Analysis of the rear leg rotation movement during the fencing lunge

The most relevant aulhois of fencing agree on the extension of the rear leg's knee from the on guard position, which is the ona thai provides ihe real speed to the lunge, and the extension of the arm only serves to drive the points towards the target. All the authors coincide thai it is important to keep the whole sole of the rear Foot supported on the Boor, keeping the same direction and without sliding it during the movernent, being the only one support that assures a really fast and balanced lunge, allowing the return to the on guard position or to continue towards ahead. Nevertheless, in a competition it may be observed that there are just a few fencers that keep the position of the feet in 90° angle during the lunge, as proposed in the fencing books. From this situation, we try to know if the rotation movement of the rear leg improve the speed of the Mass Centre and the weapon

Evaluation of the rapid RIDAQUICK Campylobacter® test in a general hospital

The study objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the new rapid immunochromatographic test RIDAQUICK Campylobacter® (r-biopharm AG, Darmstadt, Germany) for the qualitative detection of Campylobacter antigens in pathologic feces from primary and specialist care patients. Three hundred feces samples were studied from patients with diarrhea, 50.6% from adults and 49.4% from children, which were received by our microbiology laboratory for coproculture. Campylobacter culture results, with or without PCR data, served as reference values for the comparative evaluation of RIDAQUICK Campylobacter® findings. Campylobacter was detected in 12.3% of samples. The diagnostic accuracy values of the RidaQuick Campylobacter® versus culture were: sensitivity of 87%, specificity of 97%, and positive and negative predictive values of 77% and 98%, respectively. RIDAQUICK Campylobacter® is a rapid test for the diagnosis of enteritis due to Campylobacter and could be an option for the clinical diagnosis of one of the main causes of bacterial enteritis in resource-limited settings

Small bowel obstruction due to laparoscopic barbed sutures: An unknown complication?

Background: In recent years there has been an increasing uptake in the use of barbed sutures, particularly in minimally invasive and laparoscopic procedures where they may reduce operating time and improve surgical efficiency. However, little is known about the adverse events associated with these new materials and concerns have arisen regarding their safety in certain procedures. Methods: We performed a search of electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Database). We reveal up to 15 cases of small bowel obstruction (SBO) complicating laparoscopic pelvic surgery that have been reported to date adding two cases of SBO in our own practice following the use of barbed sutures in laparoscopic operations, both requiring surgical re-intervention in the early post-operative period. Results: Fifteen similar cases of small bowel obstruction were identified, all of which occurred in patients undergoing surgery below the transverse colon. Surgical re-intervention was required in all cases although 60% of these were performed laparoscopically. Conclusions: These cases highlight that although barbed sutures provide an attractive means to allow easier and faster laparoscopic suturing, they should be used carefully in inframesocolic surgery and the suture end cut and buried to avoid inadvertent attachment to the small bowel or its mesentery. Barbed suture entanglement should be considered as an uncommon yet potentially serious differential cause for SBO presenting in the early period after laparoscopic surgery where a barbed suture has been used

Diagnosis of leishmaniasis

This work was supported by EK Elmahallawy, who has a PhD scholarship (number 736) from Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Programme (ELEMENT Action 1 First call).Leishmaniasis is a clinically heterogeneous syndrome caused by intracellular protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. The clinical spectrum of leishmaniasis encompasses subclinical ( not apparent), localized (skin lesion), and disseminated (cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral) infection. This spectrum of manifestations depends on the immune status of the host, on the parasite, and on immunoinflammatory responses. Visceral leishmaniasis causes high morbidity and mortality in the developing world. Reliable laboratory methods become mandatory for accurate diagnosis, especially in immunocompromised patients such as those infected with HIV. In this article, we review the current state of the diagnostic tools for leishmaniasis, especially the serological test.Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Programme (ELEMENT Action 1 First call) 73

Long-term influence of chitin concentration on the resistance of cement pastes determined by atomic force microscopy

