Datathons: fostering equitability in data reuse in ecology.

Approaches to rapidly collecting global biodiversity data are increasingly important, but biodiversity blind spots persist. We organized a three-day Datathon event to improve the openness of local biodiversity data and facilitate data reuse by local researchers. The first Datathon, organized among microbial ecologists in Uruguay and Argentina assembled the largest microbiome dataset in the region to date and formed collaborative consortia for microbiome data synthesis.

Endoscopic scoring system utilization for inflammatory bowel disease activity assessment: A multicenter real-world study from Argentina.

BACKGROUND: The frequency and patterns of use of scores for the assessment of endoscopic activity in inflammatory bowel disease patients are not known. AIM: To describe the prevalence of adequate use of endoscopic scores in IBD patients who underwent colonoscopy in a real-life setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter observational study comprising six community hospitals in Argentina was undertaken. Patients with a diagnosis of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis who underwent colonoscopy for endoscopic activity assessment between 2018 and 2022 were included. Colonoscopy reports of included subjects were manually reviewed to determine the proportion of colonoscopies that included an endoscopic score report. We determined the proportion of colonoscopy reports that included all of the IBD colonoscopy report quality elements proposed by BRIDGe group. Endoscopist's specialty, years of experience as well as expertise in IBD were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 1556 patients were included for analysis (31.94% patients with Crohn's disease). Mean age was 45.94±15.46. Endoscopic score reporting was found in 58.41% of colonoscopies. Most frequently used scores were Mayo endoscopic score (90.56%) and SES-CD (56.03%) for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, respectively. In addition, 79.11% of endoscopic reports failed to comply with all recommendations on endoscopic reporting for inflammatory bowel disease. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of endoscopic reports of inflammatory bowel disease patients do not include the description of an endoscopic score to assess mucosal inflammatory activity in a real-world setting. This is also associated with a lack of compliance in recommended criteria for proper endoscopic reporting.

Instrumented Timed Up and Go Test (iTUG)-More Than Assessing Time to Predict Falls: A Systematic Review.

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a widely used tool for assessing the risk of falls in older adults. However, to increase the test's predictive value, the instrumented Timed Up and Go (iTUG) test has been developed, incorporating different technological approaches. This systematic review aims to explore the evidence of the technological proposal for the segmentation and analysis of iTUG in elderlies with or without pathologies. A search was conducted in five major databases, following PRISMA guidelines. The review included 40 studies that met the eligibility criteria. The most used technology was inertial sensors (75% of the studies), with healthy elderlies (35%) and elderlies with Parkinson's disease (32.5%) being the most analyzed participants. In total, 97.5% of the studies applied automatic segmentation using rule-based algorithms. The iTUG test offers an economical and accessible alternative to increase the predictive value of TUG, identifying different variables, and can be used in clinical, community, and home settings.

Quantitative determination of lurbinectedin, its unbound fraction and its metabolites in human plasma utilizing ultra-performance LC-MS/MS.

AIMS: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) methods to quantify total lurbinectedin, its plasma protein binding to derive the unbound fraction and its main metabolites 1',3'-dihydroxy-lurbinectedin (M4) and N-desmethyl-lurbinectedin (M6) in human plasma, were developed and validated. MATERIALS & METHODS: For lurbinectedin, sample extraction was performed using supported liquid extraction. For metabolites, liquid-liquid extraction with stable isotope-labeled analogue internal standards was used. Plasma protein binding was evaluated using rapid equilibrium dialysis. In vitro investigations at different plasma protein concentrations were carried out to estimate dissociation rate constants to albumin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG). RESULTS: Calibration curves displayed good linearity over 0.1 to 50 ng/mL for lurbinectedin and 0.5 to 20 ng/mL for the metabolites. Methods were validated in accordance with established guidance. The inter-day precision and accuracy ranged from 5.1% to 10.7%, and from -5% to 6% (lurbinectedin in plasma); from 3.1% to 6.6%, and from 4% to 6% (lurbinectedin in plasma:PBS); from 4.5% to 12.9%, and from 4% to 9% (M4); and from 7.5% to 10.5%, and from 6% to 12% (M6). All methods displayed good linearity (r2 >0.99). Recovery was evaluated for lurbinectedin in plasma:PBS (66.4% to 86.6%), M4 (7.82% to 13.4%) and M6 (22.2% to 34.3%). The method for lurbinectedin in plasma has been applied in most clinical studies, while the plasma:PBS and metabolites methods were used to evaluate the impact of special conditions on lurbinectedin PK. Lurbinectedin plasma protein binding was 99.6% and highly affected by AAG concentration. CONCLUSIONS: These UPLC-MS/MS methods enable the rapid and sensitive quantification of lurbinectedin and its main metabolites in clinical samples.

