Shoulder strength imbalances as injury risk in handball.

This study was conducted to analyze whether internal (IR) and external (ER) rotator shoulder muscles weakness and/or imbalance collected through a preseason assessment could be predictors of subsequent shoulder injury during a season in handball players. In preseason, 16 female elite handball players (HPG) and 14 healthy female nonathletes (CG) underwent isokinetic IR and ER strength test with use of a Con-Trex® dynamometer in a seated position with 45° shoulder abduction in scapular plane, at 60, 120 and 240°/s in concentric and at 60°/s in eccentric, for both sides. An imbalanced muscular strength profile was determined using -statistically selected cut-offs from CG values. For HPG, all newly incurred shoulder injuries were reported during the season. There were significant differences between HPG and CG only for dominant eccentric IR strength, ER/IR ratio at 240°/s and for IRecc/ERcon ratio. In HPG, IR and ER strength was higher, and ER/IR ratios lower for dominant than for nondominant side. The relative risk was 2.57 (95%CI: 1.60-3.54; P<0.05) if handball players had an imbalanced muscular strength profile. In youth female handball players IR and ER muscle strength increases on the dominant side without ER/IR imbalances; and higher injury risk was associated with imbalanced muscular strength profile.

Characterization of single-nucleotide-polymorphism markers for Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew.

We report 34 new nuclear single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP) markers that have been developed from an expressed sequence tag library of Plasmopara viticola, the causal agent of grapevine downy mildew. This newly developed battery of markers will provide useful additional genetic tools for population genetic studies of this important agronomic species.

Low energy Ne ion beam induced-modifications of magnetic properties in MnAs thin films.

Investigations of the complex behavior of the magnetization of manganese arsenide thin films due to defects induced by irradiation of slow heavy ions are presented. In addition to the thermal hysteresis suppression already highlighted in Trassinelli et al (2014 Appl. Phys. Lett. 104 081906), we report here on new local magnetic features recorded by a magnetic force microscope at different temperatures close to the characteristic sample phase transition. Complementary measurements of the global magnetization in different conditions (applied magnetic field and temperatures) enable the film characterization to be completed. The obtained results suggest that the ion bombardment produces regions where the local mechanical constraints are significantly different from the average, promoting the local presence of magneto-structural phases far from the equilibrium. These regions could be responsible for the thermal hysteresis suppression previously reported, irradiation-induced defects acting as seeds in the phase transition.

Tianeptine therapy for depression in the elderly.

1. Depression is frequent in the elderly but difficult both to diagnose and treat due to a number of distinctive features. 2. Tianeptine is a novel antidepressant with a reverse mode of action to that of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors yet with proven efficacy and safety. 3. 63 elderly patients (mean age:68.8 years; range:65-80 years) with depressive symptoms (major depression:55.6%; dysthymia:44.4%) were included in a 3-month open multicenter study with tianeptine (25 mg daily). 4. 43 patients (68.2%) completed the study. There were no drop-outs due to side-effects. Total Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores were significantly decreased (p < 0.01) on day 14, with a response rate of 76.7%. 5. Improvements were also observed in anxiety and cognitive performance. Side-effects were seen in only 11.7% of patients, with no changes in laboratory or ancillary safety parameters. Tianeptine is thus effective and well tolerated in this category of patient.

[A mid-term clinical and hemodynamic evaluation of the Wessex and Hancock II bioprostheses]. / Valoración clínica y hemodinámica a medio plazo de las bioprótesis de Wessex y Hancock II.

The purpose of this study is to compare clinically and hemodynamically the Wessex and Hancock II porcine bioprostheses. We compared functional class and data from echo-Doppler in 34 Wessex bioprostheses (group A) with those in 42 Hancock II bioprostheses (group B). We subdivided group A into A1 and A2. A1 was made up of 23 Wessex manufactured since 1986. A2 constituted 11 Wessex made before 1986 which belonged to a series with some variations in the manufacturing process, and in which some early dysfunctions have been described. We compared data from these sub-groups between each other as well as with those of group B. The groups were homogeneous in age, sex, patients body surface and the time elapsed since the prosthetic implant. The mean mitral gradient, the mitral area, the peak aortic gradient and the regurgitation incidence were similar in groups A and B. In A2 the mean mitral gradient was significantly superior to that of group B (7.1 +/- 1.1 mmHg vs 5.4 +/- 1.4 mmHg; p less than 0.01), and the mitral area showed a tendency to be inferior, although with no statistical significance. The functional class of the patients was similar in all the groups. We conclude that the Wessex bioprosthesis presents hemodynamic data and functional class similar to those of the Hancock II, with the exception of a sub-group of Wessex manufactured before 1986 which presents mean mitral gradients superior to the others and which would warrant further studies.

[Prevalence of eating disorders in a representative sample of female adolescents from Navarra (Spain)]. / Prevalencia de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria en las adolescentes navarras.

