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Striatal blood–brain barrier opening in Parkinson's disease dementia: a pilot exploratory study
No full textBackground: Parkinson's disease (PD) exhibits a high prevalence of dementia as disease severity and duration progress. Focused ultrasound (FUS) has been applied for transient blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening of cortical regions in neurodegenerative disorders. The striatum is a primary target for delivery of putative therapeutic agents in PD.
Objective: Here, we report a prospective, single-arm, nonrandomized, proof-of-concept, phase I clinical trial (NCT03608553 amended) in PD with dementia to test the safety and feasibility of striatal BBB opening in PD patients.
Methods: Seven PD patients with cognitive impairment were treated for BBB opening in the posterior putamen. This was performed in two sessions separated by 2 to 4 weeks, where the second session included bilateral putamina opening in 3 patients. Primary outcome measures included safety and feasibility of focal striatal BBB opening. Changes in motor and cognitive functions, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 18 F-fluorodopa (FDOPA), and β-amyloid PET (positron emission tomography) images were determined.
Results: The procedure was feasible and well tolerated, with no serious adverse events. No neurologically relevant change in motor and cognitive (battery of neuropsychological tests) functions was recognized at follow-up. MRI revealed putamen BBB closing shortly after treatment (24 hours to 14 days) and ruled out hemorrhagic and ischemic lesions. There was a discrete but significant reduction in β-amyloid uptake in the targeted region and no change in FDOPA PET.
Conclusions: These initial results indicate that FUS-mediated striatal BBB opening is feasible and safe and therefore could become an effective tool to facilitate the delivery of putative neurorestorative molecules in PD. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
How Does Lower-Body and Upper-Body Strength Relate to Maximum Split Jerk Performance?
Get PDFThe aims of this study were to (I) determine the relationships between the maximum dynamic strength of the upper and lower body, measured by overhead press and back squat 1 repetition maximum (1RM) performances, and the split jerk (SJ) performance in trained weightlifters and (II) explore the magnitude of these relationships for men and women to establish sex-specific prediction equations. Twenty men (age: 28.9 ± 6.6 years; height: 1.8 ± 0.1 m; body mass [BM]: 82.5 ± 10.2 kg; weightlifting training experience: 4.2 ± 2.4 years) and 13 women (age: 27.7 ± 4.4 years; height: 1.7 ± 0.1 m; BM: 61.8 ± 5.2 kg; weightlifting training experience: 2.7 ± 1.7 years) competitive weightlifters participated. The 1RM performances of the overhead press, back squat, and SJ were assessed for all subjects. A very strong correlation exists between the back squat and overhead press, with maximum SJ performance for all subjects (r = 0.97; p < 0.001). Similarly, very strong correlations were found for men (r = 0.90, p < 0.001) and women (r = 0.90, p = 0.0002), separately. The coefficient of determination indicates that the prediction equation for the maximum SJ performance is quite accurate (R2 = 0.94) for all subjects and men (R2 = 0.83) and women (R2 = 0.81), separately. These results provide evidence that the maximum strength of the upper and lower body are major contributors to SJ performance. In addition, SJ performance can accurately be predicted from the back squat and overhead press performances
Acute caffeine supplementation enhances several aspects of shot put performance in trained athletes
Get PDFThe aim of this investigation was to determine the effect of a moderate
dose of caffeine (3 mg/kg/b.m.) on muscular power and strength and
shot put performance in trained athletes. Methods. Thirteen shot
putters (eight men and five women) participated in a double-blind,
placebo-controlled, randomized experiment. In two different trials,
participants ingested either 3 mg/kg/b.m. of caffeine or a placebo.
Forty-five min after substance ingestion, athletes performed
a handgrip dynamometry test, a countermovement jump (CMJ),
a squat jump (SJ), and a maximum-velocity push-up. The athletes
also performed three types of throws: a backwards throw, a standing
shot put and a complete shot put. Results. In comparison with the
placebo, caffeine ingestion increased CMJ height (32.25 ± 7.26 vs.
