Structure-function-guided design of synthetic peptides with anti-infective activity derived from wasp venom.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from natural toxins and venoms offer a promising alternative source of antibiotics. Here, through structure-function-guided design, we convert two natural AMPs derived from the venom of the solitary eumenine wasp Eumenes micado into α-helical AMPs with reduced toxicity that kill Gram-negative bacteria in vitro and in a preclinical mouse model. To identify the sequence determinants conferring antimicrobial activity, an alanine scan screen and strategic single lysine substitutions are made to the amino acid sequence of these natural peptides. These efforts yield a total of 34 synthetic derivatives, including alanine substituted and lysine-substituted sequences with stabilized α-helical structures and increased net positive charge. The resulting lead synthetic peptides kill the Gram-negative pathogens Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1 and PA14) by rapidly permeabilizing both their outer and cytoplasmic membranes, exhibit anti-infective efficacy in a mouse model by reducing bacterial loads by up to three orders of magnitude, and do not readily select for bacterial resistance.

Effects of caffeine intake and exercise intensity on executive and arousal vigilance.

During physical efforts and sport practice, vigilance is responsible for maintaining an optimal state of activation, guaranteeing the ability to quickly respond and detect unexpected, but critical, stimuli over time. Caffeine and physical exercise are able to modulate the activation state, affecting vigilance performance. The aim of the present work was to assess the specific effects and modulations of caffeine intake and two physical intensities on vigilance components. Participants performed an attentional task (ANTI-Vea) to measure the executive and arousal components of vigilance, in six double-blinded counterbalanced sessions combining caffeine, placebo, or no-ingestion, with light vs. moderate cyclergometer exercise. Exercise at moderate intensity improved executive vigilance with faster overall reaction time (RT), without impairing error rates. Instead, caffeine intake generally improved arousal vigilance. In conclusion, caffeine and acute exercise seems to moderate executive and arousal vigilance in different ways.

Helios modulates the maturation of a CA1 neuronal subpopulation required for spatial memory formation.

Currently, molecular, electrophysiological and structural studies delineate several neural subtypes in the hippocampus. However, the precise developmental mechanisms that lead to this diversity are still unknown. Here we show that alterations in a concrete hippocampal neuronal subpopulation during development specifically affect hippocampal-dependent spatial memory. We observed that the genetic deletion of the transcription factor Helios in mice, which is specifically expressed in developing hippocampal calbindin-positive CA1 pyramidal neurons (CB-CA1-PNs), induces adult alterations affecting spatial memory. In the same mice, CA3-CA1 synaptic plasticity and spine density and morphology in adult CB-CA1-PNs were severely compromised. RNAseq experiments in developing hippocampus identified an aberrant increase on the Visinin-like protein 1 (VSNL1) expression in the hippocampi devoid of Helios. This aberrant increase on VSNL1 levels was localized in the CB-CA1-PNs. Normalization of VSNL1 levels in CB-CA1-PNs devoid of Helios rescued their spine loss in vitro. Our study identifies a novel and specific developmental molecular pathway involved in the maturation and function of a CA1 pyramidal neuronal subtype.

Caffeine intake modulates the functioning of the attentional networks depending on consumption habits and acute exercise demands.

Consume of stimulants (as caffeine) is very usual in different contexts where the performers have to take quick and accurate decisions during physical effort. Decision-making processes are mediated by the attentional networks. An experiment was carried out to examine the effect of caffeine intake on attention (alerting, orienting, and executive control) as a function of consumption habit under two physical exertion conditions (rest vs. aerobic exercise). Two groups of participants with different caffeine consumption profiles (moderate consumers vs. low consumers) performed the Attention Network Test-Interactions under four different conditions regarding activity (rest vs. exercise) and intake (caffeine vs. placebo). Results showed that whereas exercise led to faster reaction times (RT) in all cases, caffeine intake accelerated RT but only at rest and in moderate caffeine consumers. More importantly, caffeine intake reduced the alertness effect in moderate consumers only at the rest condition. No interactions between Intake and Activity were observed in the other attentional networks, with exercise reducing orienting independently of caffeine intake, which suggests that physical exercise and caffeine are different modulators of attention but can interact. Caffeine intake had differential effects on reaction speed at rest and during physical exercise depending on the individual consumption habit. On the basis of these finding it seems that mainly alertness is modulated differently by internal and external "arousing" conditions.

Muscle Activation in the Main Muscle Groups of the Lower Limbs in High-Level Dancesport Athletes.

Dancers are subjected to high-intensity workouts when they practice dancesport, and according to the literature, they are prone to injury, primarily of the lower limbs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences exist in relative activation amplitudes for dancers involved in dancesport due to muscle, gender, and type of dance. Measurements were carried out using surface electromyography equipment during the choreography of a performance in the following leg muscles: rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius medialis. Eight couples of active dancesport athletes (aged 20.50±2.75 yrs) were analyzed. Significant gender differences were found in rumba in the tibialis anterior (p≤0.05) and gastrocnemius medialis (p≤0.05). Based on the different activations, it is possible to establish possible mechanisms of injury, as well as tools for preventing injuries and improving sports performance.

