Evolutionary Adaptation of an RNA Bacteriophage to Repeated Freezing and Thawing Cycles.

Bacteriophage fitness is determined by factors influencing both their replication within bacteria and their ability to maintain infectivity between infections. The latter becomes particularly crucial under adverse environmental conditions or when host density is low. In such scenarios, the damage experienced by viral particles could lead to the loss of infectivity, which might be mitigated if the virus undergoes evolutionary optimization through replication. In this study, we conducted an evolution experiment involving bacteriophage Qß, wherein it underwent 30 serial transfers, each involving a cycle of freezing and thawing followed by replication of the surviving viruses. Our findings show that Qß was capable of enhancing its resistance to this selective pressure through various adaptive pathways that did not impair the virus replicative capacity. Notably, these adaptations predominantly involved mutations located within genes encoding capsid proteins. The adapted populations exhibited higher resistance levels than individual viruses isolated from them, and the latter surpassed those observed in single mutants generated via site-directed mutagenesis. This suggests potential interactions among mutants and mutations. In conclusion, our study highlights the significant role of extracellular selective pressures in driving the evolution of phages, influencing both the genetic composition of their populations and their phenotypic properties.

The balance between fitness advantages and costs drives adaptation of bacteriophage Qß to changes in host density at different temperatures.

Introduction: Host density is one of the main factors affecting the infective capacity of viruses. When host density is low, it is more difficult for the virus to find a susceptible cell, which increases its probability of being damaged by the physicochemical agents of the environment. Nevertheless, viruses can adapt to variations in host density through different strategies that depend on the particular characteristics of the life cycle of each virus. In a previous work, using the bacteriophage Qß as an experimental model, we found that when bacterial density was lower than optimal the virus increased its capacity to penetrate into the bacteria through a mutation in the minor capsid protein (A1) that is not described to interact with the cell receptor. Results: Here we show that the adaptive pathway followed by Qß in the face of similar variations in host density depends on environmental temperature. When the value for this parameter is lower than optimal (30°C), the mutation selected is the same as at the optimal temperature (37°C). However, when temperature increases to 43°C, the mutation selected is located in a different protein (A2), which is involved both in the interaction with the cell receptor and in the process of viral progeny release. The new mutation increases the entry of the phage into the bacteria at the three temperatures assayed. However, it also considerably increases the latent period at 30 and 37°C, which is probably the reason why it is not selected at these temperatures. Conclusion: The conclusion is that the adaptive strategies followed by bacteriophage Qß, and probably other viruses, in the face of variations in host density depend not only on their advantages at this selective pressure, but also on the fitness costs that particular mutations may present in function of the rest of environmental parameters that influence viral replication and stability.

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody titers in breastmilk from convalescent and vaccinated mothers.

Breastmilk contains antibodies that could protect breastfed infants from infections. In this work, we examined if antibodies in breastmilk could neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in 84 breastmilk samples from women that were either vaccinated (Comirnaty, mRNA-1273, or ChAdOx1), infected with SARS-CoV-2, or both infected and vaccinated. The neutralization capacity of these sera was tested using pseudotyped vesicular stomatitis virus carrying either the Wuhan-Hu-1, Delta, or BA.1 Omicron spike proteins. We found that natural infection resulted in higher neutralizing titers and that neutralization correlated positively with levels of immunoglobulin A in breastmilk. In addition, significant differences in the capacity to produce neutralizing antibodies were observed between both mRNA-based vaccines and the adenovirus-vectored ChAdOx1 COVID-19 vaccine. Overall, our results indicate that breastmilk from naturally infected women or those vaccinated with mRNA-based vaccines contains SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies that could potentially provide protection to breastfed infants from infection.

A machine learning model for predicting serum neutralizing activity against Omicron SARS-CoV-2 BA.2 and BA.4/5 sublineages in the general population.

