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Introduction: The relationship between the entorhinal cortex (EC) and the hippocampus has been studied by different authors, who have highlighted the importance of grid cells, place cells, and the trisynaptic circuit in the processes that they regulate: the persistence of spatial, explicit, and recent memory and their possible impairment with ageing. Objective: We aimed to determine whether older age causes changes in the size and number of grid cells contained in layer III of the EC and in the granular layer of the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus. Methods: We conducted post-mortem studies of the brains of 6 individuals aged 56–87 years. The brain sections containing the DG and the adjacent EC were stained according to the Klüver-Barrera method, then the ImageJ software was used to measure the individual neuronal area, the total neuronal area, and the number of neurons contained in rectangular areas in layer III of the EC and layer II of the DG. Statistical analysis was subsequently performed. Results: We observed an age-related reduction in the cell population of the external pyramidal layer of the EC, and in the number of neurons in the granular layer of the DG. Conclusion: Our results indicate that ageing causes a decrease in the size and density of grid cells of the EC and place cells of the DG. Resumen: Introducción: La relación entre la corteza entorrinal y el hipocampo ha sido estudiada por diferentes autores, que han destacado la importancia de las células de cuadrícula, las células de posicionamiento y la conexión trisináptica, en los procesos que regulan; la persistencia de la memoria espacial, explícita y reciente y su posible afección con envejecimiento. Objetivo: Observar si existen diferencias en el tamaño y número de células de cuadrícula contenidas en la lámina tres de la corteza entorrinal y en la capa granular del giro dentado del hipocampo de pacientes mayores. Metodología: Realizamos estudios post-mortem del cerebro de 6 sujetos de edades comprendidas entre los 56 y 87 años. Los cortes de cerebros que contenían el giro dentado (GD) del hipocampo y la corteza entorrinal (CE) adyacente se tiñeron con el método de Klüver- Barrera, después se midió, mediante el programa Image J, el área neuronal individual, el área neuronal total, así como el número de neuronas, contenidas en cuadrículas rectangulares a nivel de la lámina III del CE y la lámina II del GD y se lleva a cabo un análisis estadístico. Resultados: Se ha observado una reducción de la población celular de la capa piramidal externa de la CE, así como de las neuronas de la capa granular del giro dentado relacionada con el envejecimiento. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados indican que el envejecimiento produce una disminución en el tamaño y la densidad neuronal en las células de cuadricula del córtex entorrinal y de posicionamiento del giro dentado.

Resumen: Introducción: La relación entre la corteza entorrinal y el hipocampo ha sido estudiada por diferentes autores, que han destacado la importancia de las células de cuadrícula, las células de posicionamiento y la conexión trisináptica en los procesos que regulan: la persistencia de la memoria espacial, explícita y reciente, y su posible afección con el envejecimiento. Objetivo: Observar si existen diferencias en el tamaño y número de células de cuadrícula contenidas en la lámina iii de la corteza entorrinal y en la capa granular del giro dentado del hipocampo de pacientes mayores. Métodos: Realizamos estudios posmortem del cerebro de 6 sujetos de edades comprendidas entre los 56 y 87 años. Los cortes de cerebros que contenían el giro dentado del hipocampo y la corteza entorrinal adyacente se tiñeron con el método de Klüver-Barrera, después se midió, mediante el programa Image J, el área neuronal individual, el área neuronal total, así como el número de neuronas, contenidas en cuadrículas rectangulares a nivel de la lámina iii de la corteza entorrinal y la lámina ii del giro dentado y se llevó a cabo un análisis estadístico. Resultados: Se ha observado una reducción de la población celular de la capa piramidal externa de la corteza entorrinal, así como de las neuronas de la capa granular del giro dentado relacionada con el envejecimiento. Conclusión: Nuestros resultados indican que el envejecimiento produce una disminución en el tamaño y la densidad neuronal en las células de cuadrícula de la corteza entorrinal y de posicionamiento del giro dentado. Abstract: Introduction: The relationship between the entorhinal cortex and the hippocampus has been studied by different authors, who have highlighted the importance of grid cells, place cells, and the trisynaptic circuit in the processes that they regulate: the persistence of spatial, explicit, and recent memory and their possible impairment with ageing. Objective: We aimed to determine whether older age causes changes in the size and number of grid cells contained in layer III of the entorhinal cortex and in the granular layer of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Methods: We conducted post-mortem studies of the brains of 6 individuals aged 56-87 years. The brain sections containing the dentate gyrus and the adjacent entorhinal cortex were stained according to the Klüver-Barrera method, then the Image J software was used to measure the individual neuronal area, the total neuronal area, and the number of neurons contained in rectangular areas in layer III of the entorhinal cortex and layer II of the dentate gyrus. Statistical analysis was subsequently performed. Results: We observed an age-related reduction in the cell population of the external pyramidal layer of the entorhinal cortex, and in the number of neurons in the granular layer of the dentate gyrus. Conclusion: Our results indicate that ageing causes a decrease in the size and density of grid cells of the entorhinal cortex and place cells of the dentate gyrus.