Efectos de las medidas de restricción sobre la actividad física y conducta sedentaria de niños, niñas y adolescentes durante la pandemia por COVID-19: revisión sistemática / Effects of restriction measures on physical activity and sedentary behavior of children and adolescents during COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review

Introducción: La pandemia por COVID-19 obligó a los gobiernos a implementar medidas de restricción social para proteger la salud de la población, afectando la calidad de vida de las personas, especialmente en grupos vulnerables como los niños, niñas y adolescentes (NNA). El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática (RS) fue evaluar el efecto de las medidas de restricción sobre la actividad física (AF) y conducta sedentaria (CS) de los NNA. Adicionalmente, se exploraron posibles factores determinantes de estos cambios. Métodos: Se realizó una RS, utilizando tres bases de datos. Se incluyeron estudios observacionales en donde se hubiera analizado la AF y CS de los participantes, utilizando cualquier método de evaluación. Dos investigadores analizaron los estudios, extrajeron los datos y evaluaron la calidad metodológica de los artículos primarios. El metaanálisis se realizó utilizando el modelo de efectos aleatorios, considerando un valor p < 0,05 como estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 19 artículos, con una muestra total de 15.095 NNA. La mayoría de los estudios reveló una reducción de la AF y un incremento de la CS en los sujetos, durante los confinamientos por COVID-19. El metaanálisis mostró una caída en la AF total, la AF moderada a vigorosa y un incremento del tiempo de sedentarismo. Diversos factores biodemográficos, familiares y ambientales exacerbaron las variaciones en la AF y la CS de los NNA. Conclusión: Las medidas de restricción aplicadas durante pandemia por COVID-19 redujo la AF e incrementó la CS de los NNA. Factores biodemográficos, familiares y ambientales determinaron estas variaciones.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic forced governments to implement social restriction measures to protect the health of the population, affecting the quality of life of people, especially in vulnerable groups, such as children and adolescents (CA). The objective of this systematic review (SR) was to evaluate the effect of restriction measures on physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) of CA. Additionally, possible determining factors of these changes were explored. Methods: An SR was carried out, using three databases. Observational studies were included in which the PA and SB of the participants were analyzed, using any evaluation method. Two investigators analyzed the studies, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of the primary articles. The meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model, considering a value of p < 0.05 as statistically significant. Results: 19 articles were included, with a total sample of 15,095 subjects. Most studies revealed a reduction in PA and an increase in SB in subjects during COVID-19 lockdowns. The meta-analysis showed a drop in total PA, moderate to vigorous PA, and an increase in sedentary time. Various biodemographic, family and environmental factors exacerbated the variations in the PA and SB of the CA. Conclusion: The restriction measures applied during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the PA and increased the SB of the CA. Biodemographic, family and environmental factors determined these variations.

Conducta fumadora en estudiantes de kinesiología y su asociación con actitudes y conocimientos sobre tabaquismo: estudio de corte transversal / Smoking behavior in Chilean physical therapist students and their association with attitudes and knowledge on cigarette smoking: a cross sectional study

INTRODUCCIÓN: El tabaquismo continúa siendo un problema sanitario en población universitaria y profesionales de la salud. Los kinesiólogos participan en la implementación de programas orientados a la prevención y cese del tabaquismo en la comunidad. El objetivo de este estudio fue explorar la prevalencia de tabaquismo y actitudes sobre consumo de tabaco en estudiantes de kinesiología. MÉTODOS: Estudio de corte transversal realizado en estudiantes de Kinesiología de Concepción (Chile), durante los años 2017 y 2018. Se determinó la conducta y actitudes sobre tabaquismo. Mediante regresión logística se determinó la asociación entre la conducta fumadora y las actitudes sobre tabaquismo. Se consideró un valor de p < 0,05 como estadísticamente significativo. RESULTADOS: Se contestaron 554 cuestionarios. El 57,8% de los estudiantes encuestados declaró no haber fumado nunca, 13 % no haber fumado los últimos 6 meses y 29,4% declaró ser fumador actual. Por su parte, el 99,5% expresó algún grado de acuerdo con que fumar es perjudicial para la salud, lo cual se relacionó con la conducta fumadora (p < 0,0002). En relación a actitudes sobre tabaquismo, comparado a los no fumadores, los fumadores actuales presentan mayor probabilidad de mostrar desacuerdo o indiferencia respecto a actitudes positivas sobre tabaquismo. Principalmente en aquellas acciones que restringen su consumo, venta y divulgación (OR ponderado = 2,43; 95%IC 2,02 - 2,92). CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de tabaquismo en estudiantes de Kinesiología de Concepción es del 29,2%. Los estudiantes fumadores expresan una menor aprobación relacionada a intervenciones, actitudes y consecuencias del tabaquismo para la salud comparada con los no fumadores.

