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No está claro si el consumo de café afecta la presión arterial y los niveles de homocisteína. El objetivo fue determinar el cambio en las concentraciones plasmáticas de homocisteína y presión arterial en un grupo de voluntarios sanos. Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, clínico controlado, en el que se conformaron cuatro grupos de 29 sujetos cada uno, quienes, durante un período de seis semanas, se sometieron al consumo diario de café filtrado. El grupo 1 no consumió café, el grupo 2 consumió 200 mL de café, el grupo 3 400 mL y el 4 600 mL. Antes de la intervención se midieron: presión arterial, homocisteína, índice arterial, ácido fólico eritrocitario y vitaminas B12 y B6. Al final de la intervención, se tomó la presión arterial y se midió la concentración de homocisteína. Los resultados mostraron grupos sin diferencias significativas en las condiciones basales. Después de la intervención, el cambio en los valores de homocisteína entre los grupos, no mostró diferencia significativa y permanecieron dentro de los valores de referencia (p = 0,098). El cambio en los niveles de presión arterial sistólica y diastólica, no fue significativo (p=0,510 y 0,430 respectivamente). En conclusión, el consumo de diferentes dosis de café filtrado, no mostró cambios significativos en los niveles séricos de homocisteína como tampoco en los niveles de presión arterial sistólica y diastólica en un grupo de sujetos sanos normotensos; en el grupo que se abstuvo de tomar café, no disminuyeron de manera significativa los niveles de homocisteína y presión arterial.It is not clear if coffee consumption affects blood pressure and homocysteine levels. The objective of this study was to determine the variations in homocysteine plasma levels and blood pressure in a group of healthy volunteers. A prospective controlled clinical trial was performed; four groups of 29 patients each one were comprised and they were submitted to filtered coffee consumption during a six weeks period. Group 1 did not consume coffee; group 2 consumed 200mL coffee; group 3 consumed 400 mL and group 4 , 600 mL. Blood pressure, homocysteine levels, arterial index, erythrocyte folic acid and B12 and B6 vitamins were measured. The outcomes showed no significant differences between the groups in basal conditions. After the intervention, change in homocysteine levels between the groups did not show any significant difference and remained within the reference values (p = 0,098). Change in systolic and diastolic arterial pressure levels was not significant (p = 0,510 and 0,430 respectively). In conclusion, different filtered coffee doses consumption didn’t show significant changes in homocysteine plasma levels, nor in systolic and diastolic arterial pressure ciphers in a group of healthy normotense subjects; in the group that did not consume coffee, homocysteine levels and blood pressure had no significant decrease in these values.

Los factores de riesgo y actores que amenazan la libertad de prensa en Colombia, se constituyen en un tema de estudio que hay que acometer con prioridad, pues el problema es crítico. Este escrito pretende avanzar en el estudio del problema mediante un análisis enfocado en los actores y factores que, por regiones, más afectan la libertad de prensa. Se busca así aportar insumos que faciliten mayor profundización hasta llegar a conclusiones sólidas sobre los principales factores de riesgo para la libertad de prensa en cada región, y en recomendaciones pertinentes, viables y efectivas tanto para los periodistas como para los gobiernos locales y nacional. Las tendencias y observaciones que aquí se describen provienen de la desagregación de datos derivados de la información obtenida por el Observatorio de Medios de la Universidad de la Sabana en un trabajo realizado al despuntar el año 2003, y el cruce de ésta con la que recopiló la Asociación Democrática para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos (ASDEH) durante el año 2002.

En este artículo se analizan las razones por las cuales pudo haberse presentado la victoria de Álvaro Uribe Vélez en la primera vuelta de la pasada campaña presidencial colombiana. Partiendo de conceptos como clima de opinión y corriente de opinión, entrelazados con varios hechos políticos y sociales acaecidos durante el último año en Colombia, el autor reconstruye el surgimiento de una corriente anti-Farc en la opinión pública, que más adelante daría pie al fortalecimiento de una corriente pro-Uribe, que terminaría por llevar al candidato al triunfo en la urnas. El texto aporta además, un enfoque complementario a los aspectos observados en la investigación realizada por el Área de Periodismo de la Facultad de Comunicación Social y Periodismo de la Universidad de La Sabana, la cual se publica en este mismo número de Palabra Clave.

This study presents the first multi‐proxy palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic history for northern South America based on the palaeolimnological reconstruction of a pond located in a dry paramo at 3570 masl. During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the study area was under glacial conditions, then during global events Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1), Bølling–Allerød (BA), and the Younger Dryas (YD), the pond expanded, accumulation rates and proxies for erosion reached the highest values, indicative of humid conditions, with maxima in humidity during the BA and YD. Dry conditions and pond desiccation occurred in the Greenlandian–Northgrippian and by 6010 cal a bp the area was transformed into the mire of today. Comparisons with records from other sites in South America indicate that changes in humidity are most likely controlled by the Intertropical Convergence Zone, mainly during the glacial and postglacial, and by changes in the Pacific Ocean, more pronounced after the YD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo para evaluar la concordancia en la clasificación de niños colombianos con desnutrición según la referencia del National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) y los estándares de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Participaron 660 niños entre 0 y 59 meses con desnutrición aguda moderada (P/TZ

