Low Computational-Cost Footprint Deformities Diagnosis Sensor through Angles, Dimensions Analysis and Image Processing Techniques.

Manual measurements of foot anthropometry can lead to errors since this task involves the experience of the specialist who performs them, resulting in different subjective measures from the same footprint. Moreover, some of the diagnoses that are given to classify a footprint deformity are based on a qualitative interpretation by the physician; there is no quantitative interpretation of the footprint. The importance of providing a correct and accurate diagnosis lies in the need to ensure that an appropriate treatment is provided for the improvement of the patient without risking his or her health. Therefore, this article presents a smart sensor that integrates the capture of the footprint, a low computational-cost analysis of the image and the interpretation of the results through a quantitative evaluation. The smart sensor implemented required the use of a camera (Logitech C920) connected to a Raspberry Pi 3, where a graphical interface was made for the capture and processing of the image, and it was adapted to a podoscope conventionally used by specialists such as orthopedist, physiotherapists and podiatrists. The footprint diagnosis smart sensor (FPDSS) has proven to be robust to different types of deformity, precise, sensitive and correlated in 0.99 with the measurements from the digitalized image of the ink mat.

Range-wide analysis of genetic structure in a widespread, highly mobile species (Odocoileus hemionus) reveals the importance of historical biogeography.

Highly mobile species that thrive in a wide range of habitats are expected to show little genetic differentiation across their range. A limited but growing number of studies have revealed that patterns of broad-scale genetic differentiation can and do emerge in vagile, continuously distributed species. However, these patterns are complex and often shaped by both historical and ecological factors. Comprehensive surveys of genetic variation at a broad scale and at high resolution are useful for detecting cryptic spatial genetic structure and for investigating the relative roles of historical and ecological processes in structuring widespread, highly mobile species. In this study, we analysed 10 microsatellite loci from over 1900 samples collected across the full range of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), one of the most widely distributed and abundant of all large mammal species in North America. Through both individual- and population-based analyses, we found evidence for three main genetic lineages, one corresponding to the 'mule deer' morphological type and two to the 'black-tailed deer' type. Historical biogeographic events likely are the primary drivers of genetic divergence in this species; boundaries of the three lineages correspond well with predictions based on Pleistocene glacial cycles, and substructure within each lineage demonstrates island vicariance. However, across large geographic areas, including the entire mule deer lineage, we found that genetic variation fit an isolation-by-distance pattern rather than discrete clusters. A lack of genetic structure across wide geographic areas of the continental west indicates that ecological processes have not resulted in restrictions to gene flow sufficient for spatial genetic structure to emerge. Our results have important implications for our understanding of evolutionary mechanisms of divergence, as well as for taxonomy, conservation and management.

FPGA-based smart sensor for drought stress detection in tomato plants using novel physiological variables and discrete wavelet transform.

Soil drought represents one of the most dangerous stresses for plants. It impacts the yield and quality of crops, and if it remains undetected for a long time, the entire crop could be lost. However, for some plants a certain amount of drought stress improves specific characteristics. In such cases, a device capable of detecting and quantifying the impact of drought stress in plants is desirable. This article focuses on testing if the monitoring of physiological process through a gas exchange methodology provides enough information to detect drought stress conditions in plants. The experiment consists of using a set of smart sensors based on Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) to monitor a group of plants under controlled drought conditions. The main objective was to use different digital signal processing techniques such as the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) to explore the response of plant physiological processes to drought. Also, an index-based methodology was utilized to compensate the spatial variation inside the greenhouse. As a result, differences between treatments were determined to be independent of climate variations inside the greenhouse. Finally, after using the DWT as digital filter, results demonstrated that the proposed system is capable to reject high frequency noise and to detect drought conditions.

Instrumentation in developing chlorophyll fluorescence biosensing: a review.

Chlorophyll fluorescence can be defined as the red and far-red light emitted by photosynthetic tissue when it is excited by a light source. This is an important phenomenon which permits investigators to obtain important information about the state of health of a photosynthetic sample. This article reviews the current state of the art knowledge regarding the design of new chlorophyll fluorescence sensing systems, providing appropriate information about processes, instrumentation and electronic devices. These types of systems and applications can be created to determine both comfort conditions and current problems within a given subject. The procedure to measure chlorophyll fluorescence is commonly split into two main parts; the first involves chlorophyll excitation, for which there are passive or active methods. The second part of the procedure is to closely measure the chlorophyll fluorescence response with specialized instrumentation systems. Such systems utilize several methods, each with different characteristics regarding to cost, resolution, ease of processing or portability. These methods for the most part include cameras, photodiodes and satellite images.