INTRODUCTION: Notwithstanding control policies, smoking continues to be a health problem in university students and health professionals, who are responsible for implementing programs oriented to prevention and cessation of smoking in the community. The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence of smoking and attitudes about smoking in physical therapy students. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out in students of physical therapy from three universities of Concepción city (Chile), during the years 2017 and 2018. Behavior and attitudes about smoking were evaluated. Association between smoking behavior and attitudes about smoking was determined by logistic regression. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 554 questionnaires were answered. 57.8% of respondents had never smoked, 13.0% had not smoked in the last 6 months and 29.4% were current smokers. Moreover 99.5% of respondents stated some degree of agreement that smoking is harmful to health, which was related to smoking behavior (p < 0.0002). In relation to attitudes about smoking, compared to non-smokers, current smokers have a greater chance of showing disagreement or indifference regarding positive attitudes about smoking. Mainly in those actions that restrict tobacco consumption, sale and disclosure (weighted OR = 2.43, 95% CI 2.02 - 2.92). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of current smoking in physical therapy students from Concepcion city is 29.2%. Smoking students express lower approval related to interventions, attitudes and consequences of smoking for health compared with non-smokers.

Implications of Climate Change: How Does Increased Water Temperature Influence Biofilm and Water Quality of Chlorinated Drinking Water Distribution Systems?

Temperature variation can promote physico-chemical and microbial changes in the water transported through distribution systems and influence the dynamics of biofilms attached to pipes, thus contributing to the release of pathogens into the bulk drinking water. An experimental real-scale chlorinated DWDS was used to study the effect of increasing temperature from 16 to 24°C on specific pathogens, bacterial-fungal communities (biofilm and water samples) and determine the risk of material accumulation and mobilisation from the pipes into the bulk water. Biofilm was developed for 30 days at both temperatures in the pipe walls, and after this growth phase, a flushing was performed applying 4 gradual steps by increasing the shear stress. The fungal-bacterial community characterised by Illumina MiSeq sequencing, and specific pathogens were studied using qPCR: Mycobacterium spp., Mycobacterium avium complex, Acanthamoeba spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophilia, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Sequencing data showed that temperature variation significantly modified the structure of biofilm microbial communities from the early stages of biofilm development. Regarding bacteria, Pseudomonas increased its relative abundance in biofilms developed at 24°C, while fungal communities showed loss of diversity and richness, and the increase in dominance of Fusarium genus. After the mobilisation phase, Pseudomonas continued being the most abundant genus at 24°C, followed by Sphingobium and Sphingomonas. For biofilm fungal communities after the mobilisation phase, Helotiales incertae sedis and Fusarium were the most abundant taxa. Results from qPCR showed a higher relative abundance of Mycobacterium spp. on day 30 and M. avium complex throughout the growth phase within the biofilms at higher temperatures. The temperature impacts were not only microbial, with physical mobilisation showing higher discolouration response and metals release due to the increased temperature. While material accumulation was accelerated by temperature, it was not preferentially to either stronger or weaker biofilm layers, as turbidity results during the flushing steps showed. This research yields new understanding on microbial challenges that chlorinated DWDS will undergo as global temperature rises, this information is needed in order to protect drinking water quality and safety while travelling through distribution systems.

Respiratory muscle impairment evaluated with mep/mip ratio in children and adolescents with chronic respiratory disease / Fraqueza muscular respiratória avaliada por meio da relação pemax/pimax em crianças com doença respiratória crônica