Evaluating the Performance of Adjudicators after a DanceSport Competition / Evaluación del rendimiento de los jueces después de una competición de baile deportivo

Cognitive and emotional ability are relevant during sport assessments and decision-making. This study explored the impact of vigilance, perceived effort, and mood state of DanceSport adjudicators during a High Level Competition. Thereby, seven international adjudicators completed Borg's Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale, BRUMS questionnaire, and Attentional Task (Psychomotor Vigilance Task - PVT) before and after a dance competition. The results indicated differences in RPEs (p = .05) with a high RPE after competition (pre competition M = 9.14, SD = 2.67 and post competition M = 13.71, SD = 3.30). Furthermore, their mood tension and vigor, resulted negatively affected after competition. Moreover, younger adjudicators produced more anticipations than older ones to the reaction to external stimuli. In conclusion, DanceSport competitions entail physical, emotional, and cognitive changes that could affect the quality of decisions while judging

Las habilidades cognitivas y emocionales son relevantes durante el arbitraje deportivo. Este estudio analizó el impacto de la vigilancia, percepción del esfuerzo, y el estado de ánimo de los jueces de Baile Deportivo durante una competición de alto nivel. Así, siete jueces internacionales completaron la escala de esfuerzo percibido de Borg (RPE), cuestionario BRUMS y la tarea atencional PVT (Tarea de vigilancia psicomotora) antes y después de una competición de baile. Los resultados indicaron diferencias en RPE (p = .05) con un elevado RPE tras competición (pre competición M = 9.14, SD = 2.67 y post competición M = 13.71, SD = 3.30). Por otra parte, su estado anímico de tensión y vigor, resultó afectado negativamente después de la competición. Además, los jueces más jóvenes producen más anticipaciones que los más mayores ante estímulos externos. En conclusión, las competiciones de Baile Deportivo conllevan cambios físicos, emocionales y cognitivos que podrían afectar a la calidad de las decisiones mientras se está juzgando

[TRAINING HABITS OF FEMALE INTERNATIONAL ELITE MOTORCYCLIST]. / HÁBITOS DE ENTRENAMIENTO EN MUJERES PILOTO DE ÉLITE INTERNACIONAL.

INTRODUCTION: there are few studies about the professional Motorcycle. OBJECTIVE: the aim of this work is to analyze the training habits of 18 female motorcyclists of international level and to know the history about the practice of sport, the medical history of injuries and their ailments. METHOD: data collection was performed using a 20-item instrument designed for women riders. It was collected about age, performance level of motor sport, frequency, duration and type of training, injuries and muscle pain. RESULTS: the results show that despite a few hours of training, the riders conceived that they have a normal or even a good physical condition. Particularly striking are the absence of mental or tactical training and the lack of medical checks and reviews. Positive correlations were found in the variables of pain. CONCLUSIONS: the motorcycling requires a specific, controlled and planned training and medical monitoring and dietetic through multidisciplinary team training.

Introducción: son escasos los estudios sobre el motociclismo profesional. Objetivo: el objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los hábitos de entrenamiento de 18 mujeres piloto de nivel internacional y sus antecedentes deportivos, historial médico de lesiones y dolencias. Método: los datos se recogieron a través de un instrumento diseñado de 20 ítems para mujeres piloto. Se registró información sobre la edad, nivel deportivo en deportes de motor, frecuencia, duración y tipo de entrenamiento, lesiones y dolor muscular. Resultados: los resultados muestran que, a pesar de las pocas horas de entrenamiento, las piloto conciben que tienen un estado físico normal o incluso bueno. Es llamativa la ausencia de entrenamiento mental o táctico y la falta de controles y revisiones médicas. Se encontraron correlaciones positivas en variables relacionadas con el dolor. Conclusiones: el motociclismo requiere un entrenamiento específico, controlado y planificado, así como un seguimiento médico y dietético a través de un equipo de entrenamiento multidisciplinario.