Supervised machine learning (ML) methods have been used to predict antibody responses elicited by COVID-19 vaccines in a variety of clinical settings. Here, we explored the reliability of a ML approach to predict the presence of detectable neutralizing antibody responses (NtAb) against Omicron BA.2 and BA.4/5 sublineages in the general population. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) total antibodies were measured by the Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S assay (Roche Diagnostics) in all participants. NtAbs against Omicron BA.2 and BA4/5 were measured using a SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotyped neutralization assay in 100 randomly selected sera. A ML model was built using the variables of age, vaccination (number of doses) and SARS-CoV-2 infection status. The model was trained in a cohort (TC) comprising 931 participants and validated in an external cohort (VC) including 787 individuals. Receiver operating characteristics analysis indicated that an anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD total antibody threshold of 2300 BAU/mL best discriminated between participants either exhibiting or not detectable Omicron BA.2 and Omicron BA.4/5-Spike targeted NtAb responses (87% and 84% precision, respectively). The ML model correctly classified 88% (793/901) of participants in the TC: 717/749 (95.7%) of those displaying ≥2300 BAU/mL and 76/152 (50%) of those exhibiting antibody levels <2300 BAU/mL. The model performed better in vaccinated participants, either with or without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. The overall accuracy of the ML model in the VC was comparable. Our ML model, based upon a few easily collected parameters for predicting neutralizing activity against Omicron BA.2 and BA.4/5 (sub)variants circumvents the need to perform not only neutralization assays, but also anti-S serological tests, thus potentially saving costs in the setting of large seroprevalence studies.

Recommended food supplies under conditions of natural and provoked catastrophes.

Natural catastrophes include those of biological origin as the pandemic provoked by virus SARS CoV2, earthquakes, flooding and hurricanes among others, while provoked ones are mainly those related to wars and social movements. These situations may cause food shortage and challenge food safety and security systems. In this review, strategies to produce foods aimed to alleviate food needs before, during and after catastrophic conditions are described based on the supply of various processed, intermediate and low moisture foods and three categories of food supplies are depicted based on the nature of the adverse conditions, Also, relevant patents on on innovative food preparations and containers for disaster areas are discussed. Innovation to produce appropriate and nutritious foods for disaster zones may include food bags containing individual packages of high protein, high fiber/vitamins and carbohydrate/oils ingredients in dried/vitreous state. Additionally, the role of food structure on food preservation is mentioned in the context of ready to eat, nutritious and sensory acceptable food supplies during natural or provoked catastrophes is also reported.

[Cambios en la posición e inclinación del incisivo superior y del labio superior postratamiento ortodóntico: reportes de casos]. / Changes in the position and inclination of the upper incisor and upper lip post-orthodontic treatment: case reports.

Objetivo: Determinar los cambios en la posición e inclinación del incisivo y el labio superiores después del tratamiento de ortodoncia en una serie de 3 casos clínicos. Materiales y métodos: Los tres casos clínicos reportados corresponden a pacientes adultos que fueron tratados con ortodoncia fija y extracciones de premolares. Se realizaron mediciones de la posición de los incisivos superiores (UIP), la inclinación de los incisivos superiores (UII), la posición del labio superior (ULP) y la inclinación del labio superior (ULI) en radiografías cefalométricas previas y posteriores al tratamiento para evaluar los cambios. Resultados: En el primer caso, se encontró una variación de -1 mm tanto para la UIP como para la ULP, así como una variación de la UII y la ULI, aunque en diferente magnitud. El caso 2 presentó una variación de 2 mm en el UII, con cambios mínimos en el labio superior (∆ ULP = 0 mm y ∆ ULI = -0,5 mm). En el caso 3 se obtuvo una variación de 2 mm tanto para IIS como para ILS. Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos en este reporte de caso nos muestran una amplia variabilidad, por lo que es imposible predecir con precisión los cambios en los tejidos blandos como respuesta al movimiento dentario. Importancia clínica: Predecir los cambios en el movimiento de los dientes en los tejidos blandos es fundamental durante la fase de planificación inicial del tratamiento de ortodoncia.