Transgastric and transduodenal endoscopic drainages and necrosectomy are minimally invasive and effective way for the treatment of infected necrosis in the setting of acute pancreatitis (AP), but are limited in case of large and distant collections or in case of altered anatomy. We present an exclusively endoscopic approach consisting of multimodal endoscopic necrosectomy. We included consecutive patients with severe AP and presenting with large and infected necrosis requiring one transgastric and at least one extra-gastric access, among which are percutaneous, transcolonic, and/or transgrelic access. All accesses and necrosectomy sessions were performed endoscopically with CO2 insufflation. Six consecutive patients were treated. The location of infected collections were perigastric (100%), right and left paracolonic (67% and 67%), and paraduodenal (33%). All patients had transgastric or transduodenal access, all had at least one percutaneous access (total: 7 accesses), one had one transcolonic access, and one had one transjejunal access. A median of 4 necrosectomy sessions (2–5) were performed. All patients recovered without additional surgical necrosectomy. Full endoscopic multimodal management of infected necrosis with step-up approach seems feasible, safe, and effective in very large collections.

Summary: Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary amino acid density and exogenous protease inclusion on growth performance and amino acid digestibility in poultry. In experiment 1, Cobb 500 broiler chicks (n = 480) were fed to 21 d of age. Treatments were arranged as a 2 × 4 factorial design with main effects of commercial protease (with or without) and amino acid density which corresponded to approximately 95, 97.5, 100, or 102.5% of breeder recommendations for digestible Lys. In experiment 2, hybrid turkey poults (n = 780) were fed diets formulated to provide low or adequate amino acid density (approximately 91 and 100% of the NRC-recommended requirement for digestible Lys, respectively) with each diet being fed with or without an exogenous protease. Poults received experimental diets from day 1 to 42 of age. Growth performance metrics were calculated from pen weights and feed consumption recorded throughout each experiment, and digestibility data were obtained from analysis of ileal contents. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 with pen as the experimental unit and pen location as the blocking factor. Results of these experiments demonstrated broilers fed 1.12 and 1.21% digestible Lys diets with added protease had a 2-point improvement in feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with chicks fed these diets without protease. Increasing amino acid density improved FCR in broilers and poults and improved BW, ADG, and ADFI in poults. There was no evidence that added protease had an effect on BW, ADG, or ADFI in broilers or poults. Finally, ileal amino acid digestibility was not affected by amino acid density or protease inclusion for either 20-day-old broiler chicks or 42-day-old turkey poults.

Two separate experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of betaGRO® supplementation on in vitro porcine fetal myoblasts (PFM) and porcine satellite cells (PSC) proliferation, fusion and myotube thickness. The PFM and PSC were isolated from the m. longissimus dorsi of day 60 of gestation fetuses and piglets within 24 h of birth, respectively. Proliferation assays were conducted as 4×3 factorial arrangements with time of culture (24, 48, 72, 96 h) and media treatment (standard porcine media supplemented with 10% (vol/vol) fetal bovine serum (HS); HS without 10% fetal bovine serum (LS); and LS supplemented with 10 mg/ml betaGRO® (BG)) as main effects. Fusion and myotube growth assays were conducted as 2×2 factorial designs with serum concentration (HS or LS), and betaGRO® inclusion (0 or 10 mg/ml) as main effects. There was a treatment×time interaction and betaGRO®×serum interactions for proliferation, fusion and myotube thickness of PFM (P

A new set of genetically generated electrically small thin-wire antennas with a better performance than that of several families of Sierpinsky prefractal monopoles of the same electrical size at resonance is presented.

We report the discovery of massif-type anorthosites in the Andean basement of the Western Sierras Pampeanas of Argentina. U-Pb zircon dating (by sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe) of a cogenetic gabbronorite dyke yields ages of 1070 [+ or -] 41 Ma for igneous emplacement and 431 [+ or -] 40 Ma for metamorphism. These anorthosites are petrologically and geochemically comparable with those of the Grenville province of Laurentia. Palaeogeographical reconstructions of Rodinia at 1.0-1.1 Ga suggest that the Sierras Pampeanas anorthosites were part of a large anorthosite province in the late Mesoproterozoic. Keywords: Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina, Neoproterozoic, Rodinia, SHRIMP data, anorthosites.

