Electrochemical Halogenation of Naphthoquinones: A Modular and Sustainable Strategy towards Trypanocidal Compounds.

An eco-friendly electrochemical halogenation of 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinones has been developed. The new mild and energy efficient methodology comprises sustainable features like oxidant free and double role of the halogen source as electrolyte, originating twenty-six amino-halogenated naphthoquinoidal derivatives in good yields under mild conditions. This novel methodology permitted access to new potent trypanocidal prototypes, where six compounds were more active than benznidazole, the current market drug used in the treatment of Chagas Disease.

SuFEx-Functionalized Quinones via Ruthenium-Catalyzed C-H Alkenylation: A Potential Building Block for Bioactivity Valorization.

Herein, we describe the Ru-catalyzed C-H alkenylation of 1,4-naphthoquinones (1,4-NQs), resulting in 1,4-naphthoquinoidal/SuFEx hybrids with moderate to good yields. This method provides a novel route for direct access to ethenesulfonyl-fluorinated quinone structures. We conducted mechanistic studies to gain an in-depth understanding of the elementary steps of the reaction. Additionally, we evaluated the prototypes against trypomastigote forms of T. cruzi, leading to the identification of compounds with potent trypanocidal activity.

Bioemulsifier from sponge-associated bacteria reduces staphylococcal biofilm.

Biofilm formation is a major health concern and studies have been pursued to find compounds able to prevent biofilm establishment and remove pre-existing biofilms. While biosurfactants (BS) have been well-known for possessing antibiofilm activities, bioemulsifiers (BE) are still scarcely explored for this purpose. The present study aimed to evaluate the bioemulsifying properties of cell-free supernatants produced by Bacillaceae and Vibrio strains isolated from marine sponges and investigate their antiadhesive and antibiofilm activities against different pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The BE production by the marine strains was confirmed by the emulsion test, drop-collapsing, oil-displacement, cell hydrophobicity and hemolysis assays. Notably, Bacillus cereus 64BHI1101 displayed remarkable emulsifying activity and the ultrastructure analysis of its BE extract (BE64-1) revealed the presence of structures typically observed in macromolecules composed of polysaccharides and proteins. BE64-1 showed notable antiadhesive and antibiofilm activities against Staphylococcus aureus, with a reduction of adherence of up to 100 % and a dispersion of biofilm of 80 %, without affecting its growth. BE64-1 also showed inhibition of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli biofilm formation and adhesion. Thus, this study provides a starting point for exploring the antiadhesive and antibiofilm activities of BE from sponge-associated bacteria, which could serve as a valuable tool for future research to combat S. aureus biofilms.

Dating Violence and Emotional Dependence in University Students.

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between dating violence and emotional dependence in young university students in Ecuador by identifying differences based on sex. Using purposive non-probabilistic sampling, 3203 students were selected, of which 35.7% were men and 64.3% were women aged 16 to 48 (M = 21.50; SD = 2.82). Two psychological scales were applied: Questionnaire on Violence in Couples (CUVINO) and Questionnaire on Emotional Dependence (EDQ). According to the results obtained, based on sex, it was found that dating violence is a severe problem that both men and women experience. With regard to emotional dependence, women scored higher than men. In addition, emotional dependence was linked to dating violence. The implications of the results obtained for further research and for prevention and intervention programmes are presented, and the strengths and limitations of this study are detailed.

X-ray radiation dose and associated factors in neonates from the newborn unit of Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia / Dosis de radiación por radiografías y factores asociados en neonatos de la Unidad de Recién Nacidos del Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia.

Introduction: Radiographs are still widely used, underestimating the risks. This situation is frequent in neonatal care units, generating radiation doses than in adults. Objective: To quantify the received radiation doses when performing radiographs on neonates and the possible factors associated with higher doses. Materials and methods: We performed an observational study of 160 neonates from the newborn unit of the Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia. We considered the input dose of each radiograph as the dependent variable. Patients were characterized and a multivariate analysis with multiple linear regression was performed to identify associated factors. Results: We analyzed 160 newborns and 492 radiographs. The most frequent findings were male patients (n=87, 54.4%), cesarean delivery (n=122, 76.3%), and radiograph indication for respiratory distress (n=123, 24.9%). One-point eight percent of the patients (n=9) did not have radiograph indication. The most frequently taken radiograph was chest (322, 65.4%). Most radiographs were taken with a computerized equipment (n=352, 71.5%), compared to a digital one (n=140, 28.4%). The median input dose with computerized equipment was 0.112 mGy (0.022, 0.134 mGy), and with the digital equipment was 0.020 mGy (0.019, 0.022 mGy). Conclusions: The general and specific absorbed radiation doses were measured in neonates with a computerized and a digital equipment. We identified higher doses with the computerized equipment. In addition, it was recognized the correlation between computerized radiography equipment with lower corrected gestational ages as the main factor for dose increase.