SARS-CoV-2-Spike Antibody and T-Cell Responses Elicited by a Homologous Third mRNA COVID-19 Dose in Hemodialysis and Kidney Transplant Recipients.

The effect of a third vaccine dose (3D) of homologous mRNA vaccine on blood levels of SARS-CoV-2-receptor binding domain (RBD)-total antibodies was assessed in 40 hemodialysis patients (HD) and 21 kidney transplant recipients (KTR) at a median of 46 days after 3D. Anti-RBD antibodies were detected in 39/40 HD and 19/21 KTR. Overall, 3D boosted anti-RBD antibody levels (median: 58-fold increase). Neutralizing antibodies (NtAb) against the Wuhan-Hu-1, Delta, and Omicron variants were detected in 14, 13, and 11 out of 14 HD patients, and in 5, 5, and 4 out of 8 KTR patients, respectively. The median fold increase in NtAb titers in HD patients was 77, 28, and 5 and 56, 37, and 9 in KTR patients for each respective variant. SARS-CoV-2-S S-IFN-γ-producing CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell responses were detected in the majority of HD (35 and 36/37, respectively) and all KTR (16/16) patients at 3D. Overall, the administration of 3D boosted T-cell levels in both population groups. In conclusion, a homologous mRNA COVID-19 vaccine 3D exerts a booster effect on anti-RBD antibodies, NtAb binding to Wuhan-Hu-1, Delta, and Omicron variants, and SARS-CoV-2-S-IFN-γ-producing T cells in both HD and KTR patients. The magnitude of the effect was more marked in HD than KTR patients.

Developing a core outcome set for anthropometric evaluation for presurgical infant orthopaedics for unilateral cleft lip and palate: e-Delphi consensus.

INTRODUCTION: Presurgical infant orthopaedics (PSIO) in infants with cleft lip and palate focuses on improving the anatomical conditions of the lip, palate and nose before the first lip surgery; however, its effectiveness has not been proven. OBJECTIVE: To develop a core outcome set for reporting anthropometry-based outcomes in studies appraising the PSIO before primary cleft lip repair in unilateral cleft lip palate (UCLP). METHOD: Literature search to identify anthropometric measures. The operational definition and schematic representation of each were elaborated, grouping those apparently the same. By using Delphi methodology with a consensus of 10 subject-matter experts, three rounds were conducted to select a core outcome set of anthropometric measures with a validity V coefficient ≥80% among considered necessary to evaluate the PSIO in UCLP. RESULTS: A total of 101 anthropometric measures were identified in the literature to evaluate PSIO in UCLP. Of these, consensus validated the content of the core outcome set, which comprises 18 anthropometric measures, including columella height, nasal tip projection, projection alar length, width of nostril, nasal basal width, angle of columella, cleft lip segment, height of the non-cleft lip, height of the cleft lip, intersegment distance, arch length, greater segment length, lesser segment length, lateral deviation of the incisal point, posterior width of palatal cleft, arch width, grater segment rotation and lesser segment rotation. CONCLUSIONS: Standardised outcome measures are necessary to evaluate and ensure the quality of treatment in CLP. The core outcome set for anthropometric evaluation validated by consensus subject-matter experts is a clinically useful and low-cost tool for PSIO effectiveness studies.

Standing Genetic Diversity and Transmission Bottleneck Size Drive Adaptation in Bacteriophage Qß.