The varieties of dialgebras (also known as Loday-type algebras) over a given type of algebra have been the subject of multiple recent developments. We provide here a construction of such dialgebra varieties via bimodules over an algebra and a surjective equivariant map. Our construction is equivalent to the KP construction (Kolesnikov–Pozhidaev construction) when departing from the set of linearized identities of the algebra variety. The novel construction simplifies the obtention of the dialgebra equations without forcing a complete linearization of the algebra identities. We illustrate the use of the novel construction providing the dialgebras associated to several varieties of algebras, including those over diverse Lie admissible algebras. We provide some novel explorations on the structure of the dialgebras which are easily articulated through our construction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The concept of digroup has been proposed as a generalization of continuous groups whose tangent space is a Leibniz algebra. We study a further generalization of the digroup structure in which we do not demand that the inverses are necessarily bilateral. We characterize a generalized digroup as a set and as a product. We show an analogous to the first isomorphism theorem. Additionally, we explore the concept of dialgebra digroup. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two Cr species (Cr3+ and Cr6+) on N and C mineralization and dehydrogenase activity in semi-arid soils. The Cr species (250mgkg−1 soil) were either added alone or mixed with tannery sludge (0.0125gg−1) to three soils: cultivated soils, and outside and under the canopy of mesquite trees were then incubated for 180 days at 25°C. Sole Cr6+ addition had a higher inhibition of CO2 production rate in cultivated soil (58–73%) than in soils under the canopy and outside the canopy. Soil outside the canopy amended with Cr6+ showed the highest inhibition of dehydrogenase activity (40–100%) followed by cultivated and under the canopy soils. However, Cr6+ added alone increased the inhibition of nitrification in soil outside the canopy (68–84%, from 30 to 120 days), followed by under the canopy and cultivated soils. The addition of tannery sludge to Cr6+ significantly reduce the CO2 production rate and dehydrogenase activity in all three soils, and increased the inhibition of nitrification in the following order: outside the canopy, cultivated and under the canopy soils. The addition of Cr3+ or Cr3+ plus tannery sludge either stimulated or inhibited CO2 production rate, dehydrogenate activity and ammonification in the three soils in no clearly defined order. Measurement of dehydrogenase activity was the best tool for assessing the harmful effect of Cr6+ on soil microbial activity in semi-arid soils exposed for an extended period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

CD4+ T lymphocytes play a key role in the modulation of the immune response by orchestrating both effector and regulatory functions. The effect of metformin on the immunometabolism of CD4+ T lymphocytes has been scarcely studied, and its impact under high glucose conditions, particularly concerning effector responses and glucose metabolism, remains unknown. This study aims to evaluate the effect of metformin on the modulation of the effector functions and glucose metabolism of CD4+ T lymphocytes under normo- and hyperglycemic conditions. CD4+ T lymphocytes, obtained from peripheral blood from healthy volunteers, were anti-CD3/CD28-activated and cultured for 4 days with three concentrations of metformin (0.1 mM, 1 mM, and 5 mM) under normoglycemic (5.5 mM) and hyperglycemic (25 mM) conditions. Effector functions such as proliferation, cell count, cell cycle analysis, activation markers and cytokine secretion were analyzed by flow cytometry. Glucose uptake was determined using the 2-NBDG assay, and levels of glucose, lactate, and phosphofructokinase (PFK) activity were assessed by colorimetric assays. Metformin at 5 mM restrained the cell counts and proliferation of CD4+ T lymphocytes by arresting the cell cycle in the S/G2 phase at the beginning of the cell culture, without affecting cell activation, cytokine production, and glucose metabolism. In fact, CD69 expression and IL4 secretion by CD4+ T lymphocytes was higher in the presence of 5 mM than the untreated cells in both glucose conditions. Overall, metformin inhibited proliferation through mechanisms associated with cell cycle arrest, leading to an increase in the S/G2 phases at the expense of G1 in activated CD4+ T lymphocytes in normo- and hyperglycemic conditions. Despite the cell cycle arrest, activated CD4+ T lymphocytes remained metabolically, functionally, and phenotypically activated.

