Influence of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Exercise on Physical Capacity and Gait in Multiple Sclerosis: A Cross-Over Pilot Study

[EN] Physical capacity provides a link between disease or impairment and limitations in activity; in multiple sclerosis (MS), it is limited and decreased. The aim of this study was to study the effects of exercise and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex area in MS patients with fatigue and an impaired gait ability. A cross-over design was carried out on fifteen patients with two disability associations, but three were excluded. Before and after each intervention, the 6 min walk test (6MWT) and the 2 min walk test (2MWT) were used to assess walking ability and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) was used to assess fatigue. A total of twelve patients were enrolled (48.0 median age, Kurtzke Disability Scale (EDSS) 3.66 ± 1.3): five females and seven males. After the application of the exercise program, significant improvements were observed in the 6MWT (p < 0.001, g = 0.159) and 2MWT (p < 0.001, g = 0.182). Furthermore, fatigue was significantly reduced after the application of the exercise program (p < 0.05, g = 0.742) and after tDCS (p < 0.05, g = 0.525). We could consider therapeutic exercise in the future to improve the walking ability and fatigue in MS patients. Furthermore, tDCS did not exert a significant improvement in walking ability, but it appeared to influence fatigue. Clinical trial registration code: ACTRN12622000264785.SIThis work was funded by a grant from the Professional Association of Physiotherapists of Castilla y León (CPFCYL

The Effect of Combining Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Treatment and an Exercise Program on Fragility in a Population with Multiple Sclerosis: Cross-Over Design Trial

[EN] Background: The relationship between fragility and neurological diseases is extensive and affects many patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), whose risk factors are related to fragility. Objective: To study the effects of exercise and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in MS patients with fatigue from four dimensions: functional mobility, balance, fatigue, and depression. Methods: A total of 12 patients who belonged to two associations of people with physical disabilities participated. Functional mobility, depression, balance, and fatigue were assessed before and after the intervention. Transcranial direct current stimulation and the exercise program were carried out over a 4-week period with a wash-out period of 5 months. Results: After the application of tDCS, we found significant improvements in balance (p < 0.05, g = 0.632), depression (p < 0.05, g = 0.402), functional mobility (p < 0.05, g = 0.297), and fatigue (p < 0.05, g = 0.526). After the exercise program, significant improvements were shown in balance (p < 0.01, g = 0.418), depression (p < 0.001, g = 0.540), functional mobility (p < 0.01, g = 0.262), and fatigue (p < 0.01, g = 0.742). Two-way mixed-measures ANOVA showed that all variables improved in both groups, with significant differences over time but not between groups. Secondary analysis showed significant correlations between balance and functional mobility (r = 0.671, p = 0.017), depression and fatigue (r = 0.586, p = 0.044) and between intensity of rehabilitation and balance (r = 0.622, p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Participating in an exercise program and receiving tDCS separately improved the variables of depression, balance, mobility, and fatigue.S

Influence of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Exercise on Fatigue and Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis

[EN] Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that leads to a great deterioration in the quality of life. Objective: We aimed to assess the effectiveness of two individual programs, one based on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and another based on the effect of physical exercise on fatigue and quality of life in patients with MS. Methods: A total of 12 patients with relapsing–remitting and progressive secondary MS participated. Fatigue and quality of life were assessed before and after intervention. The exercise program and tDCS were carried out over a 4-week period, with a washout period of 5 months. Results: The results show significant improvements in the different quality of life subscales after the application of tDCS, activities of daily living (r = 0.625; p = 0.037) (g = 0.465), psychological well-being (r = 0.856; p = 0.004) (g = 0.727) and coping (r = 0.904; p = 0.18) (g = 0.376), and in those after the application of exercise, activities of daily living (r = 0.853; p = 0.003) (g = 0.570) and psychological well-being (r = 0.693; p = 0.041) (g = 0.417). After the application of both therapies, more than 50% of the subjects did not have a positive fatigue score on the MFIS scale. Conclusion: The major findings suggest that the application of both therapies produces a beneficial effect with significant improvements in the quality of life of this sample.SIThis research was funded by a grant from the Professional Association of Physiotherapists of Castilla y Leó

Ingesta dietética de hierro y su deficiencia en las jugadoras de voleibol femenino de elite

