High Rate of Change of the Foot in Ecuadorian Children: The Need for Proper Shoe Design.

BACKGROUND: Physiological changes in the foot may be influenced by external factors such as shoe types or demographic parameters, leading to podiatric conditions in adulthood. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in morphological measurements of the feet of boys and girls during childhood and adolescence. METHODS: A total of 1678 Ecuadorian children aged 8 to 17 years participated in the study. The length, width, and height of the foot were analyzed using a 3D scanner to obtain the arch height ratio for the diagnosis of pediatric flat foot. RESULTS: Statistical differences were observed for lengths, widths, and perimeters of the foot in boys aged 5 to 15-16 years and girls aged 5 to 12-13 years. Differences in the height of the navicular bone were found in all age groups, with changes from 2.8 to 4.1% in boys and from 1.3 to 1.5% in girls. The greatest differences between boys and girls of the same age were found at 14 years old onwards. The highest prevalence of flat foot was found in 8-year-old girls (64.9%) and in 12-year-old boys (82.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The feet of Ecuadorian children develop progressively during childhood and adolescence. Boys presented with longer and wider feet than girls of the same age. The highest prevalence of flat foot was found in 12-year-old boys and 8-year-old girls.

Illuminating a Solvent-Dependent Hierarchy for Aromatic CH/π Complexes with Dynamic Covalent Glyco-Balances.

CH/π interactions are prevalent among aromatic complexes and represent invaluable tools for stabilizing well-defined molecular architectures. Their energy contributions are exceptionally sensitive to various structural and environmental factors, resulting in a context-dependent nature that has led to conflicting findings in the scientific literature. Consequently, a universally accepted hierarchy for aromatic CH/π interactions has remained elusive. Herein, we present a comprehensive experimental investigation of aromatic CH/π complexes, employing a novel approach that involves isotopically labeled glyco-balances generated in situ. This innovative strategy not only allows us to uncover thermodynamic insights but also delves into the often less-accessible domain of kinetic information. Our analyses have yielded more than 180 new free energy values while considering key factors such as solvent properties, the interaction geometry, and the presence and nature of accompanying counterions. Remarkably, the obtained results challenge conventional wisdom regarding the stability order of common aromatic complexes. While it was believed that cationic CH/π interactions held the highest strength, followed by polarized CH/π, nonpolarized CH/π, and finally anionic CH/π interactions, our study reveals that this hierarchy can be subverted depending on the environment. Indeed, the performance of polarized CH/π interactions can match or even outcompete that of cationic CH/π interactions making them a more reliable stabilization strategy across the entire spectrum of solvent polarity. Overall, our results provide valuable guidelines for the selection of optimal interacting partners in every chemical environment, allowing the design of tailored aromatic complexes with applications in supramolecular chemistry, organocatalysis, and/or material sciences.

Resilience among primary care professionals in a time of pandemic: a qualitative study in the Spanish context.

OBJECTIVES: This study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Spanish primary care structure and services and the mechanisms implemented by the primary care workforce to restore and reinforce their reference care model. DESIGN: An exploratory, qualitative study with semistructured interviews and a focus group discussion conducted during the fall semester of 2020. SETTING: Primary health centres in Madrid (Spain), chosen based on factors such as infection rates during the earliest stages of the pandemic and demographic and socioeconomic aspects. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 19 primary health and social care professionals were purposively selected. Criteria for inclusion were gender (male/female), at least 5 years of experience in their current position, category (health/social/administrative worker), and whether they worked in a rural or urban healthcare setting. RESULTS: Two main themes were identified: (1) reflecting on a model in crisis-particularly the reopening of centres to users and the proactive, participative strategies implemented by primary care professionals to reach their community; and (2) regaining a sense of purpose-how healthcare professionals implemented strategies to sustain their vision of their reference model. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed leadership deficiencies that, together with the initial unavailability of resources and difficulties maintaining face-to-face contact with users, triggered a sense of loss of professional identity. On the other hand, the analysis revealed potential strategies to restore and reinforce the traditional model, such as the adoption of digital technologies and reliance on community networks. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of a solid reference framework and enhances the strengths and skills of the workforce to reinforce the community-based service provision model.

Lateral wedge insoles and their use in ankle instability.

