New records of Orchids from Morocco

The exploration of the Rif Valley (Morocco) during 2010 revealed the presence of some new taxa and records from Morocco. The new taxa are: Orchis langei subsp. magrebensis and Ophrys neglecta var. riphaea. Ophrys neglecta var. neglecta and Ophrys numida have been detected for the first time in Morocco

Efficacy of Bracing on Thoracic Kyphotic Angle and Functionality in Women with Osteoporosis: A Systematic Review

[Abstract] Background and purpose: Osteoporotic hyperkyphosis is associated with adverse outcomes, such as fatigue, back pain, or reduced back extensor strength, with a negative impact on functionality and quality of life. The purpose of this review is to assess the effectiveness of spinal orthosis on these adverse effects. Methods: A systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines was performed. Inclusion criteria were (1) women with osteoporosis; (2) randomized controlled trials only; and (3) type of intervention: spinal bracing. Exclusion criteria were (1) article not written in English; (2) full-text not available; and (3) no kyphosis assessment. Quality-of-life variables such as back pain, functional variables such as back extensor strength, and osteoporotic-related variables such as lumbar spine bone mineral density were extracted and recorded before and after the intervention. The characteristics of the intervention programs were also extracted and recorded. The characteristics of studies, interventions, and participants are summarized in a table. Then, the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) was used to assess the quality of the studies. Results and Discussion: Four randomized controlled trials with a low risk of bias were included (n = 326 women with osteoporosis, aged 51–93 years). Interventions consisting of wearing a dynamic hyperextension orthosis for at least two hours per day for six months improved functionality, mobility, back extensor strength, respiratory function, and reduced the thoracic kyphosis angle. Conclusions: Spinal orthosis, especially dynamic hyperextension braces, seems effective in improving the adverse outcomes of osteoporotic hyperkyphosis. It does not seem necessary to wear the orthosis during all daily activities

Adult obesity, disease and longevity in Mexico

OBJECTIVE: To obtain estimates of the effects of overweight and obesity on the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and adult mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We use three waves (2000, 2002, 2012) of the Mexican Health and Aging Survey (MHAS). We employ parametric hazard models to estimate mortality and conventional logistic models to estimate incidence of T2D. RESULTS: Obesity and overweight have a strong effect on the incidence of T2D; this, combined with the large impact of diabetes on adult mortality, generates increases in mortality that translate into losses of 2 to 3 years of life expectancy at age 50. CONCLUSIONS: If increasing trends in obesity in Mexico continue as in the past, progress in adult survival may be slowed down considerably and the incidence of T2D will continue to increase

Efecto del Programa «Cuidando a los cuidadores»: Resultados de un estudio multicéntrico