Introducción: Las radiografías continúan usándose ampliamente, subestimando los riesgos. Esto sucede, especialmente, en las unidades de cuidado neonatal, lo que implica que los neonatos reciben una dosis de radiación ionizante mayor que los adultos. Objetivo: Cuantificar las dosis de radiación recibidas al tomar radiografías y evaluar los posibles factores asociados con el aumento de la dosis. Materiales y métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional de 160 neonatos de la Unidad de Recién Nacidos del Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, Bogotá, Colombia. Se consideró como variable dependiente la dosis de entrada en piel por cada radiografía. Se hizo la caracterización de los pacientes, seguida de un análisis multivariado con regresión lineal múltiple para identificar factores asociados. Resultados: Se analizaron 160 pacientes y 492 radiografías en total. Entre los hallazgos más frecuentes, se encuentran: pacientes de sexo masculino (n=87; 54,4 %), nacimiento por cesárea (n=122; 76,3 %) e indicación de toma de radiografías por dificultad respiratoria (n=123; 24,9 %). El 1,8 % (n=9) de los pacientes no tenían una indicación para la toma de la radiografía. La radiografía más frecuente fue la de tórax (n=322; 65,4 %). La mayoría de las radiografías se tomaron con el equipo computarizado (n=352; 71,5 %) y no con el digital (n=140, 28,4 %). La mediana de la dosis de entrada en piel con el equipo computarizado fue de 0,112 mGy (0,022; 0,134 mGy) y, con el equipo digital, de 0,020 mGy (0,019, 0,022 mGy). Conclusiones: Se cuantificaron las dosis de radiación absorbida en neonatos, general y específica, con el equipo computarizado y el digital. Se identificaron mayores dosis con el equipo computarizado. Se reconoció la interacción entre el equipo computarizado con menores edades gestacionales corregidas como principal factor para el aumento de la dosis. Además, se reconoció la relación entre el equipo computarizado y una menor edad gestacional corregida, como principal factor para una mayor dosis.

Root canal microbiota as an augmented reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health problem. Root canal microbiota associated with apical periodontitis represents a well-known reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). However, the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in this reservoir is unknown. This study aimed to establish if root canal microbiota associated with apical periodontitis in T2DM patients is an augmented reservoir by identifying the prevalence of nine common ARGs and comparing it with the prevalence in nondiabetic patients. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study included two groups: A T2DM group conformed of 20 patients with at least ten years of living with T2DM and a control group of 30 nondiabetic participants. Premolar or molar teeth with pulp necrosis and apical periodontitis were included. A sample was collected from each root canal before endodontic treatment. DNA was extracted, and ARGs were identified by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: tetW and tetM genes were the most frequent (93.3 and 91.6%, respectively), while ermA was the least frequent (8.3%) in the total population. The distribution of the ARGs was similar in both groups, but a significant difference (p<0.005) was present in ermB, ermC, cfxA, and tetQ genes, being more frequent in the T2DM group. A total of eighty percent of the T2DM patients presented a minimum of four ARGs, while 76.6% of the control group presented a maximum of three. CONCLUSIONS: Root canal microbiota associated with apical periodontitis in T2DM patients carries more ARGs. Therefore, this pathological niche could be considered an augmented reservoir.

[Chronic care for patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome after discharge from an intensive care unitCuidados prolongados de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 após internação em unidade de terapia intensiva]. / Cuidados crónicos en pacientes con síndrome pos-COVID-19 tras el egreso de la unidad de cuidados intensivos.

Objective: To describe the clinical features of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome who have recently been discharged from intensive care units (ICUs) included in a chronic care program in Colombia. Methods: Descriptive case series study of a cohort of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome who entered the Remeo® chronic care program between July 2020 and May 2021. Clinical features, complications, and treatments are described. Results: Among patients in the program discharged from an ICU, 122 cases of post-COVID-19 syndrome were identified. These patients continued in the program. The mean age was 66.9 years (CI 64-68); 62.29% were men, 88.9% (109) had a tracheostomy, 72.8% (90) had a gastrostomy, and 99% required supplemental oxygen. In the first four months, 9,518 interventions were carried out, including physical therapy (x̄:20.7), occupational therapy (x̄:10.9), respiratory therapy (x̄:41.4), and psychology (x̄:4.8). Conclusions: The chronic care program was an option for patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome recently discharged from an ICU, with a view to minimizing ICU occupation rates and facilitating patients' return to their homes.

