed specific effects on the temperature and current flow in the common extensor tendon and radiohumeral capsule. All applications of the protocol produced a current flow that is associated with the generation of cell proliferation. These results strengthen the hypothesis of cell proliferation and thermal changes in deep and distal structures. More studies are needed to confirm these results

Reconstructing depositional environments through cave interior facies: The case of Galería Complex (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain)

This work showed that cave sediments are useful for geomorphologic studies and for reconstructing depositional environments. While the cave entrance facies have been extensively studied for their relationship with the fossil and archaeological record, the cave interior facies have received much less attention, although they can provide much information on the geomorphological evolution of the karst. This work presents the stratigraphic and sedimentological study of a section >6 m thick and 10 m long of cave interior sediments of Galería Complex (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain). Galería Complex is a cavity infill of the Sierra de Atapuerca (Spain), composed of three sections filled by at least 30 m of Pleistocene sediments. This sequence is divided into 5 lithostratigraphic units named from bottom to top: GI – GV. GI unit is 19 m thick of interior facies in the base of the Galería Complex, divided into two sub-unit, GIa and GIb, by the Matuyama-Bruhnes paleomagnetic boundary. GI unit shows an issue with the chronology since has uncoherent between TT-OSL and ESR/U-series and paleomagnetism dates. This work has been done by combining field observation with laboratory sedimentary analysis to characterize the texture and structure of the sediments. Based on these studies, 12 layers and 9 sedimentary facies have been identified. The facies associations indicate a clear separation between GIa and GIb sub-units. GIa sub-unit is dominated by epiphreatic conditions and represents continuous relativity sedimentation during the Early Pleistocene; meanwhile, GIb shows important erosion events and facies with reworked materials that indicate vadose conditions during the Middle Pleistocene. This environmental change is related to the geomorphological evolution of the Arlanzón River. In addition, soft-sediment deformation structures have been described, including faults and low-angle folds...Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

Influence of feedstock demineralization on the chemical composition of pyrolysis vapours derived from sugarcane residues in py-GC/MS

Sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and trash (SCT) are prospective feedstock materials for fast pyrolysis systems. However, their relatively high inorganic content, especially alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs), affects the quality of the produced bio-oil. In order to overcome this problem, various chemical pretreatment methods have been developed. This study aims to evaluate the effect of demineralization of SCB and SCT on the chemical composition of the bio-oil, viz. by applying micro-pyrolysis (py-GC/MS). Both biomass types were leached with demineralized water, HCl, H2SO4 and citric acid solutions at different temperatures and leaching times. The results indicate that leaching with either inorganic or organic acids, causes the yields of levoglucosan in the pyrolysis vapours to increase. This is explained by the mitigation of undesirable degradation reactions of cellulose and cellulose intermediates in the presence of catalytically active AAEMs, the latter being partially removed in the leaching process. The limited variations in yield of phenolic compounds upon different pretreatments demonstrated the stability of the lignin irrespective any leaching pretreatment. The composition of pyrolysis vapours derived from citric acid-treated biomass is hardly influenced by any changes in demineralization conditions

Is dry needling of the supinator a safe procedure? A potential treatment for lateral epicondylalgia or radial tunnel syndrome. A cadaveric study

The supinator muscle is involved in two pain conditions of the forearm and wrist: lateral epicondylalgia and radial tunnel syndrome. Its close anatomical relationship with the radial nerve at the arcade of Frohse encourages research on dry needling approaches. Our aim was to determine if a solid filiform needle safely penetrates the supinator muscle during the clinical application of dry needling. Needle insertion of the supinator muscle was conducted in ten cryopreserved forearm specimens with a 30 × 0.32 mm filiform needle. With the forearm pronated, the needle was inserted perpendicular into the skin at the dorsal aspect of the forearm at a point located 4cm distal to the lateral epicondyle. The needle was advanced to a depth judged to be in the supinator muscle. Safety was assessed by measuring the distance from the needle to the surrounding neurovascular bundles of the radial nerve. Accurate needle penetration of the supinator muscle was observed in 100% of the forearms (needle penetration:16.4 ± 2.7 mm 95% CI 14.5 mm to 18.3 mm). No neurovascular bundle of the radial nerve was pierced in any of the specimen’s forearms. The distances from the tip of the needle were 7.8 ± 2.9 mm (95% CI 5.7 mm to 9.8 mm) to the deep branch of the radial nerve and 8.6 ± 4.3 mm (95% CI 5.5 mm to 11.7 mm) to the superficial branch of the radial nerve. The results from this cadaveric study support the assumption that needling of the supinator muscle can be accurately and safely conducted by an experienced clinician

