Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Golf Athletes: A Championship in Portugal.

Although golf is a low-impact sport without physical contact, its movements are carried out over a large range of motion, and their repetition can predispose athletes to the development of injuries. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of musculoskeletal injuries in golf athletes who participated in championships in southern Portugal, determining the types, locations and mechanisms of injury and their associated risk factors. The sample consisted of 140 athletes aged between 18 and 72 years, 133 (95%) being male. The measuring instrument was a questionnaire about sociodemographics, modality and injuries' characteristics. Throughout golf practice, 70 (50%) athletes reported injuries, totaling 133 injuries. In the 12-month period, 43 (30.7%) athletes suffered injuries, totaling 65 injuries. The injury proportion was of 0.31, and the injury rate was of 0.33 injuries per 1000 h of golf training. The most common injury type was muscle sprain or rupture (19; 30.9%), located in the lumbar spine (17; 27%), in which the repetitive movements were the main injury mechanism (42; 66.7%). The athletes who trained 4 times or more per week were 3.5 more likely (CI: 0.97-12.36; p = 0.056) to develop an injury while playing golf. Moderate injury presence was observed, with the high training frequency being an associated risk factor.

First morphological and molecular isolation of Talaromyces marneffei in beech marten (Martes foina) in Portugal.

Talaromyces marneffei is a zoonotic fungus that mostly infects immunocompromised individuals. For the first time, this fungus was isolated in an adult beech marten (Martes foina) hit by a car, found dead in Penamacor, Portugal. During the necropsy, different samples (skin, fur, lymph nodes, lung, spleen, kidneys, and brain) were collected and processed for microbiology (including mycology) and molecular biology. T. marneffei was identified through its mycological characteristics and confirmed by PCR in hair samples. No other lesions or alterations were reported, except a concomitant presence of M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in lung, kidney and brain samples. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of this fungus beech marten, as well as the first case of co-infection with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in wildlife fauna. These results suggest a sylvatic life-cycle of T. marneffei, involving beech martens, in Portugal.

Talaromyces marneffei isolated from nasal swabs in Portugal.

Mycobiota are essential to the health of any living being, creating a balanced and complex interaction between bacteria, the immune system, and the tissue cells of the host. Talaromyces marneffei (also known as Penicillium marneffei) is a dimorphic fungus, endemic in South Asia, which often causes a life-threatening systemic fungal infection (called penicilliosis), particularly in immunocompromised hosts. Nasal swabs from 73 healthy volunteers were analysed to characterize their mycobiota, through its cultural characteristics, morphology, and molecular methods (PCR). All volunteers were also asked to answer to an anonymous questionnaire. Three women were positive (and asymptomatic) for T. marneffei. One of them was reported to have lupus. This study contributes to improving our knowledge about human normal mycobiota, identifying mycotic agents that may cause complicated systemic infections (as T. marneffei), especially in immunosuppressed patients, as well as other possible risk factors of exposure or prognosis.

• Talaromyces marneffei is a zoonotic fungus that may be responsible for life-threatening systemic infections in immune-comprised patients. • Talaromyces marneffei was identified in nasal swabs from asymptomatic volunteers. • This suggests that this fungus may be part of the nasal normal mycobiota of some humans.

Environmental implications of stored cattle slurry treatment with sulphuric acid and biochar: A life cycle assessment approach.

With the increase of animal slurry produced from livestock production, the monitoring and mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia (NH3) emissions represent a major issue. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been used to evaluate the long-term environmental effects of applied strategies and technologies on cattle slurry management for mitigation of environmental harmful gases. This study was carried on two main aims: first, the effect of the addition of sulphuric acid (SA), biochar (SBi) or A + Bi to liquid cattle-slurry (treated systems) on gas emissions during storage compared to the untreated system (S) was investigated in a laboratory-controlled experiment; second, the environmental implications of each treated or untreated system were assessed through a LCA approach according to ISO 14040/44. Five CML 2001 impact categories were used: eutrophication potential (EP), acidification potential (AP), global warming potential (GWP), human toxicity potential (HTP) and Ozone Layer Depletion Potential (ODP). Comparisons were based on 1 ton fresh dairy cattle slurry. The environmental profile of untreated system showed lower efficiency in mitigation of total GHG and NH3 emissions (0.0312 and 0.0001 kg CO2-eq respectively), during storage period and greater impact on GWP and HTP categories. The electricity consumption in mechanical separation dominated the environmental impacts. From the three proposed treated systems, SA showed the highest efficiency on mitigation of gas emissions compared to the other treatments, reducing NH3, CH4 and CO2 emissions respectively in 61%, 98% and 15%, when compared to the SBi system. In all categories, acidified slurry also showed the lowest environmental impact relative to other treated systems and the benefit was more evident when the impacts were expressed per kilogram of nitrogen in the slurry. Therefore, LCA methodology was of great importance to assess the environmental implications of the treatments and acidification can be considered as an effective technique on the mitigation of environmental implications of livestock production and cattle-effluent valorization. Optimization and uniformity of performed studies are essential to validate new strategies to improve the sustainability of this sector in the management of animal wastewater.

