The impact of rule modifications on elite basketball teams' performance

Las modificaciones de las reglas del baloncesto se utilizan para desarrollar el deporte, y la FIBA cambia las reglas del baloncesto periódica y constantemente en busca de un juego más atractivo. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron los siguientes: i) caracterizar e identificar los indicadores de rendimiento técnico-táctico que discriminaban el estilo de juego según el efecto de las modificaciones de las reglas; y ii) analizar la persistencia de estos indicadores según las modificaciones de las reglas a lo largo del tiempo. Se analizaron todas las ediciones del actual sistema de competición de la Copa del Rey de baloncesto español. Se analizaron ciento cuarenta partidos, desde la temporada 1995-96 hasta la 2014-15. Los datos fueron recogidos de la página web oficial de la competición (www.acb.com). Las variables analizadas fueron las modificaciones de las reglas, el número de posesiones de balón, los puntos marcados, los goles de campo de uno, dos y tres puntos realizados e intentados, los rebotes totales, los rebotes defensivos y ofensivos, las asistencias, los robos, las desviaciones, los tiros bloqueados, los mates y las faltas personales cometidas y recibidas, las diferencias de puntuación, así como los porcentajes de gol de campo de uno, dos y tres puntos. Se llevaron a cabo varios análisis: análisis descriptivo para caracterizar la muestra; ANOVA para identificar las diferencias entre los períodos; análisis discriminante para determinar los indicadores de rendimiento técnico-táctico que mejor discriminaban entre cada término de competición y período de cambio de reglas; y, por último, se utilizó la función de autocorrelación y la correlación cruzada para estimar la persistencia de los indicadores de rendimiento a lo largo del tiempo. Los resultados muestran que los cambios de reglas afectan a la forma en que se juega al baloncesto. Sin embargo, los jugadores y entrenadores son los que determinan el comportamiento funcional en el baloncesto.Rule modifications in basketball are used to develop the sport, and FIBA changes the basketball regulations periodically and constantly in search of a more attractive game. The objectives of this study were as follows: i) to characterise and identify the technical-tactical performance indicators which discriminated the game style according to the effect of rule modifications; and ii) to analyse the persistence of these indicators according to rule modifications over time. Analyses were made of all the editions of the current competition system of the Copa Del Rey in Spanish basketball. One hundred and forty matches were analysed, starting from the 1995-96 to the 2014-15 season. Data were gathered from the official competition web page (www.acb.com). The variables analysed included rule modifications, the number of ball possessions, points scored, one, two and 3-point field goals made and attempted, total rebounds, defensive and offensive rebounds, assists, steals, turnovers, blocked shots, dunks and committed and received personal fouls, score differences, as well as one, two and 3-point field-goal percentages. Several analyses were carried out: descriptive analysis to characterise the sample; ANOVA to identify differences between periods; discriminant analysis to determine technical-tactical performance indicators which best discriminated between each competition term and rule change period; and finally autocorrelation function and cross-correlation were used to estimate the persistency of performance indicators over time. Results show that rule changes affect the way basketball is played. Nevertheless, players and coaches are the ones who determine functional behavior in basketball.• Junta de Extremadura y Fondos FEDER. Ayuda GR15122peerReviewe

Analysis of training plans in basketball: Gender and formation stage differences

La literatura científica ha señalado la presencia de varias etapas en el desarrollo deportivo de los atletas, con diferentes objetivos en cada una de ellas. Esto debería llevar a los entrenadores a diferentes planes de entrenamiento según la etapa de formación del atleta. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los planes de entrenamiento e identificar las diferencias en los objetivos de baloncesto según las etapas formativas (U'12 y U'14) en niños y niñas. Se recogieron y analizaron un total de 1.976 tareas de entrenamiento, para un total de cuatro equipos (chicas y chicos de las categorías U'12 y U'14) durante toda una temporada. Se estudiaron variables pedagógicas, fases de juego, situaciones de juego, medios de entrenamiento y contenidos. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas entre los géneros. Los equipos femeninos realizaron más tareas en la ofensiva y en las habilidades técnicas. Por el contrario, los equipos masculinos realizaron más tareas defensivas y contenidos tácticos. El 1 contra 0 y el 1 contra 1 fueron las situaciones de juego más repetidas en todos los equipos. Los entrenadores utilizaron diferentes tareas de entrenamiento según el género y la edad. En los equipos masculinos U'12 predominaron los ejercicios, mientras que en las otras categorías predominaron los juegos. En los equipos masculinos, los contenidos estaban orientados a la táctica, y en los equipos femeninos, a la adquisición de habilidades. El estudio de las variables pedagógicas del proceso de entrenamiento permitió identificar la utilidad del entrenamiento, la evaluación y la modificación de este procesoScientific literature has stated the presence of various stages in athletes sportive development, with different objectives in each one of them. This should lead coaches to different training plans according to the athlete’s formation stage. The aim of this study was to analyse training plans and identify differences in basketball objectives according to formative stages (U´12 and U´14) in boys and girls. A total of 1,976 training tasks were collected and analysed, for a total of four teams (girls and boys of U´12 and U´14 categories) during an entire season. Pedagogical variables, game phases, game situations, training means and content were studied. The results showed significant differences between genders. Girls’ teams performed more tasks on offense and technical skills. By contrast, boys’ teams performed more defensive tasks and tactical contents. The 1-on-0 and 1-on-1 were the most repeated game situations in all teams. Coaches used different training tasks according to gender and age. In male U´12 teams, drills predominated, whereas in the other categories, games predominated. For boys’ teams, the contents were tactical oriented, and for girls’ teams, the contents were oriented toward skill acquisition. Studying the pedagogical variables of the training process allowed for identification of the utility of training, assessment, and modification of this process.• Junta de Extremadura y Fondo Europeo para el Desarrollo Regional. Ayuda GR15122peerReviewe