The aim of the present study is to assess the immediate effects of applying lateral wedge insoles of different heights (0.00, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.6 cm) in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) in normal and supinated feet during a Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and in the reflex response of Peroneus Longus (PL), Peroneus Brevis (PB), and Tibialis Anterior (TA) over a 30° inversion of the feet. The effects of the height of the wedges were assessed using a double-blind, crossover design. In total, 25 participants were allocated into two groups, depending on the foot posture (Normal = 12, Supinated = 13) and performed the tests in a random fashion. Reaction time (RT) of stabilizing muscles of the ankle was measured using superficial electromyography (EMG) and postural balance with the SEBT. Foot posture did not show any significant effects on the analyzed variables. Nonetheless, the use of a 0.3 cm external rearfoot wedge (PB p = 0.002; PL p = 0.066 and TA p = 0.006) and 0.6 cm (PB p = 0.043; PL p = 0.058 and TA p = 0.071) reduces RT in stabilizing muscles of the ankle and improves results in SEBT, except for the anterolateral direction, in subjects with CAI. Therefore, our results suggest that the use of lateral wedge insoles could reduce RT and improve dynamic balance in chronic ankle instability.

Foot morphology as a predictor of hallux valgus development in children.

An excess of body weight can produce morphological changes in the feet of children. The aim of this study was to assess the morphological differences of the foot in children based on their body mass index and to determine the risk factors for the development of a hallux valgus in childhood and adolescence. One Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-Eight children (5-17 years) were classified as group with obesity, overweight, and normal weight. Lengths, widths, heights and angles of both feet was measured with a 3D scanner. The risk of developing hallux valgus was calculated. Group with overweight and obesity presented longer feet (p = 0.00), wider metatarsals (p = 0.00) and wider heels (p = 0.00). Arch height was lower (p > 0.01) in the group with obesity, and the hallux angle was greater in the group with normal weight (p < 0.05). The relative risk of a lateral hallux deviation increases with age, foot length and heel width (Exp (B) > 1). Children with overweight and obesity had longer and wider feet. The arch height was higher in children with overweight, and lower in children with obesity. Age, foot length, and heel width could be risk factors for the development of hallux valgus, while metatarsal width and arch height could be protective factors. Monitorization of the development and characterization of the foot in childhood as a clinical tool could help professionals to early identify the patients presenting risk factors and prevent future deformities and other biomechanical conditions in adulthood by implementing protecting measures.

The use of a smartphone application to improve stroke code workflow metrics: A pilot study in a comprehensive stroke centre.

Background: Timely coordination between stroke team members is of relevance for stroke code management. We explore the feasibility and potential utility of a smartphone application for clinical and neuroimaging data sharing for improving workflow metrics of stroke code pathways, and professionals' opinions about its use. Methods: We performed an observational pilot study including stroke code activations at La Paz University Hospital in Madrid, from June 2019 to March 2020. Patients were classified according to the activation or not of the JOIN app by the attending physician. Clinical data and time-to-procedures were retrieved from the app or from the hospital records and the Madrid regional stroke registry as appropriate and compared between both groups. An anonymous survey collected professionals' opinions about the app and its use. Results: A total of 282 stroke code activations were registered. The JOIN app was activated in 111 (39%) cases. They had a significant reduction in imaging-to-thrombolysis (31 vs 20 min, p = .026) and in door-to-thrombolysis times (51 vs 36 min, p = .004), with more patients achieving a door-to-needle time below 45 min (68.8% vs 37.8%, p = .016). About 50% of the users found the app useful for facilitating the diagnosis and decision-making; interoperability with clinical files was considered an opportunity for improvement. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that JOIN helps improve and document workflow metrics in acute stroke management in a comprehensive stroke centre. These results support testing JOIN in a prospective randomised study to confirm its usefulness and the general applicability of the results.

Common Laboratory Parameters Are Useful for Screening for Alcohol Use Disorder: Designing a Predictive Model Using Machine Learning.