A critical issue to understanding how populations adapt to new selective pressures is the relative contribution of the initial standing genetic diversity versus that generated de novo. RNA viruses are an excellent model to study this question, as they form highly heterogeneous populations whose genetic diversity can be modulated by factors such as the number of generations, the size of population bottlenecks, or exposure to new environment conditions. In this work, we propagated at nonoptimal temperature (43 °C) two bacteriophage Qß populations differing in their degree of heterogeneity. Deep sequencing analysis showed that, prior to the temperature change, the most heterogeneous population contained some low-frequency mutations that had previously been detected in the consensus sequences of other Qß populations adapted to 43 °C. Evolved populations with origin in this ancestor reached similar growth rates, but the adaptive pathways depended on the frequency of these standing mutations and the transmission bottleneck size. In contrast, the growth rate achieved by populations with origin in the less heterogeneous ancestor did depend on the transmission bottleneck size. The conclusion is that viral diversification in a particular environment may lead to the emergence of mutants capable of accelerating adaptation when the environment changes.

Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals and Probiotics: A Focus on Human Health.

Functional foods are classified as traditional or staple foods that provide an essential nutritional level and share potentially positive effects on host health, including the reduction of disease by optimizing the immune system's ability to prevent and control infections by pathogens, as well as pathologies that cause functional alterations in the host. This chapter reviews the most recent research and advances in this area and discusses some perspectives on what the future holds in this area.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Adaptive Immunity in Nursing Home Residents Following a Third Dose of the Comirnaty Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine.

A third Comirnaty vaccine dose increased severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor-binding domain antibody levels (median, 93-fold) and neutralizing antibody titers against Wuhan-Hu-1 (median, 57-fold), Beta (me 22-fold), Delta, (median, 43-fold), and Omicron (median, 8-fold) variants, but had less impact on S-reactive T-cell immunity in nursing home residents.

Relapse and inadvertent tooth movement post orthodontic treatment in individuals with fixed retainers: A review.

Orthodontists must fully inform patients about the implications of orthodontic treatment and the subsequent need for retention. This review provides an update on relapse, unwanted movements and different factors that can cause loss of stability following orthodontic treatment. Since it is difficult to predict which patients will present some degree of loss of stability after treatment, it is important that they be treated as if they have a high potential for relapse. The present review included a bibliographic search in the main sources of scientific review including Medline via PubMed, Scopus and the Cochrane library. The search strategy was carried out until May 5, 2022. Only 34 studies fulfilling the selection criteria. Our results showed that maintaining teeth in the correct position following orthodontic treatment is a great challenge for orthodontists. The etiology of relapse is complex and not yet clearly established. Its origin is attributed to factors such as the time of gingival and periodontal tissue reorganization and changes produced by growth, compromising the stability of the results achieved with orthodontic treatment. The retention phase is necessary after orthodontic treatment to avoid relapse or loss of the occlusion results obtained. However, fixed retainers may induce unwanted tooth movement that may occur despite these retainers being attached and intact. There is currently no consensus among orthodontists regarding the ideal type of wire for fixed containment. We concluded that post-orthodontic treatment relapse is the result of a regression towards the original malocclusion. However, changes in the position of the teeth can also occur, which are considered as unwanted movements and have a multifactorial origin.

Los ortodoncistas deben informar completamente a los pacientes sobre las implicaciones del tratamiento de ortodoncia y la subsiguiente necesidad de retención. Esta revisión brinda una actualización sobre las recidivas, los movimientos no deseados y los diferentes factores que pueden causar la pérdida de estabilidad después del tratamiento de ortodoncia. Dado que es difícil predecir qué pacientes presentarán algún grado de pérdida de estabilidad después del tratamiento, es importante que sean tratados como si tuvieran un alto potencial de recaída. La presente revisión incluyó una búsqueda bibliográfica en las principales fuentes de revisión científica, incluyendo Medline vía PubMed, Scopus y la biblioteca Cochrane. La estrategia de búsqueda se llevó a cabo hasta el 5 de mayo de 2022. Solo 34 estudios cumplieron con los criterios de selección. Nuestros resultados mostraron que mantener los dientes en la posición correcta después del tratamiento de ortodoncia es un gran desafío para los ortodoncistas. La etiología de la recaída es compleja y aún no está claramente establecida. Su origen se atribuye a factores como el tiempo de reorganización del tejido gingival y periodontal, y a los cambios producidos por el crecimiento, comprometiendo la estabilidad de los resultados alcanzados con el tratamiento de ortodoncia. La fase de retención es necesaria después del tratamiento de ortodoncia para evitar la recaída o la pérdida de los resultados de oclusión obtenidos. Sin embargo, los retenedores fijos pueden inducir un movimiento dental no deseado que puede ocurrir a pesar de que estos retenedores estén colocados e intactos. Actualmente, no hay consenso entre los ortodoncistas con respecto al tipo de alambre ideal para la contención fija. Concluimos que la recidiva postratamiento de ortodoncia es el resultado de una regresión hacia la maloclusión original. Sin embargo, también pueden ocurrir cambios en la posición de los dientes que se consideran movimientos no deseados y tienen un origen multifactorial.