To each his own: no evidence of gyrodactylid parasite host switches from invasive poeciliid fishes to Goodea atripinnis, the most dominant endemic freshwater goodeid fish in the Mexican Highlands

Background: Goodeid topminnows are live-bearing fishes endemic to the Mexican Highlands (Mesa Central, MC). Unfortunately, in the MC, environmental degradation and introduced species have pushed several goodeid species to the brink of extinction. Invasive fishes can introduce exotic parasites, and the most abundant goodeid, blackfin goodea Goodea atripinnis Jordan, is parasitised by six exotic helminths. Poeciliids are widely dispersed invasive fishes, which exert negative ecological effects on goodeids. Poeciliids host several species of the monogenean genus Gyrodactylus von Nordmann, 1832, including pathogenic, invasive parasites. Here, we looked for evidence of Gyrodactylus species switching hosts from poeciliids to goodeids.  Methods: Fish were collected in rivers draining the MC into both sides of the continental divide. Hosts were screened for gyrodactylid parasites in localities where G. atripinnis and poeciliids occurred sympatrically. Gyrodactylus specimens were characterised morphologically (attachment apparatus) and molecularly (internal transcribed spacer region, ITS). A Bayesian phylogenetic tree using ITS sequences established relationships between gyrodactylids collected from goodeid fishes and those from parasites infecting poeciliids.  Results: Gyrodactylids were collected from G. atripinnis in six localities on both sides of the watershed where exotic poeciliids occurred sympatrically. Morphological and molecular analyses indicated the presence of four undescribed species of Gyrodactylus infecting this goodeid host. Gyrodactylus tomahuac n. sp., the most abundant and geographically widespread species, is described here. The other three Gyrodactylus spp. are not described, but their ITS sequences are used as molecular data presented here, are the only available for gyrodactylids infecting goodeid fishes. Morphological and molecular data suggest that two distinct groups of gyrodactylids infect goodeids, one of which shares a common ancestor with gyrodactylids parasitizing poeciliids.  Conclusions: No evidence was found of gyrodactylids switching hosts from invasive poeciliids to endemic goodeids, nor vice versa. Moreover, considering that G. atripinnis is known to host both Gyrodactylus lamothei Mendoza-Palmero, Sereno-Uribe & Salgado-Maldonado, 2009 and Gyrodactylus mexicanus Mendoza-Palmero, Sereno-Uribe & Salgado-Maldonado, 2009, with the addition of G. tomahuac n. sp. and the three undescribed Gyrodactylus spp. reported, at least six gyrodactylids may infect this host. This would make monogeneans the second most abundant parasite group infecting G. atripinnis, which to date is known to harbour 22 helminth species: nine digeneans, five nematodes, four cestodes, three monogeneans and one acanthocephalan

Impacto del nivel de conocimientos, la fuente de información y la experiencia con la enfermedad sobre las actitudes, creencias, conocimientos y emociones asociadas a la diabetes en un grupo de estudiantes de educación secundaria