Comparative Analysis of a Modified Secondary Healing Protocol for Fingertip Amputations and Non-microsurgical Reconstruction Techniques.

Objective To describe and compare the results obtained with a secondary healing protocol for fingertip amputations and their relationship to injury severity according to the Allen classification. Methods Medical records of 127 fingertip injuries were revised, and a retrospective, comparative, analytical study the amputations treated conservatively was performed. Injury characteristics, healing time, and complications were described and analyzed. Results Between April 2017 and May 2019, 127 fingertip injuries were treated conservatively. The average age of the sample was of 28.33 years. The average healing time was of 4.31 weeks. The complications during the follow-up were observed in 18.9% ( n = 24) of the cases, but none require revision treatment. A statistically significant relationship between the development of complications and treatment revision according to the Allen classification was not found ( p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion The proposed secondary healing protocol has shown to be safe and effective in types 1 to 3 fingertip amputations in the Allen classification, and it should be included as a therapeutic option even in injuries of greater extension than those that have traditionally been limited to.

Hepatotoxicity from ingestion of wild mushrooms of the genus Amanita section Phalloideae collected in Mexico City: two case reports.

We present two cases of acute liver injury resulting from consumption of wild mushrooms. The first case was a male who developed acute hepatitis after ingestion of diverse mushrooms including Amanita species. His clinical course was favorable with complete recovery of liver function. The second case was a male who developed acute liver failure (ALF) after ingestion of Amanita bisporigera. He required MARS therapy as a bridge to liver transplantation but transplantation was not performed because he succumbed to multiorgan failure. There are few trials demonstrating the efficacy of the different treatments for mushroom poisoning. These cases demonstrate that the consumption of wild mushrooms without proper knowledge of toxic species represents a serious and under recognized health problem.

Lifestyle Factors Influencing Dietary Patterns of University Professors.

The objectives of this study are to identify eating patterns of university professors and to assess the relationships among sociodemographic factors in relation to lifestyle and physical activity. It is a cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational, and observational study with a representative sample of 127 educators, which covers almost the total population of university professors belonging to one of the campuses of the University of Granada (Spain). Two eating patterns were identified a posteriori through explanatory factor analysis: a Western pattern characterised by the consumption of dairy products, eggs, meat, sausages, refined oils, and butter, sugar, processed baked goods, and sugar-containing beverages and alcoholic drinks, and a Mediterranean pattern based on olive oil, fish, fruits, nuts, vegetables, pulses, cereals, and honey, which explain the 20.102 and 17.411 of variance, respectively. Significant differences are observed between the two genders with respect to anthropometric characteristics (weight and size, p < 0.001 in both cases) and to nutritional status (p = 0.011). Origin (p = 0.022) and level of physical activity (p = 0.010) were significantly related to adherence to a Western diet pattern. In the case of the Mediterranean diet pattern, significant differences are observed according to the professors' type of bachelor's degree (p = 0.37). This study provides evidence on factors having an impact on adherence to eating patterns of professors of the University of Granada, and it suggests that programmes addressed to such groups should be developed to promote health.

FPGA-based fused smart sensor for real-time plant-transpiration dynamic estimation.

Plant transpiration is considered one of the most important physiological functions because it constitutes the plants evolving adaptation to exchange moisture with a dry atmosphere which can dehydrate or eventually kill the plant. Due to the importance of transpiration, accurate measurement methods are required; therefore, a smart sensor that fuses five primary sensors is proposed which can measure air temperature, leaf temperature, air relative humidity, plant out relative humidity and ambient light. A field programmable gate array based unit is used to perform signal processing algorithms as average decimation and infinite impulse response filters to the primary sensor readings in order to reduce the signal noise and improve its quality. Once the primary sensor readings are filtered, transpiration dynamics such as: transpiration, stomatal conductance, leaf-air-temperature-difference and vapor pressure deficit are calculated in real time by the smart sensor. This permits the user to observe different primary and calculated measurements at the same time and the relationship between these which is very useful in precision agriculture in the detection of abnormal conditions. Finally, transpiration related stress conditions can be detected in real time because of the use of online processing and embedded communications capabilities.

Baseline glutathione peroxidase activity affects prognosis after acute coronary syndromes.