Aims: This study aimed to identify exposure to human, swine, and avian influenza A virus subtypes in rural companion and hunting dogs, backyard pigs, and feral pigs., Methods and Results: The study took place in a region of southeastern Mexico where the sampled individuals were part of backyard production systems in which different domestic and wild species coexist and interact with humans. We collected blood samples from pigs and dogs at each of the sites. We used a nucleoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine the exposure of individuals to influenza A virus. Haemagglutination inhibition was performed on the positive samples to determine the subtypes to which they were exposed. For data analysis, a binomial logistic regression model was generated to determine the predictor variables for the seropositivity of the individuals in the study. We identified 11 positive individuals: three backyard pigs, four companion dogs, and four hunting dogs. The pigs tested positive for H1N1 and H1N2. The dogs were positive for H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2. The model showed that dogs in contact with backyard chickens are more likely to be seropositive for influenza A viruses., Conclusions: We demonstrated the essential role hunting dogs could play as intermediate hosts and potential mixing vessel hosts when exposed to human and swine-origin viral subtypes. These results are relevant because these dogs interact with domestic hosts and humans in backyard systems, which are risk scenarios in the transmission of influenza A viruses. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to implement epidemiological surveillance of influenza A viruses in backyard animals, particularly in key animals in the transmission of these viruses, such as dogs and pigs., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: This systematic review with meta-analysis was performed to assess whether motivational interviewing (MI) effectively prevents oral morbidities in adults., Methods: Studies considered were randomized controlled trials, cluster-randomized controlled trials and community-based randomized trials assessing interventions based on MI or indicating that a counselling technique based on the principles developed by Miller and Rollnick was used. Controls were any type of oral health education or negative controls. Participants were 18-60 years old. The main outcome was any oral morbidity. From 602 studies identified in MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and LILACS databases, seven studies were included in the synthesis., Results: Studies included only evaluated periodontal outcomes, no studies were found for other oral morbidities. Patients' mean age was 43.7 years, and the follow-up time after MI or MI-based intervention varied between 1 month and 1 year. The total study population was 272 people with moderate-to-severe periodontitis; other groups analysed were pregnant women (n = 112) and patients with mental disorders and alcohol problems (n = 60). Meta-analysis for the plaque index (four studies, n = 267), bleeding on probing (two studies, n = 177) and gingival index (two studies, n = 166) were carried out. The summary effects for the random-effects model were estimated respectively as -3.59 percentage points (CI: [-11.44; 4.25] for plaque index, -6.41 percentage points (CI: [-12.18, -0.65]) for bleeding on probing and -0.70 (CI: [-1.87; 0.48]) for gingival index, marginally favouring the MI group. The reduced number of studies, the non-disclosure of some aspects of the data and the heterogeneity among them undermine the precision of the estimates., Conclusion: The current evidence available is limited to periodontal outcomes, and it is not possible to determine whether MI effectively prevents oral morbidities in adults., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Ascending aortic aneurysms are rare pathologies in childhood, especially in the absence of previous diseases such as Marfan syndrome., Objective: Present the possibility of successful endovascular management of large vessel aneurysms, using stents and microcatheters with embolization of the aneurysm sac., Method: We present the case of a previously healthy ten-year-old patient, in whom a pseudoaneurysm was documented between the origin of the left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery, successfully managed endovascularly, initially with a stent covering the neck of the aneurysm to remodel it and later with embolization of the aneurysm sac using a microcatheter., Results: Aneurysms of large vessels, such common carotid artery and subclavian artery, are at risk of rupture with devastating complications; endovascular management is considered a minimally invasive management option, with favorable results., Conclusion: The endovascular management of large vessel aneurysms using stents and microcatheters with embolization of the aneurysmal sac is a novel management option that achieves successful results., (Copyright: © 2024 Permanyer.)

Background: Several exercise methods with virtual reality devices have been used in treatments for older adults and patients with neurodegenerative diseases, although the mechanisms continue to be elucidated. The aim of this study is to establish the feasibility and effectiveness of a rehabilitation programme using low-cost virtual reality aimed at improving postural balance in older adults. It also seeks to compare low-cost virtual reality under two delivery modalities, telerehabilitation (TR) in elderly centres and face-to-face (FtF) in rehabilitation centres. Methods: The study is set up as a non-inferiority two-arm parallel triple-blind randomised controlled clinical trial. Sixteen persons aged 65 to 75-years-old will be included. Eighteen Wii therapy sessions (25-30 min) will be provided through both FtF (control group, n = 8) and TR (exposure group, n = 8), both with a Nintendo Wii balance board. Data will be collected at baseline (week 0), during the Wii therapy sessions (weeks 2, 4, and 6), and during the follow-up (weeks 8 and 10). The primary outcome will be the area of centre-of-pressure (CoP) sway; secondary outcomes will be medial-lateral and anterior-posterior velocity and standard deviation of CoP; and tertiary outcomes will be clinical measures: single-leg stand, timed up-and-go tests, Barthel Index, and Tinetti's scale. Statistical analyses will be performed using SPSS 20.00 for Windows. The trial adheres to the Declaration of Helsinki and the Chilean laws of rights and duties of the patient and research in humans. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Talca. Written informed consent will be obtained from participants. Discussion: In this trial, older adults from a Chilean city with a large rural and underserved population share will be included to test the feasibility and effectiveness of a rehabilitation programme using low-cost VR aimed at improving postural balance to generate evidence to support decision makers generating public health policy. Trial registration: Australian New Zeeland Clinical Trials Registration (ACTRN12621001380886).