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the strength of respiratory muscles and to compare maximum inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) pressure and MEP/MIP ratio between patients with chronic respiratory diseases and healthy individuals. Methods: Case-control study. Individuals with neuromuscular disease and post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans were considered. In addition, they were also matched according to anthropometric and demographic characteristics with healthy children and adolescents. MIP, MEP in the three groups, and pulmonary function only in patients with chronic respiratory diseases were recorded. Results: A total of 52 subjects with CRD (25 with neuromuscular disease, and 27 with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans) and 85 healthy individuals were included, with an average age of 11.3±2.1 years. Patients with neuromuscular disease and post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans presented lower MIP and MEP when compared with healthy individuals, although MEP/MIP ratio was lower in patients with neuromuscular disease (0.87±0.3) and higher in patients with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (1.1±0.3) compared to the healthy group (0.97±0.2). Only in patients with neuromuscular disease a negative correlation was observed between MEP/MIP ratio and age (r=-0.50; p=0.01). Conclusions: Differences in the pattern of muscular weakness between patients with chronic respiratory diseases were observed. In patients with neuromuscular disease, a decrease in the MEP/MIP ratio depending on MIP was verified; and in those patients with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans, an increase in the MEP/MIP ratio depending on MIP was also observed.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a força dos músculos respiratórios e comparar a relação entre a pressão expiratória máxima (PEmáx) e a pressão inspiratória máxima (PImáx) em pacientes com doença respiratória crônica (DRC) e crianças saudáveis. Métodos: Estudo caso-controle. Foram selecionados indivíduos com doença neuromuscular e bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa. Ademais, os grupos foram pareados com crianças e adolescentes saudáveis, considerando características antropométricas e demográficas. Foram registradas a PImáx e a PEmáx nos três grupos e a função pulmonar apenas em pacientes com doença respiratória crônica. Resultados: Foram incluídos 52 indivíduos com DRC (25 com doença neuromuscular e 27 com bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa) e 85 indivíduos saudáveis, com idade média de 11,3±2,1 anos. Pacientes com doença neuromuscular e bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa apresentaram menor PImáx e PEmáx em comparação aos indivíduos saudáveis, embora a relação PEmáx/PImáx tenha sido menor nos pacientes com doença neuromuscular (0,87±0,3) e maior nos pacientes com bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa (1,1±0,3) em comparação ao grupo saudável (0,97±0,2). Somente em pacientes com doença neuromuscular foi observada uma correlação negativa entre a razão PEmáx/PImáx e a idade (r=-0,50; p=0,01). Conclusões: Foram observadas diferenças no padrão de fraqueza muscular em pacientes com doença respiratória crônica. Nos pacientes com doença neuromuscular, verificou-se diminuição na relação PEmáx/PImáx dependendo da PImáx; em pacientes com bronquiolite obliterante pós-infecciosa, foi observado aumento na relação dependendo da PImáx.

RESPIRATORY MUSCLE IMPAIRMENT EVALUATED WITH MEP/MIP RATIO IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASE.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the strength of respiratory muscles and to compare maximum inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory (MEP) pressure and MEP/MIP ratio between patients with chronic respiratory diseases and healthy individuals. METHODS: Case-control study. Individuals with neuromuscular disease and post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans were considered. In addition, they were also matched according to anthropometric and demographic characteristics with healthy children and adolescents. MIP, MEP in the three groups, and pulmonary function only in patients with chronic respiratory diseases were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 52 subjects with CRD (25 with neuromuscular disease, and 27 with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans) and 85 healthy individuals were included, with an average age of 11.3±2.1 years. Patients with neuromuscular disease and post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans presented lower MIP and MEP when compared with healthy individuals, although MEP/MIP ratio was lower in patients with neuromuscular disease (0.87±0.3) and higher in patients with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans (1.1±0.3) compared to the healthy group (0.97±0.2). Only in patients with neuromuscular disease a negative correlation was observed between MEP/MIP ratio and age (r=-0.50; p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the pattern of muscular weakness between patients with chronic respiratory diseases were observed. In patients with neuromuscular disease, a decrease in the MEP/MIP ratio depending on MIP was verified; and in those patients with post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans, an increase in the MEP/MIP ratio depending on MIP was also observed.

Addition of exogenous proteins detected in oviductal secretions to in vitro culture medium does not improve the efficiency of in vitro fertilization in pigs.

This work was designed to study whether HSP70-1A, HSP90α, ezrin or PDI4, proteins previously identified in porcine oviductal secretions, have a role in zona pellucida (ZP) resistance to enzymatic digestion, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and sperm viability. In vitro matured porcine cumulus oocyte complexes were denuded and i) incubated for 1 h in TALP medium supplemented or not with each exogenous oviductal protein and in presence or absence of heparin to assess ZP digestion time by pronase; and ii) inseminated with fresh ejaculated boar spermatozoa in medium supplemented or not with each exogenous oviductal protein to assess their effect on fertilization results. Finally, spermatozoa were incubated in Tyrode's medium (0, 1 and 20 h) supplemented or not with HSP-701A, HSP-90α or ezrin, to assess simultaneously sperm viability and acrosome status by means of flow cytometry. Although all proteins increased the ZP digestion time, this increase was lower than 1 min, being ezrin the protein with a stronger effect. Presence of heparin in the medium reinforced the ZP hardening effect of ezrin and HSP-701A up to one more min, but not HSP-90α nor PDI4. Sperm penetration, but not IVF efficiency, increased when gametes were cocultured in medium containing PDIA4 whereas sperm penetration and polyspermy rates decreased in presence of ezrin and HSP proteins. This reduction was not the result of a detrimental effect of proteins on sperm viability or acrosome reaction. In conclusion, addition of exogenous proteins detected in oviductal secretions to artificial media does not reproduce the effect of adding such secretions nor improve the final efficiency of the porcine IVF system.