33.83 ± 7.72 cm, respectively; effect size (ES) = 0.82, p = 0.012;
+5.0%;) and SJ height (29.93 ± 7.88 vs. 31.40 ± 7.16 cm; ES = 0.63,
p = 0.042; +6.4%) and distance in the standing shot put (10.27 ± 1.77 m
vs. 10.55 ± 1.94 m; ES = 0.87, p = 0.009; +2.6%). However, caffeine
ingestion did not increase strength in the handgrip test, power in the
ballistic push-up, or distance in the backwards throw (all p > 0.05). Shot
put performance changed from 11.24 ± 2.54 to 11.35 ± . 2.57 m
(ES = 0.33, p = 0.26; +1.0%), although the difference did not reach
statistically significant differences. Caffeine ingestion did not increase
the prevalence of side effects (nervousness, gastrointestinal problems,
activeness, irritability, muscular pain, headache, and diuresis) in comparison
with the placebo (p > 0.05). Conclusion. In summary, caffeine
ingestion with a dose equivalent to 3 mg/kg/b.m. elicited moderate
improvements in several aspects of physical performance in trained
shot putters but with a small effect on distance in a complete shot put
Los límites fluídos entre el dragón y el ceto
No full textHace ya muchos años, uno de nosotros escribió dos artículos sobre los orígenes iconográficos del dragón en la Europa occidental y su difusión hacia Bizancio. Ahora, cuando hemos decidido volver de nuevo nuestra mirada a este terrible monstruo –sin duda uno de los más populares en nuestra tradición legendaria–, nos parece interesante, como punto de partida, resumir en unos párrafos las conclusiones a las que llegaban estos estudios: ellas constituirán la base de nuestra nueva aventura.
Partimos entonces una observación insoslayable: para los antiguos, el término dragón (drakón en griego, draco en latín) era un simple sinónimo de serpiente (ophis en griego, serpens en latín), igual que, para nosotros, serpiente viene a ser lo mismo que sierpe o culebra. Sin embargo, ciertos estudiosos ven en la palabra antigua un matiz peculiar: del mismo modo que, para nosotros, el término bicha evoca un ser negativo desde un punto de vista supersticioso, el dragón griego y romano se situaría en un plano sobrenatural, religioso o mitológico: en ese sentido, no sería dragón una pequeña culebra que se oculta entre los matorrales, pero sí el ofidio que velaba sobre el jardín de las Hespérides, el que defendía el vellocino de oro en la Cólquide o la terrible Pitón que se enfrentó a Apolo en Delfos
The Epidemiology of Injuries in Spanish Rugby Union División de Honor
Get PDFAbstract
Background: We describe and analyze injury incidence, severity, cause of injury, anatomical location, damaged tissue, injury recurrence, and the time and place at which injuries occur over the course of a season. Methods: An observational, descriptive, prospective, nomothetic, and multidimensional study was conducted during the 2018–2019 season with 258 players of the top semiprofessional rugby league in Spain (División de Honor de Rugby). Data were reported by the clubs’ medical services. Reported time-loss injuries were collected. Results: Overall exposure was 4100 h (137 matches), over 35 weeks of competition. A total of 288 injuries were reported, with three of these leading to withdrawal from the sport. A total average of 35.63 days was lost to injury. Overall time-loss injury incidence was 3.41 injuries/1000 h of exposure. Backs suffered 119 injuries corresponding to 3.80 injuries/1000 h of exposure, whilst forwards suffered 169 injuries with 4.27 injuries/1000 h of exposure. Severe injuries were the most frequent injury type. Conclusions: Outcomes confirm that more injuries take place during competition, with these also being more severe in nature. Contact injuries were most frequently suffered, above all, due to tackling or being tackled
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Lifestyles of University Students: A Spanish Online Survey
Get PDFThe present study aimed to investigate the perceived changes in lifestyle behaviors among
Spanish university students during COVID-19-related confinement. An observational, descriptive,
and cross-sectional survey study was conducted during April 2020. Sociodemographic and anthropometric
data were then obtained. The FANTASTIC questionnaire was used to assess the lifestyles
of the 488 participants who took part in the study. Of the participants, 76.3% were female. Overall,
the lifestyles of university students significantly deteriorated during the period of confinement
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. University female students were especially affected
compared to their male fellows (p = 0.010). For women, social and family relationships (p < 0.001),
personality (p < 0.001), interior (p < 0.001), and career (p < 0.001) were the aspects that worsened
during confinement. For men, lack of physical exercise (p < 0.001), social and family relationships (p
< 0.001), and career (p = 0.002) were affected to a greater extent. In both cases, confinement was a
protective factor against the consumption of tobacco, toxins (p < 0.001), and alcohol (p < 0.001). Gender
(p = 0.008) and obesity (p = 0.044) were the two factors that most affected the change in the score
of the FANTASTIC questionnaire. Spanish university students’ lifestyles worsened during the lockdown
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those of women, who were the most affected.