Objective: To establish the feasibility and effectiveness of a rehabilitation programme using low-cost virtual reality aimed at improving postural control in children with cerebral palsy-spastic hemiplegia. It also aims to compare the effectiveness of this programme under two delivery modalities, telerehabilitation (TR) and face-to-face (FtF)., Methods: This is a registered randomized controlled clinical trial protocol (ACTRN12621000117819). Eighteen sessions of low-cost virtual reality therapy will be provided through both, FtF and TR modalities using a Nintendo Wii balance board. Each programme will last for 6 weeks and will consist of 3 sessions per week of 25 minutes each. Twenty patients diagnosed with cerebral palsy-spastic hemiplegia will be recruited for each group: FtF or TR (n = 40). Participants will be assessed at baseline, by the end of weeks 2, 4, and 6, and at weeks 8 and 10 (post-intervention follow-ups). The primary outcome will be the Center of Pressure sway area (CoParea); secondary outcomes will be standard deviation and velocity of the CoP in the mediolateral and anterior-posterior directions; tertiary outcomes will include the Modified-Modified Ashworth Scale for lower limbs, Modified Ashworth Scale for upper limbs, timed up-and-go tests, the timed one-leg standing and 6-minute walk test., Results: This study provides an assessment of the feasibility and effectiveness of an affordable rehabilitation programme using low-cost virtual reality aimed at improving postural control in children with cerebral palsy., Conclusion: The designed rehabilitation programme using low-cost virtual reality may improve postural control in children with cerebral palsy-spastic hemiplegia. The TR modality is likely to be as effective as the FtF modality. The TR programme has been designed to overcome access barriers to physiotherapy services for children with cerebral palsy in low-resource settings, remote areas, and in restricted mobility contexts., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2023 Gatica-Rojas et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: Currently, there are different food classification systems in order to inform the population of the best alternatives for consumption, considering all the diseases associated with the consumption of products of low nutritional quality. Reports indicate that these forms of labelling warnings correspond to a laudable strategy for populations that do not have the knowledge to discriminate between the wide range of products offered by the food industry. However, recent publications indicate that there may be inconsistencies between the different classification guidelines, and the guidelines that nations should adopt in their food guides are still a matter of debate. In view of this, the present study aimed to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative differences that exist between the NOVA, Nutri-Score and Chilean Front-of-package (FoP) food warning label according to the Chilean basic food basket list., Method: An analytical study was carried out to classify a list of 736 foods according to three different systems, evaluating the distributions according to their methods of classifying the products. Quantitative differences were contrasted for each system, as well as between them, together with an analysis of the dimensions of each system., Results: According to the Nutri-Score classification, the most frequent category was A with 27% (high nutritional quality), followed by D with 22% (low nutritional quality) of the total. On the other hand, the NOVA classification showed that the most frequent categorization was ultra-processed food (NOVA 4) with 54%, followed by unprocessed (NOVA 1) with 19%. Regarding the FoP warning labels, 57% of the foods were categorized as free warning labels, followed by the category of foods with 3 warning labels (23%). Regarding the results of the principal component analysis, the Nutri-Score and FoP warning labels present a degree of similarity in their classification guidelines, being different than the dimension pointed out by NOVA., Conclusion: The present work managed to demonstrate that there are quantitative and qualitative differences between the classification and recommendation guidelines of the Nutri-Score, NOVA and FoP warning labels, finding concrete discrepancies between them.

Objective: Determine and measure the association of social factors and health conditions with worse capacity and performance levels., Methods: Dependent variables consisted of performance and capacity; independent variables comprised age, gender, level of education, personal income, and health conditions. Means (95%CI) of performance and capacity were presented according to the independent variables. Generalized linear models, using a mutual adjustment for all variables considered statistically significant (p < 0.05), measured the associations between each exposure and outcomes. Study population included 12,265 individuals., Results: Older women with lower education and income levels and with some health condition showed the worst performance and capacity., Conclusion: Results showed that the capacity and performance levels of the Chilean population changed according to social demographic characteristics and health conditions.

There is a complex interaction between titanium dental implants, bone, and the immune system. Among them, specific immune cells, macrophages play a crucial role in the osseointegration dynamics. Infiltrating macrophages and resident macrophages (osteomacs) contribute to achieving an early pro-regenerative peri-implant environment. Also, multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs) in the bone-implant interface and their polarization ability, maintain a peri-implant immunological balance to preserve osseointegration integrity. However, dental implants can display cumulative levels of antigens (ions, nano and microparticles and bacterial antigens) at the implant-tissue interface activating an immune-inflammatory response. If the inflammation is not resolved or reactivated due to the stress signals and the immunogenicity of elements present, this could lead implants to aseptic loosening, infections, and subsequent bone loss. Therefore, to maintain osseointegration and prevent bone loss of implants, a better understanding of the osteoimmunology of the peri-implant environment would lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches. In this line, depicting osteoimmunological mechanisms, we discuss immunomodulatory strategies to improve and preserve a long-term functional integration between dental implants and the human body. Scientific field of dental science: implant dentistry., (© 2021 The Authors.)

Purpose: To compile the literature available about the oral health and dental care of the deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) population., Materials and Methods: The study question of this scoping review was 'What are the main findings reported in the literature about oral health and dental care of the DHH population?' The following databases were included: Web of Science, LILACS, SciELO, MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, GoogleScholar and Redalyc. Full-text articles published in peer-reviewed journals, in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, from the January 2000 to January 2018 were selected with qualitative and quantitative methods. All study designs were included in the review with the exception of letters to the editor and case reports., Results: A total of fifty articles were selected for analysis. DHH population has poorer oral hygiene and a higher prevalence of caries than their non DHH peers. DHH also report significant struggles with oral health and dental access. Most dentists experienced difficulties communicating with their DHH patients., Conclusions: This scoping review is the first known that centers on DHH oral health and their dental care. Efforts to develop accessible dental health programmes are needed to address apparent oral health inequities in the DHH population.

The permanent interaction between bone tissue and the immune system shows us the complex biology of the tissue in which we insert oral implants. At the same time, new knowledge in relation to the interaction of materials and the host, reveals to us the true nature of osseointegration. So, to achieve clinical success or perhaps most importantly, to understand why we sometimes fail, the study of oral implantology should consider the following advice equally important: a correct clinical protocol, the study of the immunomodulatory capacity of the device and the osteoimmunobiology of the host. Although osseointegration may seem adequate from the clinical point of view, a deeper vision shows us that a Foreign Body Equilibrium could be susceptible to environmental conditions. This is why maintaining this cellular balance should become our therapeutic target and, more specifically, the understanding of the main cell involved, the macrophage. The advent of new information, the development of new implant surfaces and the introduction of new therapeutic proposals such as therapeutic mechanotransduction, will allow us to maintain a healthy host-implant relationship long-term.