Correction to: DNA methylation changes during preimplantation development reveal interspecies differences and reprogramming events at imprinted genes.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

DNA methylation changes during preimplantation development reveal inter-species differences and reprogramming events at imprinted genes.

Preimplantation embryos experience profound resetting of epigenetic information inherited from the gametes. Genome-wide analysis at single-base resolution has shown similarities but also species differences between human and mouse preimplantation embryos in DNA methylation patterns and reprogramming. Here, we have extended such analysis to two key livestock species, the pig and the cow. We generated genome-wide DNA methylation and whole-transcriptome datasets from gametes to blastocysts in both species. In oocytes from both species, a distinctive bimodal methylation landscape is present, with hypermethylated domains prevalent over hypomethylated domains, similar to human, while in the mouse the proportions are reversed.An oocyte-like pattern of methylation persists in the cleavage stages, albeit with some reduction in methylation level, persisting to blastocysts in cow, while pig blastocysts have a highly hypomethylated landscape. In the pig, there was evidence of transient de novo methylation at the 8-16 cell stages of domains unmethylated in oocytes, revealing a complex dynamic of methylation reprogramming. The methylation datasets were used to identify germline differentially methylated regions (gDMRs) of known imprinted genes and for the basis of detection of novel imprinted loci. Strikingly in the pig, we detected a consistent reduction in gDMR methylation at the 8-16 cell stages, followed by recovery to the blastocyst stage, suggesting an active period of imprint stabilization in preimplantation embryos. Transcriptome analysis revealed absence of expression in oocytes of both species of ZFP57, a key factor in the mouse for gDMR methylation maintenance, but presence of the alternative imprint regulator ZNF445. In conclusion, our study reveals species differences in DNA methylation reprogramming and suggests that porcine or bovine models may be closer to human in key aspects than in the mouse model.

Assessment of EPInfant scale for exercise intensity perceptual self-regulation in healthy children. / Evaluación de la escala EPInfant para la auto-regulación perceptual de la intensidad del ejercicio en niños sanos.

INTRODUCTION: The EPInfant scale has been validated for the perceptual estimation of physical exer tion in Chilean children, but its usefulness for self-regulation of exercise intensity is unknown. The objective of the study was to evaluate the criterion validity of the EPInfant scale to regulate and re produce exercise intensity in a sample of healthy children. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: 15 children between the ages of eight and 12 were selected for an incremental exercise test (IET) and three perceptually regulated exercise tests (PRET) on a treadmill. The tests were performed with a 48-hour interval between them. In the PRET, the exercise load was adjusted perceptually for five minutes, randomly considering levels 3, 6, and 9 of the EPInfant scale. The average heart rate (HR) during PRET was considered as the perceptually reproduced intensity. Variance analysis, simple linear regression, and reliability analysis were used to determine the reproducibility of HR during PRET. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in HR between perceptual levels during PRET (p < 0.001). Additionally, a correlation was observed between HR during the IET and the PRET (r = 0.83, r2 = 0.69). The intra class correlation coefficient was 0.76, 0.83. and 0.93 at perceptual levels 3, 6, and 9; and the mean dis cordance between HR during the IET and the PRET was -2.4 beats/min. CONCLUSION: In the studied sample, the EPInfant scale was valid to allow the perceptual regulation and reproduction of exercise intensity in a treadmill.

Validez y confiabilidad de la escala de Tal modificada en niños chilenos: Estudio multicéntrico / Validity and reliability of the modified Tal score in Chilean children: A multicenter study

Introducción: En pediatría, evaluar la gravedad de la obstrucción bronquial es determinante; por esto, se han creado escalas de puntuación clínica, como la escala de Tal modificada. El objetivo fue determinar su validez y confiabilidad en niños atendidos en unidades de emergencia de Concepción, Chile. Población y métodos: Estudio de cohorte prospectivo. Se incluyeron niños < 36 meses con diagnóstico de bronquitis y/o bronquiolitis durante meses de invierno y primavera de 2015. La validez de criterio concurrente se determinó mediante la correlación entre el puntaje de la escala y la saturación de oxígeno, como estándar de referencia. La validez predictiva se evaluó mediante la asociación entre el puntaje de la escala y la probabilidad de nueva atención en la Unidad de Emergencia dentro de 7 días. Se calculó el área bajo la curva mediante curva ROC. La confiabilidad entre kinesiólogos y médicos se determinó mediante el coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI). Un valor de p < 0,05 se consideró estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: Se evaluaron 102 niños; se observó correlación débil entre la puntuación de la escala y la saturación de oxígeno en kinesiólogos (Rho= -0,41). Existió asociación entre la puntuación y la probabilidad de nueva atención en centros de emergencia. El área bajo la curva medida por ambos profesionales fue > 0,80. La confiabilidad interobservador entre médicos y kinesiólogos presentó correlación débil (CCI= 0,17). Conclusiones: La escala de Tal modificada presenta una adecuada validez predictiva, pero pobre validez al correlacionarla con la saturación de oxígeno y una débil confiabilidad interobservador.

