Changes in Body Composition and Physical Performance after a Six-Week International Tour in Young Chilean Female Tennis Players.

Junior tennis players travel a lot to play tennis tournaments; this causes them to spend a lot of time away from their homes and disrupts their training, which could reduce their performance and increase the risk of injury. The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes in physical performance and body composition after a six-week international tour in young Chilean female tennis players. Thirty young female tennis players (15.4 ± 0.6) participated in this study. Body weight, skinfolds, and perimeters were measured. Body fat percentage (BFP) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) were calculated. For physical performance, 5 m sprint, the 505 with stationary start test (505 test), the pro-agility test, countermovement jump (CMJ), and medicine ball throw (MBT) were evaluated. The results show a significant increase in BFP and decrease in SMM (p < 0.01; d = -0.18 and 0.19, respectively). In terms of physical performance, 5 m sprint, the 505 test (p < 0.01; d = -0.95 and -0.95, respectively), CMJ, MBT, and HJ significantly decreased post-tour (p < 0.05; d = 0.96, 0.89 and 0.47, respectively). We conclude that, after a six-week international tour, there were changes in body composition and a significant decrease in 5 m sprint, the 505 test, CMJ, and MBT.

Effects of a Six-Week International Tour on the Physical Performance and Body Composition of Young Chilean Tennis Players.

In tennis, it is common for young male tennis players to spend several weeks away from their local training camps during the competition season, which could affect their performance. The purpose of the study was to analyze the effects of a six-week international tour on physical performance and body composition in young Chilean tennis players. Twenty-four men between the ages of 14 and 16 participated in this research. In body composition and anthropometric measurement, body weight, height, skinfolds, and perimeters were measured. Body fat percentage (BFP) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) were calculated. For physical performance, 5-m and 10-m sprints, modified agility test (MAT test), countermovement jump (CMJ), and medicine ball throw (MBT) were evaluated. Results show that, in body composition, BFP and SMM significantly decreased post-tour (p < 0.05; effect sizes ranging from 0.23 to 0.33, respectively). In physical performance, agility and 5-m and 10-m sprints significantly decreased (p < 0.05, effect sizes ranging from −0.63 to 1.10). We conclude that after a six-week international tour, BFP, SMM, agility, and speed (linear sprint) tend to decrease significantly, with a greater effect in the sprint tests.

The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on children with recurrent wheezing and asthma in Spain.

AIM: The rapid spread of a novel human coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 led to drastic measures world-wide. Most countries were forced to declare a national lockdown. We studied the effect of lockdown measures on the level of asthma control and maintenance treatment in children with recurrent wheezing and asthma during the first wave of COVID-19 in Spain. METHODS: We analysed children with recurrent wheezing or asthma before and after the implementation of the lockdown, by using a questionnaire aimed to examine pre-existing respiratory disorders, step treatment and level of asthma control before/after lockdown, COVID history and laboratory testing including IgG SARS-CoV-2. RESULTS: We enrolled 475 asthmatic and pre-school wheezers (60.6% males), mean age 5.6 years. There were no differences in asthma treatment comparing both periods: 81.7% maintained the same treatment (P = 0.103). According to child asthma-control questionnaire, 87.7% remained well controlled during confinement. Nearly, a third of children (34.9%) needed reliever treatment, mainly in older children. Determination of IgG SARS-CoV-2 was performed in 233 children (49.1%) of whom 17 (7.3%) tested positive. Seven patients positive to IgG SARS-CoV-2 were assisted in the emergency department and two required hospital admission. CONCLUSIONS: During COVID-19 lockdown in Spain, most children with recurrent wheezing and asthma remained well controlled from their underlying disease and did not modify greatly their maintenance treatments. Unexpectedly, we also observed that those children who tested positive to SARS-CoV-2 IgG showed a significant increase in paediatric hospital admissions and attendances to urgent care settings.

Anthropometric Characterization and Physical Performance by Age and Biological Maturation in Young Tennis Players.

