Kinematic analysis of a lower limb to determine the center of rotation of the knee at the sagittal plane.

En esta investigación se establece una metodología que permite describir el movimiento de miembros inferiores usando cadenas cinemáticas cerradas. Este análisis es realizado con el objetivo de determinar la posición del centro de rotación (CR) de la rodilla localizado en el plano sagital. Un paciente sano y sin antecedentes patológicos realizó pruebas de flexión-extensión con uno de sus miembros inferiores. Cuando el paciente realizo el movimiento articular (la flexo-extensión) un dispositivo de video y un programa (World In motion v4.0) determinan la posición de cuatro marcadores pasivos ubicados en el miembro inferior. Los datos obtenidos de los marcadores son utilizados en un modelo propuesto que permite localizar la posición del CR de la rodilla. En este estudio se concluye que el CR de la rodilla presenta movimiento relativo respecto a un punto fijo marcado en un miembro inferior. Los resultados comprueban que el CR de la rodilla delimitado en el plano sagital no presenta comportamiento de una junta completa (junta con un grado de libertad) como ha sido presentado en otros estudios. Abstract A methodology is established in this research which permits to describe the movement of a lower limb using closed kinematic chains. This analysis is developed with the aim to determine the location of the center of rotation (CR) of the knee joint in the sagittal plane. Flexion-extension tests were carried out on one of the lower limbs of a healthy patient without pathological antecedents. When the patient does articular movement (flexion-extension), a video equipment and a software determine the position of four passive markers installed on the lower limb. The information obtained from the markers is applied to the proposed model which allows to locate the center of rotation of the knee joint. Hence it was concluded that the CR of the knee joint undergoes a relative movement with respect to the fixed point marked on the lower limb. The results prove that the knee joint established in the sagittal plane does not show the behavior of a complete joint (a joint with one degree of freedom) as it has been described in other studies

Violencia íntima en la adolescencia: su abordaje desde un enfoque psicoeducativo

En la actualidad nadie duda de que la violencia íntima es un problema social de gran envergadura, y que es necesario destinar más medios para erradicarlo, pero este fenómeno no es excluviso de las relaciones de pareja adultas. En este estudio, realizado con una nuestra de 572 adolescentes, se aprecia como de cara a solventar este problema es necesario fomentar la prevención en edades precoces: la violencia íntima está presente en un número significativo de chicos y chicas, y aunque la frecuencia de estos episodios tiende a ser baja, estos escenarios producen consecuencias muy negativas para el bienestar de estos jóvenes. Este trabajo concluye con una serie de recomendaciones útiles para elaborar programas preventivos con sujetos de estas edades.Eje: Educación secundaria y profesional: ReflexionesRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Violencia íntima en la adolescencia: su abordaje desde un enfoque psicoeducativo

En la actualidad nadie duda de que la violencia íntima es un problema social de gran envergadura, y que es necesario destinar más medios para erradicarlo, pero este fenómeno no es excluviso de las relaciones de pareja adultas. En este estudio, realizado con una nuestra de 572 adolescentes, se aprecia como de cara a solventar este problema es necesario fomentar la prevención en edades precoces: la violencia íntima está presente en un número significativo de chicos y chicas, y aunque la frecuencia de estos episodios tiende a ser baja, estos escenarios producen consecuencias muy negativas para el bienestar de estos jóvenes. Este trabajo concluye con una serie de recomendaciones útiles para elaborar programas preventivos con sujetos de estas edades.Eje: Educación secundaria y profesional: ReflexionesRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Molecular analysis of menadione-induced resistance against biotic stress in Arabidopsis