Objetivo: Descrever as características clínicas de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 após internação em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI), acompanhados em um programa de cuidados prolongados na Colômbia. Métodos: Estudo descritivo de série de casos oriundos de uma coorte de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 admitidos no programa de cuidados prolongados Remeo® entre julho de 2020 e maio de 2021. Foram descritas as características clínicas desses pacientes, assim como complicações e tratamentos. Resultados: Foram identificados 122 casos de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 que foram acompanhados no programa após alta da UTI. A média de idade foi 66,9 anos (IC 64­68), 62,29% pertenciam ao sexo masculino, 88,9% (109) haviam sido submetidos a traqueostomia, 72,8% (90) a gastrostomia e 99% precisavam usar oxigênio suplementar. Ao todo, 9.518 intervenções foram realizadas nos 4 meses iniciais de acompanhamento no programa, incluindo fisioterapia (x̄ 20,7), terapia ocupacional (x̄ 10,9), terapia respiratória (x̄ 41,4) e atendimento psicológico (x̄ 4,8). Conclusões: O programa de cuidados prolongados ofereceu uma alternativa aos pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 após internação em UTI e teve o objetivo de reduzir a ocupação das UTIs e facilitar a transição do paciente da UTI para casa.

Cuidados crónicos en pacientes con síndrome pos-COVID-19 tras el egreso de la unidad de cuidados intensivos

[RESUMEN]. Objetivo. Describir las características clínicas de pacientes con síndrome pos-COVID-19 recién egresados de unidades cuidado intensivo (UCI) incluidos en un programa de cuidados crónicos en Colombia. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo de serie de casos procedentes de una cohorte de pacientes con síndrome pos-COVID-19 que ingresaron al programa de cuidados crónicos Remeo® entre julio de 2020 y mayo de 2021. Se describen las características clínicas, las complicaciones y el tratamiento de estos pacientes. Resultados. Se identificaron 122 casos de síndrome pos-COVID-19 dados de alta de la UCI para continuar en el Programa. La media de la edad fue de 66,9 años (IC 64-68); 62,29% fueron hombres, 88,9% (109) tenían traqueostomía, 72,8% (90) gastrostomía, y 99% requerían oxígeno suplementario. Se llevaron a cabo 9 518 intervenciones en los primeros 4 meses, inclusive terapia física (x¯:20,7), terapia ocupacional (x¯:10,9), terapia respiratoria (x¯:41,4) y psicología (x¯:4,8). Conclusiones. El Programa de cuidados crónicos representó una alternativa para pacientes con síndrome pos-COVID-19 recién egresados de las UCI, dirigido a minimizar la ocupación de estas y facilitar el paso del paciente desde la UCI al domicilio.

[ABSTRACT]. Objective. To describe the clinical features of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome who have recently been discharged from intensive care units (ICUs) included in a chronic care program in Colombia. Methods. Descriptive case series study of a cohort of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome who entered the Remeo® chronic care program between July 2020 and May 2021. Clinical features, complications, and treatments are described. Results. Among patients in the program discharged from an ICU, 122 cases of post-COVID-19 syndrome were identified. These patients continued in the program. The mean age was 66.9 years (CI 64–68); 62.29% were men, 88.9% (109) had a tracheostomy, 72.8% (90) had a gastrostomy, and 99% required supplemental oxygen. In the first four months, 9,518 interventions were carried out, including physical therapy (x¯:20.7), occupational therapy (x¯:10.9), respiratory therapy (x¯:41.4), and psychology (x¯:4.8). Conclusions. The chronic care program was an option for patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome recently discharged from an ICU, with a view to minimizing ICU occupation rates and facilitating patients' return to their homes.

