Practical application of the ATOM study: Treatment efficacy of antihypertensive drugs in monotherapy or combination (ATOM metaanalysis according to PRISMA statement); tables for the use of antihypertensive drugs in monotherapy or combination

Background: The response to antihypertensive drugs is predictable. The absence of precise prescription recommendations to treat arterial hypertension (HT) lead to use drugs unable to reduce blood pressure (BP) to target values. We published ATOM study, in which we found significant differences in the ability to reduce BP between the different drugs. The objective of the study was to determine the expected decrease in blood pressure with the use of commercialized doses of the drugs commonly used in the treatment of HT in clinical practice, to avoid the use of drugs or combinations that even with the best response, are unable to obtain the necessary BP decrease to reach the goal. Methods: The analysis was based on the results of the ATOM study. To convert the mean doses of the different drugs and combinations in commercialized doses, the conclusions of the study by Law et al have been applied. Results: Based on the results, two tables were drawn, one for systolic BP and the other for diastolic BP, where the doses of the different drugs and combinations are classified according to the BP decrease that can be expected from them. In order to favor the use of the tables in clinical practice, the different drugs have been grouped in intervals of 10 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) for the decrease of the systolic BP and of 5 mmHg for the diastolic BP. Conclusions: Recommendations for the use of antihypertensive treatments should not be limited to pharmacological families. They should also consider differences between drugs or specific combinations. From the data of the ATOM study we have implemented tables that express the effect of the drugs commonly used in clinical practice and that should allow the clinicians to choose with care the treatment to use

Certification Schemes in Argentine Fisheries: Opportunities and Challenges for Seabird Conservation

In Argentina, one major factor playing a significant role in the implementation of better fishing practices is related to the advent of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification schemes in marine fisheries, given that one of its component addresses the impact of fishing operations on the ecosystem (e.g. effects on the environment, related species, bycatch). In recent years, several fisheries in Argentina—ranging from coastal ice trawlers targeting the Argentine anchovy Engraulis anchoita to freezer trawlers targeting the Patagonian scallop Zygochlamys patagonica and the Patagonian grenadier or Hoki Macruronus magellanicus have been certified under the MSC scheme. Although these processes are not driven by the Government certainly creates opportunities to develop better fishing practices including in the agendas of fishermen not only target species but also other management issues affecting the marine environment. In this chapter, we will review the current status of the certification schemes implemented in the latter referred fisheries regarding seabird conservation discussing challenges and opportunities from the seabird perspective

Flavonoids: Important Biocompounds in Food

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites in plants that show some desirable characteristics. These compounds can be grouped in different classes on the basis of their basic structure. It has been reported that flavonoids are important for human health because of their antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti‐inflammatory activities and because they act as free radical scavengers as they are potential reducing agents that protect from oxidative damage, which are conferred by the content of hydroxyl groups. In recent years, flavonoids have been investigated based on their ability to reduce the incidence of many diseases, to inhibit cell damage, to repair DNA process and to reduce oxidative stress. Besides, flavonoids have been demonstrated to have cardioprotective effects, have potential to improve coronary vasodilatation and prevent LDLs from oxidizing and also showed potential neuroprotective effects. Moreover, flavonoids have been used in the food industry due to their ability to preserve foods, to provide colour and flavour and to make dietary supplements, among other important industrial applications

Effects of submaximal and supramaximal accentuated eccentric loading on mass and function

Introduction: Eccentric-overload (EO) resistance training emerges as an alternative to more optimally prescribe intensity relative to the force generation capabilities of the eccentric muscle contraction. Given the difficulties to individually prescribe absolute eccentric loads relative to each person’s eccentric ability, setting the load relative to the concentric one-repetition maximum (1-RM) is the most used EO training approach. Therefore, we investigated the effects of submaximal and supramaximal (i.e., eccentric loads above 100% of 1-RM) accentuated eccentric training on changes in lean mass, anabolic hormonal responses and muscle function.Methods: Physically active university students (n = 27) were randomly assigned to two training groups. Participants in the training groups performed dominant leg isotonic training twice a week for 10 weeks (four sets of eight repetitions). Isotonic resistance was generated by an electric-motor device at two different percentages of 1-RM for the eccentric phase; 90% submaximal load, SUB group) and 120% (supramaximal load, SUPRA group). Concentric load was the same for both groups (30% of 1-RM). Changes in total thigh lean mass (TTLM), anabolic hormonal responses (growth hormone, IGF-1, IL-6, and total testosterone), unilateral leg-press 1-RM, maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC), local muscle endurance (XRM), muscle power at 40 (PP40), 60 (PP60) and 80% (PP80) of the 1-RM, and unilateral vertical jump height before and after training were compared between groups.Results: After training, both SUB and SUPRA groups showed similar increases (p < 0.05) in MVIC (19.2% and 19.6%), XRM (53.8% and 23.8%), PP40 (16.2% and 15.7%), TTLM (2.5% and 4.2%), IGF-1 (10.0% and 14.1%) and IL-6 (58.6% and 28.6%). However, increases in 1-RM strength (16.3%) and unilateral vertical jump height (10.0%–13.4%) were observed for SUPRA only. Indeed, SUPRA was shown to be more favorable than SUB training for increasing 1-RM [ES = 0.77 (1.49–0.05)]. Unilateral muscle power at medium and high intensity (10.2% and 10.5%) also increased in SUB but without significant differences between groups.Discussion: Similar functional and structural effects were demonstrated after 10 weeks EO training with submaximal and supramaximal eccentric loads. Although supramaximal loading might be superior for increasing 1-RM, the use of this approach does not appear to be necessary in healthy, active individuals

