Esport extraescolar i la utilització de les TIC i els jocs electrònics modifiquen la força de prensió de la mà?

L'objectiu del nostre estudi va ser conèixer si l'esport extraescolar i el temps dedicat setmanalment a les tecnologies de la informació i la comunicació (TIC) i jocs electrònics, tenen influència en el desenvolupament de la força de prensió de la mà i avantbraç en nens entre els 14 i 16 anys. Es va realitzar un estudi observacional de disseny transversal. La població objecte d'estudi van ser 39 nens de segon cicle de l'ESO. L'activitat física extraescolar i el temps dedicat setmanalment a les TIC i als jocs electrònics es van recollir mitjançant qüestionaris. Es va utilitzar el test d'handgrip per a la valoració de la força màxima voluntària de la mà i avantbraç del costat dominant. L'edat i la força de la mà dominant estan associades de forma estadísticament significativa, la força màxima voluntària (F=5,86; p=0,006) i el valor mig de la força sostinguda per sobre del 60% (F=4,5; p=0,02). A l'analitzar el grau d'activitat física (Kcal/setmana) respecte a la força màxima voluntària (r= 0,07; p= 0,716) i força sostinguda per sobre del 60% (r= 0,30; p= 0,09) observem una associació feble positiva i no estadísticament significativa. Si analitzem les hores setmanes TIC en relació a la força màxima voluntària observem una associació molt feble i no estadísticament significativa. La força de prensió de la mà en escolars està relacionada de forma positiva i estadísticament significativa amb l'edat i el pes corporal. No es relaciona amb el nivell d'activitat física i les hores dedicades a les TIC.The aim of our study was to determine if the extracurricular sport and the time spent weekly on information technology and communication (ICT) and electronic games, has an influence in the development of grip strength of the hand and forearm in school boys between 14 and 16 years. We performed an observational study design cross. The population under study were 39 children from second cycle of ESO. The extracurricular physical activity and the weekly time spent on ICT and electronic games were collected through a questionnaire. We used the test handgrip for assessing the maximum force voluntarily by the hand and forearm, the dominant side. The age and strength of the dominant hand are associated are statistically significant, the voluntary maximum force (F = 5.86, p = 0006) and the average value of force sustained above 60% (F = 4.5 , p= 0.02). Analyzing the bodyweight regarding the maximum force (r = 0552, p = 0001) and the sustained strength above 60% (r = 0582, p <0.0001) observed an association moderately positive and statistically significant. When analyzing the degree of physical activity (kcal / week) regarding the voluntary maximum force (r = 0.07, p = 0716) and sustained strength above 60% (r = 0.30, p = 0.09) we see a weak positive association and not statistically significant. Looking hours ICT week regarding the voluntary maximum force observed an association very weak and not statistically significant. The grip strength of the hands of schoolchildren is linked in a positive and statistically significant with age and body weight. Not relates to the level of physical activity and hours devoted to ICT

Modificación de los parámetros del polímero en el termofijado del poliéster a diferentes temperaturas

Se ha termofijado un tejido de poliéster a temperaturas nominales entre 160 y 220ºC. De los sustratos correspondientes se han determinado la temperatura efectiva, la cristalinidad, el peso molecular medio y su distribución, el contenido de grupos carboxílicos y de oligómeros superficiales, el grado de blanco y el índice de amarillo. De este modo se han podido evaluar los cambios de cristalinidad y la migración de oligómeros a la periferia de la fibra, así como una posible redistribución de pesos moleculares y un ataque químico-térmico en la operación de termofijado.A polyester cloth was heatset at nominal temperatures between 160 and 220ºC. From the corresponding substrates the effective temperature, the cristallinity, the mean molecular weight and its distribution, the content of carboxylic groups and of superficial oligomers, the degree of whiteness and the yellow index were determined. In this way it was possible to evaluate the changes of cristallinity and the migration of oligomers to the periphery of the fibre, along with a possible redistribution of molecular weights and a chemico-thermal attack in the heat-fixing operation.Nous avons thermofixé un tissu en polyester à des températures nominales allant de 160 à 220 ºC. A partir des substrats correspondants, nous avons déterminé la température effective, la cristallinité, le poids moléculaire moyen et sa distribution, le contenu de groupes carboxyliques et d’oligomères superficiels, le degré de blancheur et le pourcentage de jaune. Nous avons donc pu évaluer les changements de cristallinité et la migration des oligomères à la périphérie de la fibre, ainsi que la redistribution éventuelle des poids moléculaires et l’attaque chimique et thermique pendant la thermofixation