19 páginas, 6 figuras, 2 tablas.Menadione sodium bisulphite (MSB) is a water-soluble derivative of vitamin K3, or menadione, and has been previously demonstrated to function as a plant defence activator against several pathogens in several plant species. However, there are no reports of the role of this vitamin in the induction of resistance in the plant model Arabidopsis thaliana. In the current study, we demonstrate that MSB induces resistance by priming in Arabidopsis against the virulent strain Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 (Pto) without inducing necrosis or visible damage. Changes in gene expression in response to 0.2 mm MSB were analysed in Arabidopsis at 3, 6 and 24 h post-treatment using microarray technology. In general, the treatment with MSB does not correlate with other publicly available data, thus MSB produces a unique molecular footprint. We observed 158 differentially regulated genes among all the possible trends. More up-regulated genes are included in categories such as 'response to stress' than the background, and the behaviour of these genes in different treatments confirms their role in response to biotic and abiotic stress. In addition, there is an over-representation of the G-box in their promoters. Some interesting functions are represented among the individual up-regulated genes, such as glutathione S-transferases, transcription factors (including putative regulators of the G-box) and cytochrome P450s. This work provides a wide insight into the molecular cues underlying the effect of MSB as a plant resistance inducer.This work was partially funded by an INVESCAN, S.L. grant (No.OTT2001438) to the CSIC and by a BIO2006-02168 grant of MICINN to PT. The microarrays were funded in part by the “Genome España” Foundation. MER was supported by a research contract (ID-TF-06/002) from the Consejería de Industria, Comercio y Nuevas Tecnologías (Gobierno de Canarias). The authors thank CajaCanarias for their research support. We also thank Lorena Perales for her help in performing the bacterial growth curves, Dr. Héctor Cabrera for his useful advice on writing the manuscript, the English translation service of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia and Mrs. Pauline Agnew whose endeavoured to edit the English translation of this paper.Peer reviewe

Maximization of Regional probabilities using Optimal Surface Graphs: Application to Carotid Artery Segmentation in MRI

__Purpose__ We present a segmentation method that maximizes regional probabilities enclosed by coupled surfaces using an Optimal Surface Graph (OSG) cut approach. This OSG cut determines the globally optimal solution given a graph constructed around an initial surface. While most methods for vessel wall segmentation only use edge information, we show that maximizing regional probabilities using an OSG improves the segmentation results. We applied this to automatically segment the vessel wall of the carotid artery in magnetic resonance images. __Methods__ First, voxel-wise regional probability maps were obtained using a Support Vector Machine classifier trained on local image features. Then the OSG segments the regions which maximizes the regional probabilities considering smoothness and topological constraints. __Results__ The method was evaluated on 49 carotid arteries from 30 subjects. The proposed method shows good accuracy with a Dice wall overlap of 74:1%+-4:3%, and significantly outperforms a published method based on an OSG using only surface information, the obtained segmentations using voxel-wise classification alone, and another published artery wall segmentation method based on a deformable surface model. Intra-class correlations (ICC) with manually measured lumen and wall volumes were similar to those obtained between observers. Finally, we show a good reproducibility of the method with ICC = 0:86 between the volumes measured in scans repeated within a short time interval. __Conclusions__ In this work a new segmentation method that uses both an OSG and regional probabilities is presented. The method shows good segmentations of the carotid artery in MRI and outperformed another segmentation method that uses OSG and edge information and the voxel-wise segmentation using the probability maps

Desarrollo de un exo-traje para la rehabilitación de miembro superior

La gran existencia de personas con discapacidades congénitas y/o adquiridas forman en la sociedad actual española un número significativo de dependientes. Estos pacientes carecen de la autonomía suficiente para vivir una vida independiente. Las actividades de la vida diaria son, en muchos casos, difíciles de lograr para un paciente con algún tipo de discapacidad leve o moderada. Este gran número de personas con discapacidades físicas en los últimos años y el posterior crecimiento de la demanda de programas de rehabilitación eficaces está disparando el mercado de los exoesqueletos con finalidades médicas en todo el mundo. Estos dispositivos están evolucionando cada día, y las versiones modernas de los exoesqueletos han evolucionado en lo que se denominan exo-trajes (exo-suit), dispositivos vestibles capaces de adaptarse a cualquier usuario, más ligeros y versátiles. Este artículo presenta el prototipo de un exo-traje para la asistencia y rehabilitación de miembro superior. Se describen tanto la arquitectura hardware como software del sistema, presentando además unas pruebas de usabilidad del dispositivo.The high prevalence of individuals with congenital and/or acquired disabilities constitutes a significant number of dependents in today's Spanish society. These patients lack sufficient autonomy to lead an independent life. Daily activities are often d ifficult to accomplish for patients with mild to moderate disabilities. The increasing number of individuals with physical disabilities in recent years and the subsequent rise in demand for effective rehabilitation programs are fueling the market for medical exoskeletons worldwide. These devices are evolving each day, and modern versions of exoskeletons have transformed into what are known as exosuits (exo-suits), wearable devices capable of adapting to any user, lighter and more versatile. This article presents the prototype of an exosuit for the assistance and rehabilitation of the upper limb. Both the hardware and software architecture of the system are described, along with usability tests of the device

Relationship of somatic cell count and composition and coagulation properties of ewe’s milk