The diagnosis of alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains a difficult challenge, and some patients may not be adequately diagnosed. This study aims to identify an optimum combination of laboratory markers to detect alcohol consumption, using data science. An analytical observational study was conducted with 337 subjects (253 men and 83 women, with a mean age of 44 years (10.61 Standard Deviation (SD)). The first group included 204 participants being treated in the Addictive Behaviors Unit (ABU) from Albacete (Spain). They met the diagnostic criteria for AUD specified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders fifth edition (DSM-5). The second group included 133 blood donors (people with no risk of AUD), recruited by cross-section. All participants were also divided in two groups according to the WHO classification for risk of alcohol consumption in Spain, that is, males drinking more than 28 standard drink units (SDUs) or women drinking more than 17 SDUs. Medical history and laboratory markers were selected from our hospital's database. A correlation between alterations in laboratory markers and the amount of alcohol consumed was established. We then created three predicted models (with logistic regression, classification tree, and Bayesian network) to detect risk of alcohol consumption by using laboratory markers as predictive features. For the execution of the selection of variables and the creation and validation of predictive models, two tools were used: the scikit-learn library for Python, and the Weka application. The logistic regression model provided a maximum AUD prediction accuracy of 85.07%. Secondly, the classification tree provided a lower accuracy of 79.4%, but easier interpretation. Finally, the Naive Bayes network had an accuracy of 87.46%. The combination of several common biochemical markers and the use of data science can enhance detection of AUD, helping to prevent future medical complications derived from AUD.

Efficacy of psychological interventions on clinical outcomes of coronary artery disease: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Psychological factors influence clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, psychological interventions (PIs) may have beneficial effects in these patients. We evaluated the efficacy of PIs based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and positive psychology therapy (PPT) on clinical and laboratory outcomes in CAD. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials evaluating CBT or PPT in CAD patients published until May 2020 were systematically reviewed and analyzed. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, any cardiovascular event, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, coronary revascularization, angina, and readmission. Random effects meta-analyses using the inverse variance method were performed. Effects were expressed as risk ratios (RR) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Twenty-five trials were included (n = 8119); 22 evaluating the effects of multi-component CBT (n = 7909), and three PPT (n = 210). Thirteen RCTs were at high risk of bias due to limitations in randomization or blinding. Compared with control groups any cardiovascular event (RR 0.82; 0.70 to 0.97; 5 studies), MI (RR 0.72; 0.52 to 0.98; 9 studies), and angina duration and intensity (SMD -0.64; -0.98 to -0.30; 4 studies; and -0.64; -1.17 to -0.11; 2 trials) were significantly reduced with PIs at the end of follow-up. PIs had no effect on other primary outcomes, laboratory or anthropometrical results and presented a moderate to high heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: CBT- and PPT-based PIs reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, MI and angina in patients with CAD. Future research should assess the individual role of CBT and PPT in CAD populations.

Aromatic Interactions in Glycochemistry: From Molecular Recognition to Catalysis.

Aromatic platforms are ubiquitous recognition motifs occurring in protein carbohydrate- binding domains (CBDs), RNA receptors and enzymes. They stabilize the glycoside/ receptor complexes by participating in stacking CH/π interactions with either the α- or ß- face of the corresponding pyranose units. In addition, the role played by aromatic units in the stabilization of glycoside cationic transition states has started being recognized in recent years. Extensive studies carried out during the last decade have allowed the dissection of the main contributing forces that stabilize the carbohydrate/aromatic complexes, while helping delineate not only the standing relationship between the glycoside/ aromatic chemical structures and the strength of this interaction but also their potential influence on glycoside reactivity.

Binding-driven reactivity attenuation enables NMR identification of selective drug candidates for nucleic acid targets.

NMR methods, and in particular ligand-based approaches, are among the most robust and reliable alternatives for binding detection and consequently, they have become highly popular in the context of hit identification and drug discovery. However, when dealing with DNA/RNA targets, these techniques face limitations that have precluded widespread application in medicinal chemistry. In order to expand the arsenal of spectroscopic tools for binding detection and to overcome the existing difficulties, herein we explore the scope and limitations of a strategy that makes use of a binding indicator previously unexploited by NMR: the perturbation of the ligand reactivity caused by complex formation. The obtained results indicate that ligand reactivity can be utilised to reveal association processes and identify the best binders within mixtures of significant complexity, providing a conceptually different reactivity-based alternative within NMR screening methods.

Environmental Factors as a Cause of Differences in the Feet of Ecuadorian Children and Its Relation to Their Footwear.

The objective of this study was to analyze the differences in foot measurements of Ecuadorian children according to their geographical location of residence, taking into account climatic differences (1). A total of 1662 children (2) participated in the study. Three groups were established: coast, mountains and amazonia. The type of footwear (3) used was recorded and the lengths, widths, perimeters, heights and angles of both (4) feet were analyzed with a 3D foot digitizer (5). The variable 'fitting of the foot to footwear' was also obtained. Children living in coastal areas presented greater lengths, widths, perimeters and heights compared to those living in the mountain (p > 0.001) and amazonia (p < 0.001) between ages 5 to 13. Mountain residents showed a greater first toe angle than coast residents (p > 0.001) aged 8 to 17. Children used shoes smaller than required by their foot length (p < 0.01). Ecuadorian children from the coast presented longer and wider feet with higher foot arches, whilst those from mountains presented greater first toe angle. The studied sample used footwear up to one size smaller than the size corresponding to their foot length. The fitting and type of footwear used according to climatic differences could be interfering with normal foot development.