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of the program Caring for the Caregivers on the caring ability of family caregivers of people with chronic illnesses attended by programs coordinated by the Latin American nodes for the care of caregivers with chronically ill family members. Methods: The study had a Quasi-experimental method with an experimental group (family caregivers that took the Program Caring for the caregivers and a control group. Data was collected with the Ngozi Nkongho’s Caring Ability Inventory (CAI). The sample was taken by convenience in (8) nodes, with an average of 60-100 family caregivers for a total group of 643 individuals (417 in the experimental group and 226 in the control group). Statistical tests were used to evaluate proposals of normality and the Mann-Whitney U test to evaluate data. Results: Findings report similar study groups with small differences in ages and socioeconomic levels. Family caregivers that took part in the Program significantly improved their caring ability with improvement in each of the dimensions of the caring ability. Discussion: The effectiveness of the Program Caring for the caregivers in the caring ability of family caregivers is a significant finding that match with previous reports and it confirm the importance of having specific proposals for the care of caregivers in the Latin American context. Findings shows a strengthening of the general caring ability of family caregivers, as well as an straightening of each one of their dimensions that is favorable to the Program effect. These findings slightly differ from previous findings because in previous studies the caring ability never showed increase in all its components. Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad del programa «Cuidando a los cuidadores» sobre la habilidad de cuidado de cuidadores familiares de personas con enfermedad crónica atendidos por nodos vinculados a la Red Latinoamericana de Cuidado al Paciente Crónico. Métodos: Casi experimental con grupo muestra (cuidadores que asistieron al Programa Cuidando a los cuidadores) y grupo control. Los datos se recolectaron con el Inventario de Habilidad de Cuidado (CAI) de Ngozi O. Nkongho. La muestra fue tomada en ocho (8) nodos, a conveniencia, con un promedio de entre 60 y 100 cuidadores, para un total de 643 personas (417 grupo experimental y 226 grupo control). Se utilizaron pruebas estadísticas para evaluar supuestos de normalidad y las pruebas U de Mann-Whitney para analizar los datos. Resultados: Hay grupos de estudio similares con algunas diferencias en las edades y el nivel socioeconómico. Los cuidadores familiares que participaron en el programa mejoraron su habilidad de cuidado en forma significativa, con incremento en todas las dimensiones que componen dicha habilidad. Discusión: La efectividad del programa «Cuidando a los cuidadores» sobre la habilidad de cuidado de los cuidadores familiares, es un hallazgo significativo que concuerda con hallazgos anteriores y ratifica la importancia de contar con propuestas propias para el cuidado de los cuidadores familiares, es decir adaptadas al contexto latinoamericano. Los hallazgos muestran un fortalecimiento de la habilidad de cuidado de los cuidadores en general y en cada uno de sus componentes favorable al programa. Esto difiere ligeramente de hallazgos anteriores donde la habilidad había mostrado incremento pero no se reflejaba en todos sus componentes

N-ACETYLCYSTEINE DOES NOT IMPROVE SPERM MOTILITY OF LIDIA BULL AFTER PROLONGED EPIDIDYMAL STORAGE / LA N-ACETILCISTEINA NO MEJORA LA MOTILIDAD ESPERMÁTICA EN TOROS DE LIDIA LUEGO DEL ALMACENAMIENTO EPIDIDIMARIO PROLONGADO

The Lidia bovine breed is considered a hallmark of Spanish cattle industry. Assisted reproductive techniques like cryopreservation of epididymal spermatozoa could be considered as an important tool to obtain more offspring and store its genetics. As these bulls are not selected by their reproductive performance or sperm freezability, the quality of their ejaculates is poor and addition of antioxidants prior cryopreservation could exert beneficial effects on the post-thaw sperm quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the supplementing a tris-fructose-egg yolk based freezing extender with1 mMand2.5 mMof N-acetylcysteine to sperm recovered from epididymis stored at4ºCfor 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours prior cryopreservation. Motility values and sperm kinematic parameters were compared against control (epididymis stored for 24 hours and no antioxidant addition). Our results showed that N-acetylcysteine addition did not improve sperm motility parameters at any of the time points or dosages tested. In addition, storage of bullfight epididymis up to 96 hours did not significantly affect sperm kinematic parameters or total and progressive motility.RESUMENLa raza de Lidia es considerada una insignia de la industria ganadera española. Las tecnologías de reproducción asistida como la criopreservación de espermatozoides epididimarios podría ser considerara como una herramienta importante para obtener más crías y conservar su genética. Ya que estos toros no son seleccionados por su desempeño reproductivo o congelabilidad espermática, la calidad de sus eyaculados es pobre y la adición de antioxidantes antes de la criopreservación podría tener efectos beneficiosos sobre la calidad del semen descongelado. El propósito de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la suplementación del medio a base de tris-fructosa y yema de huevo con 1 mM y 2,5 mM de N-acetilcisteína a espermatozoides recuperados de epidídimos almacenados a 4°C por 24, 48, 72 o 96 horas antes de la criopreservación. Los valores de movilidad y los parámetros de cinética espermática fueron comparados con el control (epidídimos almacenados por 24 horas y sin la adición de antioxidantes). Nuestros resultados muestran que la adición de N-acetilcisteína no mejora los parámetros de motilidad espermática en ninguno de los momentos o dosis evaluadas. Además, el almacenamiento de epidídimos refrigerados hasta 96 horas no afecta significativamente los parámetros de cinética espermática o la movilidad total o progresiva.