Fuerza prensil de la mano asociada al grado de autonomía y riesgo de caída en ancianos

Objetivo: Determinación de la fuerza de prensión de la mano como indicador de la capacidad funcional y grado de autonomía para actividades cotidianas en personas de la tercera edad. Diseño: Se realizó un estudio observacional de diseño transversal. Emplazamiento: Medio comunitario. Centros cívicos, centros culturales y residencias de la tercera edad de la comarca del Bages (Barcelona). 2 Participantes: Se estudió a 61 personas, 40 mujeres y 21 hombres, con un rango de edad comprendido entre los 65 y 90 años, quienes no presentaban afecciones invalidantes graves. Se solicitó su colaboración y aceptación voluntaria tras informar del objetivo del estudio. Mediciones principales: El grado de autonomía funcional se valoró mediante el test de Barthel y el test de Lawton-Brody, y el riesgo de caída mediante el test de Tinetti. La fuerza muscular máxima voluntaria (FMMV) se determinó mediante el test de prensión de la mano (handgrip). Resultados: Los hombres mostraron una correlación positiva y estadísticamente significativa (p=0.001) entre la fuerza prensil de la mano y el grado de autonomía funcional y el menor riesgo de caída (p=0.037). Dicha correlación no fue observada en las mujeres respecto al grado de autonomía (p=0.232) y fue escasa para el riesgo de caída (p=0.048). Conclusiones: El test de handgrip es una herramienta potencialmente útil para estimar la autonomía funcional e instrumental y el riesgo de caídas, especialmente en varones que sobrepasan los 65 años.Objective: To determine the hand strength as an indicator of functional ability and degree of autonomy in activities of daily living for older people. Design: An observational study of transversal design. Setting: Community setting. Civic centres, cultural centres and residences of the third age of the region of the Bages (Barcelona). Participants: We studied 61 subjects, 40 women and 21 men, age 65 to 90 years, who had no serious disabling conditions. Requested his collaboration and voluntary acceptance after informing of the aim of the study. Main measurements: The degree of functional autonomy was assessed by the Barthel and Lawton-Brody test, and the risk of falling through the Tinetti test. The maximum voluntary hand strength was determined by the handgrip test. Results: Men showed a statistically significant positive correlation (p = 0.001) between the handgrip strength and the degree of functional autonomy and a reduced risk of falling (p = 0.037). This correlation was not observed in women on the degree of autonomy (p = 0.232) and was limited to the risk of falling (p = 0.048). Conclusions: The handgrip test is a potentially useful tool to estimate the functional and instrumental autonomy and the risk of falls, especially in men older of 65 years

Diagnóstico de fallos en sistemas de generación de energía basados en pilas de combustible

En este trabajo se presenta una metodología de diagnóstico de fallos basada en modelos para sistemas de generación de energía basados en pilas de combustible. La novedad de la metodología se basa en la caracterización de la sensibilidad relativa entre residuos. Para ejemplificar los resultados de dicha metodología se ha utilizado un modelo no lineal propuesto en la literatura y se han incluido en el mismo un conjunto de escenarios de fallos frecuentes en este tipo de sistemas. Finalmente, el trabajo presenta los resultados de diagnóstico para algunos de estos escenarios.Peer Reviewe