[RESUMO]. Objetivo. Descrever as características clínicas de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 após internação em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI), acompanhados em um programa de cuidados prolongados na Colômbia. Métodos. Estudo descritivo de série de casos oriundos de uma coorte de pacientes com síndrome pós- COVID-19 admitidos no programa de cuidados prolongados Remeo® entre julho de 2020 e maio de 2021. Foram descritas as características clínicas desses pacientes, assim como complicações e tratamentos. Resultados. Foram identificados 122 casos de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 que foram acompanhados no programa após alta da UTI. A média de idade foi 66,9 anos (IC 64–68), 62,29% pertenciam ao sexo masculino, 88,9% (109) haviam sido submetidos a traqueostomia, 72,8% (90) a gastrostomia e 99% precisavam usar oxigênio suplementar. Ao todo, 9.518 intervenções foram realizadas nos 4 meses iniciais de acompanhamento no programa, incluindo fisioterapia (x¯ 20,7), terapia ocupacional (x¯ 10,9), terapia respiratória (x¯ 41,4) e atendimento psicológico (x¯ 4,8). Conclusões. O programa de cuidados prolongados ofereceu uma alternativa aos pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 após internação em UTI e teve o objetivo de reduzir a ocupação das UTIs e facilitar a transição do paciente da UTI para casa.

Root canal microbiota as an augmented reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health problem. Root canal microbiota associated with apical periodontitis represents a well-known reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). However, the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in this reservoir is unknown. This study aimed to establish if root canal microbiota associated with apical periodontitis in T2DM patients is an augmented reservoir by identifying the prevalence of nine common ARGs and comparing it with the prevalence in nondiabetic patients. Methodology This cross-sectional study included two groups: A T2DM group conformed of 20 patients with at least ten years of living with T2DM and a control group of 30 nondiabetic participants. Premolar or molar teeth with pulp necrosis and apical periodontitis were included. A sample was collected from each root canal before endodontic treatment. DNA was extracted, and ARGs were identified by polymerase chain reaction. Results tetW and tetM genes were the most frequent (93.3 and 91.6%, respectively), while ermA was the least frequent (8.3%) in the total population. The distribution of the ARGs was similar in both groups, but a significant difference (p<0.005) was present in ermB, ermC, cfxA, and tetQ genes, being more frequent in the T2DM group. A total of eighty percent of the T2DM patients presented a minimum of four ARGs, while 76.6% of the control group presented a maximum of three. Conclusions Root canal microbiota associated with apical periodontitis in T2DM patients carries more ARGs. Therefore, this pathological niche could be considered an augmented reservoir.

Cuidados crónicos en pacientes con síndrome pos-COVID-19 tras el egreso de la unidad de cuidados intensivos / Chronic care for patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome after discharge from an intensive care unit / Cuidados prolongados de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 após internação em unidade de terapia intensiva

RESUMEN Objetivo. Describir las características clínicas de pacientes con síndrome pos-COVID-19 recién egresados de unidades cuidado intensivo (UCI) incluidos en un programa de cuidados crónicos en Colombia. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo de serie de casos procedentes de una cohorte de pacientes con síndrome pos-COVID-19 que ingresaron al programa de cuidados crónicos Remeo® entre julio de 2020 y mayo de 2021. Se describen las características clínicas, las complicaciones y el tratamiento de estos pacientes. Resultados. Se identificaron 122 casos de síndrome pos-COVID-19 dados de alta de la UCI para continuar en el Programa. La media de la edad fue de 66,9 años (IC 64-68); 62,29% fueron hombres, 88,9% (109) tenían traqueostomía, 72,8% (90) gastrostomía, y 99% requerían oxígeno suplementario. Se llevaron a cabo 9 518 intervenciones en los primeros 4 meses, inclusive terapia física (x̄:20,7), terapia ocupacional (x̄:10,9), terapia respiratoria (x̄:41,4) y psicología (x̄:4,8). Conclusiones. El Programa de cuidados crónicos representó una alternativa para pacientes con síndrome pos-COVID-19 recién egresados de las UCI, dirigido a minimizar la ocupación de estas y facilitar el paso del paciente desde la UCI al domicilio.

ABSTRACT Objective. To describe the clinical features of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome who have recently been discharged from intensive care units (ICUs) included in a chronic care program in Colombia. Methods. Descriptive case series study of a cohort of patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome who entered the Remeo® chronic care program between July 2020 and May 2021. Clinical features, complications, and treatments are described. Results. Among patients in the program discharged from an ICU, 122 cases of post-COVID-19 syndrome were identified. These patients continued in the program. The mean age was 66.9 years (CI 64-68); 62.29% were men, 88.9% (109) had a tracheostomy, 72.8% (90) had a gastrostomy, and 99% required supplemental oxygen. In the first four months, 9,518 interventions were carried out, including physical therapy (x̄:20.7), occupational therapy (x̄:10.9), respiratory therapy (x̄:41.4), and psychology (x̄:4.8). Conclusions. The chronic care program was an option for patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome recently discharged from an ICU, with a view to minimizing ICU occupation rates and facilitating patients' return to their homes.