[Purpose] This study compared the effect of the Nintendo Wii balance board (NWBB) and Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) on the standing balance (SB) of older adults. [Participants and Methods] Twelve older adults (NWBB=7 and TCC=5) completed the intervention and two testing sessions (pre-post). SB was assessed using posturographic measures with the center of pressure (CoP) in five modes: quiet eyes open (QSB-EO) and eyes closed (QSB-EC), on sponge (SBS-EO and SBS-EC), and with optokinetic field (SB-OF). [Results] Both interventions significantly decrease the area of CoP sway (CoP Sway) in QSB-EO and SB-OF. The NWBB-group decreased CoP Sway in SBS-EC and CoP velocity (V mean ) in QSB-EO, QSB-EC, and SBS-EC. The TCC-group decreased the V mean in SBS-EO and conversely the V mean in QSB-EC increased. [Conclusion] Sponge and optokinetic field were the most unstable assessments. These findings reveal the potential benefits for SB of both interventions, however the NWBB improved more variables in the postural control of older adults.

Background: Oral health plays a crucial role in general health, quality of life and well-being of pregnant women and their newborns. In Chile, pregnant women have dental care guaranteed by law. However, due to the lack of previous epidemiological studies on the benefits of this guarantee, it is necessary to describe this situation and evaluate the need to change the methods of providing dental services., Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe the pattern of providing dental benefits resulting from the Explicit Health Guarantee - Integral Oral Health in Pregnant Women (GES-SOIE) program to pregnant women attending the Juan Soto Fernández Family Health Center, Concepción, Chile, in 2014-2015., Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study of the electronic dental records of patients admitted to GES-SOIE was conducted. The variables studied were sociodemographic data, dental chair hours, non-attendance, treatment completion, and the type of referral to secondary healthcare (SHC)., Results: Of 233 pregnant women, 65.2% were registered for non-attendance, 21.2% required referral to SHC and 76.4% completed their treatment. When performing logistic regression, it was found that for each non-attendance the chance of not completing the treatment increased 1.4 times., Conclusions: The level of non-attendance and opting out of the treatment in pregnant women is high, which hinders the proper functioning and effectiveness of GES-SOIE.

Objective: To adapt and validate the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Dentistry (REALD-30) for the Chilean population., Methods: REALD-30 was translated to Spanish, piloted, and revised by experts. Demographics, oral health status, oral health-related quality of life, and health literacy were analyzed. Summary measures, internal consistency, reliability, and convergent and predictive validity were calculated., Results: Cronbach's alpha was 0.876, intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.789 for reliability, Pearson´s and Spearman´s correlations were ≥0.693 for convergent validity, and <= *-0.138 for predictive validity., Conclusion: REALD-30 is a valid and reliable instrument to measure oral health literacy in the Chilean population.

Background: Evidence on the effect of systemic exercise programs to improve the standing balance with the Nintendo Wii system is very limited and its post-treatment effectiveness is unknown in cerebral palsy (CP) patients., Aim: Primary aim was to compare the effect of Nintendo Wii balance board (Wii-therapy) and standard physiotherapy (SPT), on the performance of standing balance in children and adolescents with CP. Secondary aim was to determine the post-treatment effectiveness of Wii-therapy and SPT., Design: Two-arm, matched-pairs, parallel-groups, randomized, controlled clinical trial., Setting: Outpatient Rehabilitation Centre in the city of Talca., Population: Patients with CP type spastic hemiplegia (SHE) and spastic diplegia (SDI), aged 7 to 14 years, and level I or II of GMFCS or GMFCS-ER. Were excluded patients with FSIQ<80, epilepsy, previous surgeries and application of Botulinum Toxin-A in the lower limb, uncorrected vision and hearing disorders., Methods: Thirty-two CP patients (10.7±3.2 years old) were randomly assigned to either Wii-therapy (SDI=7; SHE=9) or SPT intervention (SDI=7; SHE=9). In each group, patients received three sessions per week over a period of 6 weeks. Standing balance was assessed at baseline and every 2 weeks. Additionally, two follow-up assessments (4 additional weeks) were performed to determine post-treatment effectiveness. Standing balance was quantified on force platform obtaining the outcomes area of center-of-pressure (CoP) sway (CoPSway), standard deviation in the medial-lateral (SDML) and the anterior-posterior (SDAP) directions, and velocity in both directions (VML and VAP)., Results: Compared to SPT, Wii-therapy significantly reduced the CoPSway (P=0.02) and SDAP in the eyes-open condition (P=0.01). However, the effects wane after 2-4 weeks. Post-hoc analysis revealed that only SHE children benefited from Wii-therapy., Conclusions: Wii-therapy was better than SPT in improving standing balance in patients with CP, but improves the balance only in SHE patients. Also, Wii-therapy effectiveness waned 2-4 weeks after the end the intervention., Clinical Rehabilitation Impact: A systematic exercise program like Wii-therapy using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board device can be considered to improves the standing balance in patients with CP, specifically in the SHE type. This program is easy to transfer to physiotherapists and rehabilitation centers.

Objective: This study sought to evaluate the effects of a Nintendo Wii Balance Board (NWBB) intervention on ankle spasticity and static standing balance in young people with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP)., Methods: Ten children and adolescents (aged 72-204 months) with SCP participated in an exercise program with NWBB. The intervention lasted 6 weeks, 3 sessions per week, 25 minutes for each session. Ankle spasticity was assessed using the Modified Modified Ashworth Scale (MMAS), and static standing balance was quantified using posturographic measures (center-of-pressure [CoP] measures). Pre- and post-intervention measures were compared., Results: Significant decreases of spasticity in the ankle plantar flexor muscles (p < 0.01). There was also a significant reduction in the CoP sway area (p = 0.04), CoP mediolateral velocity (p =0.03), and CoP anterior-posterior velocity (p = 0.03)., Conclusion: A 6-session NWBB program reduces the spasticity at the ankle plantar flexors and improves the static standing balance in young people with SCP.