Outlining adequate protocols for Lidia bull epididymal storage and sperm cryopreservation: use of glycerol, dimethylformamide and N-acetylcysteine

P. 1-10The Lidia bovine breed is an important hallmark of the Spanish cattle industry. Bulls are selected based upon aggressiveness and epididymal sperm cryopreservation is the way to obtain and store their genetics. There are not specifically designed protocols yet to perform Lidia bull sperm cryopreservation. The present study aimed to determine if a tris-fructose-citrate-egg yolk (20% v/v; TFY) extender supplemented with 7% glycerol (TFY1) or 3.5% glycerol plus 3.5% dimethylformamide (DMF; TFY2) are suitable media for cryopreservation of epididymal Lidia bull sperm. Moreover, the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, was evaluated. The epididymis were stored at 4°C for 24, 48, 72 or 96 h, and both freezing media were tested as such or supplemented with 1 or 2.5 mM of NAC. Our data demonstrated that post-thaw viability was well maintained (TFY1: 50.8% ± 1.9 at 24 h and 52.4% ± 0.8 at 96 h and TFY2: 52.6% ± 1.6 at 24 h and 56.1% ± 1.8 at 96 h; mean % ± SEM; p>0.05) as also were total and progressive sperm motility, high mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS production, DNA status and acrosomal intactness of Lidia bull sperm up to 96 h of epididymal storage, all extender variations being similar (p>0.05). In conclusion, the use of TFY medium supplemented either with 7% glycerol alone or the combination of 3.5% glycerol and 3.5% DMF were equally safe choices for epididymal Lidia bull sperm cryopreservation, and NAC addition did not significantly improve sperm post-thaw quality.S

Outlining adequate protocols for Lidia bull epididymal storage and sperm cry-opreservation: use of glycerol, dimethylformamide and N-acetylcysteine