The presence of sulfates potentialize damage on cementbased materials, leading to structural failures. Therefore, structures must be designed to compensate for this effect. The mechanical properties of cement–chitin mixtures are investigated with different percentages of chitin (0.5, 1.3, and 2.1 wt.%) and aging of composite in a joint nanoscopic- and macroscopic-scale by experimental study. The objective is to increase the durability of concrete elements at coastal aquifers where concrete structures are in constant exposure to sulfate ions, chloride ions among others. Tapping mode AFM was used to characterize the surface structure and roughness of the cement pastes. To verify the chitin addition and the formation of sulfate-based aggregates Raman and IR spectra were recorded and are presented in this work. Then, force spectroscopy was used to obtain the nanomechanical properties at three different exposure times (1 day, 6 months, and 1 year) into water or a SO4 2 environment. Macroscopic parameters (e.g., compression strength of cylindrical probes) were assessed for comparison following standard guidelines. The results show a decrease of its mechanical properties as a function of the polymer concentration but more importantly, they correlate the elasticity and adhesion at the nanoscale with the behavior of the bulk material

Tuberculous prosthetic knee joint infection: a case report and literature review

Introducción. La infección protésica tardía se presenta a partir del segundo mes tras la cirugía en el contexto de una di seminación hematógena desde otro foco. La infección protésica por micobacterias es una complicación rara cuyo manejo clínico no está estandarizado. Caso. Paciente de 77 años sin antecedentes personales de interés salvo diabetes y un recambio protésico de rodilla derecha por gonartrosis tres años antes. Acude a urgencias del hospital por un cuadro de unos 6 meses de evolución de intenso dolor en rodilla derecha de tipo mecánico con signos inflamatorios pero sin fiebre asociada. A los 5 días de su reingreso y presentando empeoramiento clínico se informa del crecimiento de Mycobac terium tuberculosis en la primera muestra de aspirado de rodilla y se instaura tratamiento antituberculoso durante 9 meses. Las imágenes de resonancia magnética nuclear confirmaron también el diagnóstico de espondilitis tuberculosa en el contexto clínico de la paciente. Tras la intervención quirúrgica se seguía aislando en el cultivo de las muestras intraoperatorias M. tuberculosis y por ello la paciente recibió de nuevo otra tanda de 9 meses con antituberculosos. La evolución al año de seguimiento fue acep table, aunque unos meses después la paciente falleció por causas cardiovasculares. En la revisión bibliográfica se encontraron 15 publicaciones con un total de 17 casos clínicos en los últimos 25 años de infección protésica por M. tuberculosis. Conclusión. La artritis protésica tuberculosa, aunque es una presentación infrecuente, debe tenerse presente, especialmente en aquellos pacientes con condiciones predisponentes y con an tecedentes de infección tuberculosa.Objective: Prosthetic late infection occurs in the second month after surgery in the context of haematogenous spread from another source. Prosthetic mycobacterial infection is a rare complication whose clinical management is not standardized. Case: Patient of 77 years with no personal history except for diabetes and a prosthetic replacement of right knee with osteoarthritis three years ago. Patient goes to hospital emergency box for 6 months pain in the right knee with mechanical inflammatory signs but no fever associated. After their return within 5 days and clinical worsening is reporting growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in knee aspirate and antitubercular treatment is established for 9 months. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging studies also confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis spondylitis in the clinical context of the patients. After surgery, M. tuberculosis was again isolated from intraoperative samples and therefore the patient received another batch of treatment for 9 months. After a year of monitoring, the development was acceptable but few months later, the patient died for cardiovascular causes. In the literature review, 15 publications with a total of 17 clinical cases of prosthetic infection by M. tuberculosis were found from 1980 to 2014. Conclusions: Prosthetic tuberculous arthritis, although it is a rare presentation, it should be noted, especially in patients with predisposing conditions with a history of tuberculosis infection

Seroprevalence of Leishmania infection among asymptomatic renal transplant recipients from southern Spain