Electronic textbooks have become available in recent decades as replacements or alternatives for print versions. The aim of this descriptive cross-sectional study was to evaluate the use of electronic versus print textbooks by Chilean dental students. The target population was students from 14 Chilean dental schools. The questionnaire was adapted and translated to Spanish from a previous survey used in a similar study. It consisted of the following variables: preferred type, type used, frequency of use, source, electronic devices used to read, and disposal after use. The use of textbooks was analyzed and compared by gender and course (p≤0.05). The final sample consisted of 3,256 students (21.38±2.5 years of age, 50.8% women). Most of the participants reported using both types of texts, with most (63.9%) preferring print over electronic texts, including significantly more women (p<0.001) and first-year students (p<0.001). Most of the participants (82.8%), more women (p<0.001), and with variations over years of study (p<0.001) reported that they printed out their electronic texts, and 91.8% kept their printed material. Most of the students used electronic books on a daily basis (47.3%) or at least twice a week (30.7%). The main source of electronic textbooks was the Internet (43.8%). A personal computer was the most widely used device for reading electronic texts (95.0%), followed by a cell phone (46.4%) and a tablet (24.5%). Overall, these Chilean dental students preferred print over electronic textbooks, despite having available electronic devices.

Background: Patients with cerebral palsy (CP) typically receive limited physical therapy services. However, the Nintendo Wii system offers a simple and affordable mode of virtual reality therapy. There are no clinical trials assessing the Nintendo Wii balance board for improving standing balance in CP., Methods: This randomised clinical trial will evaluate the effectiveness of an 18-session/six-week protocol using Wii therapy (W-t) compared with conventional therapy (C-t) in Chilean CP patients. The C-t group will perform the typical exercises prescribed by physical therapists for 40 min each session. W-t will consist of a virtual reality training session using the Nintendo Wii balance board console for 30 min each session. The primary outcome variable is the area of centre-of-pressure (CoP) sway (CoP Sway ). The secondary outcomes are the standard deviation (SD ML ; SD AP ) and velocity (V ML ; V AP ) of CoP in the ML and AP directions. For a mean difference of 21.5 cm 2 (CoP Sway ) between the groups, we required a minimum of 16 participants in each group. Data will be collected at baseline (week 0), during the study (weeks 2 and 4), at the end of the study (week 6), and during the follow-up (weeks 8 and 10). Measurements of postural control during quiet standing for both groups will be assessed on a force platform AMTI OR67., Discussion: This is the first trial that measures and compares the effects of a Nintendo Wii Balance Board exercise programme on standing balance in children with cerebral palsy compared to conventional therapy.

Background: Environmental pollution is a risk factor for cardiorespiratory diseases. Energy generated by thermoelectric power plants (TEPP) represents a relevant source of pollution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between living near a coal-fired TEPP and the consultation rates for bronchial obstructive crises (BOC) in the province of Concepción, Chile., Methods: Population-based study. The epidemiological weeks from 2012 to 2014 were analyzed. The dependent variable was the emergency consultation rate for BOC in two health centers within 5 km of a TEPP (Coronel) and two that were more than 40 Km away from a TEPP (Talcahuano). The independent variables were the commune, climatological variables (air temperature and relative atmospheric humidity), environmental pollutants (PM 10 , PM 2.5 and nitrogen oxide), weeks with the highest consultation rate and the years. Rates, Pearson's correlation and gross risk measures were calculated and adjusted for environmental and climatological variables., Results: BOC rates were significantly higher in Coronel (RR = 4.9 95% CI 4.0-5.8; p < 0.05). The PM 2.5 it showed the strongest correlation with BOC rates (r = 0.3; p < 0.01) in Coronel, but not Talcahuano. Linear regression modelling indicated that proximity to a TEPP (health center location) and temperature explained 26 and 18% of the variance in BOC rates, respectively., Conclusions: Rates of emergency consultation for BOC were significantly higher among a population living within 5 km of a coal-fired TEPP than those living 40 km away.

[Purpose] This study aimed to explore the possibility of improving functional balance using an exercise program with Nintendo and the Balance Board peripheral in subjects with cerebral palsy. [Subjects and Methods] This study included 4 male outpatients of a neurological center. All participants received an exercise program based on the use of Nintendo with the Balance Board peripheral. Training consisted of three 25-min sessions per week for 6 weeks. Each session was guided by a physical therapist. Timed up-and-go and one-leg standing tests were conducted before and after the intervention. [Results] All subjects showed significant improvements in the results of the timed up-and-go test. However, there were no significant changes in the results of the one-leg standing test. [Conclusion] The exercise protocol involving Nintendo with the Balance Board peripheral appears to improve functional dynamic balance in patients with cerebral palsy. However, static functional balance does not improve after 6 weeks of training.

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the correlation between center of pressure and functional balance in non-faller elderly practitioners of Tai Chi. [Subjects and Methods] For the study, nine non-faller elderly practitioners of Tai Chi who were able to maintain a standing posture and walk independently were recruited. Timed one-leg standing and timed up-and-go tests were used as functional balance tests and force platform to measure the center of pressure. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated for the timed up-and-go/timed one-leg standing test scores and center of pressure parameter values. [Results] None of the correlations was statistically significant, but moderate correlations were observed between the pairs timed one-leg standing/sway area of center of pressure, timed one-leg standing/standard deviation of center of pressure in the mediolateral direction, timed one-leg standing/mean velocity of center of pressure in the anteroposterior direction, and timed up-and-go test sway area of center of pressure. [Conclusion] Timed one-leg standing is more appropriate than timed up-and-go test for the measurement of functional balance in non-faller elderly practitioners of Tai Chi.