The objective was to analyze anthropometric and physical performance variables as a function of chronological age and biological maturity in young Chilean tennis players. The study was observational, cross-sectional, with descriptive and analytical characteristics. Eighty-seven tennis players were evaluated (58 men 15.1 ± 0.8 years and 29 women, 15.3 ± 0.8 years). The measured anthropometric variables were a sprint test of 20m; a modified agility test; a sit-and-reach test and shoulder flexibility; manual grip strength; horizontal jump in feet; a medicine ball throw; a countermovement vertical jump; an abalakov vertical jump and a 20-m shuttle-run test. The growth velocity acceleration peak (APHV), skeletal muscle mass and fat mass were calculated, R2 and standard error of estimate (SEE) were examined. The results show that chronological age explained the anthropometric variables between 1 and 23% in men and 1 and 29% in women; by biological age, variables were explained between 3 and 53% in men and 2 and 42% in women. Of the physical performance variables, chronological age described between 2 and 24% of them in men and 1 and 29% in women; the same were explained by biological age between 1 and 19% in men and 1 and 26% in women. We conclude that anthropometric variables showed a better relationship with biological age, except for volume of fat tissue, while physical performance variables showed low association with both biological and chronological age.

Caracterización antropométrica y composición corporal de tenistas de elite varones y damas de Chile / Anthropometric characterization and body composition of male and female elite tennis players in Chile

RESUMEN: El objetivo del estudio fue determinar las características antropométricas y de composición corporal en jóvenes tenistas de elite chilenos. El estudio fue de carácter descriptivo de corte transversal. La muestra de 84 tenistas (58 varones 15,5 ± 0,76 años y 26 damas, 15,3 ± 0,8 años), fue seleccionada de forma no probabilística por conveniencia. Se evaluaron variables antropométricas de peso, estatura, estatura sentada, pliegues cutáneos (bíceps, tríceps, subescapular, supraespinal, abdominal, muslo anterior y pierna medial), perímetros (brazo flexionado, muslo medio y pierna) y diámetros (biepicondíleo de húmero y del fémur). Se realizaron análisis antropométricos y cálculos para determinar la composición corporal y el somatotipo de los sujetos participantes. Los resultados para los varones fueron, peso corporal 64,3±7,94 kg, estatura 1,74 ± 0,08 m, porcentaje de grasa 16,6±4,1 %, de componente Mesomorfo balan- ceado. Las damas presentaron un peso corporal 49,8±6,9 kg, estatura 1,65±0,03 m, porcentaje de grasa 19,3±4,8%,de componente Ectomorfo balanceado. En general, ambos grupos muestran características antropométricas y de composición corporal similares a otros grupos de tenistas juveniles, a excepción del somatotipo en el caso de las damas.

SUMMARY: The aim of the study was to determine the anthropometric characteristics and body composition in young Chilean elite tennis players aged 14 to 16 years. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A non-probability convenience sampling of 84 tennis players (58 males 15.5 ± 0.76 years old and 26 females, 15.3 ± 0.8 years old) was selected. Anthropometric variables of weight, height, sitting height, skin folds (biceps, triceps, subscapular, supraspinal, abdominal, anterior thigh and medial leg), perimeters (flexed arm, middle thigh and leg) and diameters (humerus and femur) were evaluated. Anthropometric analysis and calculations were performed to determine the body composition and somatotype of the participanting subjects. The results for males were, body weight 64.3 ± 7.94 kg, height 1.74 ± 0.08 m, percentage of fat 16.6 ± 4.1%, balanced mesomorph component. The females had a body weight of 49.8 ± 6.9 kg, height of 1.65 ± 0.03 m, percentage of fat 19.3 ± 4.8%, balanced ectomorph component. In general, both groups showed similar anthropometric and body composition characteristics as compared to other groups of young tennis players, with the exception of the somatotype in the case of the females.

Bone mesh fixation for the treatment of suprailiac hernia. Report of two cases.

Hernias of the lateral abdominal wall are a rare entity. In most cases, they occur after surgery or trauma. We present two cases of lumbar hernia: the first one after iliac bone grafting and the second one after muscular tearing by the seatbelt during a car accident. Both cases were successfully repaired using a propylene mesh with bone fixation.

Las eventraciones de la pared lateral del abdomen son poco frecuentes. Pueden ser posquirúrgicas o causadas por agentes traumáticos. Se presentan dos casos de eventración lumbar: el primero tras una resección ósea por autoinjerto de cresta ilíaca y el segundo por desinserción muscular por cinturón de seguridad secundaria a un accidente en la vía pública. Ambos fueron resueltos quirúrgicamente con colocación de una malla de polipropileno fijada a hueso.