Las cuevas de la Sierra de Atapuerca y el uso humano del paisaje kárstico durante el Pleistoceno (Burgos, España)

El karst de la Sierra de Atapuerca representa un interesante sistema multinivel, inactivo y heredado de antiguos niveles de base plio-pleistocenos, que alberga los enclaves prehistóricos más importantes para el conocimiento del poblamiento antiguo en Eurasia, y que fue declarado Patrimonio de la Humanidad en 2000 por la UNESCO. Estas cuevas se originan a partir de conductos subhorizontales con paleodrenajes en sentido SN, localizándose la zona de descarga en la cabecera del río Pico. Los conductos están organizados en tres niveles principales que aparecen colgados entre 90 y 60 m sobre el actual cauce del río Arlanzón, coincidiendo con los niveles de base generados por sus terrazas fluviales T2, T3 y T5. La incisión fluvial liberó de las aguas los conductos superiores mientras se excavaban los niveles inferiores del karst. Las cuevas que iban quedando accesibles fueron utilizadas por la fauna y los homininos, conservando un registro arqueo-paleontológico de más de 1,2 Ma

Safety of Dry Needling of the Pronator Teres Muscle in Cadavers: A Potential Treatment for Pronator Syndrome

Background: Entrapment of the median nerve at the pronator teres muscle can contribute to symptoms in the forearm and wrist. The pronator teres is also involved in patterns of spasticity observed in people who had suffered a stroke. Research on treatment efficacy with dry needling is scarce. Objective: To determine if a solid filiform needle safely penetrates the pronator teres muscle during the clinical application of dry needling. Design: A cadaveric descriptive study. Methods: Needle insertion of the pronator teres was conducted in ten cryopreserved forearms with a 30*0.32 mm filiform needle. With the forearm supinated, the needle was inserted 3 cm distal to the mid-point between the biceps tendon insertion and the medial epicondyle. The needle was advanced in a cranial and medial direction to a depth clinically judged to be in the pronator teres muscle. Safety was assessed by measuring the distance from the needle to the surrounding neurovascular bundles. Results: Accurate needle penetration of the pronator teres was observed in 100% of the specimens (mean needle penetration: 16.7 ± 4.3 mm, 95%CI 13.6 to 19.7 mm). No neurovascular bundles were pierced in any of the specimen's forearms. The distances from the tip of the needle to the surrounding neurovascular bundles were 16.4 ± 3.9 mm (95%CI 13.6 to 19.2 mm) to the ulnar nerve (A), 9.0 ± 2.2 mm (95%CI 7.3 to 19.5 mm) to the median nerve (B), and 12.8 ± 4.0 mm (95%CI 10.0 to 15.7 mm) to brachial artery (C). Conclusion: The results from this cadaveric study support the assumption that needling of the pronator teres using described anatomical landmarks can be accurately and safely conducted by an experienced clinician

Relevância e impacto das teses de Biologia e das Ciências no contexto nacional: três décadas de pesquisa na Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica

This research aimed to analyze all the undergraduate thesis research of the School of Biological Sciences of Universidad Nacional encompassing a period of 35 years (1985-2019). A total of 418 theses were analyzed and categorized according to bibliometric features, such as year, career, subject, and country area. In addition, theses from the last decade (2009-2019) were consulted in Google Scholar and other electronic databases. Finally, all thesis titles were analyzed by text mining to determine the most frequent concepts by career. It was found that 26.5% were theses in marine and freshwater resource management, 52.7% in natural resource management, and 20.8% in science education. The analysis of theses from the last decade (2009 and 2019) showed that 26% generated publications in indexed journals, of which 69% were in Spanish, and 75% included the student as the first author. The Biology major is dominated by topics applied to resource management and aquaculture. The Teaching Science career plan advocates the design of experiences to enhance and improve teaching and learning processes in various disciplinary and pedagogical fields. These results evidence the coincidence between emerging topics of national interest, specifically in science and biology teaching. In addition, it points out that there is a delay in disseminating the scientific heritage that emerges from the theses and that it is an urgent challenge that these studies transcend beyond the university repositories.Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar en un periodo de 35 años (1985-2019) todas las investigaciones de las tesis de grado de la Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas de la Universidad Nacional. Se analizaron un total de 418 tesis que fueron categorizadas en rasgos bibliométricos, como año, carrera, temáticas y zona del país. Además, las tesis de la última década (2009-2019) se consultaron en Google Académico, así como en otras bases de datos electrónicos. Finalmente, todos los títulos de las tesis fueron analizados mediante minería de texto para determinar los conceptos más frecuentes por carrera. Se encontró que el 26.5% fueron tesis de la carrera en manejo de recursos marinos y dulceacuícolas, el 52.7% en manejo de recursos naturales y finalmente el 20.8% en enseñanza de las ciencias. El análisis de las tesis desde la última década (2009 y 2019) mostró que el 26% generaron publicaciones en revistas indexadas, de las cuales el 69% fueron en español y el 75% incluyó al estudiante como primer autor. La carrera en biología está dominada por temas aplicados al manejo de recursos y la acuicultura. En la carrera de enseñanza de las ciencias se aboga por el diseño de experiencias para potenciar y mejorar los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje en varios campos disciplinarios y pedagógicos. Estos resultados evidencian la coincidencia entre las temáticas emergentes de interés nacional específicamente en el área de la enseñanza de las ciencias y de la biología. Además, señala que existe un retraso en la difusión del patrimonio científico que se desprende de las tesis y que es un desafío impostergable que estos estudios trascienden más allá de los repositorios universitarios.Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar durante um período de 35 anos (1985-2019) todas as pesquisas de tese de graduação na Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Nacional. Um total de 418 teses foram analisadas e categorizadas de acordo com características bibliométricas, tais como ano, carreira, temas e área do país. Além disso, as teses da última década (2009-2019) foram consultadas no Google Acadêmico, bem como em outros bancos de dados eletrônicos. Finalmente, todos os títulos de tese foram analisados por mineração de texto para determinar os conceitos mais frequentes por carreira. Constatou-se que 26,5% eram teses da carreira de gestão de recursos marinhos e de água doce, 52,7% em gestão de recursos naturais e 20,8% no ensino das ciências. A análise das teses da última década (2009 e 2019) mostrou que 26% geraram publicações em revistas indexadas, das quais 69% foram em espanhol e 75% incluíram o estudante como primeiro autor. A carreira de biologia é dominada por tópicos aplicados à gestão de recursos e à aquicultura. A carreira de ensino das ciências defende o desenho de experiências para potencializar e aprimorar os processos de ensino e aprendizagem em vários campos disciplinares e pedagógicos. Estes resultados mostram a coincidência entre as questões emergentes de interesse nacional especificamente na área do ensino da ciência e da biologia. Além disso, aponta que há um atraso na divulgação do patrimônio científico que emerge das teses e que é um desafio urgente e inadiável que estes estudos transcendam além dos repositórios universitários

Relevância e impacto das teses de Biologia e das Ciências no contexto nacional: três décadas de pesquisa na Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica

