Gut microbiota and its relationship with early vascular ageing in a Spanish population (MIVAS study).

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota and its by-products are increasingly recognized as having a decisive role in cardiovascular diseases. The aim is to study the relationship between gut microbiota and early vascular ageing (EVA). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was developed in Salamanca (Spain) in which 180 subjects aged 45-74 years were recruited. EVA was defined by the presence of at least one of the following: carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) or brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba-PWV) above the 90th percentile of the reference population. All other cases were considered normal vascular ageing (NVA). MEASUREMENTS: cf-PWV was measured by SphygmoCor® System; CAVI and ba-PWV were determined by Vasera 2000® device. Gut microbiome composition in faecal samples was determined by 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing. RESULTS: Mean age was 64.4 ± 6.9 in EVA group and 60.4 ± 7.6 years in NVA (p < .01). Women in EVA group were 41% and 53% in NVA. There were no differences in the overall composition of gut microbiota between the two groups when evaluating Firmicutes/Bacteriodetes ratio, alfa diversity (Shannon Index) and beta diversity (Bray-Curtis). Bilophila, Faecalibacterium sp.UBA1819 and Phocea, are increased in EVA group. While Cedecea, Lactococcus, Pseudomonas, Succiniclasticum and Dielma exist in lower abundance. In logistic regression analysis, Bilophila (OR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.12-2.6, p = .013) remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: In the studied Spanish population, early vascular ageing is positively associated with gut microbiota abundance of the genus Bilophila. No relationship was found between phyla abundance and measures of diversity.

Molecular handcraft of a well-folded protein chimera.

Modular assembly is a compelling pathway to create new proteins, a concept supported by protein engineering and millennia of evolution. Natural evolution provided a repository of building blocks, known as domains, which trace back to even shorter segments that underwent numerous 'copy-paste' processes culminating in the scaffolds we see today. Utilizing the subdomain-database Fuzzle, we constructed a fold-chimera by integrating a flavodoxin-like fragment into a periplasmic binding protein. This chimera is well-folded and a crystal structure reveals stable interfaces between the fragments. These findings demonstrate the adaptability of α/ß-proteins and offer a stepping stone for optimization. By emphasizing the practicality of fragment databases, our work pioneers new pathways in protein engineering. Ultimately, the results substantiate the conjecture that periplasmic binding proteins originated from a flavodoxin-like ancestor.

The pulmonary rehabilitation effect on long covid-19 syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in improving dyspnea, fatigue, physical activity, quality of life, anxiety and depression in patients with Long COVID-19 (LC). The impact of PR on LC and a comparison of face-to-face and telerehabilitation approaches was explored. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO. A literature search included PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library until January 2023. No language filters were applied. Randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and observational studies were included. The risk of bias was assessed using appropriate tools. Descriptive analysis and meta-analysis were performed. Forest plots presented results. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Metafor Package in R v.3.4.2. RESULTS/FINDINGS: This systematic review and meta-analysis included 16 studies on PR in LC patients. A total of 1027 adults were included. The studies varied in design, with seven observational studies, three quasi-experimental studies, and six randomized controlled trials. Dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, psychological state, and fatigue were assessed as outcomes. The review found that pulmonary rehabilitation had a significant positive effect on dyspnea, physical function, quality of life (both global and physical domain), anxiety, and depression. However, the effect on fatigue was not significant. Heterogeneity was observed in some analyses, and publication bias was found in certain outcomes. Age and study design were identified as potential moderators. Both face-to-face and telerehabilitation interventions improved the studied outcomes, with only differences in the physical domain of quality of life favoring the face-to-face group. IMPLICATIONS ON PHYSIOTHERAPY PRACTICE: PR improved dyspnea, physical function, quality of life, and psychological state in LC patients, but not fatigue. Face-to-face and telerehabilitation have similar effects, except for physical quality of life.