Support: E.K. Elmahallawy has a PhD scholarship (number 736) from Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program (ELEMENT Action 1 First call).Background: The aim of this article is to assess the seroprevalence of Leishmania infection among asymptomatic renal transplant recipients in a population in the south of Spain. Methods: Serum samples were screened for immunoglobulin-G antibodies against Leishmania with an indirect fluorescent antibody test. Results: Of 625 examined serum samples, 30 (4.8%) samples were positive for Leishmania antibodies. Thirteen samples showed titers of 1:80, 15 samples showed titers of 1:160, and 2 samples showed titers of 1:320. None of the patients with positive serology to Leishmania showed signs or symptoms compatible with leishmaniasis. Conclusion: The prevalence of Leishmania infection found among asymptomatic renal transplant patients reinforces the need for attention in evaluation of these patients in endemic areas.Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Program (ELEMENT Action 1 First call

Scans per day as predictors of optimal glycemic control in people with type 1 diabetes mellitus using flash glucose monitoring: What number of scans per day should raise a red flag?

Aims: This study aimed to determine the minimum frequency of flash glucose monitoring (FGM) scans necessary for optimal glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: Data were collected from 692 patients (47.5% female, with a median age of 47.4 years) who used FGM systems daily and recorded their clinical variables and device data. Results: Logistic regression models showed that performing more than 12 scans per day was associated with improved T1D control (OR = 4.22, p < 0.001) and a reduction in HbA1c (7.6 vs 7.0%, 60–53 mmol/mol p < 0.001). However, those performing less than 6 scans showed no improvement in HbA1c (7.9 vs 7.8%, 63–61 mmol/mol p = 0.514). Thirteen daily scans were determined as the optimal cutoff point for predicting optimal glycemic control using a maximally selected rank algorithm. Significant reductions were observed in mean glucose (< 0.001), coefficient of variation (< 0.001), HbA1c (< 0.001), and an increase in TIR (< 0.001) in patients who performed more than 12 daily scans. Conclusions: The results suggest that a higher frequency of daily scans by T1D patients using FGM systems leads to improved chronic glycemic control. The minimum recommended frequency for optimal control is 13 scans per day, and more than 6 daily scans are needed to improve HbA1

Evaluation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers in autoimmune thyroid diseases

A state of chronic inflammation is common in organs affected by autoimmune disorders, such as autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). Epithelial cells, such as thyroid follicular cells (TFCs), can experience a total or partial transition to a mesenchymal phenotype under these conditions. One of the major cytokines involved in this phenomenon is transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), which, at the initial stages of autoimmune disorders, plays an immunosuppressive role. However, at chronic stages, TGF- β contributes to fibrosis and/or transition to mesenchymal phenotypes. The importance of primary cilia (PC) has grown in recent decades as they have been shown to play a key role in cell signaling and maintaining cell structure and function as mechanoreceptors. Deficiencies of PC can trigger epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and exacerbate autoimmune diseases. A set of EMT markers (E-cadherin, vimentin, α-SMA, and fibronectin) were evaluated in thyroid tissues from AITD patients and controls through RT-qPCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and western blot (WB). We established an in vitro TGF-β–stimulation assay in a human thyroid cell line to assess EMT and PC disruption. EMT markers were evaluated in this model using RT-qPCR and WB, and PC was evaluated with a time-course immunofluorescence assay. We found an increased expression of the mesenchymal markers α-SMA and fibronectin in TFCs in the thyroid glands of AITD patients. Furthermore, E-cadherin expression was maintained in these patients compared to the controls. The TGF-β-stimulation assay showed an increase in EMT markers, including vimentin, α-SMA, and fibronectin in thyroid cells, as well as a disruption of PC. The TFCs from the AITD patients experienced a partial transition to a mesenchymal phenotype, preserving epithelial characteristics associated with a disruption in PC, which might contribute to AITD pathogenesisThis work was supported by the following grants: Proyectos de Investigación en Salud (PI) PI19-00584 and PI22/01404, and Proyectos de investigación de Medicina Personalizada de Precisión (PMP) PMP22/00021 (funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III); iTIRONET P2022/BMD7379 (funded by Comunidad de Madrid); FEDER funds to M.M and R.M.-H. (cofinanced); predoctoral fellowship funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and FSE+ funds (FI20/00035) to P.S.-G; and predoctoral fellowships funded by Comunidad de Madrid (PEJ-2020-AI_BMD-18292) to N.S.d.l.B.C. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, interpretation, or writing of the repor