De Novo Design of Selective Quadruplex-Duplex Junction Ligands and Structural Characterisation of Their Binding Mode: Targeting the G4 Hot-Spot.

Invited for the cover of this issue are Andrés G. Santana, Carlos González, Juan Luis Asensio and co-workers at Instituto de Química Orgánica General, Instituto de Química-Física Rocasolano and Universidad de La Rioja. The image depicts drug selectivity using a metaphor of an arrow hitting a target. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202005026.

De Novo Design of Selective Quadruplex-Duplex Junction Ligands and Structural Characterisation of Their Binding Mode: Targeting the G4 Hot-Spot.

Targeting the interface between DNA quadruplex and duplex regions by small molecules holds significant promise in both therapeutics and nanotechnology. Herein, a new pharmacophore is reported, which selectively binds with high affinity to quadruplex-duplex junctions, while presenting a poorer affinity for G-quadruplex or duplex DNA alone. Ligands complying with the reported pharmacophore exhibit a significant affinity and selectivity for quadruplex-duplex junctions, including the one observed in the HIV-1 LTR-III sequence. The structure of the complex between a quadruplex-duplex junction with a ligand of this family has been determined by NMR methods. According to these data, the remarkable selectivity of this structural motif for quadruplex-duplex junctions is achieved through an unprecedented interaction mode so far unexploited in medicinal and biological chemistry: the insertion of a benzylic ammonium moiety into the centre of the partially exposed G-tetrad at the interface with the duplex. Further decoration of the described scaffolds with additional fragments opens up the road to the development of selective ligands for G-quadruplex-forming regions of the genome.

Efficacy of psychological interventions on psychological outcomes in coronary artery disease: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) and positive psychology therapy (PPT) in patients with cardiovascular disease are still not well defined. We assessed the efficacy of CBT and PPT on psychological outcomes in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials evaluating CBT or PPT in CAD patients published until May 2018 were systematically analyzed. Primary outcomes were depression, stress, anxiety, anger, happiness, and vital satisfaction. Random effects meta-analyses using the inverse variance method were performed. Effects were expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) or mean differences (MD) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs); risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane tool. RESULTS: Nineteen trials were included (n = 1956); sixteen evaluated CBT (n = 1732), and three PPT (n = 224). Compared with control groups, depressive symptoms (13 trials; SMD -0.80; 95% CI -1.33 to -0.26), and anxiety (11 trials; SMD -1.26; 95% CI -2.11 to -0.41) improved after the PI, and depression (6 trials; SMD -2.08; 95% CI -3.22 to -0.94), anxiety (5 trials; SMD -1.33; 95% CI -2.38 to -0.29), and stress (3 trials; SMD -3.72; 95% CI -5.91 to -1.52) improved at the end of follow-up. Vital satisfaction was significantly increased at follow-up (MD 1.30, 0.27, 2.33). Non-significant effects on secondary outcomes were found. Subgroup analyses were consistent with overall analyses. CONCLUSION: CBT and PPT improve several psychological outcomes in CAD patients. Depression and anxiety improved immediately after the intervention while stress and vital satisfaction improve in the mid-term. Future research should assess the individual role of CBT and PPT in CAD populations.

Single-Step Glycosylations with 13 C-Labelled Sulfoxide Donors: A Low-Temperature NMR Cartography of the Distinguishing Mechanistic Intermediates.

Glycosyl sulfoxides have gained recognition in the total synthesis of complex oligosaccharides and as model substrates for dissecting the mechanisms involved. Reactions of these donors are usually performed under pre-activation conditions, but an experimentally more convenient single-step protocol has also been reported, whereby activation is performed in the presence of the acceptor alcohol; yet, the nature and prevalence of the reaction intermediates formed in this more complex scenario have comparatively received minimal attention. Herein, a systematic NMR-based study employing both 13 C-labelled and unlabelled glycosyl sulfoxide donors for the detection and monitoring of marginally populated intermediates is reported. The results conclusively show that glycosyl triflates play a key role in these glycosylations despite the presence of the acceptor alcohol. Importantly, the formation of covalent donor/acceptor sulfonium adducts was identified as the main competing reaction, and thus a non-productive consumption of the acceptor that could limit the reaction yield was revealed.