Clinical outcomes in the biomarkers of ketamine (Bio-K) study of open-label IV ketamine for refractory depression.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted an open-label clinical trial ("Bio-K") using IV ketamine for treatment-resistant depression to identify biomarkers linked to remission. Here, we report the clinical efficacy and side effect outcomes of Bio-K. METHODS: Across 4 US sites, 75 patients ages 18-65 with treatment-refractory unipolar or bipolar depression received 3 IV ketamine infusions over an 11-day period. Key exclusion criteria were psychotic symptoms, significant substance abuse, unstable medical conditions, and any use of cannabis. Pre-existing antidepressant medication was maintained. Primary outcome was remission as measured by Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), with secondary outcome of 50 % reduction in Beck Suicide Scale score. Safety monitoring and varying durations of infusions were also key parameters. RESULTS: Using remission as MADRS score <10, after 3 infusions 52 % achieved remission, with 67 % achieving response. Of those achieving response after a single infusion, 66 % (22 of 33) reached remission after 3 infusions, while 40 % (16 of 40) non-responders after the first infusion went on to achieve remission after 3 infusions. Only 20 % of non-responders after 2 infusions achieved remission. Most (81 %) participants had significant suicidal ideation at baseline; of these, two-thirds (67 %) experienced at least a 50 % reduction in suicidality. Side effects were minimal. Uniquely, we had three different types of infusion categories, with individuals receiving: (1) slow (100-min) infusions only or (2) regular (40-min) infusions only or (3) a mix of infusion durations. These three infusion groups showed comparable safety and efficacy. Exploration of clinical factors revealed no link between BMI, age, or gender to remission. CONCLUSIONS: The consistency of outcomes across 4 clinical sites and across multiple instruments, suggests high acute efficacy and safety of IV ketamine for serious depressive episodes. Duration of infusion did not alter outcomes. Meaningfully, 40 % of non-responders after a single infusion did reach remission subsequently, while only 20 % of non-responders after 2 infusions achieved remission, suggesting early response is suggestive for eventual remission. Our data on varying ketamine infusion duration adds novel insights into the clinical administration of this new treatment for refractory and severe patients. Our limitations included a lack of a control group, necessitating caution about conclusions of efficacy, balanced by the utility of reporting "real-world" outcomes across multiple clinical sites. We could also not separately analyze results for bipolar disorder due to small numbers. Together, the Bio-K clinical results are promising and provide significant sample sizes for forthcoming biological markers analyses.

Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Induced by Obesity, Gestational Diabetes, and Preeclampsia in Pregnancy: Role of High-Density Lipoproteins as Vectors for Bioactive Compounds.

Inflammation and oxidative stress are essential components in a myriad of pathogenic entities that lead to metabolic and chronic diseases. Moreover, inflammation in its different phases is necessary for the initiation and maintenance of a healthy pregnancy. Therefore, an equilibrium between a necessary/pathologic level of inflammation and oxidative stress during pregnancy is needed to avoid disease development. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are important for a healthy pregnancy and a good neonatal outcome. Their role in fetal development during challenging situations is vital for maintaining the equilibrium. However, in certain conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and other cardiovascular diseases, it has been observed that HDL loses its protective properties, becoming dysfunctional. Bioactive compounds have been widely studied as mediators of inflammation and oxidative stress in different diseases, but their mechanisms of action are still unknown. Nonetheless, these agents, which are obtained from functional foods, increase the concentration of HDL, TRC, and antioxidant activity. Therefore, this review first summarizes several mechanisms of HDL participation in the equilibrium between inflammation and oxidative stress. Second, it gives an insight into how HDL may act as a vector for bioactive compounds. Third, it describes the relationships between the inflammation process in pregnancy and HDL activity. Consequently, different databases were used, including MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus, where scientific articles published in the English language up to 2023 were identified.