Oxidative stress is associated with atherosclerosis and plaque lesions in experimental in vitro models. Few in vivo studies have examined the association between redox status and the prognosis of acute coronary syndromes.We undertook a prospective, observational study of 137 patients who had been admitted because of an acute coronary syndrome. We determined glutathione peroxidase activity (a marker of systemic antioxidant status) and recorded clinical and angiographic features and cardiovascular events (cardiovascular death, reinfarction, readmission with a new ischemic event, or need for coronary revascularization).The mean age of the patients (78% of whom were men) was 61.7 +/- 10.9 years; 76% were admitted with non-ST-segment-elevation acute coronary syndrome. Left ventricular ejection fraction was normal in 61%. In the 23.4% who experienced cardiovascular events, glutathione peroxidase activity was higher (mean, 2.38 vs 1.76 mU/mg of protein; P < 0.01). Two-year event-free survival was lower in patients whose glutathione peroxidase activity was higher than the 50th percentile (63% vs 82%; P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed a direct independent relationship between glutathione peroxidase activity and cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 3.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.53-9.02; P < 0.01).We conclude that patients who experienced acute coronary syndromes and events during follow-up had higher plasma glutathione peroxidase activity, and that glutathione peroxidase activity was an independent predictor of events during follow-up.

Caracterización del paciente geriátrico portador de nódulos de tiroides

Fundamento: las enfermedades de la glándula tiroidea son comunes en los adultos mayores y, muchas veces, cursan inadvertidas. Objetivo: caracterizar clínica y ultrasonográficamente a los pacientes geriátricos portadores de nódulo de tiroides. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal, en el Servicio de Geriatría del Hospital General Docente Martín Chang Puga de la provincia de Camagüey, durante los años 2019 al 2022. Se incluyeron los 48 gerontes atendidos en el servicio y diagnosticados con enfermedad nodular del tiroides. Los datos se obtuvieron de las historias clínicas de los pacientes. Se analizaron las variables edad (por grupos de edades), sexo, color de la piel, manifestaciones clínicas y diagnóstico ecográfico. Resultados: el grupo etario de mayor afectación estuvo entre 60 a 69 años con predominio del femenino y del color blanco de la piel. La astenia prevaleció dentro de las manifestaciones clínicas. En el diagnóstico ecográfico prevaleció el nivel I, según el Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System. Conclusiones: la alta prevalencia de las enfermedades del tiroides, en especial en el adulto mayor, hace necesario la realización de un cribado para el diagnóstico ecográfico, al ser una prueba diagnóstica beneficiosa, fiable y a un bajo costo en Atención Primaria de Salud.

Foundation: thyroid gland diseases are common in older adults and often go unnoticed. Objective: to characterize clinically and ultrasonographically geriatric patients with thyroid nodule. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out in the Martín Chang Puga Teaching General Hospital geriatrics service in Camagüey province, from 2019 to 2022. 48 elderly were the universe made up who attended in the service, and were diagnosed with nodular thyroid disease. The data was obtained from the patients' medical records, the age groups; sex, skin color, clinical manifestations, and ultrasound diagnosis were the analyzed variables. Results: the most affected age group was between 60 and 69 years old, with a predominance of females and white skin color. Asthenia prevailed within the clinical manifestations. In the ultrasound diagnosis, level I prevailed, according to the Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System. Conclusions: the high prevalence of thyroid diseases, especially in the elderly, makes it necessary to perform a screening for ultrasound diagnosis, as it is a beneficial, reliable and low-cost diagnostic test in Primary Health Care.

Multi-stage Differentiation Defines Melanoma Subtypes with Differential Vulnerability to Drug-Induced Iron-Dependent Oxidative Stress.

Malignant transformation can result in melanoma cells that resemble different stages of their embryonic development. Our gene expression analysis of human melanoma cell lines and patient tumors revealed that melanoma follows a two-dimensional differentiation trajectory that can be subclassified into four progressive subtypes. This differentiation model is associated with subtype-specific sensitivity to iron-dependent oxidative stress and cell death known as ferroptosis. Receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated resistance to mitogen-activated protein kinase targeted therapies and activation of the inflammatory signaling associated with immune therapy involves transitions along this differentiation trajectory, which lead to increased sensitivity to ferroptosis. Therefore, ferroptosis-inducing drugs present an orthogonal therapeutic approach to target the differentiation plasticity of melanoma cells to increase the efficacy of targeted and immune therapies.