Adaptação portuguesa da Escala de Thriving na adolescência / Portuguese of the Thriving in adolescence scale / Adaptación portuguesa de la Escala de Thriving en la adolescencia

No âmbito da perspectiva do Desenvolvimento Positivo dos Adolescentes, a investigação centra-se no que define não apenas o desenvolvimento normal ou adequado, mas um desenvolvimento ótimo, ou Thriving. O conceito engloba indicadores de Thriving que representam a interação relacional dinâmica e bidirecional do adolescente e contextos desenvolvimentais ao longo do tempo, estado e processo de desenvolvimento. Este estudo teve como objetivo a adaptação à população Portuguesa de Escala de Thriving na Adolescência. Foi avaliada uma amostra de conveniência constituída por 503 estudantes, com idades compreendidas entre os 13 e 19 anos (M = 15,92; DP = 1,17), maioritariamente do género feminino (63%). Originalmente desenvolvida na perspetiva do modelo formativo, a Escala de Thriving inclui sete itens. A exploração das propriedades psicométricas, com recurso a análise com rede nomológica, mostra uma escala multidimensional com propriedades métricas adequadas. Sugere-se a utilidade deste instrumento para a compreensão de um desenvolvimento bem-sucedido na adolescência. (AU

In the field of Positive Adolescent Development research focuses on what defines not only normal or adequate development but optimal development for Thriving. The concept encompasses Thriving indicators that represent a dynamic and bi-directional interplay over time between a young person and the developmental contexts, reflecting both a point-in-time status as well as a developmental process. This study aimed to adapt the Thriving in Adolescence Scale to the Portuguese population. A convenience sample consisted of 503 students aged between 13 and 19 years (M=15.92; SD=1.17), with 63% females. Originally developed from the perspective of the formative model, the Thriving Scale includes seven items. The exploration of psychometric properties, using nomological network analysis, showed a multidimensional scale with adequate metric properties. The use of this instrument is suggested for the understanding of successful development in adolescence. (AU)

La investigación se desenvuelve dentro de la perspectiva del Desarrollo Positivo de los Adolescentes, englobando no solo el desarrollo normal o adecuado, sino que un desarrollo óptimo, o Thriving. El concepto incluye indicadores Thriving que representan la interacción relacional dinámica y bidireccional del adolescente y contextos de desarrollo a lo largo del tiempo, reflejando tanto un estado puntual, como un proceso de desenvolvimiento. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo la adaptación a la población Portuguesa de Escala de Thriving en la Adolescencia. Se evaluó una muestra de conveniencia constituida por 503 estudiantes, con edades comprendidas entre los 13 y 19 años (M = 15,92; DS = 1,17), en su mayoría mujeres (63%). La Escala de Thriving incluye siete ítems, siendo originalmente desarrollada en la perspectiva del modelo formativo. La exploración de las propiedades psicométricas mediante el análisis con red nomológica, muestra una escala multidimensional con propiedades métricas adecuadas. Se sugiere que este instrumento es útil para comprender el desarrollo óptimo en la adolescencia. (AU)

Atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia: Remote magnetic navigation ablation versus manual ablation - impact on operator fluoroscopy time.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Remote magnetic navigation systems have demonstrated benefits in the ablation of difficult substrates. Their role in the ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT), however, has only been studied in small patient series. The aim of this study was to compare the results of AVNRT ablation using magnetic navigation, in a center where every procedure is performed with this system, with manual ablation. METHODS: We selected 139 consecutive patients undergoing AVNRT ablation with magnetic navigation by a single operator between January 2009 and June 2016 and compared them to a group of 101 consecutive patients undergoing manual ablation in the same period by the same operator in another hospital. The methodology was the same in both groups. Success rates, complications, procedure time, radiofrequency time, total and operator fluoroscopy time, and recurrence rates were compared. RESULTS: There were no differences in success and complication rates. Procedure and total fluoroscopy times were not significantly different, but operator fluoroscopy time was significantly shorter with the magnetic navigation system (2.4±1.5 min vs. 7.2±4 min; p<0.001). The recurrence rate was higher in the manual group, although without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The ablation of AVNRT with magnetic navigation is feasible using the same methodology as for manual ablation. Success and complication rates were similar. Operator fluoroscopy time was significantly less with the magnetic navigation system.

Developmental Assets Predictors of Life Satisfaction in Adolescents.

The concept of Developmental Assets links positive features of developmental ecologies with personal skills, competences and values in order to further the understanding of optimal development. The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between the experience of Developmental Assets and adolescent's perception of Life Satisfaction. A convenience sample of 503 Portuguese students was evaluated, mean age of 15.92 years (SD = 1.17), 63% female gender. Findings revealed that both external and internal Developmental Assets are experienced differently across gender, grade and age. Results indicate that 74% of the adolescents report their Life Satisfaction to be in the positive range. Boys report significantly higher levels of Life Satisfaction than girls. Results show significant negative correlations between Life Satisfaction and age. The main effect of school grade on Life Satisfaction was not statistically significant. Findings revealed that 32 of the 40 Developmental Assets configured in the model showed a statistically significant positive relationship with Life Satisfaction. Also, results suggest that the greater the experience of Developmental Assets, the greater the Life Satisfaction. Stepwise regression was conducted to determine which Developmental Assets and demographic factors predict Life Satisfaction. Results suggest that the relationship between demographic variables and Life Satisfaction is weak, contributing modestly to the prediction of Life Satisfaction (2%). Nine Developmental Assets emerged as independent and significant predictors of Life Satisfaction: Overall Self-esteem made the largest contribution, with Family Support, Planning and decision Making, Sense of Purpose, Positive Family Communication, Positive Values of Caring, Youth as Resources, School Engagement and Other Adult Relationships also yield significant predictability. The total regression model (Developmental Assets and demographic variables) explained 54% of the variance in Life Satisfaction results. The present findings suggest the applicability and utility of the framework as a strategy to foster positive development in adolescence.

Impact of different treatments on Escherichia coli during storage of cattle slurry.

There are different types of effluents from farming operations including untreated slurry (a mixture of manure, urine, split feed, and water), and treated slurry that normally is filtered to separate the solid fraction from the liquid fraction. With the amount of slurry applied on the soils as fertiliser every year, there are necessary to measure the leaching of microbial capable of transmitting infective agents that can be normally on slurry, because slurry can be a potential biohazard capable of transmitting infective agents. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and survival of Escherichia coli (E. coli) on liquid fraction of dairy slurry, with the addition of different treatments during storage, such as addition of Biochar, beneficial microorganisms, sulphuric acid and the combinations of them. All the applied treatments to slurry show statistically significant differences (P < 0.001), according to the different sampling dates. Results showed that there are conditions and treatments that benefit the survival probability of E. coli, the treatments that include the acidification of slurry have the highest averages of CFU/ml (243288.3 at 37 °C; 136584 at 44 °C). These results can contribute to the improvement of the quality of slurry applied on soils, beneficiating agriculture but also public health.

Colonic Inertia: approach and treatment / Inércia Cólica: abordagem e tratamento

ABSTRACT Objective: Revision of the state of the art of the knowledge regarding pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of Colonic Inertia, which predominantly affects young women and has a significant socio-economic impact. Methods: A search was made in “colonic inertia”, “colon inertia” and “slow transit constipation” in PubMed database for articles of the last 5 years, in Portuguese or English with available abstract and full text. 59 articles and 2013 guidelines of the American Gastroenterological Association on constipation were included. Results: The pathophysiology is not completely elucidated and the reduction of the interstitial cells of Cajal is the most consistent histological finding. Diagnosis requires the exclusion of secondary causes of constipation and obstructed defecation syndrome, to which contribute several complementary diagnostic tests. Given the frequency of failure of the medical treatment, surgery is often the only possible option. Sacral nerve stimulation seems to be a promising therapeutical alternative. Conclusion: A deeper investigation of the pathophysiological mechanisms is fundamental to acquire a more global and integrated vision. Rigorous patient selection for each treatment and the discovery of new therapeutical targets may avoid the use of surgical therapies.