Disgerminoma de ovario con componente sincitiotrofoblástico en una adolescente / Ovarian dysgerminoma with syncythiotrophlastic component in a teenage woman

INTRODUCCIÓN. Los tumores de células germinales del ovario de carácter maligno son infrecuentes en la adolescencia. Los disgerminomas se caracterizan por crecimiento rápi-do, diseminación linfática, alta sensibilidad a la radioterapia y quimioterapia. OBJETIVO. Establecer la presentación clínica, métodos diagnósticos y tratamiento para el manejo del disgerminoma ovárico en una adolescente. CASO CLÍNICO. Paciente mestiza de 14 años que acudió por dolor abdominal y masa palpable en región abdominopélvica asociados a elevación de marcadores séricos tumorales. Los reportes de imagen informaron masa ane-xial derecha, sólida de bordes lobulados y bien definidos. RESULTADOS. Se realizó exére-sis del tumor con protocolo de ovario conservador. El postoperatorio describió tumor ovári-co de 20 cm, lobulado y sólido que comprometió el ovario derecho en toda su extensión. El estudio histopatológico reportó: disgerminoma en estadio patológico IA moderadamente diferenciado, con extensión tumoral a pared de la trompa uterina derecha. DISCUSIÓN. El caso coincidió con otros reportes descritos en la literatura, donde la presentación clínica fue similar y el abordaje terapéutico con un protocolo de ovario conservador más la quimio-terapia adyuvante fueron la elección más óptima para preservar la función endocrina y la fertilidad en la paciente. CONCLUSIÓN. Los exámenes complementarios para determinar el diagnóstico fueron los marcadores tumorales, la ecografía pélvica y la tomografía axial computarizada simple y contrastada de abdomen y pelvis. La cirugía conservadora abierta es gold standard complementada con quimioterapia adyuvante en la adolescente.

INTRODUCTION. Germ cells tumors of the ovary of a malignant nature are uncommon in the adolescence. Dysgerminomas are characterized by rapid growth, lymphatic disse-mination, high sensitivity to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE. Establish the clinical presentation and diagnostic methods of ovarian dysgerminoma in the pediatric age for a correct therapeutic approach. CLINICAL CASE. A mestiza female of 14 years old, who has abdominal pain and a palpable mass in the abdominal pelvic region, and also elevation of the serum tumor markers. Image reports showed right solid adnexal mass with well-defined lobed edges. RESULTS Tumor exeresis was performed with a conservative ovarian protocol. The postoperative findings described a 20 cm, lobulated, solid ovarian tumor that compromised the right ovary in its entirety. The histopathological study repor-ted: moderately differentiated pathological stage dysgerminoma IA, with tumor extension to the wall of the right uterine tube. DISCUSSION. The case agrees with other reports described in the literature where the clinical presentation was similar and the therapeutic approach with a conservative ovary protocol plus adjuvant chemotherapy were the most optimal choice to preserve endocrine function and fertility in the patient. CONCLUSION. The complementary exams to reach the diagnosis were tumor markers, pelvic ultrasound and simple and contrasted computarized axial tomography of the abdomen and pelvis. Open conservative surgery was the gold standard supplemented with adjuvant chemothe-rapy in adolescent.

COVID-19: plasma de convaleciente en la sala de Clínica Médica del Hospital Gral. de Agudos "Dr. Cosme Argerich" en Buenos Aires / Convalescent plasma in Internal Medicine Ward from Hospital Argerich in Buenos Aires

Se presentan los resultados de seguridad y evolución clínica de 87 pacientes que recibieron plasma de convaleciente en la sala de Clínica Médica del Hospital Argerich en Buenos Aires. Tres pacientes tuvieron sobrecarga de volumen. Hubo 33 pases a Terapia Intensiva (37,9%) y 21 casos requirieron asistencia respiratoria mecánica (24,1%). Fallecieron 18 pacientes (20,7%). Tres de ellos por limitación del esfuerzo terapéutico y 15 en Terapia Intensiva. La mortalidad en Terapia Intensiva fue del 45,4%. Hubo solo 10 casos que recibieron plasma dentro de las 72 horas del comienzo de síntomas: de ellos, 1 caso de asistencia respiratoria y 1 fallecido; entre 72 horas y una semana recibieron plasma 25 casos con 26,9% de asistencia respiratoria y 20% de mortalidad, y de los 50 pacientes que recibieron mas allá de la primera semana, 25,4% requirieron de asistencia respiratoria y 24% fallecieron. Nuestra serie no pudo demostrar efecto beneficioso en la administración temprana de plasma y no fue diseñada para medir eficacia. El procedimiento fue bien tolerado en la gran mayoría de los pacientes