Improvements in health-related quality of life, cardio-metabolic health, and fitness in postmenopausal women after a supervised, multicomponent, adapted exercise program in a suited health promotion intervention: a multigroup study.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the multidimensional outcomes that resulted from the adherence to regular exercise among previously sedentary postmenopausal women. The exercise was managed through a supervised, multicomponent, adapted approximately 20-week program in a suited health promotion intervention. METHODS: A multigroup, mixed-design study with between-group (intervention, sedentary, and active women) and within-subject measures (baseline, postintervention, and 3- and 12-month follow-ups) was conducted using intention-to-treat methodology. The Cervantes Scale assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and several indicators of cardio-metabolic status and fitness were also assessed. RESULTS: After the intervention, the participants experienced positive changes in short and long-term physical and mental health, with significant enhancements in several HRQoL dimensions, particularly mental well-being and menopause-related health and subdomains. Improvements were maintained or continued (eg, mental well-being) throughout the period, leading up to the 12-month follow-up. These outcomes were accompanied by significant improvements in cardio-metabolic status and fitness, including weight, body mass index, cardio-respiratory fitness, and flexibility. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings parallel previous empirical evidence showing the benefits associated with regular exercise, and add evidence to the association of positive outcomes in HRQoL with improvements in cardio-metabolic health and fitness status after the adoption of an active lifestyle.

Improvements in Health-Related Quality of Life, Cardio-Metabolic Health, and Fitness in Postmenopausal Women After an Exercise Plus Health Promotion Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: This study explored multidimensional outcomes that were derived from the adherence to regular exercise among previously sedentary postmenopausal 45 to 64 years old women who engaged in a ~20-week exercise program. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial with between-group (intervention and control women) and within-subject measures (baseline, postintervention, and 3-month and 12-month follow-ups) was conducted. HRQoL and several indicators of cardio-metabolic status and fitness were assessed. RESULTS: After the intervention, the participants experienced a positive change in their short and long-term physical and mental health, with significant enhancements in several HRQoL dimensions, particularly mental well-being (23.3% of change) and menopause-related health and subdomains (17.0% of change) (P < .01). Improvements were maintained or continued (eg, mental well-being) overtime. These outcomes were accompanied by significant improvements in cardio-metabolic status and fitness, including weight, BMI, cardio-respiratory fitness and flexibility (up to 16.2% of change, P < .05). After the intervention, the intervention group exhibited better HRQoL than the control group at each of the measurement phases. Between-group differences were also observed for some indicators of cardiovascular health and flexibility. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings add evidence on the association of positive outcomes on HRQoL with improvements in cardio-metabolic health and fitness status after the adoption of an active lifestyle.

Comparative Analysis of a Modified Secondary Healing Protocol for Fingertip Amputations and Non-microsurgical Reconstruction Techniques / Análise comparativa de um protocolo de cicatrização secundária modificado para amputações das pontas dos dedos e técnicas de reconstrução não microcirúrgicas

Abstract Objective To describe and compare the results obtained with a secondary healing protocol for fingertip amputations and their relationship to injury severity according to the Allen classification. Methods Medical records of 127 fingertip injuries were revised, and a retrospective, comparative, analytical study the amputations treated conservatively was performed. Injury characteristics, healing time, and complications were described and analyzed. Results Between April 2017 and May 2019, 127 fingertip injuries were treated conservatively. The average age of the sample was of 28.33 years. The average healing time was of 4.31 weeks. The complications during the follow-up were observed in 18.9% (n= 24) of the cases, but none require revision treatment. A statistically significant relationship between the development of complications and treatment revision according to the Allen classification was not found (p ≥ 0.05). Conclusion The proposed secondary healing protocol has shown to be safe and effective in types 1 to 3 fingertip amputations in the Allen classification, and it should be included as a therapeutic option even in injuries of greater extension than those that have traditionally been limited to.

Resumo Objetivo Descrever e comparar os resultados obtidos com um protocolo de cicatrização secundária para amputações das pontas dos dedos e sua relação com a gravidade da lesão de acordo com a classificação de Allen. Métodos Foram revisados os prontuários clínicos de 127 lesões nas pontas dos dedos, e realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo, comparativo e analítico das amputações tratadas de forma conservadora. Foram descritas e analisadas as características da lesão, o tempo de cicatrização, e as complicações. Resultados Entre abril de 2017 e maio de 2019, foram tratadas de forma conservadora 127 lesões nas pontas dos dedos. A idade média da amostra era de 28,33 anos. O tempo médio de cicatrização foi de 4,31 semanas. As complicações apresentadas durante o acompanhamento afetaram 18,9% (n = 24) dos casos, porém nenhum exigiu tratamento de revisão. Não foi encontrada relação estatisticamente significativa entre o desenvolvimento das complicações e a revisão do tratamento de acordo com a classificação de Allen (p ≥ 0,05). Conclusão O protocolo de cicatrização secundária proposto mostrou-se seguro e eficaz nas amputações das pontas dos dedos conforme os tipos de 1 a 3 da classificação de Allen, e deve ser incluída como opção terapêutica mesmo em lesões de maior extensão do que aquelas tradicionalmente limitadas.