[ES] Introducción: La práctica del voleibol requiere repeti- dos impactos en brazos y pies provocados por saltos verti- cales, caídas, remates, cambios bruscos y rápidos de dirección, por lo que se nos podría plantear problemas en el metabolismo del hierro (Fe) y la ingesta recomendada de Fe de 18 mg/día (en el colectivo femenino a nivel gene- ral), no sea suficiente para cubrir las necesidades de Fe de las jugadoras de voleibol femenino (JVF). Objetivo: Evaluar el estado de los depósitos de Fe mediante los cambios producidos en la ferritina sérica (FS) e índice de saturación de transferrina (IST) y eva- luar la ingesta de Fe tras 11 semanas de entrenamiento. Métodos: Se analizó la FS e IST de 10 JVF de un equipo de la Superliga española (26,6 ± 5,9 años y talla 178,05 ± 8,7 cm) en dos momentos de la temporada: Semana 0 (previo al inicio de los entrenamientos de pretemporada) y semana 11 (tras 11 semanas de entrenamiento y 6 parti- dos de la liga regular). Así mismo se calculó el consumo de Fe en este periodo a partir de cuestionarios de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos elaborados y comprobados a partir de registros dietéticos de 7 días. Resultados: Se observó que una ingesta de 25,8 mg/día de Fe dietario no es suficiente para prevenir que un 30% de las JVF sufran déficit de Fe pre-latente y el 20% déficit latente (pre-anemia). Conclusión: Sería recomendable la realización de ana- líticas periódicas y una educación alimentaria, enseñando que alimentos contienen un alto contenido en Fe de tipo hemo, así como los factores que pueden interferir en su absorción.[EN] Introducción: La práctica del voleibol requiere repeti- dos impactos en brazos y pies provocados por saltos verti- cales, caídas, remates, cambios bruscos y rápidos de dirección, por lo que se nos podría plantear problemas en el metabolismo del hierro (Fe) y la ingesta recomendada de Fe de 18 mg/día (en el colectivo femenino a nivel gene- ral), no sea suficiente para cubrir las necesidades de Fe de las jugadoras de voleibol femenino (JVF). Objetivo: Evaluar el estado de los depósitos de Fe mediante los cambios producidos en la ferritina sérica (FS) e índice de saturación de transferrina (IST) y eva- luar la ingesta de Fe tras 11 semanas de entrenamiento. Métodos: Se analizó la FS e IST de 10 JVF de un equipo de la Superliga española (26,6 ± 5,9 años y talla 178,05 ± 8,7 cm) en dos momentos de la temporada: Semana 0 (previo al inicio de los entrenamientos de pretemporada) y semana 11 (tras 11 semanas de entrenamiento y 6 parti- dos de la liga regular). Así mismo se calculó el consumo de Fe en este periodo a partir de cuestionarios de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos elaborados y comprobados a partir de registros dietéticos de 7 días. Resultados: Se observó que una ingesta de 25,8 mg/día de Fe dietario no es suficiente para prevenir que un 30% de las JVF sufran déficit de Fe pre-latente y el 20% déficit latente (pre-anemia). Conclusión: Sería recomendable la realización de ana- líticas periódicas y una educación alimentaria, enseñando que alimentos contienen un alto contenido en Fe de tipo hemo, así como los factores que pueden interferir en su absorción

The Effects of 6 Weeks of Tribulus terrestris L. Supplementation on Body Composition, Hormonal Response, Perceived Exertion, and CrossFit® Performance: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

[EN] Tribulus terrestris L. (TT) supplementation have been shown to enhance sports performance in many but not all studies. Moreover, data regarding the potential impact of TT supplementation on CrossFit® endurance is limited. This study aimed to determine whether TT supplementation improve body composition, hormonal response, and performance among CrossFit® athletes. In a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 30 healthy CrossFit®-trained males were randomly allocated to receive either 770 mg of TT supplementation or a placebo daily for 6 weeks. Body mass, fat mass, fat composition, testosterone and cortisol levels, and CrossFit® performance (5 common Workouts of the Day: back squat, bench press, dead lift, Grace, and CrossFit® Total) were assessed before and after intervention. There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance (p < 0.05). TT supplementation did not impact enhance performance or body composition in CrossFit® male athletes. However, TT supplementation may act as a testosterone booster helping the recovery after physical loads and mitigating fatigueS

The effects of 6 weeks of Tribulus terrestris L. supplementation on body composition, hormonal response, perceived exertion, and CrossFit® performance: A randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study