Introduction: In pediatrics, it is decisive to assess the severity of bronchial obstruction; to this end, different clinical scoring scales have been developed, including the modified Tal score. The objective of this study was to determine its validity and reliability in children seen at two emergency departments of Concepción, Chile. Population and methods: Prospective, cohort study. Children younger than 36 months old diagnosed with bronchitis and/or bronchiolitis during the winter and spring months of 2015 were included. Concurrent criterion validity was determined based on the correlation between the score and oxygen saturation, as a reference standard. Predictive validity was assessed based on the association between the score and the probability of a new visit to the emergency department in the following 7 days. The area under the ROC curve was estimated. Reliability between kinesiologists and physicians was established based on the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 102 children were assessed; a weak correlation between the score and oxygen saturation was observed among kinesiologists (Rho = -0.41). An association was observed between the score and the probability of a new visit to the emergency department. The area under the curve measured by both health care providers was > 0.80. Inter-observer reliability between physicians and kinesiologists showed a weak correlation (ICC = 0.17). Conclusions: The modified Tal score shows an adequate predictive validity, but a poor validity when correlated to oxygen saturation, and a weak inter-observer reliability.

Evaluación de la escala EPInfant para la auto-regulación perceptual de la intensidad del ejercicio en niños sanos / Assessment of EPInfant scale for exercise intensity perceptual self-regulation in healthy children

INTRODUCCIÓN: La escala EPInfant ha sido validada para la estimación perceptual del esfuerzo físico en niños chile nos, pero se desconoce su utilidad para la autorregulación de la intensidad del ejercicio. OBJETIVO: evaluar la validez de criterio de la escala EPInfant para regular y reproducir la intensidad de ejercicio en una muestra de niños sanos. SUJETOS Y MÉTODO: Se seleccionaron 15 niños entre 8 y 12 años, en quienes se realizó un test de carga incremental (TCI) y tres pruebas de regulación perceptual (PRP) en trotadora. Las pruebas se realizaron con un intervalo de 48 horas entre ellas. En la PRP, la carga de trabajo se ajustó perceptualmente durante 5 minutos, considerando aleatoriamente los niveles 3, 6 y 9 de la escala EPInfant. Se consideró el promedio de la FC durante la PRP como la intensidad reproducida perceptualmente. Se empleó análisis de varianza, regresión lineal simple y análisis de confiabilidad para determinar la reproducibilidad de la FC durante la PRP. RESULTADOS: Existió diferencia significativa en la FC entre los niveles perceptivos durante la PRP (p < 0,001). Adicional mente, se observó correlación entre la FC durante el TCI y la PRP (r = 0,83; r2 = 0,69). El coeficiente de correlación intraclase fue de 0,76, 0,83 y 0,93 en los niveles perceptivos 3, 6 y 9; y la discordancia media entre la FC durante el TCI y la PRP fue de -2,4 lat/min. CONCLUSIÓN: En la muestra estudiada, la escala EPInfant fue válida para permitir la regulación y reproducción perceptual de la intensidad del ejercicio en trotadora.

INTRODUCTION: The EPInfant scale has been validated for the perceptual estimation of physical exer tion in Chilean children, but its usefulness for self-regulation of exercise intensity is unknown. The objective of the study was to evaluate the criterion validity of the EPInfant scale to regulate and re produce exercise intensity in a sample of healthy children. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: 15 children between the ages of eight and 12 were selected for an incremental exercise test (IET) and three perceptually regulated exercise tests (PRET) on a treadmill. The tests were performed with a 48-hour interval between them. In the PRET, the exercise load was adjusted perceptually for five minutes, randomly considering levels 3, 6, and 9 of the EPInfant scale. The average heart rate (HR) during PRET was considered as the perceptually reproduced intensity. Variance analysis, simple linear regression, and reliability analysis were used to determine the reproducibility of HR during PRET. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in HR between perceptual levels during PRET (p < 0.001). Additionally, a correlation was observed between HR during the IET and the PRET (r = 0.83, r2 = 0.69). The intra class correlation coefficient was 0.76, 0.83. and 0.93 at perceptual levels 3, 6, and 9; and the mean dis cordance between HR during the IET and the PRET was -2.4 beats/min. CONCLUSION: In the studied sample, the EPInfant scale was valid to allow the perceptual regulation and reproduction of exercise intensity in a treadmill.