This research aimed to analyze all the undergraduate thesis research of the School of Biological Sciences of Universidad Nacional encompassing a period of 35 years (1985-2019). A total of 418 theses were analyzed and categorized according to bibliometric features, such as year, career, subject, and country area. In addition, theses from the last decade (2009-2019) were consulted in Google Scholar and other electronic databases. Finally, all thesis titles were analyzed by text mining to determine the most frequent concepts by career. It was found that 26.5% were theses in marine and freshwater resource management, 52.7% in natural resource management, and 20.8% in science education. The analysis of theses from the last decade (2009 and 2019) showed that 26% generated publications in indexed journals, of which 69% were in Spanish, and 75% included the student as the first author. The Biology major is dominated by topics applied to resource management and aquaculture. The Teaching Science career plan advocates the design of experiences to enhance and improve teaching and learning processes in various disciplinary and pedagogical fields. These results evidence the coincidence between emerging topics of national interest, specifically in science and biology teaching. In addition, it points out that there is a delay in disseminating the scientific heritage that emerges from the theses and that it is an urgent challenge that these studies transcend beyond the university repositories.Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar en un periodo de 35 años (1985-2019) todas las investigaciones de las tesis de grado de la Escuela de Ciencias Biológicas de la Universidad Nacional. Se analizaron un total de 418 tesis que fueron categorizadas en rasgos bibliométricos, como año, carrera, temáticas y zona del país. Además, las tesis de la última década (2009-2019) se consultaron en Google Académico, así como en otras bases de datos electrónicos. Finalmente, todos los títulos de las tesis fueron analizados mediante minería de texto para determinar los conceptos más frecuentes por carrera. Se encontró que el 26.5% fueron tesis de la carrera en manejo de recursos marinos y dulceacuícolas, el 52.7% en manejo de recursos naturales y finalmente el 20.8% en enseñanza de las ciencias. El análisis de las tesis desde la última década (2009 y 2019) mostró que el 26% generaron publicaciones en revistas indexadas, de las cuales el 69% fueron en español y el 75% incluyó al estudiante como primer autor. La carrera en biología está dominada por temas aplicados al manejo de recursos y la acuicultura. En la carrera de enseñanza de las ciencias se aboga por el diseño de experiencias para potenciar y mejorar los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje en varios campos disciplinarios y pedagógicos. Estos resultados evidencian la coincidencia entre las temáticas emergentes de interés nacional específicamente en el área de la enseñanza de las ciencias y de la biología. Además, señala que existe un retraso en la difusión del patrimonio científico que se desprende de las tesis y que es un desafío impostergable que estos estudios trascienden más allá de los repositorios universitarios.Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar durante um período de 35 anos (1985-2019) todas as pesquisas de tese de graduação na Faculdade de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade Nacional. Um total de 418 teses foram analisadas e categorizadas de acordo com características bibliométricas, tais como ano, carreira, temas e área do país. Além disso, as teses da última década (2009-2019) foram consultadas no Google Acadêmico, bem como em outros bancos de dados eletrônicos. Finalmente, todos os títulos de tese foram analisados por mineração de texto para determinar os conceitos mais frequentes por carreira. Constatou-se que 26,5% eram teses da carreira de gestão de recursos marinhos e de água doce, 52,7% em gestão de recursos naturais e 20,8% no ensino das ciências. A análise das teses da última década (2009 e 2019) mostrou que 26% geraram publicações em revistas indexadas, das quais 69% foram em espanhol e 75% incluíram o estudante como primeiro autor. A carreira de biologia é dominada por tópicos aplicados à gestão de recursos e à aquicultura. A carreira de ensino das ciências defende o desenho de experiências para potencializar e aprimorar os processos de ensino e aprendizagem em vários campos disciplinares e pedagógicos. Estes resultados mostram a coincidência entre as questões emergentes de interesse nacional especificamente na área do ensino da ciência e da biologia. Além disso, aponta que há um atraso na divulgação do patrimônio científico que emerge das teses e que é um desafio urgente e inadiável que estes estudos transcendam além dos repositórios universitários