[Changes associated with aging in angular kinematic parameters during a controlled speed walk]. / Cambios asociados al envejecimiento normal en los parámetros angulares de la marcha a una velocidad controlada.

BACKGROUND: During normal aging, a reduction in walking speed and changes in stability are observed. AIM: To characterize and compare gait kinematic parameters of young (YA) and older adults (OA) at a controlled speed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Gait angular kinematic parameters were analyzed in OA aged over 60 years and YA aged between 20 and 30 years. For data capture, six VICON Bonita cameras were used. Recording were made at a gait speed of 1.2 m/s. Kinematic data were normalized to 100% of the gait cycle using the Polygon 4.1 software. Time windows representing the phases of gait were created for analysis. RESULTS: At the hip-pelvis level, OA reduce their pelvic obliquity motion and increase hip abduction. At the knee level OA reduce movements in the frontal plane during the plantar support and half swing phases. At the ankle level OA reduce their maximum ranges of plantar flexion, during the toe-off and final swing phases. CONCLUSIONS: At a controlled speed, kinematic changes observed in OA allow an increase in body support base to maintain gait stability.

Physiologic versatility and growth flexibility as the main characteristics of a novel thermoacidophilic Acidianus strain isolated from Copahue geothermal area in Argentina.

A novel thermoacidophilic archaeal strain has been isolated from three geothermal acidic hot springs in Copahue, Argentina. One of the most striking characteristic of ALE1 isolate is its metabolic versatility. It grows on sulphur, tetrathionate, iron (II) and sucrose under aerobic conditions, but it can also develop under anaerobic conditions using iron (III) or sulphur as electron acceptors and sulphur or hydrogen as electron donors autotrophically. A temperature of 75 °C and a pH between 2.5 and 3.0 are strain ALE1 optimal growth conditions, but it is able to oxidise iron (II) even at pH 1.0. Cells are irregular cocci surrounded by a regularly arrayed glycoprotein layer (S-layer). Phylogenetic analysis shows that strain ALE1 belongs to the family Sulfolobaceae in the class Thermoprotei, within the phylum Crenarchaeota. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity on NCBI database, ALE1 does not have closely related relatives, neither in culture nor uncultured, which is more surprising. Its closest related species are strains of Acidianus hospitalis (91 % of sequence similarity), Acidianus infernus (90 %), Acidianus ambivalens (90 %) and Acidianus manzanensis (90 %). Its DNA base composition of 34.5 % mol C + G is higher than that reported for other Acidianus species. Considering physiological and phylogenetic characteristics of strain ALE1, we considered it to represent a novel species of the genus Acidianus (candidatus "Acidianus copahuensis"). The aim of this study is to physiologically characterise this novel archaea in order to understand its role in iron and sulphur geochemical cycles in the Copahue geothermal area and to evaluate its potential applications in bioleaching and biooxidation.

Cambios asociados al envejecimiento normal en los parámetros angulares de la marcha a una velocidad controlada / Changes associated with aging in angular kinematic parameters during a controlled speed walk

Background: During normal aging, a reduction in walking speed and changes in stability are observed. Aim: To characterize and compare gait kinematic parameters of young (YA) and older adults (OA) at a controlled speed. Material and Methods: Gait angular kinematic parameters were analyzed in OA aged over 60 years and YA aged between 20 and 30 years. For data capture, six VICON Bonita cameras were used. Recording were made at a gait speed of 1.2 m/s. Kinematic data were normalized to 100% of the gait cycle using the Polygon 4.1 software. Time windows representing the phases of gait were created for analysis. Results: At the hip-pelvis level, OA reduce their pelvic obliquity motion and increase hip abduction. At the knee level OA reduce movements in the frontal plane during the plantar support and half swing phases. At the ankle level OA reduce their maximum ranges of plantar flexion, during the toe-off and final swing phases. Conclusions: At a controlled speed, kinematic changes observed in OA allow an increase in body support base to maintain gait stability.