Pasture Feeding Changes the Bovine Rumen and Milk Metabolome

peer-reviewedThe purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two pasture feeding systems—perennial ryegrass (GRS) and perennial ryegrass and white clover (CLV)—and an indoor total mixed ration (TMR) system on the (a) rumen microbiome; (b) rumen fluid and milk metabolome; and (c) to assess the potential to distinguish milk from different feeding systems by their respective metabolomes. Rumen fluid was collected from nine rumen cannulated cows under the different feeding systems in early, mid and late lactation, and raw milk samples were collected from ten non-cannulated cows in mid-lactation from each of the feeding systems. The microbiota present in rumen liquid and solid portions were analysed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, while 1H-NMR untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed on rumen fluid and raw milk samples. The rumen microbiota composition was not found to be significantly altered by any feeding system in this study, likely as a result of a shortened adaptation period (two weeks’ exposure time). In contrast, feeding system had a significant effect on both the rumen and milk metabolome. Increased concentrations of volatile fatty acids including acetic acid, an important source of energy for the cow, were detected in the rumen of TMR and CLV-fed cows. Pasture feeding resulted in significantly higher concentrations of isoacids in the rumen. The ruminal fluids of both CLV and GRS-fed cows were found to have increased concentrations of p-cresol, a product of microbiome metabolism. CLV feeding resulted in increased rumen concentrations of formate, a substrate compound for methanogenesis. The TMR feeding resulted in significantly higher rumen choline content, which contributes to animal health and milk production, and succinate, a product of carbohydrate metabolism. Milk and rumen-fluids were shown to have varying levels of dimethyl sulfone in each feeding system, which was found to be an important compound for distinguishing between the diets. CLV feeding resulted in increased concentrations of milk urea. Milk from pasture-based feeding systems was shown to have significantly higher concentrations of hippuric acid, a potential biomarker of pasture-derived milk. This study has demonstrated that 1H-NMR metabolomics coupled with multivariate analysis is capable of distinguishing both rumen-fluid and milk derived from cows on different feeding systems, specifically between indoor TMR and pasture-based diets used in this study

Integrated use of residues from olive mill and winery for lipase production by solid state fermentation with Aspergillus sp

Two phase olive mill waste (TPOMW) is presently the major waste produced by the olive mill industry. This waste has potential to be used as substrate for solid state fermentation (SSF) despite of its high concentration of phenolic compounds and low nitrogen content. In this work, it is demonstrated that mixtures of TPOMW with winery wastes support the production of lipase by Aspergillus spp. By agar plate screening, Aspergillus niger MUM 03.58, Aspergillus ibericus MUM 03.49 and Aspergillus uvarum MUM 08.01 were chosen for lipase production by SSF. Plackett-Burman experimental design was employed to evaluate the effect of substrate composition and time on lipase production. The highest amounts of lipase were produced by A. ibericus on a mixture of TPOMW, urea and exhausted grape mark (EGM). Urea was found to be the most influent factor for the lipase production. Further optimization of lipase production by A. ibericus using a full factorial design (32) conducted to optimal conditions of substrate composition (0.073 g urea/g and 25% of EGM) achieving 18.67 U/g of lipolytic activity.Jose Manuel Salgado is grateful for Postdoctoral fellowship (EX-2010-0402) of Education Ministry of Spanish Government. Luis Abrunhosa was supported by the grant SFRH/BPD/43922/2008 from Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia-FCT, Portugal. Authors thank Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) for financial support through the project FCT Pest-OE/EQB/LA0023/2011

CIBERER : Spanish national network for research on rare diseases: A highly productive collaborative initiative

Altres ajuts: Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.CIBER (Center for Biomedical Network Research; Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red) is a public national consortium created in 2006 under the umbrella of the Spanish National Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). This innovative research structure comprises 11 different specific areas dedicated to the main public health priorities in the National Health System. CIBERER, the thematic area of CIBER focused on rare diseases (RDs) currently consists of 75 research groups belonging to universities, research centers, and hospitals of the entire country. CIBERER's mission is to be a center prioritizing and favoring collaboration and cooperation between biomedical and clinical research groups, with special emphasis on the aspects of genetic, molecular, biochemical, and cellular research of RDs. This research is the basis for providing new tools for the diagnosis and therapy of low-prevalence diseases, in line with the International Rare Diseases Research Consortium (IRDiRC) objectives, thus favoring translational research between the scientific environment of the laboratory and the clinical setting of health centers. In this article, we intend to review CIBERER's 15-year journey and summarize the main results obtained in terms of internationalization, scientific production, contributions toward the discovery of new therapies and novel genes associated to diseases, cooperation with patients' associations and many other topics related to RD research

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)1.

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field

Building and validating biomarkers. Comparison of methods and application to prostate cancer

In the present work it is reviewed the the statistical tools available for the biomarker discovery process. Resampling techniques, feature selection, classifiers and metric to evaluate the performance of the biomarkers is reviewed. All the above concepts are tested, applying them into an appropriate work-flow, in a real prostate cancer study. The aim is to find biomarkes to be able to classify men depending the aggressiveness of the cancer after an intervention, from the analysis of the miRNA expression obtained from qPCR. Three different comparisons are assessed, and in each one a total of 20 models are compared to find the best. The R/Bioconductor CMA package is used to perform the analysis. Potential biomarkers are found, although further studies are recommended before its commercialization or other use