A case of tuberculosis and black-grain eumycetoma co-infection in a non-endemic country: clinical presentation and therapeutic management.

We report a case of black-grain eumycetoma co-localized with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, presenting as a painless leg abscess and associated with vertebral tuberculosis. The rare association of these two pathogens raises several challenges regarding foreseeable drug interactions, side effects, the most appropriate management, and the potential link between these two diseases.

The Host Protein Aquaporin-9 is Required for Efficient Plasmodium falciparum Sporozoite Entry into Human Hepatocytes.

Hepatocyte invasion by Plasmodium sporozoites represents a promising target for innovative antimalarial therapy, but the molecular events mediating this process are still largely uncharacterized. We previously showed that Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite entry into hepatocytes strictly requires CD81. However, CD81-overexpressing human hepatoma cells remain refractory to P. falciparum infection, suggesting the existence of additional host factors necessary for sporozoite entry. Here, through differential transcriptomic analysis of human hepatocytes and hepatoma HepG2-CD81 cells, the transmembrane protein Aquaporin-9 (AQP9) was found to be among the most downregulated genes in hepatoma cells. RNA silencing showed that sporozoite invasion of hepatocytes requires AQP9 expression. AQP9 overexpression in hepatocytes increased their permissiveness to P. falciparum. Moreover, chemical disruption with the AQP9 inhibitor phloretin markedly inhibited hepatocyte infection. Our findings identify AQP9 as a novel host factor required for P. falciparum sporozoite hepatocyte-entry and indicate that AQP9 could be a potential therapeutic target.

Pretreatment of tamarind pericarp to increase antioxidant availability and its application in a functional food.

Diverse researchers have considered by-products of food and agricultural processing industries as a source of antioxidants. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) is a leguminous tree, native from tropical Africa bearing edible fruit. The fruit is composed of 30% pulp, 40% seed, and 30% pericarp. Currently, tamarind pericarp is a waste from tamarind processing (approximately 54,400 tons of pericarp in 2012 worldwide) and is contributing to environmental contamination. This research aimed to determine the effect of maceration, microwaves, and ultrasound on the increase in the antioxidant availability in tamarind pericarp and its incorporation as a functional ingredient in cookies (5 and 10% substitution). Antioxidant content, antioxidant activity, proximate, and sensorial analysis of the cookies were conducted. The microwave method was the best pretreatment compared with sonication and maceration since it showed 1.3-fold higher amounts of phenolic compounds and 1.2-fold higher antioxidant capacity. The 10% substitution of tamarind pericarp powder in cookies, significantly increased the fiber content (four-fold) and phenolic compounds content (2.6-fold) and the product presented good acceptance in a sensorial test. Thus, tamarind pericarp powder could be considered as an antioxidant and fiber source and could be used as a functional ingredient in food products.