The benefit of a supplement with the antioxidant melatonin on redox status and muscle damage in resistance-trained athletes.

Previous data showed that the administration of high doses of melatonin improved the circadian system in athletes. Here, we investigated in the same experimental paradigm whether the antioxidant properties of melatonin has also beneficial effects against exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage in athletes. Twenty-four athletes were treated with 100 mg·day-1 of melatonin or placebo 30 min before bedtime during 4 weeks in a randomized double-blind scheme. Exercise intensity was higher during the study that before starting it. Blood samples were collected before and after treatment, and plasma was used for oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC), lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitrite plus nitrate (NOx), and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) determinations. Glutathione (GSH), glutathione disulphide (GSSG) levels, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reductase (GRd) activities, were measured in erythrocytes. Melatonin intake increased ORAC, reduced LPO and NOx levels, and prevented the increase of AOPP, compared to placebo group. Melatonin was also more efficient than placebo in reducing GSSG·GSH-1 and GPx·GRd-1 ratios. Melatonin, but not placebo, reduced creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, and total cholesterol levels. Overall, the data reflect a beneficial effect of melatonin treatment in resistance-training athletes, preventing extra- and intracellular oxidative stress induced by exercise, and yielding further skeletal muscle protection against exercise-induced oxidative damage.

The benefits of four weeks of melatonin treatment on circadian patterns in resistance-trained athletes.

Exercise can induce circadian phase shifts depending on the duration, intensity and frequency. These modifications are of special meaning in athletes during training and competition. Melatonin, which is produced by the pineal gland in a circadian manner, behaves as an endogenous rhythms synchronizer, and it is used as a supplement to promote resynchronization of altered circadian rhythms. In this study, we tested the effect of melatonin administration on the circadian system in athletes. Two groups of athletes were treated with 100 mg day(-1) of melatonin or placebo 30 min before bed for four weeks. Daily rhythm of salivary melatonin was measured before and after melatonin administration. Moreover, circadian variables, including wrist temperature (WT), motor activity and body position rhythmicity, were recorded during seven days before and seven days after melatonin or placebo treatment with the aid of specific sensors placed in the wrist and arm of each athlete. Before treatment, the athletes showed a phase-shift delay of the melatonin circadian rhythm, with an acrophase at 05:00 h. Exercise induced a phase advance of the melatonin rhythm, restoring its acrophase accordingly to the chronotype of the athletes. Melatonin, but not placebo treatment, changed daily waveforms of WT, activity and position. These changes included a one-hour phase advance in the WT rhythm before bedtime, with a longer nocturnal steady state and a smaller reduction when arising at morning than the placebo group. Melatonin, but not placebo, also reduced the nocturnal activity and the activity and position during lunch/nap time. Together, these data reflect the beneficial effect of melatonin to modulate the circadian components of the sleep-wake cycle, improving sleep efficiency.

Serological association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND: Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, but the mechanisms that initiate and promote the disease remain ill defined. There are several risk factors that ARMD shares with atherosclerosis, and these diseases may have similar pathogenic mechanisms that involve inflammation. Chlamydia pneumoniae, a prokaryotic pathogen that causes chronic inflammation is now emerging as a risk factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases. It is therefore plausible that this microorganism also contributes to the pathogenesis of ARMD. METHODS: To examine if C pneumoniae infection is associated with ARMD, serum samples from 25 consecutive patients with ARMD and from 18 without the disease were collected and assayed for the presence of the antibodies to C pneumoniae elementary bodies, Chlamydia trachomatis heat shock protein 60 (cHsp60), C trachomatis heat shock protein 10 (cHsp10), Escherichia coli GroEL, and E coli GroES. RESULTS: A serological association was found between ARMD and anti-C pneumoniae antibodies (P =.047) but not between ARMD and the anti-C trachomatis or anti-E coli heat shock protein antibodies. The association remained statistically significant after adjusting for age and smoking, both established risk factors for ARMD. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that C pneumoniae infection may be associated with ARMD. Further studies on larger cohorts of individuals are necessary to determine if this pathogen plays a role in the pathogenesis of ARMD.