RESUMO Objetivo. Descrever as características clínicas de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 após internação em unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI), acompanhados em um programa de cuidados prolongados na Colômbia. Métodos. Estudo descritivo de série de casos oriundos de uma coorte de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 admitidos no programa de cuidados prolongados Remeo® entre julho de 2020 e maio de 2021. Foram descritas as características clínicas desses pacientes, assim como complicações e tratamentos. Resultados. Foram identificados 122 casos de pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 que foram acompanhados no programa após alta da UTI. A média de idade foi 66,9 anos (IC 64-68), 62,29% pertenciam ao sexo masculino, 88,9% (109) haviam sido submetidos a traqueostomia, 72,8% (90) a gastrostomia e 99% precisavam usar oxigênio suplementar. Ao todo, 9.518 intervenções foram realizadas nos 4 meses iniciais de acompanhamento no programa, incluindo fisioterapia (x̄ 20,7), terapia ocupacional (x̄ 10,9), terapia respiratória (x̄ 41,4) e atendimento psicológico (x̄ 4,8). Conclusões. O programa de cuidados prolongados ofereceu uma alternativa aos pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 após internação em UTI e teve o objetivo de reduzir a ocupação das UTIs e facilitar a transição do paciente da UTI para casa.

Highly Crosslinked Agar/Acrylic Acid Hydrogels with Antimicrobial Properties.

Hydrogels are three-dimensional soft polymeric materials that can entrap huge amounts of water. They are widely attractive in the biomedicine area because of their outstanding applications such as biosensors, drug delivery vectors, or matrices for cell scaffolds. Generally, the low mechanical strength and fragile structure of the hydrogels limit their feasibility, but this is not the case. In this work, acrylic acid-agar hydrogels with excellent mechanical properties were synthesized using gamma radiation as a crosslinking promoter. The obtained hydrogels exhibited a water absorption capacity up to 6000% in weight without breaking and keeping their shape; additionally, they showed a noticeable adhesion to the skin. The synthesized materials were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mechanical testing. Additionally, their water uptake capacity and critical pH were studied. Net(Agar/AAc) hydrogel exhibited a noticeable capacity to load silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which endowed it with antimicrobial activity that was demonstrated when challenged against Escherichia coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on in vitro conditions.

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Properties of Highly Cross-Linked pH-Sensitive Hydrogels through Gamma Radiation.

The design of new polymeric systems for antimicrobial drug release focused on medical/surgical procedures is of great interest in the biomedical area due to the high prevalence of bacterial infections in patients with wounds or burns. For this reason, in this work, we present a new design of pH-sensitive hydrogels copolymerized by a graft polymerization method (gamma rays), intended for localized prophylactic release of ciprofloxacin and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for potential topical bacterial infections. The synthesized hydrogels were copolymerized from acrylic acid (AAc) and agar. Cross-linked hydrogel film formation depended on monomer concentrations and the degree of radiation used (Cobalt-60). The obtained hydrogel films were characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and mechanical testing. The swelling of the hydrogels was evidenced by the influence of their pH-sensitiveness. The hydrogel was loaded with antimicrobial agents (AgNPs or ciprofloxacin), and their related activity was evaluated. Finally, the antimicrobial activity of biocidal-loaded hydrogel was tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on in vitro conditions.

Ejercicios especiales para mejorar la ejecución de técnicas de piernas en judocas escolares / Exercícios especiais para melhorar a execução de técnicas de pernas em judocas escolares / Special exercises to improve the execution of leg techniques in school judo