Validity and reliability of the modified Tal score in Chilean children. A multicenter study. / Validez y confiabilidad de la escala de Tal modificada en niños chilenos. Estudio multicéntrico.

INTRODUCTION: In pediatrics, it is decisive to assess the severity of bronchial obstruction; to this end, different clinical scoring scales have been developed, including the modified Tal score. The objective of this study was to determine its validity and reliability in children seen at two emergency departments of Concepción, Chile. POPULATION AND METHODS: Prospective, cohort study. Children younger than 36 months old diagnosed with bronchitis and/or bronchiolitis during the winter and spring months of 2015 were included. Concurrent criterion validity was determined based on the correlation between the score and oxygen saturation, as a reference standard. Predictive validity was assessed based on the association between the score and the probability of a new visit to the emergency department in the following 7 days. The area under the ROC curve was estimated. Reliability between kinesiologists and physicians was established based on the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 102 children were assessed; a weak correlation between the score and oxygen saturation was observed among kinesiologists (Rho = -0.41). An association was observed between the score and the probability of a new visit to the emergency department. The area under the curve measured by both health care providers was > 0.80. Inter-observer reliability between physicians and kinesiologists showed a weak correlation (ICC = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: The modified Tal score shows an adequate predictive validity, but a poor validity when correlated to oxygen saturation, and a weak inter-observer reliability.

Introducción: En pediatría, evaluar la gravedad de la obstrucción bronquial es determinante; por esto, se han creado escalas de puntuación clínica, como la escala de Tal modificada. El objetivo fue determinar su validez y confiabilidad en niños atendidos en unidades de emergencia de Concepción, Chile. Población y métodos: Estudio de cohorte prospectivo. Se incluyeron niños < 36 meses con diagnóstico de bronquitis y/o bronquiolitis durante meses de invierno y primavera de 2015. La validez de criterio concurrente se determinó mediante la correlación entre el puntaje de la escala y la saturación de oxígeno, como estándar de referencia. La validez predictiva se evaluó mediante la asociación entre el puntaje de la escala y la probabilidad de nueva atención en la Unidad de Emergencia dentro de 7 días. Se calculó el área bajo la curva mediante curva ROC. La confiabilidad entre kinesiólogos y médicos se determinó mediante el coeficiente de correlación intraclase (CCI). Un valor de p < 0,05 se consideró estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: Se evaluaron 102 niños; se observó correlación débil entre la puntuación de la escala y la saturación de oxígeno en kinesiólogos (Rho= -0,41). Existió asociación entre la puntuación y la probabilidad de nueva atención en centros de emergencia. El área bajo la curva medida por ambos profesionales fue > 0,80. La confiabilidad interobservador entre médicos y kinesiólogos presentó correlación débil (CCI= 0,17). Conclusiones: La escala de Tal modificada presenta una adecuada validez predictiva, pero pobre validez al correlacionarla con la saturación de oxígeno y una débil confiabilidad interobservador.

Efectividad de intervenciones basadas en Mindfulness para mejorar el control de la Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2: una revisión sistemática e integración metanalitica preliminar / Effectiveness of Mindfulness-based interventions to improve control of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and preliminary meta-analytic integration

Resumen El propósito de este trabajo fue estudiar la efectividad de intervenciones basadas en Mindfulness sobre el nivel de hemoglobina glicada —HbA1c— en pacientes con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 —DM2—. Se realizó una revisión sistemática e integración metanalítica preliminar. La búsqueda de los estudios se realizó en las siguientes bases: PubMed, Bireme, Web of Science, SciELO, Embase, EBSCOhost, SCOPUS, Psychology Database. Se identificaron 10 artículos: cuatro fueron llevados a cabo en Estados Unidos, dos en Irán, uno en Alemania, uno en Australia, uno en Tailandia y uno en Inglaterra. Se observó una reducción en los niveles de la HbA1c utilizando Mindfulness en comparación a los grupos controles (p < 0,02). Además, se observó un efecto diferenciado al analizar según número de participantes, sexo y tiempo de seguimiento. Se concluyó que el uso de intervenciones basadas en Mindfulness tendría un efecto indirecto sobre la reducción de la hemoglobina glicada.

Abstract The purpose of this paper was to study the effectiveness of Mindfulness-based interventions on the level of glycated hemoglobin —HbA1c— in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus —DM2—. A systematic review and preliminary meta-analytic integration was performed. The search of the studies was carried out in the following bases: PubMed, Bireme, Web of Science, SciELO, Embase, EBSCOhost, SCOPUS, Psychology Database. Ten articles were identified: four were published in the United States, two in Iran, one in Germany, one in Australia, one in Thailand and one in England. A reduction in HbA1c levels was observed using Mindfulness compared to control groups (p <0,02). In addition, according to the number of participants, sex and time of follow-up a differentiated effect was found. It was concluded that the use of interventions based on Mindfulness would have an indirect effect on the reduction of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

A bio-inspired sighted robot chases like a hoverfly.