Debate: healthcare professionals in nutrition support teams / Debate: profesionales sanitarios en las unidades de nutrición

The debate from the course preceding the SENPE (Spanish Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism) 2020 Conference gathered together well-known professionals who form part of nutritional support teams (NSTs), as well as other specialists from departments whose patients benefit from the services offered by these NSTs. In this article, relevant points from the round table, including strengths and weaknesses detected in the implementation of nutrition support teams, are summarized

El debate del curso previo al congreso de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Clínica y Metabolismo (SENPE) 2020 reunió en una mesa redonda a profesionales de prestigio que forman parte de unidades de nutrición y dietética, y a otros especialistas de servicios cuyos pacientes se benefician de los servicios de estas unidades. En este artículo se muestran los puntos relevantes que se trataron en el mismo y se muestran algunas fortalezas y debilidades que se han detectado en la implementación de las unidades de nutrición

[All Roads Lead to Rome: Results of Non-Invasive Respiratory Therapies Applied in a Tertiary-Care Hospital Without an Intermediate Care Unit During the COVID-19 Pandemic]. / Todos los caminos llevan a Roma: resultados de las terapias respiratorias no invasivas aplicadas en un centro terciario sin Unidad de Cuidados Intermedios durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

Introduction: Non-invasive respiratory therapies (NRT) were widely used in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in different settings, depending on availability. The objective of our study was to present 90-day survival and associated factors in patients treated with NRT in a tertiary hospital without an Intermediate Respiratory Care Unit. The secondary objective was to compare the outcomes of the different therapies. Methods: Observational study of patients treated with NRT outside of an intensive care or intermediate respiratory care unit setting, diagnosed with COVID-19 and acute respiratory distress syndrome by radiological criteria and SpO2/FiO2 ratio. A multivariate logistic regression model was developed to determine independently associated variables, and the outcomes of high flow nasal cannula and continuous positive airway pressure were compared. Results: In total, 107 patients were treated and 85 (79.4%) survived at 90 days. Before starting NRT, the mean SpO2/FiO2 ratio was 119.8 ± 59.4. A higher SOFA score was significantly associated with mortality (OR 2,09; 95% CI 1.34-3.27), while self-pronation was a protective factor (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.06-0.91). High flow nasal cannula was used in 63 subjects (58.9%), and continuous positive airway pressure in 41 (38.3%), with no differences between them. Conclusion: Approximately 4 out of 5 patients treated with NRT survived to 90 days, and no significant differences were found between high flow nasal cannula and continuous positive airway pressure.

Evolución del perfil antropométrico y fisiológico de las gimnastas de rítmica españolas de ejercicios de conjuntos en los Juegos Olímpicos de 1996 y 2016 / Anthropometric and physiological evolution of the spanish rhythmic gymnastics group at the 1996 and 2016 Olympic Games / Grupo de ginástica rítmica da Espanha nos Jogos Olímpicos de 1996 e 2016: evolução antropométrica e fisiológica

OBJETIVO: Determinar el perfil antropométrico y fisiológico de los equipos de gimnasia rítmica españoles de los Juegos Olímpicos 1996 y 2016; reflejo de los cambios en este deporte. MÉTODO: El conjunto de los Juegos Olímpicos lo integraron seis gimnastas en 1996 y cinco en 2016. Se realizó estudio antropométrico de composición corporal, somatotipo y proporcionalidad; y prueba de esfuerzo máxima en tapiz rodante para determinación del consumo máximo de oxígeno y de los umbrales ventilatorios. Las diferencias estadísticas se determinaron por la U de Mann-Whitney, para una p < 0.05. RESULTADOS: Las gimnastas de 1996 fueron más jóvenes, con menor peso, talla y envergadura que las de 2016. El porcentaje de grasa y el sumatorio de pliegues cutáneos fueron similares en ambos conjuntos. El conjunto de 2016 tuvo mayor masa muscular (kg) y áreas musculares transversales a nivel de brazo, muslo y pierna. El conjunto de 1996 tuvo un componente ectomórfico más alto. La potencia aeróbica máxima fue superior en el conjunto de 2016 en valor absoluto (l/min) igualándose en valor relativo al peso corporal (ml·kg-1·min-1). CONCLUSIÓN: El conjunto de gimnasia rítmica de 2016 está integrado por deportistas de más experiencia en alta competición y con mayor desarrollo músculo-esquelético lo que les confiere más fuerza muscular para la ejecución correcta de los nuevos elementos acrobáticos, saltos y lanzamientos que conforman el ejercicio en la actualidad