Altered ioflupane single-photon emission computed tomography in anti-IgLON5 disease: A new case mimicking probable progressive supranuclear palsy and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anti-IgLON5 disease is a rare disorder characterized by a heterogeneous myriad of symptoms that may include sleep disorders, bulbar dysfunction, gait problems, movement disorders, cognitive impairment, oculomotor abnormalities, and nervous system hyperexcitability. Its physiopathology remains unknown, with a combination of both autoimmune and neurodegenerative findings. METHODS: We describe clinical, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and ioflupane single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) findings of a positive case of anti-IgLON5 disease mimicking probable progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). We performed a literature review of previous publications reporting on anti-IgLON5 disease and ioflupane SPECT. RESULTS: We report the case of a 66-year-old male who met clinical criteria for probable PSP, in whom ioflupane SPECT showed an alteration of the left presynaptic dopaminergic pathway. However, the presence of atypical neurological symptoms for PSP led to further complementary tests, and IgLON5 antibodies were detected in CSF. According to our literature review, ioflupane SPECT findings have been previously described in only three other patients with anti-IgLON5 disease, with a reduced uptake in the striatum in two of them. CONCLUSIONS: Ioflupane SPECT abnormalities, though scarcely described, are not uncommon in anti-IgLON5 disease. They could be related to nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration in the context of the tauopathy component of the disease, but further case descriptions are necessary.

Dissecting the Essential Role of Anomeric ß-Triflates in Glycosylation Reactions.

Glycosylations promoted by triflate-generating reagents are widespread synthetic methods for the construction of glycosidic scaffolds and glycoconjugates of biological and chemical interest. These processes are thought to proceed with the participation of a plethora of activated high energy intermediates such as the α- and ß-glycosyl triflates, or even increasingly unstable glycosyl oxocarbenium-like species, among which only α-glycosyl triflates have been well characterized under representative reaction conditions. Interestingly, the remaining less accessible intermediates, yet to be experimentally described, seem to be particularly relevant in α-selective processes, involving weak acceptors. Herein, we report a detailed analysis of several paradigmatic and illustrative examples of such reactions, employing a combination of chemical, NMR, kinetic and theoretical approaches, culminating in the unprecedented detection and quantification of the true ß-glycosyl triflate intermediates within activated donor mixtures. This achievement was further employed as a stepping-stone for the characterization of the triflate anomerization dynamics, which along with the acceptor substitutions, govern the stereochemical outcome of the reaction. The obtained data conclusively show that, even for highly dissociative reactions involving ß-close ion pair (ß-CIP) species, the formation of the α-glycoside is necessarily preceded by a bimolecular α → ß triflate interconversion, which under certain circumstances becomes the rate-limiting step. Overall, our results rule out the prevalence of the Curtin-Hammett fast-exchange assumption for most glycosylations and highlight the distinct reactivity properties of α- and ß-glycosyl triflates against neutral and anionic acceptors.

¿Afecta una clase de Educación Física a las dimensiones del pie de los niños? / Does a Physical Education lesson affect the foot morphology in school-aged children?

Resumen: Introducción: Analizar las variaciones que se producen en las medidas morfológicas del pie de los niños escolares, tras la realización de una clase de Educación Física. Metodología: Participaron voluntariamente 10 escolares (5 niños y 5 niñas) con una media de edad de 9.3 ± 0.5 años. Se llevó a cabo la digitalización de ambos pies de manera consecutiva, a través de un escáner en 3D modelo IFU-S-01, Japón. Se calcularon las dimensiones del pie en dos momentos diferentes, antes y después de una clase de Educación Física (pre y post ejercicio) donde se realizaron diferentes actividades que implicaban desplazamientos, saltos y amortiguaciones. Resultados: Al comparar las medidas del pie antes y después del ejercicio se observaron diferencias significativas en la altura del arco plantar, que fue mayor tras la realización de actividad física (p<0.05). El ancho del antepié presentó mayores valores tras el ejercicio sin significancia estadística (p=0.07; tamaño del efecto [ES] = 0.2). Además, se observaron correlaciones positivas entre el ancho del antepié y la altura del arco (r = 0.6; p<0.05); y negativas entre la longitud del talón a la cabeza del metatarso I y el ancho del antepié (r = - 0.7; p<0.05). Conclusiones: El tipo de actividades realizadas durante la clase de Educación Física (desplazamientos, saltos y amortiguaciones) podría causar mayor presión en la zona del antepié, provocando mayor altura del arco plantar. Los sistemas de desarrollo del calzado deportivo infantil deberían tener en cuenta tanto las longitudes del pie, cómo sus anchuras y alturas, para un mejor ajuste del zapato, previniendo lesiones osteomusculares futuras.