Introduction: Hip replacement is one of the most successful operations in orthopaedic surgery. Periprosthetic hip fractures (PPHF) have very serious consequences for the patient, and they also entail a very important economic impact on healthcare systems. The aim of the study was to provide the first detailed cost analysis of PPHF in a traumatology and orthopaedics service in a third level hospital in Spain. Methods: The study included all patients admitted between 2009 and 2019 with a diagnosis of “PPHF”. We assessed hospital stay cost, total cost of the operating theatre, cost of the implants used, analyses, consultations with other specialists, rehabilitation sessions, radiological tests, microbiology, blood transfusions and other surgical operations during the same admission. Results: 78 patients were included in the study, 49 women and 29 men, with a mean age of 78.74 years (R 45–92). 69 patients received surgical treatment, 75% had open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and 25% had revision surgery. The total cost was €1,139,650.17. The average cost was €14,610.90. Significantly higher costs were incurred for revision compared to ORIF treatments, admissions that lasted more than 30 days, and patients who required more than one operation during admission. The most costly factors were the hospital stay (46%), the cost of the surgery itself (35%), and the implants (24%). Conclusions: Revision arthroplasty versus ORIF treatment, admissions lasting more than 30 days, and patients requiring more than one operation on admission incurred significantly higher costs. The average cost, from a hospital perspective, generated by a PPHF was €14,610.90. The most costly factors were, in descending order, the hospital stay, the cost of the surgery itself, and the implants. It is necessary to establish protocols and updated therapeutic algorithms in the perioperative management of PPHF in order to reduce both morbidity rates and associated costs. Resumen: Introducción: La artroplastia de cadera es una de las operaciones con mejores resultados en cirugía ortopédica. Las fracturas periprotésicas de cadera (FPPC) tienen consecuencias muy graves para el paciente y además suponen un impacto económico muy importante para los sistemas sanitarios. El objetivo del estudio es realizar el primer análisis detallado de los costes de las FPPC en un Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología en un hospital universitario de tercer nivel en España. Métodos: El estudio incluyó a todos los pacientes ingresados entre 2009 y 2019 con el diagnóstico de «FPPC». Se evaluaron el coste de la estancia hospitalaria, el coste total del quirófano, el coste de los implantes utilizados, los análisis de sangre, las consultas con otros especialistas, las sesiones de rehabilitación, las pruebas radiológicas, la microbiología, las transfusiones de sangre y otras intervenciones quirúrgicas durante el mismo ingreso. Resultados: Se incluyó a un total de 78 pacientes, 49 mujeres y 29 hombres, con una edad media de 78,74 años (R 45-92); 69 pacientes recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico, el 75% se sometió a reducción abierta y fijación interna (RAFI) y el 25% a revisión protésica. El coste total fue de 1.139.650,17 €. El coste medio fue de 14.610,90 €. Los costes fueron significativamente más elevados en la revisión protésica que en la RAFI, en los ingresos que duraron más de 30 días y en los pacientes que requirieron más de una intervención quirúrgica durante el ingreso. Los factores que más influyeron en el coste fueron la estancia hospitalaria (46%), el coste de la intervención quirúrgica (35%) y el de los implantes (24%). Conclusiones: La cirugía de revisión protésica frente a RAFI, los ingresos de más de 30 días y los pacientes que requirieron más de una intervención quirúrgica durante el ingreso supusieron costes significativamente mayores. El coste medio, desde el punto de vista hospitalario, generado por una FPPC fue de 14.610,90 €. Los factores que más influyeron en el coste, en orden decreciente, fueron la estancia hospitalaria, el coste de la intervención quirúrgica y el de los implantes. Es necesario establecer protocolos y algoritmos terapéuticos actualizados en el manejo perioperatorio de la FPPC para reducir tanto las tasas de morbilidad como los costes asociados.

In this paper, a novel method for evaluating the degree of haze on the surface of bright-finish AISI 430 ferritic stainless steels is presented. Haze is an undesirable effect that typically manifests as a loss of brightness and specularity on the steel surface. Visual inspections are used for quality control, with the tested product compared to reference surfaces. This method is strongly influenced by the visual acuity of the operator and the lighting conditions of the production line. In addition, the use of portable glossmeters does not provide a good correlation between the degree of cloudiness and the parameters of the instrument, which are typically defined for evaluating painted surfaces. Furthermore, neither method allows for a quantification of the degree of haze in the stainless steel, only an acceptance or rejection evaluation. The method described in this paper attempts to overcome these limitations by analyzing gray-level histograms of images of high-contrast Ronchi-type patterns reflected on the steel surfaces. The results show that this method is sensitive to haze and allows the degree of haze on the surfaces of these industrial products to be quantified.