Producción CientíficaTribulus terrestris L. (TT) supplementation have been shown to enhance sports performance in many but not all studies. Moreover, data regarding the potential impact of TT supplementation on CrossFit® endurance is limited. This study aimed to determine whether TT supplementation improve body composition, hormonal response, and performance among CrossFit® athletes. In a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a total of 30 healthy CrossFit®-trained males were randomly allocated to receive either 770 mg of TT supplementation or a placebo daily for 6 weeks. Body mass, fat mass, fat composition, testosterone and cortisol levels, and CrossFit® performance (5 common Workouts of the Day: back squat, bench press, dead lift, Grace, and CrossFit® Total) were assessed before and after intervention. There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance (p < 0.05). TT supplementation did not impact enhance performance or body composition in CrossFit® male athletes. However, TT supplementation may act as a testosterone booster helping the recovery after physical loads and mitigating fatigue

The role of selenium mineral trace element in exercise: antioxidant defense system, muscle performance, hormone response, and athletic performance. A systematic review

Exercise overproduces oxygen reactive species (ROS) and eventually exceeds the body’s antioxidant capacity to neutralize them. The ROS produce damaging effects on the cell membrane and contribute to skeletal muscle damage. Selenium (Se), a natural mineral trace element, is an essential component of selenoproteins that plays an important role in antioxidant defense. The activity of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx), a highly-efficient antioxidant enzyme, is closely dependent on the presence of Se. These properties of Se may be potentially applicable to improve athletic performance and training recovery. We systematically searched for published studies to evaluate the effectiveness of Se supplementation on antioxidant defense system, muscle performance, hormone response, and athletic performance among physically active individuals. We used the Preferred Reporting Elements for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and searched in SCOPUS, Web of Science (WOS), and PubMed databases to identify published studies until March 2020. The systematic review incorporated original studies with randomized controlled crossover or parallel design in which intake of Se administered once a day was compared with the same placebo conditions. No exclusions were applied for the type of physical exercise performed, the sex, nor the age of the participants. Among 150 articles identified in the search, 6 met the criteria and were included in the systematic review. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the McMaster Critical Review Form. Oral Se supplementation with 180 µg/day or 240 µg/day (selenomethionine) and 200 µg/day (Sodium Selenite), significantly decreased lipid hydroperoxide levels and increased GPx in plasma, erythrocyte, and muscle. No significant effects were observed on athletic performance, testosterone hormone levels, creatine kinase activity, and exercise training-induced adaptations on oxidative enzyme activities or on muscle fiber type myosin heavy chain expression. In addition, Se supplementation showed to have a dampening effect on the mitochondria changes in chronic and acute exercise. In summary, the use of Se supplementation has no benefits on aerobic or anaerobic athletic performance but it may prevent Se deficiencies among athletes with high-intensity and high-volume training. Optimal Se plasma levels may be important to minimize chronic exercise-induced oxidative effects and modulate the exercise effect on mitochondrial changes

Anales de Edafología y Agrobiología Tomo 32 Número 9-10

Aportaciones para un mejor conocimiento de los suelos desarrollados sobre materiales calizos consolidados, por J. L. Moreno Alvarez y T. Badorrey Peracho.-- Estudio biológico y químico de Erica umbellata L., por M. Consolación Salas, Antonio Ballester y Ernesto Vieitez.--Contenido en metales de la nitrito reductasa del alga Chlorella, por J. Cárdenas, F. D. Pineda, F. F. de la Rosa, J. L. Barea y J. Rivas.-- Andosuelos de la provincia de Gerona. I. Estudio de sustancias minerales amorfas, por J. Rodríguez Sanchidrián y F Monturiol Rodríguez.-- Minerales de la arcilla en suelos de la provincia de Granada, por J. L. Martín Vivaldi, E. Galán Huertos y F. López Aguayo.-- Influence of foliar application of macro-nutrient on the plant growth and rnultiplication of viruses. I. Foliar application of nitrogen nutrient to tomato and its effect on host growth and potato virus X multiplication, by Rajendra Singh and Tej Pratap Mall.-- Heterodera Schachtii Schmidt, 1871 (Nematoda: Heteroderidae) en los suelos de las Islas Canarias, por A. Bello y Mª. D. Romero.-- Utiliización de una nueva fórmula de cálculo para la evaporación de Piché en regiones húmedas de España, por Jesús Seco, Angela Calvo y José Garmendía.-- Contribución al estudio de la técnica de Walkley y Black para la determinación de carbono orgánico de suelos, por Luisa Prat Pérez y Benito Sánchez.-- Estudio de la dinámica del crecimiento del limón en el sureste español, por O. Carpena, F. Romojaro, C. Alearaz y S. Llorente.-- Efecto de la aplicación de acetileno y ácido 2-cloroetilfosfónico sobre la fructificación y cosecha del olivo, por A. J. Sánchez-Raya, J. P. Donaire y L. Recalde.—Notas científicas.-- Estudio de fosfatasa ácida en plantas de A tropa belladona L. recogidas en otoño, por M. R. Felipe Antón y N. Velázquez Sánchez.—Notas.-- Nombramiento de Presidente del C. S. I. C.-- Constitución de la nueva Junta de Gobierno del Patronato Alonso de Herrera.-- Nombramiento de Consejeros de Número.-- Nombramiento de Consejeros Adjuntos.-- Designación del Comité Nacional de la Unión Internacional de Investigaciones sobre el Cuaternario.-- Rector de la Universidad de La Laguna.-- Distinción al Pro f. Zorita.-- European Grassland Federation (5th General Meeting).-- Reuniones nacionales.-- 1ª Reunión Nacional del Grupo de Trabajo del Cuaternario.-- Laboratorio de Micromorfología de Suelos.-- Próximo Congreso de Micromorfología.-- Reunión en La Mayora.-- BibliografíaPeer reviewed2019-08.- CopyBook.- Libnova.- Biblioteca ICA