[Benefits of a cardiac rehabilitation program on some parameters of corporal composition]. / Beneficio del seguimiento de un programa de rehabilitación cardíaca sobre algunos parámetros de la composición corporal.

The cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the principal reasons of morbidity and mortality in the world. The cardiac rehabilitation is a program of secondary prevention to complement the effects of the cardiological treatment with the participation of the patient in the control of their habits of life, as a way of promotion of its own cardiovascular health. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the long-term effects of a cardiac rehabilitation program on some parameters of corporal composition in patients that have attended or not, to the phase the III of the program. The study was performed in subjects that suffered a cardiovascular event and they were members of the Association of Cardiac Patients of Granada and Province. All the members were offered the possibility of forming a part of the study. Some parameters of body composition were measured and a nutritional evaluation was performed in all the subjects. The visceral and body fat and, which play a key role in the cardiovascular pathology, are lower in the patients attending to the cardiac rehabilitation program, revealing that are better predictors of the cardiovascular risk. Thanks to the nutritional advice received, an increase in healthy nutrients is observed and the subjects attending to the program feature major phase angle, indicating that they have a better state of hydration, together with a better integrity of the cell membranes and distribution of water between the compartments intra- and extracellular compartments.

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) se encuentran entre las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad en todo el mundo. La rehabilitación cardíaca es un programa de prevención secundaria cuyo objetivo es complementar los efectos del tratamiento cardiológico a través de la participación del paciente en el control de sus hábitos de vida, como medio de promoción de su salud cardiovascular. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar los efectos a largo plazo del programa de rehabilitación cardiaca (PRC) sobre algunos parámetros de la composición corporal de pacientes que han asistido o no, a la fase III del PRC. El estudio se realizó en sujetos que sufrieron un evento cardiovascular y que pertenecían a la Asociación de Pacientes Cardiacos de Granada y Provincia. A todos los miembros se les ofreció la posibilidad de formar parte del estudio. Se realizó un estudio de algunos parámetros de composición corporal y se realizó una valoración nutricional de todos los sujetos. La masa grasa y la grasa visceral, que desempeñan un papel importante en la patología cardiovascular, son estadísticamente menores tanto en hombres como mujeres que asisten al PRC, revelando que son mejores predictores del riesgo cardiovascular. Gracias al consejo nutricional recibido se observa un incremento de nutrientes cardiosaludables y los sujetos que asisten al programa de rehabilitación presentan mayor ángulo de fase, indicando que tienen un mejor estado de hidratación, junto con una mejor integridad de la membrana celular y distribución del agua entre los compartimentos intra y extracelulares.

Psychosocial interventions in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: a systematic review of randomised and non-randomised trials and non-controlled studies.

Women's care during perimenopause and postmenopause is taking new paths to help women cope with both somatic manifestations and changes related to psychological and social factors. An updated, systematic review was conducted on non-pharmacological psychosocial interventions with regard to peri- and postmenopause. Several databases complemented with reference lists and reviews were used to perform a literature search of any relevant article. Studies were selected if they included psychoeducational programmes, health education and promotion and cognitive-behavioural techniques applied to peri- or postmenopausal women, independently of study design, main outcomes and intervention comparators. A total of 33 reports and 3 relevant reviews published between 1987 and 2013 were included. Psychosocial options are promising intervention options for self-management and self-care, as they provide multiple benefits with no side effects. Moreover, these options are recommended for women in clinical, subclinical and asymptomatic groups, as they offer women the agency and skills necessary to manage and relieve menopausal symptoms, as well as provide information and alternatives to prevent menopausal symptoms and to have a more positive experience during these life stages. These options do more than reduce distress and complaints, as they allow women in any condition to enjoy enhanced health, well-being and quality of life. Moreover, these options are accompanied by important cost reductions in pharmaceutical investment and healthcare. Nevertheless, several issues remain controversial or have scarcely been investigated, and additional high-quality research should address these issues properly in the future. Despite these limitations and the weaknesses of the review, the findings of this review are interesting and positive. Thus, we encourage women-focused institutions and policies (e.g., healthcare centres, public organisations and women's associations) to offer psychosocial interventions to peri- and postmenopausal women within a comprehensive healthcare paradigm.