El presente estudio se diseñó con el objetivo de conocer los conocimientos, creencias, actitudes y emociones asociados a la diabetes en un grupo de jóvenes sanos con distinto grado de experiencia con la enfermedad. Participaron en el estudio 600 alumnos de 4º de ESO de nueve centros educativos seleccionados al azar durante un curso académico. Los participantes tenían edades comprendidas entre los 15 y 18 años (M= 15.62, dt= 0.70; 50.8% mujeres). Se administró en aplicaciones colectivas el Cuestionario sobre Diabetes (CSD; Vázquez y Cruz, 2004), diseñado para este estudio con el fin de evaluar en adolescentes dichas variables. Los participantes mostraron tener algún conocimiento, aunque no exhaustivo, sobre la enfermedad, y en general unas creencias y actitudes positivas hacia la misma, así como cierta emocionalidad ante el hecho de padecerla. La fuente de información, la experiencia con la enfermedad y el nivel de conocimientos tuvieron una influencia importante sobre las actitudes, creencias y emociones asociadas a esta enfermedad. Estos resultados deben tenerse en cuenta debido al impacto que estas variables pueden ejercer sobre las conductas preventivas y terapéuticas de las personas sanas y los propios pacientes, así como en las conductas de apoyo a éstos.The present study was designed to establish the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and emotions associated with diabetes in a healthy, young sample with different experience with the illness. Six hundreds of students of 4th grade of secondary obligatory education took part in the study. They were recruited from nine educative centres randomly selected during an academic year. The age of the participants ranged from 15 to 18 years old (M = 15.62, sd = 0.70; 50.8 % women). The Cuestionario sobre Diabetes (CSD; Vázquez and Cruz, 2004) was administered in collective applications. This questionnaire was designed for this study in order to evaluate in adolescents the above mentioned variables. The participants showed some level of knowledge regarding the illness, although it was not exhaustive, and, in general, they showed positive beliefs and attitudes towards the disease, as well as certain emocionality regarding the fact of suffering from it. The source of information, the experience with the illness and the level of knowledge of the participants exerted a relevant influence on the attitudes, beliefs and emotions associated with this illness. These results must be taken into account due to the impact that these variables can exert on the preventive and therapeutic behaviors of healthy persons and patients, as well as on the supporting behaviors aimed to ill people

Economic evaluation of health services costs during pandemic influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 infection in pregnant and non-pregnant women in Spain (2009)

Background: The healthcare and socio-economic burden resulting from influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 in Spain was considerable. Our aim was to estimate and compare the management (resource utilization) and economic healthcare impact in an at-risk group of unvaccinated pregnant women with an unvaccinated group of non-pregnant woman of childbearing age (15-44 yr old). Methods: We addressed this question with a longitudinal, observational, multicentre study. Inputs were the require-ments in managing both groups of women. Outcome measures were healthcare costs. Direct healthcare (including medical utilisation, prescriptions of antivirals, medication, diagnostic tests, and hospitalisation) costs and indirect (productivity loss) costs were considered. Unit of cost was attributed to the frequency of health service resources utili-sation. The mean cost per patient was calculated in this group of women. Results: We found that the influenza clinical pattern was worse in non-pregnant women as they had a high medical risk of 20.4% versus 6.1% of pregnant women. Non-pregnant required more antipyretics and antibiotics, and needed more health service resource utilisation (338 medical visits in non-pregnant women vs. 42 in pregnant women). The total cost of non-pregnant women was higher ( 4,689.4/non-pregnant and 2,945.07/pregnant). Conclusions: Cost per (H1N1) pdm09 was lower for pregnant women, probably due to more preventive measures adopted for their protection in Spain. The highest costs were incurred by hospitalisations/day and work absenteeism for non-pregnant than for pregnant women. These data will allow better future pandemic influenza planning

A global review of problematic and pathogenic parasites of farmed tilapia

Over the past 80 years, tilapia have been translocated globally for aquaculture; active production is recorded in >124 countries. Of 7 million tonnes of tilapia produced in aquaculture, 79% is from 79 countries outside the natural range of tilapia. Capture fisheries account for a further 723,627 tonnes of tilapia, and >47% of this is landed from established invasive populations outside Africa. Tilapias host a rich fauna of parasites, many of which have been translocated with their hosts. This review summarises >2500 host–parasite records from 73+ countries and >820 recorded tilapia translocations (provided in the supplementary materials). This work focuses on the notable pathogens that threaten the health of cultured populations of tilapia, providing a description of their pathology and includes species that also have substantial impacts on wild tilapia populations, where relevant. For each major parasite taxonomic group, we highlight which parasites have been translocated or have been acquired from the new environments into which tilapia have been introduced, together with remarks on standard treatment approaches and research on them and their management and control. Regarding the theme ‘Tilapia health: quo vadis?’, Africa has enormous potential for aquaculture growth, but substantial knowledge gaps about tilapia parasites in many African states remain, which creates associated production and biosecurity risks. For each parasitic group, therefore, the risks of parasite translocation to new regions as tilapia aquaculture industries expand are highlighted