Some aspects, such as those related to social and emotional behaviors, were deeply affected, while
confinement could be a protective factor against previous toxic habits
Match Injuries in the Spanish Rugby Union Division de Honor
Get PDFAbstract: Objective: To describe the injury rate, severity, cause, anatomical location (tissue damaged),
recurrence, place and time during matches throughout a season in the Spanish Rugby Union Division
de Honor. Methods: Observational, prospective and descriptive study conducted in the competition
of the Spanish División de Honor de Rugby with 258 players. The data were reported by the medical
services of the previously formed clubs. Results: Total exposure was 4100 h, during which 220 injuries
occurred. The average number of sick days was 36.8. The total injury rate was 53.6 injuries/1000 h
of exposure. Three quarters suffered 93 injuries and the forwards sustained a total of 127 injuries,
with a total of 48.6 and 58.1 injuries/1000 h of exposure, respectively. Moderate injuries were the
most frequent. Specifically, ligament injury was the most frequent, and dislocation was the injury
that caused the most sick days. The most injuries occurred in the third quarter of the match, and the
most serious injuries occurred in the second quarter. Conclusions: The injury rate of Spanish rugby
competitors is 53.6 injuries/1000 match hours, with an average of 36.8 sick days. Contact injuries are
the most frequent, taking place especially when tackling or being tackled
Creatividad como medida cognitiva en jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual
Get PDFLa atención a la diversidad y la educación inclusiva debe ser capaz de asumir los mismos retosdel sigloXXI,que supone incorporar en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizajeel desarrollo de competencias que les permita adaptarse a los cambios. En la actualidad, se considera lacreatividad como parte del desarrollo del pensamientodivergenteyla resolución de problemas, áreas de especial dificultad para las personas con discapacidad intelectual. Por esta razón, se plantea como objetivo de investigación evaluar, en jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual,su capacidad creativa como medida cognitiva, a través de laprueba estandarizada CREA.Para ello, han participado enelestudio 91participantes, con edades comprendidas entre los 11años 11 mesesy los 28años de edad cronológica. Los participantes que realizaron el test CREA tuvieron un percentil medio de 34,62 en el baremo de 6 a 11 años. Lapuntuación media total descendió a un 20,11 en el baremo de 12 a 16 años. Los datosinvitana reforzar, dentro de la praxis educativa, los procesos cognitivos asociadosa la creatividad como la toma de decisionesy la resoluciónde problemasdesde edades preuniversitarias comopasos fundamentales para mejorarla creatividad como medida cognitiva
Diseño universal para el aprendizaje en procesos de investigación participativos e inclusivos
Get PDFEl colectivo juvenil es una de las prioridades en las políticas europeas, entre otros por el interés en facilitarles una igualdad de oportunidades que favorezca su participación. Esta investigación analiza la construcción cognitiva y las dimensiones del empoderamiento en jóvenes con discapacidad intelectual moderada (DIM) e indaga cómo las estrategias vinculadas a los principios del Diseño Universal para el Aprendizaje (DUA) -representación, acción y expresión, y estimulación y participación- parecen ser relevantes. Se utiliza la evaluación participativa como metodología en cuatro grupos focales con 35 jóvenes participantes con DIM pertenecientes a diferentes programas formativos de la Comunidad de Madrid. Los resultados muestran que jóvenes con DIM, a través de la evaluación participativa y el DUA, presentan un dominio conceptual, práctico y social similar al obtenido con jóvenes sin discapacidad; y son capaces de realizar una construcción cognitiva adecuada del concepto de empoderamiento. Como hallazgo, la evaluación participativa se muestra facilitadora de siete de las nueve dimensiones del empoderamiento juvenil del proyecto HEBE[1]. Se identifica la necesidad de incorporar perfiles con DIM en la selección de muestras de jóvenes para estimular procesos inclusivos, empoderadores y romper estigmas sociales
Aspectos de la seguridad algorítmica para una paz inteligente
No full textEl uso extendido y cotidiano de Inteligencia Artificial ha llevado a reconocer globalmente su utilidad y su enorme aplicabilidad a prácticamente todos los aspectos de nuestra vida; pero este imparable desarrollo tecnológico requiere sin duda alguna una regulación que combine el control en términos éticos con el progreso en términos sociales. En el presente estudio se plantea como base el ecosistema de confianza y la transparencia algorítmica para que los distintos aspectos de la Inteligencia Artificial respeten la dignidad humana y todo lo que de ella deriva en concepto de seguridad algorítmica y paz inteligente