RESUMO Objetivo: Revisão do estado da arte do conhecimento da patofisiologia, diagnóstico e tratamento da Inércia Cólica, que afeta predominantemente mulheres jovens e tem um impacto socioeconómico significativo. Métodos: Pesquisou-se na base de dados PubMed por “colonic inertia”, “colon inertia” e “slow transit constipation” por artigos apenas dos últimos 5 anos, em português ou em inglês com resumo e texto completo disponíveis. Incluíram-se 59 artigos e as recomendações de 2013 da Associação Americana de Gastroenterologia para a obstipação. Resultados: A patofisiologia ainda não está completamente esclarecida, sendo que a redução das células intersticiais de Cajal constitui o achado histológico mais consistente. O diagnóstico requer a exclusão de causas secundárias de obstipação e de síndrome de obstrução defecatória, para o qual contribuem vários exames complementares de diagnóstico. Dada a frequência do insucesso do tratamento médico, a cirurgia é, muitas vezes, a única opção possível. A estimulação nervosa sagrada parece ser uma alternativa terapêutica promissora. Conclusão: É fundamental uma investigação mais profunda dos mecanismos patofisiológicos envolvidos para adquirir uma visão mais global e integrada. A seleção rigorosa de pacientes para cada tratamento e a descoberta de novos alvos terapêuticos poderão evitar a utilização de terapêuticas cirúrgicas.

Inosine strongly enhances proliferation of human C32 melanoma cells through PLC-PKC-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 and PI3K pathways.

Malignant melanoma is the most deadly type of skin cancer. The lack of effective pharmacological approaches for this tumour can be related to the incomplete understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in melanoma cell proliferation. Adenosine has growth-promoting and growth inhibitory effects on tumour cells. We aimed to investigate effects of adenosine and its metabolic product, inosine, on human C32 melanoma cells and the signalling pathways involved. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) proliferation assays were used to evaluate adenosine, adenosine deaminase and inosine effects, in the absence or presence of adenosine receptor (AR), A3 AR and P2Y1 R antagonists and PLC, PKC, MEK1/2 and PI3K inhibitors. ERK1/2 levels were determined using an ELISA kit. Adenosine and inosine levels were quantified using an enzyme-coupled assay. Adenosine caused cell proliferation through AR activation. Adenosine deaminase increased inosine levels (nanomolar concentrations) on the extracellular space, in a time-dependent manner, inducing proliferation through A3 AR activation. Micromolar concentrations of inosine enhanced proliferation through A3 AR activation, causing an increase in ERK1/2 levels, and P2Y1 R activation via ENT-dependent mechanisms. We propose the simultaneous activation of PLC-PKC-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 and PI3K pathways as the main mechanism responsible for the proliferative effect elicited by inosine and its significant role in melanoma cancer progression.

Adaxial/abaxial specification in the regulation of photosynthesis and stomatal opening with respect to light orientation and growth with CO2 enrichment in the C4 species Paspalum dilatatum.

Whole-plant morphology, leaf structure and composition were studied together with the effects of light orientation on the dorso-ventral regulation of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in Paspalum dilatatum cv. Raki plants grown for 6 wk at either 350 or 700 microl l(-1) CO(2). Plant biomass was doubled as a result of growth at high CO(2) and the shoot:root ratio was decreased. Stomatal density was increased in the leaves of the high CO(2)-grown plants, which had greater numbers of smaller stomata and more epidermal cells on the abaxial surface. An asymmetric surface-specific regulation of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance was observed with respect to light orientation. This was not caused by dorso-ventral variations in leaf structure, the distribution of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) proteins or light absorptance, transmittance or reflectance. Adaxial/abaxial specification in the regulation of photosynthesis results from differential sensitivity of stomatal opening to light orientation and fixed gradients of enzyme activation across the leaf.

A2A adenosine-receptor-mediated facilitation of noradrenaline release in rat tail artery involves protein kinase C activation and betagamma subunits formed after alpha2-adrenoceptor activation.