Purpose: To determine the best treatment option for not complicated acute appendicitis (AA) in adult patients, between single incision laparoscopy (SIL) and conventional laparoscopy (CL), measured by morbidity associated with disease., Methods: Systematic review. Articles of adults diagnosed with AA treated by SIL or CL were analyzed. Databases included: MEDLINE, LILACS, IBECS, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane, using MeSH terms and free words. The studies were analyzed using the MINCIR methodology. Variables included: conversion rate, morbidity, hospital stay, surgery duration, and methodological quality (MQ) of primary studies. Averages, medians and weighted averages were calculated., Results: Thirteen articles were analyzed. For SIL and CL the conversion rate were 3.4% and 0.7 %, the morbidity were 8% and 6.5%, the hospital stay were 2.5 and 2.8 days, the surgery duration were 53.4 and 53.8 minutes, and the MQ were 14.3±6.6 and 16.0±6.9 points, respectively., Conclusion: With the exception of the conversion rate, there are no differences between single incision laparoscopy and conventional laparoscopy for the treatment of acute appendicitis in adults.

Increased prevalence of obesity in the world, especially accumulation of abnormal amounts of visceral fat predisposes to insulin resistance, which is the central role of metabolic syndrome (MS). Obesity can deregulate the intracellular signaling of insulin due to the production of inflammatory substances, chemoattractant proteins, adipokines and molecules that trigger hormonal mediator potentials for destabilization of signal transduction, leading to metabolic disorders such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The complexity of the MS and of the genetic mechanisms involved in its etiology derives from the combination of variants on genes involved and environmental factors that predispose it. The purpose of this paper is to review the effects of obesity in molecular and biochemical responses that trigger insulin resistance and its relation to some candidate genes and the ancestral component of the population.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two Cr species (Cr(3+) and Cr(6+)) on N and C mineralization and dehydrogenase activity in semi-arid soils. The Cr species (250 mg kg(-1)soil) were either added alone or mixed with tannery sludge (0.0125 g g(-1)) to three soils: cultivated soils, and outside and under the canopy of mesquite trees were then incubated for 180 days at 25 degrees C. Sole Cr(6+) addition had a higher inhibition of CO(2) production rate in cultivated soil (58-73%) than in soils under the canopy and outside the canopy. Soil outside the canopy amended with Cr(6+) showed the highest inhibition of dehydrogenase activity (40-100%) followed by cultivated and under the canopy soils. However, Cr(6+) added alone increased the inhibition of nitrification in soil outside the canopy (68-84%, from 30 to 120 days), followed by under the canopy and cultivated soils. The addition of tannery sludge to Cr(6+) significantly reduce the CO(2) production rate and dehydrogenase activity in all three soils, and increased the inhibition of nitrification in the following order: outside the canopy, cultivated and under the canopy soils. The addition of Cr(3+) or Cr(3+) plus tannery sludge either stimulated or inhibited CO(2) production rate, dehydrogenate activity and ammonification in the three soils in no clearly defined order. Measurement of dehydrogenase activity was the best tool for assessing the harmful effect of Cr(6+) on soil microbial activity in semi-arid soils exposed for an extended period.

A comparative study was performed on the venoms of adult specimens of the neotropical rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus, from Guatemala, Costa Rica, Venezuela and Brazil, together with the venom of newborn specimens of C. d. durissus from Costa Rica. Venoms from Brazil (C. d. terrificus) and from newborn specimens of C. d. durissus presented an electrophoretic pattern characterized by the predominance of bands with molecular mass of 36 and 15 kDa, whereas those of adult specimens of C. d. durissus from Guatemala and Costa Rica, and C. d. cumanensis from Venezuela, showed a conspicuous band of 62 kDa, and additional bands of 36, 29 and 15 kDa. Moreover, venoms from C. d. terrificus and C. d. cumanensis showed a prominent band of < 10 kDa that probably corresponds to crotamine, since a 'crotamine-like' activity was detected in these venoms upon intraperitoneal injection in mice. Venoms of C. d. terrificus, C. d cumanensis and newborn C. d. durissus induced higher lethal and myotoxic effects than those of adult C. d. durissus. In contrast, adult C. d. durissus and C. d. cumanensis venoms induced hemorrhage, whereas venoms of C. d. terrificus and newborn C. d. durissus lacked this effect. All venoms showed coagulant effect in plasma, the highest activity being observed in the venom of newborn C. d. durissus. An anti-crotalic antivenom produced by Instituto Butantan (Brazil), using C. d. terrificus venom as antigen, was effective in the neutralization of lethal, myotoxic and coagulant effects of all venoms studied, being ineffective in the neutralization of hemorrhagic activity of the venoms of C. d. cumanensis and C. d. durissus. On the other hand, a polyvalent antivenom produced by Instituto Clodomiro Picado (Costa Rica), using the venoms of C. d. durissus. Bothrops asper and Lachesis stenophrys as antigens, was able to neutralize lethal, myotoxic, coagulant and hemorrhagic effects of C. d. durissus venom, but was ineffective in the neutralization of lethality and myotoxicity of C. d. terrificus, C. d. cumanensis and newborn C. d. durissus venom. The high toxicity of South American and newborn C. d. durissus venoms is related to the presence of high concentrations of the neurotoxic phospholipase A2 complex 'crotoxin'. Accordingly, antivenom from Instituto Butantan has a much higher titer of anti-crotoxin antibodies than antivenom from Instituto Clodomiro Picado. Crotalus durissus represents an example of intraspecies variation in venom composition and pharmacology that has relevant pathophysiologic and therapeutic implications.