Here we present a novel bio-inspired visual processing system, which enables a robot to locate and follow a target, using an artificial compound eye called CurvACE. This visual sensor actively scanned the environment at an imposed frequency (50 Hz) with an angular scanning amplitude of [Formula: see text] and succeeded in locating a textured cylindrical target with hyperacuity, i.e. much finer resolution than the coarse inter-receptor angle of the compound eye. Equipped with this small, lightweight visual scanning sensor, a Mecanum-wheeled mobile robot named ACEbot was able to follow a target at a constant distance by localizing the right and left edges of the target. The localization of the target's contrasted edges is based on a bio-inspired summation of Gaussian receptive fields in the visual system. By means of its auto-adaptive pixels, ACEbot consistently achieved similar pursuit performances under various lighting conditions with a high level of repeatability. The robotic pursuit pattern mimics finely the behavior of the male fly Syritta Pipens L. while pursuing the female. The high similarity in the trajectories as well as the biomimicry of the visual system provides strong support for the hypothesis that flies do maintain center the target and constant its subtended angle during smooth pursuit. Moreover, we discuss the fact that such simple strategy can also provide a trajectory compatible with motion camouflage.

Bionalytical validation study for the determination of unbound ambrisentan in human plasma using rapid equilibrium dialysis followed by ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.

Ambrisentan is a highly selective endothelin-1 type A receptor antagonist indicated for use in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. In this study an assay was developed and validated for the quantification of total and unbound (free) concentrations of ambrisentan in human plasma. Plasma samples were dialysed against phosphate buffered saline in a rapid equilibrium dialysis device to obtain dialysate and plasma for unbound and total ambrisentan, respectively. Subsequently, ambrisentan and deuterated ambrisentan (internal standard) were extracted from plasma or plasma dialysate by solid-phase extraction and separated by ultra performance liquid chromatography using on a reversed-phase C18 column. Detection was conducted with a tandem mass spectrometer with an electrospray ionization source and analysed in positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitoring. Calibration curves were generated over a linear concentration range of 0.1-200 ng/mL in plasma and 0.1-10 ng/mL in plasma ultrafiltrate; with a recovery for ambrisentan of 69.4% and 77.5%, respectively. This assay has been shown to be reproducible and sensitive. The lower limit of quantification in both cases was 0.1 ng/mL; reaching a sensitivity not previously described in the literature. The inter- and intra-batch precision and accuracy were in both cases ≤±15%. The procedure was applied to assess total and free plasma concentrations of ambrisentan in healthy volunteers. Plasma protein binding of ambrisentan was approximately 99%.

Echocardiographic changes with non-invasive ventilation and CPAP in obesity hypoventilation syndrome.

RATIONALE: Despite a significant association between obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS) and cardiac dysfunction, no randomised trials have assessed the impact of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) or CPAP on cardiac structure and function assessed by echocardiography. OBJECTIVES: We performed a secondary analysis of the data from the largest multicentre randomised controlled trial of OHS (Pickwick project, n=221) to determine the comparative efficacy of 2 months of NIV (n=71), CPAP (n=80) and lifestyle modification (control group, n=70) on structural and functional echocardiographic changes. METHODS: Conventional transthoracic two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiograms were obtained at baseline and after 2 months. Echocardiographers at each site were blinded to the treatment arms. Statistical analysis was performed using intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: At baseline, 55% of patients had pulmonary hypertension and 51% had evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy. Treatment with NIV, but not CPAP, lowered systolic pulmonary artery pressure (-3.4 mm Hg, 95% CI -5.3 to -1.5; adjusted P=0.025 vs control and P=0.033 vs CPAP). The degree of improvement in systolic pulmonary artery pressure was greater in patients treated with NIV who had pulmonary hypertension at baseline (-6.4 mm Hg, 95% CI -9 to -3.8). Only NIV therapy decreased left ventricular hypertrophy with a significant reduction in left ventricular mass index (-5.7 g/m2; 95% CI -11.0 to -4.4). After adjusted analysis, NIV was superior to control group in improving left ventricular mass index (P=0.015). Only treatment with NIV led to a significant improvement in 6 min walk distance (32 m; 95% CI 19 to 46). CONCLUSION: In patients with OHS, medium-term treatment with NIV is more effective than CPAP and lifestyle modification in improving pulmonary hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and functional outcomes. Long-term studies are needed to confirm these results. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Pre-results, NCT01405976 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/).