TAMOF-1 as a Versatile and Predictable Chiral Stationary Phase for the Resolution of Racemic Mixtures.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have become promising materials for multiple applications due to their controlled dimensionality and tunable properties. The incorporation of chirality into their frameworks opens new strategies for chiral separation, a key technology in the pharmaceutical industry as each enantiomer of a racemic drug must be isolated. Here, we describe the use of a combination of computational modeling and experiments to demonstrate that high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns packed with TAMOF-1 as the chiral stationary phase are efficient, versatile, robust, and reusable with a wide array of mobile phases (polar and non-polar). As proof of concept, in this article, we report the resolution with TAMOF-1 HPLC columns of nine racemic mixtures with different molecular sizes, geometries, and functional groups. Initial in silico studies allowed us to predict plausible separations in chiral compounds from different families, including terpenes, calcium channel blockers, or P-stereogenic compounds. The experimental data confirmed the validity of the models and the robust performance of TAMOF-1 columns. The added value of in silico screening is an unprecedented achievement in chiral chromatography.

[Comment on articule "Bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on COVID-19 elaborated by staff of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social"]. / Comentario al artículo "Análisis bibliométrico de las publicaciones científicas sobre COVID-19 realizadas por personal IMSS".

In this letter to the editor, some doubts are expressed about the methodology used in the article Bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on COVID-19 elaborated by staff of the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social with the purpose of clarifying them and strengthening the scientific rigor with which it was carried out the investigation. The replicability of the studies is essential for other researchers to be able to assess the quality of the study and the validity of its results, in addition to ensuring the transparency of the science.

En esta carta al editor se plasman algunas dudas sobre la metodología empleada en el artículo "Análisis bibliométrico de las publicaciones científicas sobre COVID-19 realizadas por personal IMSS" con la finalidad de que sean aclaradas y se fortalezca la riguridad científica con la que se realizó la investigación. La replicabilidad de los estudios es fundamental para que otros investigadores estén en posibilidad de evaluar la calidad de éste y la validez de sus resultados, además de que asegura la transparencia de la ciencia.

Lifestyles, arterial aging, and its relationship with the intestinal and oral microbiota (MIVAS III study): a research protocol for a cross-sectional multicenter study.

Background: The microbiota is increasingly recognized as a significant factor in the pathophysiology of many diseases, including cardiometabolic diseases, with lifestyles probably exerting the greatest influence on the composition of the human microbiome. The main objectives of the study are to analyze the association of lifestyles (diet, physical activity, tobacco, and alcohol) with the gut and oral microbiota, arterial aging, and cognitive function in subjects without cardiovascular disease in the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, the study will examine the mediating role of the microbiome in mediating the association between lifestyles and arterial aging as well as cognitive function. Methods and analysis: MIVAS III is a multicenter cross-sectional study that will take place in the Iberian Peninsula. One thousand subjects aged between 45 and 74 years without cardiovascular disease will be selected. The main variables are demographic information, anthropometric measurements, and habits (tobacco and alcohol). Dietary patterns will be assessed using a frequency consumption questionnaire (FFQ) and the Mediterranean diet adherence questionnaire. Physical activity levels will be evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Marshall Questionnaire, and an Accelerometer (Actigraph). Body composition will be measured using the Inbody 230 impedance meter. Arterial aging will be assessed through various means, including measuring medium intimate carotid thickness using the Sonosite Micromax, conducting analysis with pulse wave velocity (PWA), and measuring pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) using the Sphygmocor System. Additional cardiovascular indicators such as Cardio Ankle Vascular Index (CAVI), ba-PWV, and ankle-brachial index (Vasera VS-2000®) will also be examined. The study will analyze the intestinal microbiota using the OMNIgene GUT kit (OMR-200) and profile the microbiome through massive sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA), effect size (LEfSe), and compositional analysis, such as ANCOM-BC, will be used to identify differentially abundant taxa between groups. After rarefying the samples, further analyses will be conducted using MicrobiomeAnalyst and R v.4.2.1 software. These analyses will include various aspects, such as assessing α and ß diversity, conducting abundance profiling, and performing clustering analysis. Discussion: Lifestyle acts as a modifier of microbiota composition. However, there are no conclusive results demonstrating the mediating effect of the microbiota in the relationship between lifestyles and cardiovascular diseases. Understanding this relationship may facilitate the implementation of strategies for improving population health by modifying the gut and oral microbiota. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04924907, ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04924907. Registered on 21 April 2021.