We present here the results of safety and clinical outcome of 87 patients that received convalescent plasma transfusion in the internal medicine ward of Hospital Argerich in Buenos Aires. Three patients developed transfusion-associated circulatory overload. Thirty-three patients were admitted to Intensive Care Unit (37,9%) and 21 cases required mechanical ventilation. Eighteen patients died (20,7%), 3 of them due to limitation of therapeutic effort and 15 in ICU. The mortality in ICU was 45,4%. Ten patients received plasma within 72 hs from the onset of symptoms. Of them, 1 case required mechanical ventilation and died. Twenty-five patients received plasma between 4 and 7 days from onset of symptoms, with a mortality rate of 20% and 26,9% of mechanical ventilation. Fifty patients received plasma past the 7 days from onset of symptoms, with a mortality rate of 24% and 25,4% of mechanical ventilation. Our series could not prove positive effects in the early administration of plasma and it was not designed to measure effectiveness. The procedure was well tolerated by most of the patients

Dialysis for acute kidney injury associated with influenza a (H1N1) infection.

In June 2009, the World Health Organization declared a novel influenza A, S-OIV (H1N1), pandemic. We observed 44 consecutive patients during the "first wave" of the pandemic. 70.5% of them showed co-morbidities (hypertension, obesity, chronic respiratory diseases, chronic renal disease, diabetes, pregnancy). Serious cases were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), particularly those with severe acute respiratory failure. Some of them developed acute kidney injury (AKI) and required renal replacement therapy (RRT). The average time between admission to the ICU and initiation of RRT was 3.16 ± 2.6 days. At initiation of RRT, most patients required mechanical ventilation. No relationship was found with creatinine-kinase levels. Seventy-five percent of the cases were observed during a 3-week period and mortality, related to respiratory failure, doubling of alanine amino transferase and use of inotropics was 81.8%. In conclusion, the H1N1-infected patients who developed RRT-requiring AKI, in the context of multi-organ failure, showed a high mortality rate. Thus, it is mandatory that elaborate strategies aimed at anticipating potential renal complications associated to future pandemics are implemented.

Molecular coupling in the human ether-a-go-go-related gene-1 (hERG1) K+ channel inactivation pathway.

Emerging evidence suggests that K(+) channel inactivation involves coupling between residues in adjacent regions of the channel. Human ether-a-go-go-related gene-1 (hERG1) K(+) channels undergo a fast inactivation gating process that is crucial for maintaining electrical stability in the heart. The molecular mechanisms that drive inactivation in hERG1 channels are unknown. Using alanine scanning mutagenesis, we show that a pore helix residue (Thr-618) that points toward the S5 segment is critical for normal inactivation gating. Amino acid substitutions at position 618 modulate the free energy of inactivation gating, causing enhanced or reduced inactivation. Mutation of an S5 residue that is predicted to be adjacent to Thr-618 (W568L) abolishes inactivation and alters ion selectivity. The introduction of the Thr-618-equivalent residue in Kv1.5 enhances inactivation. Molecular dynamic simulations of the Kv1.2 tetramer reveal van der Waals coupling between hERG1 618- and 568-equivalent residues and a significant increase in interaction energies when threonine is introduced at the 618-equivalent position. We propose that coupling between the S5 segment and pore helix may participate in the inactivation process in hERG1 channels.