Role of age and comorbidities in mortality of patients with infective endocarditis

[Purpose]: The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of patients with IE in three groups of age and to assess the ability of age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) to predict mortality. [Methods]: Prospective cohort study of all patients with IE included in the GAMES Spanish database between 2008 and 2015.Patients were stratified into three age groups:<65 years,65 to 80 years,and ≥ 80 years.The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was calculated to quantify the diagnostic accuracy of the CCI to predict mortality risk. [Results]: A total of 3120 patients with IE (1327 < 65 years;1291 65-80 years;502 ≥ 80 years) were enrolled.Fever and heart failure were the most common presentations of IE, with no differences among age groups.Patients ≥80 years who underwent surgery were significantly lower compared with other age groups (14.3%,65 years; 20.5%,65-79 years; 31.3%,≥80 years). In-hospital mortality was lower in the <65-year group (20.3%,<65 years;30.1%,65-79 years;34.7%,≥80 years;p < 0.001) as well as 1-year mortality (3.2%, <65 years; 5.5%, 65-80 years;7.6%,≥80 years; p = 0.003).Independent predictors of mortality were age ≥ 80 years (hazard ratio [HR]:2.78;95% confidence interval [CI]:2.32–3.34), CCI ≥ 3 (HR:1.62; 95% CI:1.39–1.88),and non-performed surgery (HR:1.64;95% CI:11.16–1.58).When the three age groups were compared,the AUROC curve for CCI was significantly larger for patients aged <65 years(p < 0.001) for both in-hospital and 1-year mortality. [Conclusion]: There were no differences in the clinical presentation of IE between the groups. Age ≥ 80 years, high comorbidity (measured by CCI),and non-performance of surgery were independent predictors of mortality in patients with IE.CCI could help to identify those patients with IE and surgical indication who present a lower risk of in-hospital and 1-year mortality after surgery, especially in the <65-year group

Zeolites for Nitrogen Recovery from the Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor Permeate: Zeolite Characterization

[EN] Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor technology has great advantages for treating wastewater, including energy recovery from organic matter. However, when the legislation requires that effluent standards be met in sensitive areas, this treatment cannot remove the nutrients, thus the permeate generated needs post-treatment. Apart from the biological processes, ion exchange is an alternative treatment for this stream since it can remove nutrients and concentrate them for later recovery as fertilizers. In this work, the feasibility of using a natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) for treating NH4 from AnMBR permeate was studied and tests were carried out on the adsorption kinetics of ammonium. Isotherm tests verified that activating natural zeolite to its -Na form improves its performance by 20% and increases q(e) from 2.37 to 2.86 mg NH4-N/g for a Co of 30 mg NH4-N/L. It was also found that the cations present in the water (especially Ca2+ and Na+) caused a 22% reduction in ammonium adsorption while organic matter was responsible for improving the retained ammonium by 22%. It was also found that the working pH (7.2 +/- 0.2) is close to the optimal pH range (6-7) for zeolite performance. The tests on the AnMBR permeate indicate that clinoptilolite is a suitable material since treating this stream can retain up to 7.44 mg NH4-N/g.This research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation projects MEM4REC (CTM2017-86751-C2-2-R-AR), RECREATE (PID2020-114315RB-C22) and also by Ministry of Universities (FPU17/00540).Godifredo-Calvo, J.; Ferrer, J.; Seco, A.; Barat, R. (2023). Zeolites for Nitrogen Recovery from the Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor Permeate: Zeolite Characterization. Water. 15(6):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/w1506100711615