Resumen: Introducción: La artroplastia de cadera es una de las operaciones con mejores resultados en cirugía ortopédica. Las fracturas periprotésicas de cadera (FPPC) tienen consecuencias muy graves para el paciente y además suponen un impacto económico muy importante para los sistemas sanitarios. El objetivo del estudio es realizar el primer análisis detallado de los costes de las FPPC en un Servicio de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología en un hospital universitario de tercer nivel en España. Métodos: El estudio incluyó a todos los pacientes ingresados entre 2009 y 2019 con el diagnóstico de «FPPC». Se evaluaron el coste de la estancia hospitalaria, del quirófano, de los implantes utilizados, los análisis de sangre, las consultas con otros especialistas, las sesiones de rehabilitación, las pruebas radiológicas, la microbiología, las transfusiones de sangre y otras intervenciones quirúrgicas durante el mismo ingreso. Resultados: Se incluyeron a un total de 78 pacientes, 49 mujeres y 29 hombres, con una edad media de 78,74 años (R 45-92); 69 pacientes recibieron tratamiento quirúrgico, 75% se sometió a reducción abierta y fijación interna (RAFI) y 25% a revisión protésica. El coste total fue de 1.139.650,17 €. El coste medio fue de 14.610,90 €. Los costes fueron significativamente más elevados en la revisión protésica que en la RAFI, en los ingresos que duraron más de 30 días y en los pacientes que requirieron más de una intervención quirúrgica durante el ingreso. Los factores que más influyeron en el coste fueron la estancia hospitalaria (46%), el coste de la intervención quirúrgica (35%) y el de los implantes (24%). Conclusiones: La cirugía de revisión protésica frente a RAFI, los ingresos de más de 30 días y los pacientes que requirieron más de una intervención quirúrgica durante el ingreso supusieron costes significativamente mayores. El coste medio, desde el punto de vista hospitalario, generado por una FPPC fue de 14.610,90 €. Los factores que más influyeron en el coste, en orden decreciente, fueron la estancia hospitalaria, el coste de la intervención quirúrgica y el de los implantes. Es necesario establecer protocolos y algoritmos terapéuticos actualizados en el manejo perioperatorio de la FPPC para reducir tanto las tasas de morbilidad como los costes asociados. Abstract: Introduction: Hip replacement is one of the most successful operations in orthopaedic surgery. Periprosthetic hip fractures (PPHF) have very serious consequences for the patient, and they also entail a very important economic impact on healthcare systems. The aim of the study was to provide the first detailed cost analysis of PPHF in a traumatology and orthopaedics service in a third level hospital in Spain. Methods: The study included all patients admitted between 2009 and 2019 with a diagnosis of «PPHF». We assessed hospital stay cost, total cost of the operating theatre, cost of the implants used, analyses, consultations with other specialists, rehabilitation sessions, radiological tests, microbiology, blood transfusions and other surgical operations during the same admission. Results: Seventy-eight patients were included in the study, 49 women and 29 men, with a mean age of 78.74 years (R 45–92). Sixty-nine patients received surgical treatment, 75% had open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), and 25% had revision surgery. The total cost was €1 139 650.17. The average cost was €14 610.90. Significantly higher costs were incurred for revision compared to ORIF treatments, admissions that lasted more than 30 days, and patients who required more than one operation during admission. The most costly factors were the hospital stay (46%), the cost of the surgery itself (35%), and the implants (24%). Conclusions: Revision arthroplasty versus ORIF treatment, admissions lasting more than 30 days, and patients requiring more than one operation on admission incurred significantly higher costs. The average cost, from a hospital perspective, generated by a PPHF was €14 610.90. The most costly factors were, in descending order, the hospital stay, the cost of the surgery itself, and the implants. It is necessary to establish protocols and updated therapeutic algorithms in the perioperative management of PPHF in order to reduce both morbidity rates and associated costs.

The Northeast Atlantic, a highly productive maritime area, has been exposed to a wide range of direct human pressures, such as fishing, shipping, coastal development, pollution, and non-indigenous species (NIS) introductions, in addition to anthropogenically-driven global climate change. Nonetheless, this regional sea supports a high diversity of species and habitats, whose functioning provides a variety of ecosystem services, essential for human welfare. In 2017, OSPAR, the Northeast Atlantic Regional Seas Commission, delivered an assessment of marine biodiversity for the Northeast Atlantic. This assessment examined biodiversity indicators separately to identify changes in Northeast Atlantic biodiversity, but stopped short of determining the status of biodiversity for many species and habitats. Here, we expand on this work and for the first time, a semi-quantitative approach is applied to evaluate holistically the state of Northeast Atlantic marine biodiversity across marine food webs, from plankton to top predators, via fish, pelagic and benthic habitats, including xeno-biodiversity (i.e. NIS). Our analysis reveals widespread degradation in marine ecosystems and biodiversity, particularly for marine birds and coastal bottlenose dolphins, as well as for benthic habitats and fish in some regions. The poor biodiversity status of these ecosystem components is likely the result of cumulative effects of human activities, such as habitat destruction or disturbance, overexploitation, eutrophication, the introduction of NIS, and climate change. Bright spots are also revealed, such as recent signs of recovery in some fish and marine bird communities and recovery in harbour and grey seal populations and the condition of coastal benthic communities in some regions. The status of many indicators across all ecosystem components, but particularly for the novel pelagic habitats, food webs and NIS indicators, however, remains uncertain due to gaps in data, unclear pressure-state relationships, and the non-linear influence of some pressures on biodiversity indicators. Improving monitoring and data access and increasing understanding of pressure-state relationships, including those that are non-linear, is therefore a priority for enabling future assessments, as is consistent and stable resourcing for expert involvement.

Indicators are key tools used to assess the ecological status of the environment for ecosystem based management. Anthropogenic disturbances produce changes to habitat condition, which include modifications in species composition and their functions. Monitoring a group of sentinel species (from a taxonomic and functional point of view) provides useful insights into benthic habitat condition. Here, a new indicator, Sentinels of the Seabed (SoS) is proposed to assess state of benthic habitats using “sentinel” species (species which are characteristic of a habitat and sensitive to a given pressure). The selection of these sentinel species has two stages. First, a ‘typical species set’ is computed using intra-habitat similarity and frequency under reference conditions. Second, the ‘sentinel species set’ is generated by selecting the most sensitive species from the typical species set. This selection is made using specific indexes able to assess species sensitivity to a particular pressure. The SoS indicator method was tested on six case studies and two different pressure types (trawling disturbance and pollution), using data from otter trawl, box-corer and Remote Operate Vehicle images. In each scenario, the SoS indicator was compared to the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Margalef index and total biomass, being the only metric, which showed the expected significant negative response to pressure in all cases. Our results shows that SoS was highly effective in assessing benthic habitats status under both physical and chemical pressures, regardless of the sampling gear, the habitat, or the case study, showing a great potential to be a useful tool in the management of marine ecosystems.