Resumen Insuficiencias detectadas en la realización de técnicas de piernas de los judocas escolares de Pinar del Río motivaron la realización de esta investigación que tiene como objetivo: elaborar un conjunto de ejercicios especiales que contribuyan al desarrollo del trabajo de los entrenadores con este grupo de técnicas para mejorar la ejecución de los 14 atletas de esta categoría. Al inicio de este estudio, se realizaron observaciones a sesiones de entrenamiento, topes de control y competencias preparatorias para obtener información directa sobre el modo en que se manifiestan estas acciones. También se utilizó una entrevista a los entrenadores para conocer sus conocimientos, criterios y desempeño en el trabajo con estas técnicas y la encuesta para valorar el conocimiento de los atletas acerca de la importancia de la preparación técnica en estas acciones. Además, se practicó una medición mediante una prueba técnica para conocer el comportamiento de la ejecución de estas en los atletas motivo de investigación, en la cual las variables analizadas fueron: puntuación obtenida, total de acciones y forma de realización (directa, combinación o como contraataque). Este estudio permitió el conocimiento de las deficiencias presentadas por estos atletas en la ejecución de las técnicas de piernas, las cuales influyen de forma negativa en los resultados competitivos ya que estas se realizan con gran frecuencia durante el combate por su vinculación con otras técnicas en la realización de combinaciones y contraataques. Este trabajo es una herramienta valiosa para la labor de los entrenadores, dirigida a la preparación técnica del judoca.

Resumo As insuficiências detectadas no desempenho das técnicas de perna das judocas escolares de Pinar del Río motivaram a realização desta investigação que tem como objetivo: elaborar um conjunto de exercícios especiais que contribuam para o desenvolvimento do trabalho dos treinadores com este grupo de técnicas para melhorar o desempenho dos 14 atletas desta categoria. No início deste estudo, foram feitas observações a sessões de formação, paragens de controlo e concursos preparatórios para obter informações diretas sobre a forma como estas ações se manifestam. Uma entrevista com os treinadores foi também utilizada para descobrir os seus conhecimentos, critérios e desempenho no trabalho com estas técnicas e o inquérito foi utilizado para avaliar os conhecimentos dos atletas sobre a importância da preparação técnica nestas ações. Além disso, foi feita uma medição através de um teste técnico para conhecer o comportamento da execução destes nos atletas sob investigação, no qual as variáveis analisadas foram: pontuação obtida, total de ações e forma de execução (direta, combinada ou como contra-ataque). Este estudo permitiu o conhecimento das deficiências apresentadas por estes atletas na execução das técnicas de pernas, que influenciam de forma negativa nos resultados competitivos, uma vez que estes são feitos com grande frequência durante o combate pela sua implicação com outras técnicas na realização de combinações e contra-ataques. Este trabalho é um instrumento valioso para o trabalho dos treinadores, destinado à preparação técnica do judoca.

Abstract Insufficiencies detected in the performance of leg techniques of the school judokas of Pinar del Río motivated the realization of this research, which aims to develop a set of special exercises that contribute to the development of the work of coaches with this group of techniques to improve the performance of the 14 athletes in this category. At the beginning of this study, observations were made of training sessions, control stops and preparatory competitions to obtain direct information on how these actions are manifested. An interview with the coaches was also used to find out their knowledge, criteria, and performance at work with these techniques, and the survey was used to assess the athletes' knowledge about the importance of technical preparation in these actions. In addition, a measurement was carried out by means of a technical test, to know the behavior of the execution of these in the athletes reason for research, in which the variables analyzed were: score obtained, total of actions and form of performance (direct, combination or as a counterattack). This study found the knowledge of the deficiencies presented by these athletes, in the execution of leg techniques, which negatively influence competitive results since these are performed with great frequency during combat due to their link with other techniques in performing combinations and counterattacks. This work is a valuable tool for the work of the coaches aimed at the technical preparation of the judoka.

Pervasive Inter-Individual Variation in Allele-Specific Expression in Monozygotic Twins.

Despite being developed from one zygote, heterokaryotypic monozygotic (MZ) co-twins exhibit discordant karyotypes. Epigenomic studies in biological samples from heterokaryotypic MZ co-twins are of the most significant value for assessing the effects on gene- and allele-specific expression of an extranumerary chromosomal copy or structural chromosomal disparities in otherwise nearly identical germline genetic contributions. Here, we use RNA-Seq data from existing repositories to establish within-pair correlations for the breadth and magnitude of allele-specific expression (ASE) in heterokaryotypic MZ co-twins discordant for trisomy 21 and maternal 21q inheritance, as well as homokaryotypic co-twins. We show that there is a genome-wide disparity at ASE sites between the heterokaryotypic MZ co-twins. Although most of the disparity corresponds to changes in the magnitude of biallelic imbalance, ASE sites switching from either strictly monoallelic to biallelic imbalance or the reverse occur in few genes that are known or predicted to be imprinted, subject to X-chromosome inactivation or A-to-I(G) RNA edited. We also uncovered comparable ASE differences between homokaryotypic MZ twins. The extent of ASE discordance in MZ twins (2.7%) was about 10-fold lower than the expected between pairs of unrelated, non-twin males or females. The results indicate that the observed within-pair dissimilarities in breadth and magnitude of ASE sites in the heterokaryotypic MZ co-twins could not solely be attributable to the aneuploidy and the missing allelic heritability at 21q.