This work aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the interaction of alpha2-adrenoceptors and adenosine A2A-receptor-mediated facilitation of noradrenaline release in rat tail artery, namely the type of G-protein involved in this effect and the step or steps where the signalling cascades triggered by alpha2-adrenoceptors and A2A-receptors interact. The selective adenosine A2A-receptor agonist 2-p-(2-carboxy ethyl) phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (CGS 21680; 100 nM) enhanced tritium overflow evoked by trains of 100 pulses at 5 Hz. This effect was abolished by the selective adenosine A2A-receptor antagonist 5-amino-7-(2-phenyl ethyl)-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo-[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo [1,5-c]pyrimidine (SCH 58261; 20 nM) and by yohimbine (1 microM). CGS 21680-mediated effects were also abolished by drugs that disrupted G(i/o)-protein coupling with receptors, PTX (2 microg/ml) or NEM (40 microM), by the anti-G(salpha) peptide (2 microg/ml) anti-G(betagamma) peptide (10 microg/ml) indicating coupling of A2A-receptors to G(salpha) and suggesting a crucial role for G(betagamma) subunits in the A(2A)-receptor-mediated enhancement of tritium overflow. Furthermore, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 1 microM) or forskolin (1 microM), direct activators of protein kinase C and of adenylyl cyclase, respectively, also enhanced tritium overflow. In addition, PMA-mediated effects were not observed in the presence of either yohimbine or PTX. Results indicate that facilitatory adenosine A2A-receptors couple to G(salpha) subunits which is essential, but not sufficient, for the release facilitation to occur, requiring the involvement of G(i/o)-protein coupling (it disappears after disruption of G(i/o)-protein coupling, PTX or NEM) and/or G(betagamma) subunits (anti-G(betagamma)). We propose a mechanism for the interaction in study suggesting group 2 AC isoforms as a plausible candidate for the interaction site, as these isoforms can integrate inputs from G(salpha) subunits (released after adenosine A2A-receptor activation; prime-activation), G(betagamma) subunits (released after activation of G(i/o)-protein coupled receptors) which can directly synergistically stimulate the prime-activated AC or indirectly via G(betagamma) activation of the PLC-PKC pathway.

Immunohistochemical localization of angiotensin II receptor types 1 and 2 in the mesenteric artery from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Angiotensin II plays a crucial role in the control of blood pressure, acting at AT1 or AT2 receptors, and can act as a potent vasoconstrictor of the peripheral vasculature inducing hypertrophy, hyperplasia, or both, in resistance arteries. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the pattern of distribution of angiotensin AT1 and AT2 receptors on mesenteric artery sections differs in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) versus their respective controls (Wistar-Kyoto [WKY] rats). Immunohistochemistry using anti-AT1 or anti-AT2 antibodies was performed on perfused-fixed/paraffin-embedded mesenteric arteries from SHR and WKY rats. 3,3'-Diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride (DAB; activated by hydrogen peroxide) staining revealed distinct AT1 and AT2 labeling of all artery layers (adventitia, media and intima) from WKY rats, whereas in SHR an abundant AT1 labeling was found in both intima and adventitia and a sparser labeling in the media. There was a vast reduction of AT2 labeling throughout all layers. These results suggest a crucial role for AT2 receptors in the pathogenesis of hypertension.

Semiautomated computer-assisted image analysis to quantify 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride-immunostained small tissues.

This work aimed to develop a technique to measure stained areas in images from sample tissue sections, namely when the structure of interest does not fill the entire image field of the microscope. We propose a semiautomated computer-assisted image analysis (SACAIA) method in which brightfield color images of 3,3'-diaminobenzidene tetrahydrochloride (DAB)-stained antigens are converted to their blue component and boundaries are delineated to extract the object of interest. The number of pixels of a defined color (elicited by DAB) is counted and used to measure the stained area relative to the total area of the tissue under study. The percentages of area stained with adenosine A(1) receptor were 40.76+/-2.08 and 42.44+/-2.26% for manual analysis and SACAIA, respectively (P=0.582). A strong linear correlation of A(1) receptor quantification was found (r=0.98, P<0.001, and 95% CI=0.97 to 0.99 for manual method; r=0.99, P<0.001, and 95% CI=0.98 to 0.99 for SACAIA method). The extent to which misclassification affected staining quantification was evaluated by Bland-Altman analysis, indicating that this method can be applied accurately to quantify the immunohistochemical staining area (occupied by a specific antigen) in small sample tissues that do not fill the entire image field of the microscope.