A comparative study was performed on the venoms of the crotaline snake Atropoides nummifer from Guatemala and Honduras. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, under reducing conditions, revealed a highly similar pattern of these venoms, and between them and the venom of the same species from Costa Rica. Similar patterns were also observed in ion-exchange chromatography on CM-Shephadex C-25, in which a highly basic myotoxic fraction was present. This fraction was devoid of phospholipase A(2) activity and strongly reacted, by enzyme-immunoassay, with an antiserum against Bothrops asper myotoxin II, a Lys-49 phospholipase A(2) homologue. A basic myotoxin of 16 kDa was isolated to homogeneity from the venom of A. nummifer from Honduras, showing amino acid composition and N-terminal sequence similar to those of Lys-49 phospholipase A(2) variants previously isolated from other crotaline snake venoms. Guatemalan and Honduran A. nummifer venoms have a qualitatively similar toxicological profile, characterized by: lethal; hemorrhagic; myotoxic; edema-forming; coagulant; and defibrinating activities, although there were significant quantitative variations in some of these activities between the two venoms. Neutralization of toxic activities by two commercially-available antivenoms in the region was studied. Polyvalent antivenom produced by Instituto Clodomiro Picado was effective in the neutralization of: lethal; hemorrhagic; myotoxic; coagulant; defibrinating; and phospholipase A(2) activities, but ineffective against edema-forming activity. On the other hand, MYN polyvalent antivenom neutralized: hemorrhagic; myotoxic; coagulant; defibrinating; and phospholipase A(2) activities, albeit with a lower potency than Instituto Clodomiro Picado antivenom. MYN antivenom failed to neutralize lethal and edema-forming activities of A. nummifer venoms.

Bothrops asper is responsible for approximately half of the snakebite envenomations in Central America. Despite its medical relevance, only the venom of Costa Rican populations of this species has been studied to some detail, and there is very little information on intraspecies variability in venom composition and toxicity. Venom of B. asper from Guatemala was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and its basic pharmacological activities were investigated with standard laboratory assays. Venom has lethal, hemorrhagic, myotoxic, edema-forming, coagulant, defibrinating and phospholipase A(2) activities, showing a similar toxicological profile to the one previously described for B. asper from Costa Rica. In addition, polyvalent antivenoms produced in Mexico and Costa Rica, and currently used in Guatemala, were tested for their ability to neutralize venom's toxic activities. Both antivenoms were effective against all effects studied, although the Costa Rican product showed higher potency against most activities tested and higher antibody titer against venom components, as determined by enzyme immunoassay. It is suggested that different dosage regimes should be considered when using these antivenoms in B. asper envenomations in Guatemala.

54 African and Mexican American adolescent first-time offenders were examined with the MMPI-A to evaluate ethnic differences. Multivariate analyses by ethnicity and MMPI-A scales (validity, clinical, content, and supplementary scales) were not significant; however, there was a significant univariate difference where African American adolescents scored significantly higher on the Repression scale than the Mexican American group. A greater percentage of within-normal-limits profiles were African American (50%) than Mexican American (25%). Research and clinical implications for using the MMPI-A with these groups are discussed.

Objective: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) have been found in up to 25% of adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in 69% of affected children. We investigated ANCA and antibodies to myeloperoxidase (MPO) in 50 children with SLE., Methods: ANCA in serum were measured by indirect immunofluorescence and antibodies to MPO by ELISA., Results: ANCA were found in 8 (7 perinuclear ANCA, 1 cytoplasmic ANCA) of the 50 sera tested (16%). All the 8 ANCA positive patients were also positive for anti-MPO antibodies. No association with vasculitis or specific organ involvement was observed., Conclusion: Our results in children are roughly similar to those reported for adults.

The mechanism by which Helicobacter pylori associates with the development of upper gastrointestinal diseases is still not well understood. Toxic metabolites of H. pylori are discussed as possible factors. We were interested to investigate, whether biogenic amines might be involved. Ten monocultures of H. pylori from the antrum of patients with H. pylori associated diseases were analyzed for the content of the biogenic amine histamine. The bacteria were isolated on Columbia blood agar with Skirrow's supplement in a microaerophilic environment. After three passages onto fresh agar plates the bacteria were harvested in their sonicated suspensions analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). From the HPLC analysis, histamine was found in six cultures. Analysis with GC-MS, however, revealed the presence of histamine in all the cultures (0.1-1.63 nmol histamine/10(8) bacteria). Additionally to histamine, all cultures were found to contain spermidine in concentrations of 0.010-7.912 nmol/10(8) bacteria. It is discussed that histamine produced by H. pylori may be involved in the pathogenesis of H. pylori associated gastrointestinal diseases.

A procedure for the selective ion-pair extraction of histamine from various biological fluids and tissues by using the ion-pairing agent bis(2-ethylhexyl)hydrogen-phosphoric acid has been developed. This procedure enabled routine determination of histamine in plasma, urine and tissue samples of humans and rats by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection using o-phthaldialdehyde.