Production planning in 3D printing factories brings new challenges among which the scheduling of parts to be produced stands out. A main issue is to increase the efficiency of the plant and 3D printers productivity. Planning, scheduling, and nesting in 3D printing are recurrent problems in the search for new techniques to promote the development of this technology. In this work, we address the problem for the suppliers that have to schedule their daily production. This problem is part of the LONJA3D model, a managed 3D printing market where the parts ordered by the customers are reorganized into new batches so that suppliers can optimize their production capacity. In this paper, we propose a method derived from the design of combinatorial auctions to solve the nesting problem in 3D printing. First, we propose the use of a heuristic to create potential manufacturing batches. Then, we compute the expected return for each batch. The selected batch should generate the highest income. Several experiments have been tested to validate the process. This method is a first approach to the planning problem in 3D printing and further research is proposed to improve the procedure.

Short-chain enoyl-CoA hydratase (ECHS1) is a mitochondrial beta-oxidation enzyme involved in the metabolism of acyl-CoA fatty acid esters, as well as in valine metabolism. ECHS1 deficiency has multiple manifestations, including Leigh syndrome early at birth or in childhood with poor prognosis, to cutis laxa, exercise-induced dystonia and congenital lactic acidosis.Here we describe the case of a newborn with mutations in ECHS1 that caught our attention after the incidental finding of 3-hydroxy-butyryl/3-hydroxy-isobutyryl/malonylcarnitine (C4OH/C3DC) and tiglylcarnitine (C5:1) on blood spot in the newborn screening (NBS) program. Diagnosis was suspected based on the analysis of organic acids on dried urine spot. A moderate increase of 2-methyl-2,3-dihydroxybutyric acid, was detected, which is a known marker of this disease. Exome analysis showed c.404A>G (p.Asn135Ser) mutation in homozygosis in the ECHS1 gene. The child was therefore admitted to the hospital. Initial examination showed little response to auditory stimuli and mild hypertonia of the extremities. Clinical deterioration was evident at 4 months of age, including neurological and cardiac involvement, and the patient died at 5 months of age. This case illustrates how an incidental detection in the NBS Program can lead to the diagnosis ECHS1 deficiency. Although it is a severe disease, with no treatment available, early detection would allow adequate genetic counseling avoiding the odyssey that suffered most of these families. Keywords: ECHS1 deficiency, Mutations in ECHS1, Newborn screening, 2-methyl-2,3-dihydroxybutyric acid, 3-hydroxy-butyrylcarnitine/3-hydoxy-isobutyrylcarnitine, Tiglylcarnitine

The microstructure and composition of a single crystal of the relaxor Sr0.67Ba0.33Nb2O6 have been assessed by aberration corrected TEM. Electron diffraction showed the presence of diffuse intensity and superstructure incommensurate reflections, compatible with Sr vacancies and Sr/Ba mixing at specific crystal sites respectively. Atomic resolution high angle annular dark field imaging confirmed the presence of these cation vacancies and electron energy loss spectroscopy demonstrated the random mixing of Ba and Sr. Unveiling structure and chemistry with this unprecedent spatial resolution gives the necessary understanding of the electric charge disorder at the origin of polar nanodomains, ultimately leading to relaxor behaviour.

The NW sector of the Iberian Peninsula has been classically considered as a seismically stable area, with only dispersed and low-magnitude activity. Around the village of Becerreá (Lugo) a significant concentration of earthquakes is observed. Since the beginning of instrumental record in 1979, seven seismic crisis have been reported in that zone, including 14 events of magnitude gt>4 and a larger event of magnitude 5.1mbLg (VII EMS) in 1997. Even if this seismicity is to be related to the general compressive regime between Africa and Eurasia, the seismotectonic characterization of the area is still controversial, as the different hypotheses considered are based on insufficiently accurate data. New insights to the problem are discussed here, coming from the deployment of a seismic portable network between 1999 and 2002, which has provided new accurate seismic data. The corresponding events are distributed around a subvertical axis, reaching a depth of 12km, and epicentres tend to concentrate beneath the intersection of the main Becerreá fault and secondary, ENE/WSW oriented faults. This intersection structure is thus interpreted as being responsible for the relatively high level of seismic activity over the area.