BACKGROUND: In spite of the social concern about eating disorders (ED), information of its prevalence in Spain is limited. Further studies in communities are needed to estimate the frequency of this problem in representative samples of the population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: To estimate the prevalence of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and partial syndromes of the "non specified eating disorders" (NOSED) type, a representative sample of the female population of Navarre was selected using a random multistage sampling scheme. A sample of 2862 participants aged 12 to 21 was studied. The screening procedure was performed using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) (values over 30 as the cutoff point) and each diagnosis was confirmed using a semi-structured interview performed by a psychiatry according to DSM-IV criteria. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of ED in this female population was 4.1% (95% CI: 3.45-4.95). The disorder specific prevalences being NOSED 3.1% (95% CI: 2.5-3.8), BN 0.8 (95% CI: 0.5-1.2) and AN 0.3 (95% CI: 0.1-0.6). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a slight lower prevalence than what other Spanish authors have reported, although we found higher prevalences of incomplete syndromes and suggest that a high social burden does exist and primary prevention strategies are needed.

[Differential features of SSRIs]. / Aspectos diferenciales de los ISRS.

The goal of this study is to review the pharmacologic profiles of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) presently available, with particular emphasis placed on therapeutically relevant distinctions.

[Usefulness of neuroendocrine function tests in the differential diagnosis of depression]. / Utilidad de las pruebas de función neuroendocrina en el diagnóstico diferencial de la depresión.

In order to find the correlation between dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and TSH response to TRH in the differential diagnosis of subtypes of depression, and to evaluate the possible relationship between Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adreno-cortisol axis, Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid axis function, psychopathological symptoms, and the possible influence of age and sex, 107 depressed patients were studied. The relationship between both tests (DST and THS response to TRH) and the subtypes of depression was unspecific. The results did not show psychopathologic differences between depression subgroups. DST appeared to be a good marker for the "state" of illness, whereas TSH was better as a predictor for the outcome.

[The impact of different causes of death on the mortality levels of the population of Cuba]. / Incidencia de las diferentes causas de muerte en los niveles de mortalidad de la poblacion en Cuba

PIP: Differences in causes of death among the different regions of Cuba are analyzed. Mortality is calculated by cause of death and sex for Cuba and its regions in 1970 and for the whole country in 1975. The impact on life expectancy of the elimination of particular types of causes of death is estimated. (summary in ENG, FRE, GER)^ieng

[Nuptiality during the 1980s in Cuba]. / La nupcialidad durante la decada de los ochenta en Cuba.

"This study presents an analysis of the demographic characteristics, levels and tendencies followed by Cuban nuptiality during the 1980s. The author uses the data provided by the 1987... National Survey on Human Fertility and data recorded in the last Cuban census, taken in 1981, to evaluate the changes experienced by women of fertile age of various marital status--primarily those in legal marriage and consensual unions--, highlighting the differences between the two [and]...analyzing the two in terms of various socioeconomic attributes...." (SUMMARY IN ENG)

[The characteristics of nuclear families in two study areas: Plaza de la Revolucion and Yateras]. / Caracteristicas de los nucleos familiares en dos areas en estudio: Plaza de la Revolucion y Yateras

PIP: Differences in family characteristics in two regions of Cuba are analyzed. Data are from a recent survey that covered 1,107 nuclear families in the municipality of Plaza de la Revolucion and 671 in the municipality of Yateras, involving about 4,000 individuals in each case. Consideration is given to family composition and characteristics of head of household. The emphasis is on differences in family characteristics in rural and urban areas. (summary in ENG, FRE)^ieng

Clinical and neuroendocrine features of endogenous unipolar and bipolar depression.

A group of 19 patients suffering from endogenous unipolar depression was compared with another group of eight patients with bipolar depression. Comparisons were based on psychopathological features together with results of the dexamethasone suppression test and the thyrotropin releasing hormone stimulation test. Unipolar patients showed more frequent loss of weight, reduced appetite, autonomic disturbances, muscular tension, sadness, and reduced sexual interest, whereas bipolar patients showed more frequent hostile feelings. Each neuroendocrine test identified at least 50% of the patients in each group. The combined use of both tests identified about 75% of the patients. The bipolar depressives obtained slightly but not significantly higher rates of positive results in each test and a more frequent association of abnormality in both tests.

Abnormal patterns of cerebral glucose metabolism in a pair of monozygotic twins with recent onset schizophrenia.

An F-18-FDG-PET study of a pair of monozygotic twins with recent-onset schizophrenia revealed a higher index of metabolic asymmetry (IA) in the medial and posterior thalamus in both cases. Some questions regarding the influence of neuroleptic treatment and handedness on metablic patterns and the role of the thalamus in schizophrenia are discussed in the light of recent studies.

[Anorexia nervosa: study method and sleep analysis]. / Anorexia nerviosa: metodología de estudio y análisis del sueño.

By studying anorexia nervosa with an Integrated Inventory and the quality and the quantity of sleep applying Hauri's scale for the analysis of dream contents, the sleeping habits of 50 anorexic patients who were under treatment have been studied. The results show that sleep in these patients is similar and sometimes better in quantity and quality than those in the control group. Their dreams are characterized by an almost total absence of sexual, aggressive and alimentary contents, and that reality, active participation, unpleasant feelings and sensory-perceptive elements are predominant.