OBJECTIVE: To determine the anthropometric and physiological profile of the Spanish rhythmic gymnastics teams at the 1996 and 2016 Olympic Games; reflection of the changes in this sport. METHOD: the team consisted of six gymnasts in 1996 and five in 2016. It was performed an anthropometric study of body composition, somatotype and proportionality; and a test of maximum effort in treadmill for determination of the maximum consumption of oxygen and ventilatory thresholds. Statistical differences were determined by the Mann-Whitney U, p < 0.05. RESULTS: Gymnasts at the 1996 Olympics were younger and had lighter weight, size and wingspan than the ones of the group of 2016. The percentage of fat and the sum of skinfolds were similar in both sets. The group of 2016 had greater muscle mass (kg) and muscle cross-sectional areas at arm, thigh and leg. The group of 1996 had a higher ectomorfic component. The maximum aerobic power was superior in the group of 2016 in absolute values (l/min), but equal in relative values to body weight (ml·kg-1·min-1). CONCLUSION: 2016 rhythmic gymnastics team is integrated by athletes more experienced in high competition and greater muscle-skeletal development which gives them more muscle strength for the correct execution of the new acrobatic elements, jumps and throws that define the exercise today

OBJETIVO: Determinar o perfil antropométrico e fisiológico das equipes de ginástica rítmica espanhola dos Jogos Olímpicos de 1996 y 2016; reflexo das mudanças nesse esporte. MÉTODO: O conjunto dos Jogos Olímpicos foi composto por seis ginastas em 1996 e cinco em 2016. Foi realizado um estudo antropométrico de composição corporal, somatotipo e proporcionalidade; teste de esforço máximo em uma esteira rolante para determinar o consumo máximo de oxigênio e limiares ventilatórios. As diferenças estatísticas se determinaram pelo teste de U de Mann-Whitney, com umas diferença estatística estabelecida em p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: As ginastas de 1996 foram mais jovens, com menos peso, tamanho e envergadura que as de 2016. O percentual de gordura e o somatório das dobras cutâneas foram similares em ambos os grupos. O conjunto de 2016 teve maior massa muscular (Kg) e áreas musculares transversais a nível de braço, coxa e perna. O conjunto de 1996 teve um componente ectomórfico mais alto. A potência aeróbica máxima foi superior no conjunto de 2016 em valor absoluto (1/min) igualando-se em valor relativo ao peso corporal (ml·kg-1·min-1). CONCLUSÃO: O conjunto de ginástica rítmica de 2016 está integrado por desportistas de maior experiência em alta competição e com maior desenvolvimento musculoesquelético, o que lhes confere mais força muscular para a execução correta de novos elementos acrobáticos, saltos e lançamentos que definem o esporte a atualidade

A grounded theory study of the perceptions and meanings associated with gastrostomies among parents of children with palliative needs.

BACKGROUND: There is few literature on the difficulties and different meanings of gastrostomy tubes (GST) for parents of children with palliative needs, and what specific palliative care teams contribute to this process. AIM: To explore the process of information in the decision of performing a gastrostomy and the meanings that parents of children with palliative needs build around them. DESIGN: Semi-structured interviews which were transcribed and analysed using Grounded Theory. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: Parents and caretakers of children admitted in Paediatric Palliative Care Unit of Madrid Autonomous Community (Spain) whose children bore a gastrostomy device. RESULTS: Two core categories arise ('Fight' and 'The child as a life-meaning generator'). In all the cases, the child supplied the meaning to go on, and the Palliative Care Unit (CPU) helped in the daily care of the child and solving problems derived from the handling of the GT. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to improve the process of giving bad news and to introduce models of health care that focus on parents and child as the center of palliative care. It is also necessary to develop educational programs that enable continuity of care at home for children with palliative needs.