The influence of the environment on the patient-centered therapeutic relationship in physical therapy: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Currently, in the scientific literature there is a great interest on the study of strategies to implement patient-centered care. One of the main tools for this is the therapeutic relationship. Some studies suggest that the perception of the environment in which the treatment takes place can influence the perception of its quality, but this is not explored in physical therapy. For all these reasons, the aim of this study was to understand the influence of the environment in which physical therapy treatment takes place on the patients' perception of the quality of the patient-centered therapeutic relationship in public health centers in Spain. METHODS: A qualitative study analysed thematically using a modified grounded theory approach. Data collection used semistructured interviewing during focus groups. RESULTS: We conducted four focus groups. The size of the focus groups ranged from six to nine participants. In total, 31 patients participated in these focus groups. Participants described a series of specific experiences and perceptions relating to the environment, which they felt were influential in the establishment of therapeutic patient-centered relationships, including six physical factors (Architectural barriers, Furniture, Use of the computer, Physical space, Ambiet conditions, and Privacy) and six organizational factors (Patient-physical therapist ratio, Treatment interruptions, Social factors, Continuity with the professional, Lack of professional autonomy, and Coordination or communication among team members). CONCLUSION: The results of this study highlight environmental factors that affect the quality of the therapeutic patient-centered relationship in physical therapy from the patient's point of view, and emphasize the need for physical therapists and administrators to underline the need to review these factors and take them into account in their service delivery.

[Energy drink consumption patterns and its adverse effects on adolescent health.] / Patrones de consumo de bebidas energéticas y sus efectos adversos en la salud de adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: Energy drinks generally contain caffeine and other stimulants, commercially aimed at young people. Previous research suggests that its effects on adolescents health are dangerous. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of taurine and caffeine consumption from energy drinks on adolescent health and to identify patterns of consumption and, their association with physiological symptoms. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of students (n=135) aged 16 to 17 years was conducted in the State of Hidalgo, Mexico. A self-administered online questionnaire was used from September to November 2020 to report energy drink consumption patterns, perceived effects, and psychophysiological symptoms. The statistical analysis of questionnaire content was made by interjudges evaluation. A concordance index (Cohen-Fleiss Kappa coefficient) was applied for consumption patterns, bivariate correlation tests, Pearson correlation coefficients for levels (very high, moderate, low) of caffeine and taurine were used in the items applied to the target population and Spearmans rho for physiological and psychological effects. RESULTS: The participants (mean age: 16 years; 57.8% of women) reported having consumed energy drinks at least once. Only 26.7% of adolescents (n=36) reported that they had never consumed. The average consumption of energy drinks was once per month (24.4%). A statistically significant correlation was found between the consumption of drinks with taurine and the physical effects (tremors and chest pain) and caffeinated beverages with psychophysiological (fatigue, excessive urination, insomnia, and feeling of lack of rest). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings indicate associations between energy drink consumption and the presence of adverse psychological and physical symptoms in adolescents.

OBJETIVO: Las bebidas energizantes generalmente contienen cafeína y otros estimulantes, comercialmente dirigidos a los jóvenes. Investigaciones anteriores sugieren que sus efectos sobre la salud en adolescentes son peligrosos. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto del consumo de taurina y cafeína de bebidas energizantes en la salud de los adolescentes y establecer los patrones del consumo, así como su asociación con síntomas fisiológicos. METODOS: Se realizó un estudio transversal de una muestra por conveniencia de estudiantes (n=135) de entre 16 y 17 años de edad en el Estado de Hidalgo, México. Se utilizó un cuestionario en línea autoadministrado de septiembre a noviembre de 2020 para informar los patrones de consumo de bebidas energizantes, los efectos percibidos y los síntomas psicofisiológicos. Para el análisis estadístico del contenido por interjueces. Se aplicó índice de concordancia (coeficiente Kappa de Cohen-Fleiss), para patrones de consumo se utilizaron pruebas de correlación bivariada, coeficientes de correlación de Pearson por niveles (muy alto, moderado, bajo) de cafeína y taurina en los ítems aplicados a población objetivo y rho de Spearman para síntomas fisiológicos y psicológicos. RESULTADOS: Los adolescentes estudiados (media de edad: 16 años; 57,8% de mujeres) informaron haber consumido bebidas energizantes al menos una vez. Solo el 26,7% de los adolescentes (n=36) informaron que nunca habían consumido. El consumo promedio de bebidas energizantes fue de una vez por mes (24,4%). Se encontró correlación estadística significativa entre el consumo de bebidas con taurina y los efectos físicos (temblores y dolor en el pecho) y el de bebidas con cafeína con los psicofisiológicos (fatiga, micción excesiva, insomnio y sensación de falta de descanso). CONCLUSIONES: Los hallazgos del estudio indican asociaciones entre el consumo de bebidas energéticas y la presencia de síntomas adversos psicológicos y físicos en los adolescentes.