The aim of this study is to examine the differences of force production in 50 -70 year old athletes and active subjects, both before and after the strength training and, on the other hand the effects of such a 16 week strength training on height jump in bosco protocol (SJ, CMJ, DJ). The strength training is based on the alternative use of light and heavy leads. A population sample of 23 subjects was studied which was divided into two groups (athletes n=11- and active subjects n=12-) and two test were performed, before and after strength training (independent variable). The dependent variables were maximum jumping height in Bosco protocol (SJ, CMJ, DJ) measured with pressure platform (lisenced faculty of Physical activity and sport sciences, Granada University). The results suggested that the maximum jumping height in SJ, CMJ, DJ is higher in athletes than in active subjects of the same ages. A strength training based on heavy and light load contrast caused both groups to significantly improve their maximum jumping height. To sum up, we suggest that an improve on force production can be achieved by a 16-week strength training programme based on a one-session heavy and light loads contrast method. KEY WORDS: training, contrast, aging, strength

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the effects of high intensity-strength training (S) in two consecutive days in different athletes. 20 subjects divided in two groups: 11 futsal players of semiprofessional level (FG) (22,5±1,4 yr) and 9 endurance trained athletes of national level (EG) (21±1,3 yr). The intervention was composed by two training sessions (4 sets of 3 repetitions at 8590% of their 1RM in the squat exercise) separated by 24h. Two days before the first workout and 9 days after the second workout subjects were measured for 1RM in squat (90 knee angle). Tests: 1 Maximum Repetition in half-squat exercise. Variables: weight in one maximum repetititum (kg); Force (N); and power (w). Instrument: MicromuscleLab Power (ergotest technology as-Norway). The results showed increasing in 1MR in weight (p

RESUMEN El objetivo de este estudio fue el análisis de las modificaciones producidas en la capacidad de salto de los miembros inferiores, tras un programa de entrenamiento de fuerza realizado a través del uso de la combinación de cargas pesadas y ligeras durante 16 semanas medidas a través del test de Bosco: SJ, CMJ y DJ. 23 sujetos, 13 hombres y 10 mujeres divididos en dos grupos: deportistas(GD) y físicamente activos(GND) se sometieron al programa de entrenamiento. El instrumental utilizado para la medición fue la plataforma de presión (licencia Fac. Ciencias Activ. Física y Deporte Univ. Granada) Se realizó un diseño experimental con un diseño de medida pretratamiento, aplicación de un tratamiento y medida post-tratamiento a dos grupos diferentes. Los resultados muestran que la fuerza explosiva, la elástico-explosiva, la explosivo-elástico-reactiva y la resistencia de fuerza rápida medidas indirectamente a través de la altura de salto son mayores en sujetos deportistas respecto a sujetos físicamente activos antes del entrenamiento de fuerza. La aplicación de un entrenamiento de fuerza basado en el método de contraste en la sesión durante 16 semanas ha mejorado significativamente en las extremidades inferiores las diferentes manifestaciones de fuerza previamente referidas en el GND y en el GD. PALABRAS CLAVE: entrenamiento, contraste, mayores, fuerza. ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to examine the differences of force production in 50 -70 year old athletes and active subjects, both before and after the strength training and, on the other hand the effects of such a 16 week strength training on height jump in bosco protocol (SJ, CMJ, DJ). The strength training is based on the alternative use of light and heavy leads. A population sample of 23 subjects was studied which was divided into two groups (athletes n=11- and active subjects n=12-) and two test were performed, before and after strength training (independent variable). The dependent variables were maximum jumping height in Bosco protocol (SJ, CMJ, DJ) measured with pressure platform (lisenced faculty of Physical activity and sport sciences, Granada University). The results suggested that the maximum jumping height in SJ, CMJ, DJ is higher in athletes than in active subjects of the same ages. A strength training based on heavy and light load contrast caused both groups to significantly improve their maximum jumping height. To sum up, we suggest that an improve on force production can be achieved by a 16-week strength training programme based on a one-session heavy and light loads contrast method. KEY WORDS: training, contrast, aging, strength

Podiform chromitite bodies occur in highly serpentinized peridotites at Dobromirtsi Ultramafic Massif (Rhodope Mountains, southeastern Bulgaria). The ultramafic body is believed to represent a fragment of Palaeozoic ophiolite mantle. The ophiolite sequence is associated with greenschist - lower-temperature amphibolite facies metamorphosed rocks (biotitic gneisses hosting amphibolite). This association suggests that peridotites, chromitites and metamorphic rocks underwent a common metamorphic evolution. Chromitites at Dobromirtsi have been strongly altered. Their degree of alteration depends on the chromite/silicate ratio and to a lesser extent, on the size of chromitite bodies. Alteration is recorded in individual chromite grains in the form of optical and chemical zoning. Core to rim chemical trends are expressed by MgO- and Al2O3- impoverish-ment, mainly compensated by FeO and/or Fe2O3 increases. Such chemical variations correspond with threemain alteration events. The first one was associated with ocean-floor metamorphism and was characterized by alizardite replacement of olivine and the absence of chromite alteration. The second event took place duringgreenchist facies metamorphism. During this event, MgO- and SiO2- rich fluids (derived from low temperatureserpentinization of olivine and pyroxenes) reacted with chromite to form chlorite; as a consequence, chromitebecame altered to a FeO- and Cr2O3- rich, Al2O3- poor chromite. The third event, mainly developed during lowertemperature amphibolite facies metamorphism, caused the replacement of the primary and previously alteredchromite by Fe2O3- rich chromite (ferritchromite).