La raza bovina Lidia es un sello distintivo importante de la industria ganadera española. Los toros se seleccionan en función de la agresividad y la crioconservación de espermatozoides epididimales es la forma de obtener y almacenar su genética. Todavía no hay protocolos diseñados específicamente para realizar la crioconservación de espermatozoides Lidia bull. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar si un medio extensor de tris-fructosa-citrato-huevo (20% v / v; TFY) suplementado con 7% de glicerol (TFY1) o 3,5% de glicerol más 3,5% de dimetilformamida (DMF; TFY2) son medios adecuados Para la crioconservación de epididimales Lidia esperma de toro. Además, se evaluó el efecto de la N-acetilcisteína (NAC), un potente antioxidante. Los epidídimos se almacenaron a 4 ° C durante 24, 48, 72 o 96 h, y ambos medios de congelación se probaron como tales o se complementaron con 1 o 2,5 mM de NAC. Nuestros datos demostraron que la viabilidad posterior a la descongelación se mantuvo bien (TFY1: 50.8% ± 1.9 a las 24 h y 52.4% ± 0.8 a las 96 hy TFY2: 52.6% ± 1.6 a las 24 h y 56.1% ± 1.8 a las 96 h; media% ± SEM; p> 0.05) al igual que la motilidad espermática total y progresiva, el potencial de membrana mitocondrial alto, la producción de ROS, el estado del ADN y la intactidad acrosomal del esperma de toro Lidia hasta 96 h de almacenamiento de epidídimo, todas las variaciones del extensor son similares (p> 0.05 ). En conclusión, el uso de medio TFY suplementado con un 7% de glicerol solo o la combinación de un 3,5% de glicerol y un 3,5% de DMF fue una elección igualmente segura para la crioconservación de espermatozoides Lidia epididimales, y la adición de NAC no mejoró significativamente la calidad del esperma después del deshielo.The Lidia bovine breed is an important hallmark of the Spanish cattle industry. Bulls are selected based upon aggressiveness and epididymal sperm cryopreservation is the way to obtain and store their genetics. There are not specifically designed protocols yet to perform Lidia bull sperm cryopreservation. The present study aimed to determine if a tris-fructose-citrate-egg yolk (20% v/v; TFY) extender supplemented with 7% glycerol (TFY1) or 3.5% glycerol plus 3.5% dimethylformamide (DMF; TFY2) are suitable media for cryopreservation of epididymal Lidia bull sperm. Moreover, the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, was evaluated. The epididymis were stored at 4°C for 24, 48, 72 or 96 h, and both freezing media were tested as such or supplemented with 1 or 2.5 mM of NAC. Our data demonstrated that post-thaw viability was well maintained (TFY1: 50.8% ± 1.9 at 24 h and 52.4% ± 0.8 at 96 h and TFY2: 52.6% ± 1.6 at 24 h and 56.1% ± 1.8 at 96 h; mean % ± SEM; p>0.05) as also were total and progressive sperm motility, high mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS production, DNA status and acrosomal intactness of Lidia bull sperm up to 96 h of epididymal storage, all extender variations being similar (p>0.05). In conclusion, the use of TFY medium supplemented either with 7% glycerol alone or the combination of 3.5% glycerol and 3.5% DMF were equally safe choices for epididymal Lidia bull sperm cryopreservation, and NAC addition did not significantly improve sperm post-thaw quality.• Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad. Proyecto ITC-2015-1342 • Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Beca Juan de la Cierva IJCI- 2014-19428, para Beatriz Macías García • Centro de Cirugía de Mínima Invasión Jesús Usón. Beca para Elvira Matilla Pinto • Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad y Fondos FEDER. Proyecto AGL2015-73249-JIN (I+D+i) • Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal)/ESF/Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Educación Superior. Beca SFRH/BPD/85532/2012, para Lauro González Fernández • Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deportes. Beca FPU-014/03449, para Violeta Calle GuisadopeerReviewe

Effect of a dietary intervention based on the mediterranean diet on the quality of life of patients recovered from depression: analysis of the PREDIDEP randomized trial

Introduction: There is substantial evidence supporting that improving diet quality leads to improved healthrelated quality of life (HRQoL). Our major aim was to assess the effectiveness of a Mediterranean diet–based nutritional intervention to improve HRQoL in the context of a secondary prevention trial of depression. Secondarily to assess its effectiveness among adults aged 60 or more years. Methods: The PREDIDEP study is a 2-year multicentre, randomized, single-blinded nutritional trial. At baseline and at 1-year and 2-year follow-up, SF-36 health survey questionnaire was collected to evaluate participants' HRQoL (total and specific range for each of the 8 dimensions: 0 to 100 points). Mixed effect linear models were used to assess changes in HRQoL according to adherence to the Mediterranean diet. The trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03081065. Results: After 2 years of intervention, the Mediterranean Diet intervention group compared to control group (without nutritional intervention, only usual clinical care) showed an improvement in some dimensions of HRQoL such as Mental Health (7.22; 95 % CI = 2.22–12.22) (between-group difference: 6.79; 95 % CI − 0.14–13.73, p = 0.055); Vitality (9.51; 95 % CI = 4.00–15.03) (between-group difference: 9.00; 95 % CI 1.75–16.25, p = 0.020); Mental Summary Component (2.83; 95 % CI = 0.55–5.11) (between-group difference: 1.17; 95 % CI = − 1.96–4.30, p = 0.462); and General Health (10.70; 95 % CI = 5.58–15.81) (between-group difference: 6.20; 95 % CI = − 0.89–13.28, p = 0.086). Similar results were observed for participants aged 60 or more years. Conclusion: The intervention based on Mediterranean diet in patients with previous depression seems to be effective in improving HRQoL, especially the mental dimensions. This effect is also observed among participants aged 60 or more years.This study was externally funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Carlos III National Health Institute-ISCIII), PI16/01274