Towards an Efficient Identification Process for Large-Scale RFID Systems ‡.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is one of the most widely used wireless communications technologies nowadays. Among the numerous processes executed within an RFID system, the identification processis the most important one. There have been several proposals to efficiently execute such a mechanism, which are based on the use of an RFID identification method. Besides, one of the most studied scenarios comprises one reader and a set of RFID tags, which we call the centralized approach. Recent work shows that executing the identification process in a distributed or parallel way may be of great benefit for applications with high requirements on time and resources usage, i.e., applications where the time required to execute the identification process needs to be low. In this paper, we focus is on large RFID systems and compare two identification mechanisms, one based on the centralized approach and the other based on the distributed approach. Our aim is to find the advantages and disadvantages of each approach for general RFID scenarios. We observe that the distributed approach is very promising compared to the traditional approach since considerable improvements are found in identification delay, and also the implementation costs would be highly reduced.

Maternal 5mCpG Imprints at the PARD6G-AS1 and GCSAML Differentially Methylated Regions Are Decoupled From Parent-of-Origin Expression Effects in Multiple Human Tissues.

A hallmark of imprinted genes in mammals is the occurrence of parent-of-origin-dependent asymmetry of DNA cytosine methylation (5mC) of alleles at CpG islands (CGIs) in their promoter regions. This 5mCpG asymmetry between the parental alleles creates allele-specific imprinted differentially methylated regions (iDMRs). iDMRs are often coupled to the transcriptional repression of the methylated allele and the activation of the unmethylated allele in a tissue-specific, developmental-stage-specific and/or isoform-specific fashion. iDMRs function as regulatory platforms, built through the recruitment of chemical modifications to histones to achieve differential, parent-of-origin-dependent chromatin segmentation states. Here, we used a comparative computational data mining approach to identify 125 novel constitutive candidate iDMRs that integrate the maximal number of allele-specific methylation region records overlapping CGIs in human methylomes. Twenty-nine candidate iDMRs display gametic 5mCpG asymmetry, and another 96 are candidate secondary iDMRs. We established the maternal origin of the 5mCpG imprints of one gametic (PARD6G-AS1) and one secondary (GCSAML) iDMRs. We also found a constitutively hemimethylated, nonimprinted domain at the PWWP2AP1 promoter CGI with oocyte-derived methylation asymmetry. Given that the 5mCpG level at the iDMRs is not a sufficient criterion to predict active or silent locus states and that iDMRs can regulate genes from a distance of more than 1 Mb, we used RNA-Seq experiments from the Genotype-Tissue Expression project and public archives to assess the transcriptional expression profiles of SNPs across 4.6 Mb spans around the novel maternal iDMRs. We showed that PARD6G-AS1 and GCSAML are expressed biallelically in multiple tissues. We found evidence of tissue-specific monoallelic expression of ZNF124 and OR2L13, located 363 kb upstream and 419 kb downstream, respectively, of the GCSAML iDMR. We hypothesize that the GCSAML iDMR regulates the tissue-specific, monoallelic expression of ZNF124 but not of OR2L13. We annotated the non-coding epigenomic marks in the two maternal iDMRs using data from the Roadmap Epigenomics project and showed that the PARD6G-AS1 and GCSAML iDMRs achieve contrasting activation and repression chromatin segmentations. Lastly, we found that the maternal 5mCpG imprints are perturbed in several hematopoietic cancers. We conclude that the maternal 5mCpG imprints at PARD6G-AS1 and GCSAML iDMRs are decoupled from parent-of-origin transcriptional expression effects in multiple tissues.

[Family Healthcare Units in Portugal and Family Clinics in Rio de Janeiro - their essence and similarities]. / Unidades de Saúde Familiar e Clínicas da Família ­ essência e semelhanças.