Hábitos de entrenamiento en mujeres piloto de élite internacional / Training habits of female international elite motorcyclist

Introducción: son escasos los estudios sobre el motociclismo profesional. Objetivo: el objetivo de este trabajo es analizar los hábitos de entrenamiento de 18 mujeres piloto de nivel internacional y sus antecedentes deportivos, historial médico de lesiones y dolencias. Método: los datos se recogieron a través de un instrumento diseñado de 20 ítems para mujeres piloto. Se registró información sobre la edad, nivel deportivo en deportes de motor, frecuencia, duración y tipo de entrenamiento, lesiones y dolor muscular. Resultados: los resultados muestran que, a pesar de las pocas horas de entrenamiento, las piloto conciben que tienen un estado físico normal o incluso bueno. Es llamativa la ausencia de entrenamiento mental o táctico y la falta de controles y revisiones médicas. Se encontraron correlaciones positivas en variables relacionadas con el dolor. Conclusiones: el motociclismo requiere un entrenamiento específico, controlado y planificado, así como un seguimiento médico y dietético a través de un equipo de entrenamiento multidisciplinario (AU)

Introduction: there are few studies about the professional Motorcycle. Objective: the aim of this work is to analyze the training habits of 18 female motorcyclists of international level and to know the history about the practice of sport, the medical history of injuries and their ailments. Method: data collection was performed using a 20-item instrument designed for women riders. It was collected about age, performance level of motor sport, frequency, duration and type of training, injuries and muscle pain. Results: the results show that despite a few hours of training, the riders conceived that they have a normal or even a good physical condition. Particularly striking are the absence of mental or tactical training and the lack of medical checks and reviews. Positive correlations were found in the variables of pain. Conclusions: the motorcycling requires a specific, controlled and planned training and medical monitoring and dietetic through multidisciplinary team training (AU)

[Dietopro.com: a new tool for dietotherapeutical management based on cloud computing technology]. / Dietopro.com: una nueva herramienta de gestión dietoterapéutica basada en la tecnología cloud computing.

INTRODUCTION: dietotherapeutical softwares are now a basic tool in the dietary management of patients, either from a physiological point of view and / or pathological. New technologies and research in this regard, have favored the emergence of new applications for the dietary and nutritional management that facilitate the management of the dietotherapeutical company. OBJECTIVES: To comparatively study the main dietotherapeutical applications on the market to give criteria to the professional users of diet and nutrition in the selection of one of the main tools for these. RESULTS: Dietopro.com is, from our point of view, one of the most comprehensive management of patients dietotherapeutical applications. CONCLUSION: Based on the need of the user, it has different dietary sofwares choice.We conclude that there is no better or worse than another application, but applications roughly adapted to the needs of professionals.

Introducción: Los softwares dietoterapéuticos constituyen actualmente una herramienta básica en el tratamiento dietético de pacientes, ya sea desde un punto de vista fisiológico y/o patológico. Las nuevas tecnologías y la investigación en este sentido, han favorecido la aparición de nuevas aplicaciones de gestión dietético-nutricional que facilitan la gestión de la empresa dietoterapéutica. Objetivos: Estudiar comparativamente las principales aplicaciones dietoterapéuticas existentes en el mercado para dar criterio a los usuarios profesionales de la dietética y nutrición en la selección de una de las principales herramientas para éstos. Resultados: Desde nuestro punto de vista, dietopro. com resulta, junto con otras de las aplicaciones dietoterapéuticas analizadas, una de las más completas para la gestión de la clínica nutricional. Conclusión: En función de la necesidad del usuario, éste dispone de diferentes softwares dietéticos donde elegir. Se concluye que la selección de una u otra, depende de las necesidades del profesional.

Dietopro. com: una nueva herramienta de gestión dietoterapéutica basada en la tecnología cloud computing / Dietopro. com: a new tool for dietotherapeutical management based on cloud computing technology

Introducción: Los softwares dietoterapéuticos constituyen actualmente una herramienta básica en el tratamiento dietético de pacientes, ya sea desde un punto de vista fisiológico y/o patológico. Las nuevas tecnologías y la investigación en este sentido, han favorecido la aparición de nuevas aplicaciones de gestión dietético-nutricional que facilitan la gestión de la empresa dietoterapéutica. Objetivos: Estudiar comparativamente las principales aplicaciones dietoterapéuticas existentes en el mercado para dar criterio a los usuarios profesionales de la dietética y nutrición en la selección de una de las principales herramientas para éstos. Resultados: Desde nuestro punto de vista, dietopro.com resulta, junto con otras de las aplicaciones dietoterapéuticas analizadas, una de las más completas para la gestión de la clínica nutricional. Conclusión: En función de la necesidad del usuario, éste dispone de diferentes softwares dietéticos donde elegir. Se concluye que la selección de una u otra, depende de las necesidades del profesional (AU)

Introduction: dietotherapeutical softwares are now a basic tool in the dietary management of patients, either from a physiological point of view and / or pathological. New technologies and research in this regard, have favored the emergence of new applications for the dietary and nutritional management that facilitate the management of the dietotherapeutical company. Objectives: To comparatively study the main dietotherapeutical applications on the market to give criteria to the professional users of diet and nutrition in the selection of one of the main tools for these. Results: Dietopro.com is, from our point of view, one of the most comprehensive management of patients dietotherapeutical applications. Conclusion: Based on the need of the user, it has different dietary sofwares choice.We conclude that there is no better or worse than another application, but applications roughly adapted to the needs of professionals (AU)