Applications and Pharmacological Properties of Cactus Pear (Opuntia spp.) Peel: A Review.

Nowadays, there is a growing interest in the exploitation of by-products from fruits and vegetables, generated from industrial processing or human feeding. Residues of popularly consumed fruits such as orange, lemon, banana, pomegranate, among others, have been widely described and studied; however, cactus pear (Opuntia spp.) residues, as a locally consumed product, have been forgotten. The whole fruit can be divided into the edible portion (pulp) and the non-edible portion (seeds and peel). Several studies mainly focus on the characteristics of the edible portion or in the whole fruit, ignoring by-products such as peels, which are rich in compounds such as phenols, flavonoids and dietary fiber; they have also been proposed as an alternative source of lipids, carbohydrates and natural colorants. Some uses of the peel have been reported as a food additives, food supplements, as a source of pectins and for wastewater treatment; however, there have not been any deep investigations of the characteristics and potential uses of the cactus pear peel (CPP). The aim of the present paper is to provide an overview of the current research on CPP. CPP has many bio-active compounds that may provide health benefits and may also be useful in pharmaceutical, food and manufacturing industries; however, greater research is needed in order to gain thorough knowledge of the possibilities of this by-product.

Healthcare use among people with diabetes mellitus in Europe: a population-based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the association of health determinants, lifestyle and socioeconomic variables on healthcare use in people with diabetes in Europe. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the European Health Interview Survey wave 2 (ie, secondary analysis). SETTING: The sample included data from 25 European countries. PARTICIPANTS: The sample included 16 270 patients with diabetes aged 15 years or older (49.1% men and 50.9% women). RESULTS: The survey data showed that 58.2% of respondents had seen their primary care physician in the past month and 22.6% had been admitted to the hospital in the past year. Use of primary care was associated with being retired (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.13, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.19) and having very poor self-perceived health (PR 1.80, 95% CI 1.51 to 2.15), long-standing health problems (PR 1.14, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.24), high blood pressure (PR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.10) and chronic back pain (PR 1.07, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.11). Hospital admission was associated with very poor self-perceived health (PR 3.03, 95% CI 2.14 to 4.31), accidents at home (PR 1.54, 95% CI 1.40 to 1.69), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (PR 1.34, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.47), high blood pressure (PR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.17), chronic back pain (PR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84 to 0.98), moderate difficulty walking (PR 1.33, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.45) and severe difficulty walking (PR 1.67, 95% CI 1.51 to 1.85). CONCLUSIONS: In the European diabetic population, the high cumulative incidences of primary care visits and hospital admissions are associated with labour status, alcohol consumption, self-perceived health, long-standing health problems, high blood pressure, chronic back pain, accidents at home, COPD and difficulty walking.

A Short Tale of the Origin of Proteins and Ribosome Evolution.

Proteins are the workhorses of the cell and have been key players throughout the evolution of all organisms, from the origin of life to the present era. How might life have originated from the prebiotic chemistry of early Earth? This is one of the most intriguing unsolved questions in biology. Currently, however, it is generally accepted that amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, were abiotically available on primitive Earth, which would have made the formation of early peptides in a similar fashion possible. Peptides are likely to have coevolved with ancestral forms of RNA. The ribosome is the most evident product of this coevolution process, a sophisticated nanomachine that performs the synthesis of proteins codified in genomes. In this general review, we explore the evolution of proteins from their peptide origins to their folding and regulation based on the example of superoxide dismutase (SOD1), a key enzyme in oxygen metabolism on modern Earth.