The authors address parallel developments in Family Healthcare Units (USF) in Portugal (since 2006) and in primary care Family Clinics (CF) in Rio de Janeiro (since 2009). In this essay, they highlight the meeting that took place in Portugal with Brazilian Health Ministry and Rio de Janeiro Department of Health members in October 2009. Being directly involved (since May 2016) in the development of USF in the Lisbon Region, and having visited, in November 2016, several CF in Rio de Janeiro, they analyze aspects such as: organization in permanent structural multi-professional teams; main common characteristics of the teams; teambuilding processes; organization and technical autonomy; instruments to regulate autonomy; responsibility and accountability - contracting processes; monitoring and evaluation; leadership system; motivational factors for professionals and for the team as a whole; learning organizations. All these aspects converge to a "3P" framework: "purposes" - organizing and orienting multi-professional teams towards health gains and the wellbeing of the individuals and the population; "people" - both those who are beneficiaries of health care services, as well as the health care professionals; "processes" - that must be permanently questioned, evaluated and enhanced.

Unidades de Saúde Familiar e Clínicas da Família - essência e semelhanças / Family Healthcare Units in Portugal and Family Clinics in Rio de Janeiro - their essence and similarities

Resumo O desenvolvimento, desde 2009, das Clínicas da Família (CF) no Rio de Janeiro tem paralelismos com as Unidades de Saúde Familiar (USF) implementadas em Portugal desde 2006. Neste ensaio, os autores assinalam o encontro em Portugal, em outubro de 2009, com gestores do Ministério da Saúde e da Subsecretaria de Atenção Primária, Vigilância e Promoção da Saúde do Rio de Janeiro, e destacam alguns aspetos essenciais tais como: a organização em equipes multiprofissionais com caráter estrutural permanente; as características das equipes; o seu desenvolvimento ("teambulding"); a organização e a autonomia técnica; os laços emocionais entre os elementos de cada equipe; os instrumentos formais de regulação da autonomia; a responsabilização e a prestação de contas/contratualização; os dispositivos de monitorização e de avaliação; o sistema de lideranças; fatores motivacionais dos profissionais e das equipes; as USF e as CF como organizações aprendentes. Estes aspectos podem resumir-se em "3P": propósitos, orientação para objetivos de saúde e de bem estar; pessoas, que são a razão das organizações de saúde; processos, continuamente questionados, avaliados e aperfeiçoados.

Abstract The authors address parallel developments in Family Healthcare Units (USF) in Portugal (since 2006) and in primary care Family Clinics (CF) in Rio de Janeiro (since 2009). In this essay, they highlight the meeting that took place in Portugal with Brazilian Health Ministry and Rio de Janeiro Department of Health members in October 2009. Being directly involved (since May 2016) in the development of USF in the Lisbon Region, and having visited, in November 2016, several CF in Rio de Janeiro, they analyze aspects such as: organization in permanent structural multi-professional teams; main common characteristics of the teams; teambuilding processes; organization and technical autonomy; instruments to regulate autonomy; responsibility and accountability - contracting processes; monitoring and evaluation; leadership system; motivational factors for professionals and for the team as a whole; learning organizations. All these aspects converge to a "3P" framework: "purposes" - organizing and orienting multi-professional teams towards health gains and the wellbeing of the individuals and the population; "people" - both those who are beneficiaries of health care services, as well as the health care professionals; "processes" - that must be permanently questioned, evaluated and enhanced.

One-step grafting of temperature-and pH-sensitive (N-vinylcaprolactam-co-4-vinylpyridine) onto silicone rubber for drug delivery.

A one-step method was implemented to graft N-vinylcaprolactam (NVCL) and 4-vinylpyridine (4VP) onto silicone rubber (SR) films using gamma radiation in order to endow the silicone surface with temperature- and pH-responsiveness, and give it the ability to host and release diclofenac in a controlled manner and thus prevent bacterial adhesion. The effects of radiation conditions (e.g., dose and monomers concentration) on the grafting percentage were evaluated, and the modified films were characterized by means of FTIR-ATR, Raman spectroscopy, calorimetry techniques (DSC and TGA) and contact angle measurements. The films responsiveness to stimuli was evaluated by recording the swelling degree of pristine and modified SR in buffer solutions (critical pH point) and as a function of changes in temperature (Upper Critical Solution Temperature, UCST). The graft copolymers of SR-g-(NVCL-co-4VP) showed good cytocompatibility against fibroblast cells for prolonged times, could host diclofenac and release it in a sustained manner for up to 24 h, and exhibited bacteriostatic activity when challenged against Escherichia coli.