ANÁLISIS DEL MÉTODO MADRE CANGURO EN RECIÉN NACIDOS PREMATUROS MENORES DE 36 SEMANAS Y MENORES DE 2500 GRAMOS HOSPITALIZADOS EN LA UNIDAD DE CUIDADOS INTENSIVOS NEONATALES DEL HOSPITAL GINECO OBSTÉTRICO DE NUEVA AURORA "LUZ ELENA ARISMENDI" Y "HOSPITAL MATILDE HIDALGO DE PROCEL" EN EL AÑO 2018 / Analysis of the kangaroo mother method in preterm infants under 36 weeks and under 2500 grams hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of the New Aurora obstetric gynecological hospital "Luz Elena Arismendi" and "Hospital Matilde Hidalgo de Procel" in 2018

Contexto: A nivel mundial más de 15 millones de niños nacen prematuros y 1 millón de muertes se dan como resultado directo de las complicaciones del parto prematuro y cuanto más inmaduro es el neonato, más lenta es la recuperación de la pérdida de peso. La estimulación cinestésica en posición con el método madre canguro evidencia mejor ganancia en peso y longitud. El método mejora las tasas de lactancia materna, disminuye los requerimientos neonatales y complicaciones. Propósito: Analizar los beneficios del método madre canguro en prematuros y menores de 2500 gramos hospitalizados en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales del Hospital Gineco Obstétrico Nueva Aurora "Luz Elena Arismendi" y el Hospital Matilde Hidalgo de Procel en 2018. Sujetos y métodos: Diseño observacional, epidemiológico, transversal de 2 cohortes: posición canguro versus los que se encuentran en incubadoras. El estudio se limitó 212 neonatos para el análisis la muestra se distribuyó en partes iguales 106 neonatos de cada cohorte. Resultados y Conclusiones: El rango de edad gestacional en los grupos de investigación mayoritario fueron 32 a 36 semanas 66,98% en grupo de madre canguro y 46,23% incubadora. El método madre canguro se relaciona de hospitalización 7 días, la disminución de requerimientos de oxígeno, ausencia de sepsis clínica y disminución de la necesidad alimentación parenteral, peso >1.500 gr, talla >40 cm y PC >30 cm. Por lo cual es considerado un método eficaz de cuidados neonatales y neonatos de bajo peso en países de recursos bajos

Context: Worldwide more than 15 million children born preterm and 1 million deaths as a direct result of the complications of preterm birth and the more in the newborn the newborn, the slower the recovery of weight loss, the kinesthetic estimation in position with the kangaroo mother method shows better gain in weight and length. The method of improving breastfeeding rates, neonatal requirements and complications. Purpose: To analyze the benefits of the mother method in preterm infants and under 2500 grams hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Nueva Aurora Obstetrician Gynecology Hospital "Luz Elena Arismendi" and the Matilde Hidalgo Hospital in Procel in 2018. Subjects and methods: Observational Design, Epidemiological, transversal of 2 cohorts: kangaroo position versus those found in incubators. The study was limited to 212 infants from each cohort. Results and Conclusions: gestational age range in the major research groups were 32 to 36 weeks 66.98% in the kangaroo mother group and 46.23% incubator. The kangaroo mother method is related to hospitalization 7 days, the decrease in oxygen needs, the absence of clinical sepsis and the decrease in the need for parenteral feeding, weight> 1,500 gr, height> 40 cm and PC> 30 cm. So it is considered an effective method of neonatal care and low birth weight infants in low resource countries.