Analizar los resultados de la sustitución parcial del arco aórtico con una estrategia que evita la parada circulatoria con hipotermia profunda (PCHP), comparándolos con los de la cirugía convencional. Material y métodos: Se analizan 26 pacientes en los que se sustituyó el hemiarco inferior, además de la aorta ascendente y, en ocasiones, la válvula y raíz aórticas. En 14 (grupo A) se utilizó PCHP y en 12 (grupo B) se llevó a cabo, con canulación del arco distal, pinzamiento aórtico tras la salida del tronco braquiocefálico o carótida izquierda y perfusión directa del primero. Se comparan los tiempos quirúrgicos y evolución clínica con ambas técnicas utilizando métodos no paramétricos. Resultados: Los pacientes del grupo A tenían un perfil de mayor riesgo (EuroSCORE logístico 17,1 vs 8,6), aunque la necesidad de sustituir la raíz y/o válvula aórtica fue mayor en el grupo B. En éste se redujo significativamente el tiempo de isquemia miocárdica (108 vs 137 min), la duración de la circulación extracorpórea (CEC) (145 vs 203 min), la intervención (282 vs 365 min), el tiempo de intubación (7 vs 19 h), estancia en unidad de vigilancia intensiva (UVI) (70 vs 117 h) y la hospitalización (10 vs 16 días). También se redujo la tasa de complicaciones mayores (16,7 vs 57,1%), especialmente las neurológicas (0 vs 28,7%) y el sangrado posto-peratorio (1.525 vs 2.320 cc). Conclusiones: La sustitución parcial del arco es factible sin necesidad de hacer PCHP. Esta técnica acorta los tiempos quirúrgicos y disminuye sus complicaciones, especialmente el daño neurológico y el sangrado postoperatorio.

Recientemente se ha modificado la escala de riesgo EuroSCORE para mejorar su capacidad predictiva de mortalidad precoz tras cirugía cardíaca. Comparamos la capacidad predictiva de la nueva escala (EuroSCORE II) con la de la escala antigua. Material y métodos: Calculamos retrospectivamente la mortalidad esperada (ME) en un grupo de 1.024 pacientes consecutivos sometidos a cirugía cardíaca con circulación extracorpórea (CEC) o a revascularización miocárdica sin ella. Los pacientes se agruparon de acuerdo con el tipo de cirugía: coronaria, valvular, combinada o miscelánea. Comparamos la mortalidad observada (MO) a 30 días con la estimada (ME) por ambas escalas y analizamos su poder discriminatorio en cada situación mediante regresión nominal, expresado como el valor del área bajo la curva (AUC). Resultados: En la tabla 1 se muestra la MO y calculada (ME) por las dos escalas de riesgo (método logístico) para el grupo total y para cada uno de los subgrupos. Conclusiones: En nuestra experiencia, el EuroSCORE I sobrestima la mortalidad y el EuroSCORE II la infraestima de manera más acusada. Aunque el tamaño muestral es limitado, especialmente para el análisis de subgrupos, nuestros resultados cuestionan la utilidad de la nueva escala de riesgo EuroSCORE II.

La preservación de la función endotelial es fundamental en el comportamiento clínico de los injertos arteriales. Las estatinas son capaces de preservar la función del endotelio arterial en diferentes escenarios de la cardiopatía isquémica. Analizamos el efecto del tratamiento con pravastatina en la función endotelial de la arteria mamaria izquierda (AMI) in vitro. Material y métodos: Se utilizaron segmentos de AMI obtenidos de pacientes sometidos a cirugía coronaria. Se prepararon anillos arteriales de 3 mm que se montaron en un transductor isométrico y se mantuvieron en solución de Krebs oxigenada a 37 °C, bien sola (n = 33) o enriquecida con pravastatina a 10-5 M (n = 27). Tras equilibrar los anillos a una tensión de 2 g durante 1 h, se contrajeron con fenilefrina (10-6 M) y se obtuvieron las curvas de concentración-respuesta ante un agente vasodilatador dependiente del endotelio (acetilcolina) y otro independiente (nitroprusiato sódico), valorando el resultado como el porcentaje de relajación máxima conseguida. En 12 anillos mantenidos en medios similares, se estimó la producción de radicales libres de O2 mediante quimioluminiscencia, expresando el resultado como unidades relativas de luminiscencia por gramo de tejido seco. Resultados: La incubación con pravastatina mejoró significativamente la respuesta vasodilatadora de la AMI inducida por la acetilcolina (68,8 ± 2,4% vs 57,4 ± 2,6%; p = 0,005). La vasodilatación inducida por el nitroprusiato fue máxima en ambos grupos. La pravastatina redujo la producción de aniones superóxido (350 ± 322 vs 664 ± 272; p = no significativa [NS]). Conclusiones: La pravastatina mejora la función endotelial de la AMI. Dicho efecto podría estar mediado por una disminución del estrés oxidativo.