Abstract: Background: To analyze the changes in foot morphology in school-age children, after a Physical Education lesson. Methods: A total of 10 school-age children (5 girls and 5 boys) were recruited with a mean age of 9.3 ± 0.5 years that voluntary participated in this study. Measurements of both feet were obtained using a 3D foot digitizer model IFU-S-01 (Japan) in two different moments, before and after a physical education lesson (per-exercise and post-exercise), where different activities involving displacements, jumps and landings were performed. Results: By comparing foot morphology before and after exercise, significant differences in the arch height were found, which increased after exercise (p<0.05). The ball width shows greater changes after exercise but without significant differences (p= 0.07; effect size [ES] = 0.2). Furthermore, a positive correlation between the ball width and the arch height (p<0.05) and negative correlation between the distance from the heel to the first metatarsal and the ball width (r = - 0.7; p<0.05), were observed. Conclusions: The type of activities undertaken during physical education lesson (displacements, jumps and landings) increased the pressure on the forefoot, which would lead to a lager arch height. Development of children's sport footwear systems should take into account the foot lengths, widths and heights, for a better fit, preventing future musculoskeletal injuries.

N-BODIPYs Come into Play: Smart Dyes for Photonic Materials.

N-BODIPYs (diaminoboron dipyrromethenes) are unveiled as a new family of BODIPY dyes with huge technological potential. Synthetic access to these systems has been gained through a judicious design focused on stabilizing the involved diaminoboron chelate. Once stabilized, the obtained N-BODIPYs retain the effective photophysical behavior exhibited by other boron-substituted BODIPYs, such as O-BODIPYs. However, key bonding features of nitrogen compared to those of oxygen (enhanced bond valence and different bond directionality) open up new possibilities for functionalizing BODIPYs, allowing an increase in the number of pendant moieties (from two in O-BODIPYs, up to four in N-BODIPYs) near the chromophore and, therefore, greater control of the photophysics. As a proof of concept, the following findings are discussed: (1) the low-cost and straightforward synthesis of a selected series of N-BODIPYs; (2) their outstanding photophysical properties compared to those of related effective dyes (excellent emission signatures, including fluorescence in the solid state; notable lasing capacities in the liquid phase and when doped into polymers; improved laser performance compared to the parent F-BODIPYs); (3) the versatility of the diaminoboron moiety in allowing the generation of multifunctionalized BODIPYs, permitting access to both symmetric and asymmetric dyes; (4) the capability of such versatility to finely modulate the dye photophysics towards different photonic applications, from lasing to chemosensing.

[Does a Physical Education lesson affect the foot morphology in school-aged children?] / ¿Afecta una clase de Educación Física a las dimensiones del pie de los niños?

BACKGROUND: To analyze the changes in foot morphology in school-age children, after a Physical Education lesson. METHODS: A total of 10 school-age children (5 girls and 5 boys) were recruited with a mean age of 9.3 ± 0.5 years that voluntary participated in this study. Measurements of both feet were obtained using a 3D foot digitizer model IFU-S-01 (Japan) in two different moments, before and after a physical education lesson (per-exercise and post-exercise), where different activities involving displacements, jumps and landings were performed. RESULTS: By comparing foot morphology before and after exercise, significant differences in the arch height were found, which increased after exercise (p<0.05). The ball width shows greater changes after exercise but without significant differences (p= 0.07; effect size [ES] = 0.2). Furthermore, a positive correlation between the ball width and the arch height (p<0.05) and negative correlation between the distance from the heel to the first metatarsal and the ball width (r = - 0.7; p<0.05), were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The type of activities undertaken during physical education lesson (displacements, jumps and landings) increased the pressure on the forefoot, which would lead to a lager arch height. Development of children's sport footwear systems should take into account the foot lengths, widths and heights, for a better fit, preventing future musculoskeletal injuries.