Use of glucocorticoids megadoses in SARS-CoV-2 infection in a spanish registry: SEMI-COVID-19

Objective To describe the impact of different doses of corticosteroids on the evolution of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, based on the potential benefit of the non-genomic mechanism of these drugs at higher doses. Methods Observational study using data collected from the SEMI-COVID-19 Registry. We evaluated the epidemiological, radiological and analytical scenario between patients treated with megadoses therapy of corticosteroids vs low-dose of corticosteroids and the development of complications. The primary endpoint was all-cause in-hospital mortality according to use of corticosteroids megadoses. Results Of a total of 14,921 patients, corticosteroids were used in 5,262 (35.3%). Of them, 2,216 (46%) specifically received megadoses. Age was a factor that differed between those who received megadoses therapy versus those who did not in a significant manner (69 years [IQR 59-79] vs 73 years [IQR 61-83]; p < .001). Radiological and analytical findings showed a higher use of megadoses therapy among patients with an interstitial infiltrate and elevated inflammatory markers associated with COVID-19. In the univariate study it appears that steroid use is associated with increased mortality (OR 2.07 95% CI 1.91-2.24 p < .001) and megadose use with increased survival (OR 0.84 95% CI 0.75-0.96, p 0.011), but when adjusting for possible confounding factors, it is observed that the use of megadoses is also associated with higher mortality (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.32-1.80; p < .001). There is no difference between megadoses and low-dose (p.298). Although, there are differences in the use of megadoses versus low-dose in terms of complications, mainly infectious, with fewer pneumonias and sepsis in the megadoses group (OR 0.82 95% CI 0.71-0.95; p < .001 and OR 0.80 95% CI 0.65-0.97; p < .001) respectively. Conclusion There is no difference in mortality with megadoses versus low-dose, but there is a lower incidence of infectious complications with glucocorticoid megadoses

Differences in clinical features and mortality in very old unvaccinated patients (≥ 80 years) hospitalized with COVID-19 during the first and successive waves from the multicenter SEMI-COVID-19 Registry (Spain)

Background: Old age is one of the most important risk factors for severe COVID-19. Few studies have analyzed changes in the clinical characteristics and prognosis of COVID-19 among older adults before the availability of vaccines. This work analyzes differences in clinical features and mortality in unvaccinated very old adults during the first and successive COVID-19 waves in Spain. Methods This nationwide, multicenter, retrospective cohort study analyzes unvaccinated patients >= 80 years hospitalized for COVID-19 in 150 Spanish hospitals (SEMI-COVID-19 Registry). Patients were classified according to whether they were admitted in the first wave (March 1-June 30, 2020) or successive waves (July 1-December 31, 2020). The endpoint was all-cause in-hospital mortality, expressed as the case fatality rate (CFR). Results Of the 21,461 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, 5,953 (27.7%) were >= 80 years (mean age [IQR]: 85.6 [82.3-89.2] years). Of them, 4,545 (76.3%) were admitted during the first wave and 1,408 (23.7%) during successive waves. Patients hospitalized in successive waves were older, had a greater Charlson Comorbidity Index and dependency, less cough and fever, and met fewer severity criteria at admission (qSOFA index, PO2/FiO2 ratio, inflammatory parameters). Significant differences were observed in treatments used in the first (greater use of antimalarials, lopinavir, and macrolides) and successive waves (greater use of corticosteroids, tocilizumab and remdesivir). In-hospital complications, especially acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia, were less frequent in patients hospitalized in successive waves, except for heart failure. The CFR was significantly higher in the first wave (44.1% vs. 33.3%; -10.8%; p = 95 years (54.4% vs. 38.5%; -15.9%; p < 0.001). After adjustments to the model, the probability of death was 33% lower in successive waves (OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.57-0.79). Conclusions Mortality declined significantly between the first and successive waves in very old unvaccinated patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Spain. This decline could be explained by a greater availability of hospital resources and more effective treatments as the pandemic progressed, although other factors such as changes in SARS-CoV-2 virulence cannot be ruled out

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Puesta en marcha del Doble Grado Internacional en Derecho UCM - Sorbona en el marco de la alianza europea de universidades UNA EUROPA

Implementación de mejoras que potencien el Doble Grado Internacional en Derecho impartido conjuntamente entre la UCM y la Universidad de la Sorbona y que esta doble titulación internacional refuerce el papel de la UCM en la alianza europea UNA EUROP