El antecedente de intervencionismo coronario percutáneo (ICP) previo es cada vez más frecuente entre los pacientes que precisan cirugía de revascularización miocárdica. Analizamos el perfil de los pacientes sometidos a revascularización miocárdica quirúrgica tras ICP inicialmente efectivo en nuestra institución. Material y métodos: Desde octubre de 1999, el 3,5% (48/1.365) de los pacientes sometidos a cirugía de revascularización miocárdica aislada presentaba el antecedente de ICP inicialmente efectivo (edad media 65 ± 12 años; EuroSCORE logístico 5,4 ± 6,7). La intervención quirúrgica se realizó con carácter de urgencia en 6 pacientes (12,5%). El número medio de anastomosis realizadas fue 2,75 ± 1. Se empleó la arteria mamaria interna izquierda en el 91,7% (44/48) de los casos, la arteria mamaria interna derecha en el 22,9% (11/48) y la arteria radial izquierda en el 29,2% (14/48). Resultados: El tiempo medio entre el ICP y la cirugía de revascularización miocárdica fue 27 ± 40 meses. El 79,2% (38/48) de los pacientes presentaba un único ICP previo. La necesidad de revascularización miocárdica quirúrgica fue determinada por oclusión/reestenosis del stent en el 62,5% (30/48) de los casos. La mortalidad hospitalaria registrada fue 6,3% (IC 95%: 1,3-17,2%) y la mortalidad ajustada al riesgo 1,17 (IC 95%: 0,89-1,49). El empleo de balón de contrapulsación intraaórtica (BCIA) preoperatorio (p = 0,015), el tiempo de circulación extracorpórea (CEC) (p = 0,006), y el shock cardiogénico postoperatorio (p = 0,003) fueron determinantes de la mortalidad hospitalaria. Conclusiones: La oclusión/reestenosis del stent es la principal causa de indicación de revascularización miocárdica quirúrgica tras ICP inicialmente efectivo. La mortalidad hospitalaria observada no difiere de la esperada en los pacientes con ICP previo.

This study investigated the effects of xylanase supplementations with cereal-based diets on nutrient digestibility and gut microbiota of growing pigs. A total of 96 individually penned pigs (initial BW = 22.7 ± 0.65 kg) were allotted to 12 treatments and subjected to a completely randomized block design experiment. Pigs in each treatment were fed an isocaloric wheat-based or corn-based diet with or without 1 of 5 types of xylanase supplements (XA, XB, XC, XD, XE). On d 42, all piglets were euthanized to obtain ileal and cecal digesta for microbial analysis, which involved high-throughput sequencing of the V1  V3 regions of 16S rRNA gene. Corn- and wheat-based diets differed (P

HR1217 is a prototypical rapidly oscillating Ap star that has presented a test to the theory of nonradial stellar pulsation. Prior observations showed a clear pattern of five modes with alternating frequency spacings of 33.3 μHz and 34.6 μHz, with a sixth mode at a problematic spacing of 50.0 μHz (which equals 1.5 × 33.3 μHz) to the highfrequency side. Asymptotic pulsation theory allowed for a frequency spacing of 34 μHz, but hipparcos observations rule out such a spacing. Theoretical calculations of magnetoacoustic modes in Ap stars by Cunha (2001) predicted that there should be a previously undetected mode 34 μHz higher than the main group, with a smaller spacing between it and the highest one. The 20th extended coverage campaign of the Whole Earth Telescope (XCov20) has discovered this frequency as predicted by Cunha (2001). Amplitude modulation of several of the pulsation modes between the 1986 and 2000 data sets has also been discovered, while important parameters for modelling the geometry of the pulsation modes have been shown to be unchanged. With stringent selection of the best data from the WET network the amplitude spectrum shows highest peaks at only 50 μmag and formal errors on the determined amplitudes are 14 μmag. Some lessons for future use of WET for the highest precision photometry on bright stars are discussed.

Objective: The aim of our work was to carry out a randomized clinical trial with two diets, one enriched in fiber (total fiber 30 g and soluble fiber 4 g) to investigate the effect on lipid and glucose levels in healthy subjects. Research design and methods: Fifty-three subjects were prospectively randomized to two groups (see Table 1). Group I received a diet with 10.4 g of fiber given as 1.97 g soluble fiber (pectins, gums and mucilages) and 8.13 g of insoluble fiber (hemicelullose, cellulose and lignins) and Group II received a diet with 30.5 g of fiber of which 4.11 g were soluble fiber and 25.08 g insoluble fiber. Prospective serial assessment of weight and nutritional intake (3 days written food records) were made. These determinations were performed at baseline and at 3 months. All enrolled subjects underwent the following examinations; fasting blood samples were drawn for measurement of total cholesterol, triglyceride concentrations and other lipid fractions, low density lipoprotein (LDL-cholesterol), high density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol), glucose, and insulin. Results: Total calorie and fat consumption were lower than recommended in both groups (calories; group I 1633±417 kcal per day versus group II 1707.5±579 kcal per day:ns) and (fats; group I 73.4±22.7 g per day versus group II 72.6±28 g per day:ns), without differences in fatty acid intake profile. Total fiber intake did not reach that recommended in both diets but it was higher in group II (9.06±2.7 g per day versus 25.95±7.12 g per day: P<0.05). Soluble fiber intake did not reach that recommended in both diets but it was higher in group II (1.7±0.58 g per day versus 3.5±0.96 g per day: P<0.05). Body weight did not change in both groups during treatment. During treatment, in group II a significant change was detected from baseline in LDL-cholesterol and fasting glucose levels. LDL-cholesterol decreased by 12.8% (P<0.05) and glucose decreased by 12.3% (P<0.05). No statistical differences were detected among triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and insulin levels. Conclusions: Modest increases in soluble fiber intake in healthy subjects improved LDL cholesterol and glucose levels. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]