Estimación de la madurez ósea en canales de bovino por fluorescencia diferencial

At present, carcass grading is dependent to a great degree on age of the animal. However, in México standards are vague on this matter, because the only requirement is stating if the animal is younger or older than 30 mo. This vagueness is the source of a need of developing objective systems for determining physiological maturity. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was estimating with great accuracy ossification of the cartilage in the 12th rib, as an indicator of bone ossification in bovine carcasses, by means of an electronic pattern obtained through artificial vision. In the model developed to this end, better use of fluorescence generated by the cartilage is made, in comparison to both bone and fat, and as a result the cartilage area stands out clearly, and by developing image processing algorithms for analyzing it, ossification percentage can be estimated with accuracy, and consequently, carcass physiological age. The artificial vision system developed in the present study allows evaluating bone maturity in a carcass in less than one second and data obtained is used for establishing carcass electronic grading in less than five seconds.Actualmente, el análisis de clasificación de calidad de la canal depende en gran medida de la edad del animal, sin embargo, el patrón en México es demasiado impreciso, pues sólo requiere identificar si éste es menor o mayor a 30 meses. Esta falta de precisión genera la necesidad de sistemas objetivos para medir la madurez fisiológica. El propósito de esta investigación fue estimar de manera precisa el porcentaje de osificación del cartílago en la 12ava costilla, como un indicador de madurez ósea en canales de bovino, utilizando un esquema electrónico por visión artificial. En el esquema desarrollado se aprovecha la mayor fluorescencia que genera el cartílago, en comparación con la del hueso y la grasa, sobresaliendo claramente la región del cartílago, desarrollando algoritmos de procesamiento de imágenes para analizar esta región, y estimar de manera precisa el porcentaje de osificación, y por tanto la edad fisiológica de la canal. El sistema de visión artificial desarrollado permitió evaluar la madurez ósea de una canal en menos de un segundo, y la información obtenida fue utilizada para establecer la clasificación electrónica de la canal en menos de cinco segundos

Undiagnosed diseases: Needs and opportunities in 20 countries participating in the Undiagnosed Diseases Network International

Introduction: Rare diseases (RD) are a health priority worldwide, overall affecting hundreds of millions of people globally. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential to support clinical care but remains challenging in many countries, especially the low- and medium-income ones. Hence, undiagnosed RD (URD) account for a significant portion of the overall RD burden. Methods: In October 2020, the Developing Nations Working Group of the Undiagnosed Diseases Network International (DNWG-UDNI) launched a survey among its members, belonging to 20 countries across all continents, to map unmet needs and opportunities for patients with URD. The survey was based on questions with open answers and included eight different domains. Conflicting interpretations were resolved in contact with the partners involved. Results: All members responded to the survey. The results indicated that the scientific and medical centers make substantial efforts to respond to the unmet needs of patients. In most countries, there is a high awareness of RD issues. Scarcity of resources was highlighted as a major problem, leading to reduced availability of diagnostic expertise and research. Serious equity in accessibility to services were highlighted both within and between participating countries. Regulatory problems, including securing informed consent, difficulties in sending DNA to foreign laboratories, protection of intellectual property, and conflicts of interest on the part of service providers, remain issues of concern. Finally, most respondents stressed the need to strengthen international cooperation in terms of data sharing, clinical research, and diagnostic expertise for URD patients in low and medium income countries. Discussion: The survey highlighted that many countries experienced a discrepancy between the growing expertise and scientific value, the level of awareness and commitment on the part of relevant parties, and funding bodies. Country-tailored public health actions, including general syllabus of medical schools and of the education of other health professionals, are needed to reduce such gaps.VSh is supported by Health Systems Research Institute of Thailand (65-040). SJ is supported by National Medical Research Council, Singapore (Grants ID CSAINV21jun-0003 and CIRG22jul-0003).S

EFECTO DE RECUBRIMIENTOS COMESTIBLES DE QUITOSANO EN LA REDUCCIÓN MICROBIANA Y CONSERVACIÓN DE LA CALIDAD DE FRESAS

Se evaluó el efecto de recubrimientos comestibles (RC) de quitosano (Q) (1 y 2 %) con o sin la adición de aceite esencial de canela (AC) (0,03, 0,07 y 0,1 %) sobre los cambios en aceptabilidad, fenoles totales, capacidad antioxidante y población microbiana en fresas. Fresas sin recubrimiento se utilizaron como control. Frutos tratados fueron almacenados por 15 días a 5°C y se evaluaron cambios en la calidad a intervalos de 3 días. Fresas tratadas y control no mostraron diferencias en el contenido de fenoles totales y capacidad antioxidante. Todos los tratamientos redujeron significativamente la población microbiana con respecto al control. RC con Q 2 % + AC 0,1 % redujo en mayor magnitud el crecimiento microbiano (2 Log ufc/g) sin afectar la calidad después de 14 días a 5°C, seguido del RC de Q 1 % + AC 0,1 % con 1,5 Log ufc/g de reducción y vida de anaquel de 15 días. El control presentó 8 días de vida de anaquel; todos los recubrimientos presentaron la mayor aceptabilidad en comparación con el control. Estos resultados indican que los RC de quitosano con aceite de canela pueden prolongar la vida de anaquel de fresas por 15 días a 5ºC

Actividad física, ejercicio y deporte en la lucha contra la obesidad infantil y juvenil

El propósito del presente documento es proponer desde el grupo de expertos en ejercicio físico y salud de EXERNET (Red Española de Investigación en Ejercicio Físico y Salud) una serie de recomendaciones sobre la práctica de la actividad física y deportiva que a nivel individual, familiar e institucional ayuden a prevenir y tratar la obesidad infantil y juvenil, basadas en la evidencia científi ca actual