Evolución de pacientes con diálisis aguda asociada a infección por Influenza A (H1N1) pandémica en 2009 / Evolution of patients with acute dialysis associated to Influenza A pandemic infection (H1N1) in 2009

En junio de 2009 la OMS declaró la pandemia por un nuevo virus de la Influenza A, S-OIV (H1N1). Casos severos fueron hospitalizados en UTI con falla respiratoria aguda. Alguno de estos casos desarrollaron injuria renal aguda y requirieron terapias de reemplazo renal (TRR). Durante el período de mayor incidencia observamos 44 casos consecutivos. 70,5% de estos presentaron comorbilidades (hipertensión, obesidad, enfermedades respiratorias crónicas, enfermedad renal crónica, diabetes, embarazo, otras). El tiempo promedio desde el ingreso a UTI y el comienzo de la TRR fue 3.16 +- 2.6 días. Al inicio de la TRR la mayoría de los pacientes presentaban SOFA score > - 10, presentando fallas cardiovascular y respiratoria. No hubo correlación con los niveles de CK. El 75% de los casos se observaron en un período de tres semanas de pandemia y un porcentaje alto presentaban aumento de enzimas hepáticas, necesidad de inotrópicos, ventilación mecánica y la mortalidad fue superior al 80%. En resumen, los pacientes infectados con S-OIV (H1N1) que requirieron TRR en contexto de falla multiparenquimatosa, presentaron una alta tasa de mortalidad. La experiencia dejada puede ayudarnos a desarrollar estrategias para anticipar potenciales complicaciones renales en futuras pandemias.

Conformational changes in the M2 muscarinic receptor induced by membrane voltage and agonist binding.

The ability to sense transmembrane voltage is a central feature of many membrane proteins, most notably voltage-gated ion channels. Gating current measurements provide valuable information on protein conformational changes induced by voltage. The recent observation that muscarinic G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) generate gating currents confirms their intrinsic capacity to sense the membrane electrical field. Here, we studied the effect of voltage on agonist activation of M2 muscarinic receptors (M2R) in atrial myocytes and how agonist binding alters M2R gating currents. Membrane depolarization decreased the potency of acetylcholine (ACh), but increased the potency and efficacy of pilocarpine (Pilo), as measured by ACh-activated K+ current, I(KACh). Voltage-induced conformational changes in M2R were modified in a ligand-selective manner: ACh reduced gating charge displacement while Pilo increased the amount of charge displaced. Thus, these ligands manifest opposite voltage-dependent I(KACh) modulation and exert opposite effects on M2R gating charge displacement. Finally, mutations in the putative ligand binding site perturbed the movement of the M2R voltage sensor. Our data suggest that changes in voltage induce conformational changes in the ligand binding site that alter the agonist­receptor interaction in a ligand-dependent manner. Voltage-dependent GPCR modulation has important implications for cellular signalling in excitable tissues. Gating current measurement allows for the tracking of subtle conformational changes in the receptor that accompany agonist binding and changes in membrane voltage.

Timo ectópico cervical / Cervical ectopic thymus

Presentamos un caso de timo ectópico en un niño de 8 meses de edad que se presentó con un tumor lateral derecho de cuello. El timo ectópico es una patología poco comun y su embriogénesis puede explicar su localización cervical. La radiología, ecografia, RMN, esofagoscopia y laringoscopía pueden ser útiles en el diagnóstico diferencial con otros tumores de cuello. La ocurrencia de lesiones quísticas y el desarrollo de neoplasias hace que la extirpación quirúrgica completa sea el tratamiento de elección: a menos que haya ausencia de sintomas, ya que el timo involuciona espontáneamente.

Timo ectópico cervical / Cervical ectopic thymus

Presentamos un caso de timo ectópico en un niño de 8 meses de edad que se presentó con un tumor lateral derecho de cuello. El timo ectópico es una patología poco comun y su embriogénesis puede explicar su localización cervical. La radiología, ecografia, RMN, esofagoscopia y laringoscopía pueden ser útiles en el diagnóstico diferencial con otros tumores de cuello. La ocurrencia de lesiones quísticas y el desarrollo de neoplasias hace que la extirpación quirúrgica completa sea el tratamiento de elección: a menos que haya ausencia de sintomas, ya que el timo involuciona espontáneamente. (AU)

El recién nacido de bajo peso / The premature infant

En un doble trabajo prospectivo y retrospectivo se analizan características etiológicas y clínicas de los niños nacidos con un peso menor a los 2500 g. De dicho análisis surge un grupo de conclusiones, en su mayor parte concordantes con los trabajos previos de otros autores, que resumen la importancia de los distintos factores etiológicos, parámetros clínicos y acontecer evolutivo de este importante grupo de pacientes.