The relationship between somatic cell count (SCC) and raw milk composition and its coagulation properties measured at native or standardised pH values were investigated in Manchega ewes’ milk. A total of 84 bulk tank milk samples from flocks included in the National Association of Manchega Sheep Breeders were used. According to their SCC, milk samples were divided into three terciles named low (562±138 cells/mL), medium (956±115 cells/mL) and high (1705±428 cells/ mL) SCC groups. Within each SCC group, two pH treatments were applied before determining coagulation properties (rennet clotting time, curd firming time and curd firmness): no acidification of milk (coagulation at native pH) and acidification of milk at pH 6.5. Native milk pH significantly increased (P0.05) by SCC, protein content tended to be higher in the high SCC group (P=0.05) and lactose content was significantly lower (P<0.05) in that group. At native pH, the high SCC group had longer rennet clotting time, higher curd firming time and lower curd firmness after 30 min of rennet addition than the low and medium SCC groups (P<0.05). Standardising milk pH at 6.5 prior to rennet addition clearly cancelled out (P<0.05) the negative effects of high SCC on milk coagulation properties. In conclusion, despite the fact that acidification before renneting improved the coagulation properties of milk with high SCC, more research would be needed to determine the sensorial properties of cheese manufactured under such conditions

Registros notables de la guagua loba Dinomys branickii (Rodentia: Dinomyidae) en Antioquia, Colombia.

The pacarana Dinomys branickii (Peters 1873), is the second largest rodent in Colombia and the only living representative of the Dinomyidae family. The species has a restricted distribution to the Andes Mountains.La guagua loba, Dinomys branickii (Peters 1873), es el segundo roedor más grande de Colombia y la única representante viviente de la familia Dinomyidae. La especie presenta una distribución restringida a la Cordillera de los Andes

Mitogenome and Nuclear-encoded Fungicide-target Genes of Thecaphora frezii - Causal Agent of Peanut Smut

Background: Thecaphora frezii Carranza and Lindquist causes smut disease in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) resulting in up to 35% yield losses. Fungicides have shown ineffective in controlling the disease; whereas research on the molecular basis of that fungicide resistance has been hindered because of the lack of genetic information about T. frezii. The goal of this work was to provide molecular information about fungicide-target loci in T. frezii, including its mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) and critical nuclear-encoded genes. Results: Here we report the complete annotated mitogenome of T. frezii, a 123,773 bp molecule containing the standard 14 genes that form part of mitochondrial complexes I, III, IV and V, 22 transfer RNAs, small and large subunits of ribosomal RNA, DNA polymerase, ribonuclease P, GII-reverse transcriptase/maturase, nine hypothetical open-reading frames and homing endonucleases (LAGLIDADG, GIY-YIG, HEG). In addition, we report the full-length cDNA sequence of T. frezii cytochrome b (cob) and cytochrome oxidase 1 (cox1) genes; as well as partial sequences of T. frezii succinate dehydrogenase (sdhb), ergosterol biosynthesis (Erg4), cytochrome P450 (cyp51), and beta tubulin (β-tubulin) genes, which are respective targets of strobilurins, quinone oxidation inhibitors, triazoles and beta-tubulin inhibitor fungicides commonly used in the peanut crop. Translation of cob and sdhb genes in this particular T. frezii isolate suggests potential resistance to strobilurin and carboxamide fungicides. Conclusion: The mitogenome and nuclear-encoded gene sequences presented here provide the molecular tools to research T. frezii fungicide-target loci

Precarious employment and health: A qualitative study in Venezuelan immigrant population in Colombia

Background: Employment and working conditions are considered as an element that impacts on health inequalities, especially among vulnerable groups such as the immigrant population. This study aims to describe the characteristics of precarious employment in the Venezuelan immigrant population in Medellín (Colombia) according to its theoretical model and its relationship with the perception of their physical, mental, and psychosocial health. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with a focused ethnography perspective. 31 people with Venezuelan origin and work experience were interviewed in the city of Medellin and its metropolitan area and 12 key informants from different formal and informal social organizations that work with the immigrant population. A narrative content analysis was carried manually and by using the Atlas.Ti 8.0 software. The principles of analytical induction were applied to carry out a thematic analysis of the main categories defined in the precarious employment framework. Results: The following characteristics of precarious employment were found: instability in employment conditions, work in the informal or submerged economy, limited empowerment, absence of social benefits, high vulnerability, low income, and a limited capacity for exercising labor rights. This situation affects mental health conditions, access to health services, and the presence of risks due to the work they perform. Conclusions: The Venezuelan working population in Medellín is found in a precarious employment situation. Inclusive social strategies and policies that take into account the reality of this population are required