Patrones de consumo de bebidasenergéticas y sus efectos adversosen la salud de adolescentes / Energy drink consumption patterns and its adverse effects on adolescent health

FUNDAMENTOS: Las bebidas energizantes generalmente contienen cafeína y otros estimulantes, comercialmente dirigidos a los jóvenes. Investigaciones anteriores sugieren que sus efectos sobre la salud en adolescentes son peligrosos. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto del consumo de taurina y cafeína de bebidas energizantes en la salud de los adolescentes y establecer los patrones del consumo, así como su asociación con síntomas fisiológicos. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio transversal de una muestra por conveniencia de estudiantes (n=135) de entre 16 y 17 años de edad en el Estado de Hidalgo, México. Se utilizó un cuestionario en línea autoadministrado de septiembre a noviembre de 2020 para informar los patrones de consumo de bebidas energizantes, los efectos percibidos y los síntomas psicofisiológicos. Para el análisis estadístico del contenido por interjueces. Se aplicó índice de concordancia (coeficiente Kappa de Cohen-Fleiss), para patrones de consumo se utilizaron pruebas de correlación bivariada, coeficientes de correlación de Pearson por niveles (muy alto, moderado, bajo) de cafeína y taurina en los ítems aplicados a población objetivo y rho de Spearman para síntomas fisiológicos y psicológicos. RESULTADOS: Los adolescentes estudiados (media de edad: 16 años; 57,8% de mujeres) informaron haber consumido bebidas energizantes al menos una vez. Solo el 26,7% de los adolescentes (n=36) informaron que nunca habían consumido. El consumo pro-medio de bebidas energizantes fue de una vez por mes (24,4%). Se encontró correlación estadística significativa entre el consumo debebidas con taurina y los efectos físicos (temblores y dolor en el pecho) y el de bebidas con cafeína con los psicofisiológicos (fatiga,micción excesiva, insomnio y sensación de falta de descanso).CONCLUSIONES: Los hallazgos del estudio indican asociaciones entre el consumo de bebidas energéticas y la presencia desíntomas adversos psicológicos y físicos en los adolescentes.(AU)

BACKGROUND: Energy drinks generally contain caffeine and other stimulants, commercially aimed at young people. Previousresearch suggests that its effects on adolescents health are dangerous. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of taurineand caffeine consumption from energy drinks on adolescent health and to identify patterns of consumption and, their associationwith physiological symptoms. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of students (n=135) aged 16 to 17 years was conducted in the State ofHidalgo, Mexico. A self-administered online questionnaire was used from September to November 2020 to report energy drink con-sumption patterns, perceived effects, and psychophysiological symptoms. The statistical analysis of questionnaire content was made byinterjudges evaluation. A concordance index (Cohen-Fleiss Kappa coefficient) was applied for consumption patterns, bivariate correlationtests, Pearson correlation coefficients for levels (very high, moderate, low) of caffeine and taurine were used in the items applied to thetarget population and Spearmans rho for physiological and psychological effects. RESULTS: The participants (mean age: 16 years; 57.8% of women) reported having consumed energy drinks at least once. Only26.7% of adolescents (n=36) reported that they had never consumed. The average consumption of energy drinks was once permonth (24.4%). A statistically significant correlation was found between the consumption of drinks with taurine and the physicaleffects (tremors and chest pain) and caffeinated beverages with psychophysiological (fatigue, excessive urination, insomnia, andfeeling of lack of rest). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings indicate associations between energy drink consumption and the presence of adverse psycho-logical and physical symptoms in adolescents.(AU)

Nutraceuticals for Complementary Treatment of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children: A Perspective from Their Use in COVID-19.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been widely reported in some children diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. Clinical signs of MIS-C are manifested at 2 to 4 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection, where elevated biomarkers of inflammation and cardiac dysfunction are the hallmark of this syndrome when infection or exposure to SARS-CoV-2 has been confirmed. However, after two years of acknowledgment, MIS-C treatment is still under research to reach safety and effectiveness in the acute phase in children. Therefore, in this review, we discuss the potential use of natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects to reduce collateral damage caused by hyperinflammation in MIS-C pathology for new research in treatment and interventions.

Risk Factors for Cancer Mortality in Spain: Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is considered a major public health problem due to its increasing incidence and high mortality. This study aims to identify risk factors for cancer mortality in Spain. METHODS: Retrospective population-based cohort study in 20,397 participants of the 2011/2012 National Health Survey in Spain. Risk factors associated with mortality due to neoplasm from 2011 to 2017 were analyzed, and hazard ratios were calculated with a multivariate Cox model with competing risks for mortality from other causes. RESULTS: Myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cirrhosis, and mental disorders were associated with an increased risk of mortality due to neoplasm. Male sex, age over 50 years, history or current smoking habit, negligible intake of legumes, and poorer self-perceived health were also associated with increased cancer mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities, tobacco use, poor diet, and worse self-perceived health were the main risk factors for cancer mortality in Spain.

Effects of Strength Training on Body Fat in Children and Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Childhood overweight and obesity represent a growing public health problem worldwide. Since the 1980s, the global prevalence of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence has increased by 47%. The promotion of exercise is an important intervention to reduce the physical damage of obesity. The meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the general guidelines for the reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA). The PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar databases were searched from August to December 2021. The search yielded 722 titles published between 2000 and 2021. After screening the titles and abstracts, 64 duplicate articles were detected, and 27 articles were ultimately included in the systematic review, including 26 articles published in English and one published in Spanish. There was a statistically significant effect of the strength training interventions on the percentage of body fat, Test of 0 i = (p = 0.00, z = 6.92), Test of 0 = (p = 0.00, Q (9) = 42.63). The findings reveal that strength training has a positive impact on the treatment of body fat in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Work Activity of Spanish Physical Therapists and Their Response to Vaccination.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, physical therapists have had to adopt a set of specific protection measures, which have had an impact on their clinical activity and economy. The objective was to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work of Spanish physical therapists, as well as their attitudes and predisposition to vaccination. An online questionnaire was divided into five sections: (1) demographic and professional data; (2) labor impact; (3) precautions and infection-control measures; (4) economic impact; and (5) vaccine acceptance and adverse effects. Of the 666 participants, 62.1% showed a reduction in their working hours motivated by: fear of infection (p = 0.007), financial issues (p = 0.002) and being in quarantine or isolation (p < 0.001). Of these, 36.4% were forced to close the clinic, 62.7% requested help from the government, but only 12.04% mentioned that it was adequate. The main prevention measures adopted were the use of gels and masks and, in the private sector, disinfection with ozone or ultraviolet light (p < 0.05). The acceptance of the vaccine was high, 87.5%, being lower among the group over 40 years of age, self-employed, widowed or separated. More adverse effects were mentioned after receiving the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine, compared to Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna. In conclusion, this study assessed for the first time that the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain had a negative impact on work and finances of physical therapists. The vaccine was widely accepted, in part by the economic impact that an infection in the work setting could signify.

Folding and Evolution of a Repeat Protein on the Ribosome.

Life on earth is the result of the work of proteins, the cellular nanomachines that fold into elaborated 3D structures to perform their functions. The ribosome synthesizes all the proteins of the biosphere, and many of them begin to fold during translation in a process known as cotranslational folding. In this work we discuss current advances of this field and provide computational and experimental data that highlight the role of ribosome in the evolution of protein structures. First, we used the sequence of the Ankyrin domain from the Drosophila Notch receptor to launch a deep sequence-based search. With this strategy, we found a conserved 33-residue motif shared by different protein folds. Then, to see how the vectorial addition of the motif would generate a full structure we measured the folding on the ribosome of the Ankyrin repeat protein. Not only the on-ribosome folding data is in full agreement with classical in vitro biophysical measurements but also it provides experimental evidence on how folded proteins could have evolved by duplication and fusion of smaller fragments in the RNA world. Overall, we discuss how the ribosomal exit tunnel could be conceptualized as an active site that is under evolutionary pressure to influence protein folding.