Association between Dietary Intake and Faecal Microbiota in Children with Cystic Fibrosis.

A "high-fat, high-energy diet" is commonly recommended for children with cystic fibrosis (CF), leading to negative consequences on dietary patterns that could contribute to altered colonic microbiota. The aim of this study was to assess dietary intake and to identify possible associations with the composition of faecal microbiota in a cohort of children with CF. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted, including a 3-day food record simultaneously with the collection of faecal samples. The results showed a high fat intake (43.9% of total energy intake) and a mean dietary fibre intake of 10.6 g/day. The faecal microbiota was characterised at the phylum level as 54.5% Firmicutes and revealed an altered proportion between Proteobacteria (32%) and Bacteroidota (2.2%). Significant associations were found, including a negative association between protein, meat, and fish intake and Bifidobacterium, a positive association between lipids and Escherichia/Shigella and Streptococcus, a negative association between carbohydrates and Veillonella and Klebsiella, and a positive association between total dietary fibre and Bacteroides and Roseburia. The results reveal that a "high-fat, high-energy" diet does not satisfy dietary fibre intake from healthy food sources in children with CF. Further interventional studies are encouraged to explore the potential of shifting to a high-fibre or standard healthy diet to improve colonic microbiota.

Effect of Lactobacillaceae Probiotics on Colonic Microbiota and Metabolite Production in Cystic Fibrosis: A Comparative In Vitro Study.

Cystic Fibrosis-related gut dysbiosis (CFRGD) has become a recognised complication in children with this condition, and current evidence remains insufficient to guide the selection of probiotic strains for supplementation treatments. The aim of this study was to characterise the effect of three probiotic strains on CFRGD by means of a dynamic in vitro simulation of the colonic fermentation (SHIME®). The configuration of the system included three bioreactors colonised with the faecal inoculum of a child with cystic fibrosis. For 20 days, each bioreactor was supplied daily with either Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103 TM), Limosilactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (DSM 22266). The baseline microbiota was characterised by a high abundance of Prevotella, Faecalibacterium and Acidaminococcus genera. After 20 days of supplementation, L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum reduced Prevotella significantly, and the three strains led to increased Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium and decreased Acidaminococcus, with some of these changes being maintained 10 days after ceasing supplementation. The metabolic activity remained unaltered in terms of short-chain fatty acids, but branched-chain fatty acids showed a significant decrease, especially with L. plantarum. Additionally, ammonia decreased at 20 days of supplementation, and lactate continuously increased with the three strains. The effects on colonic microbiota of L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri or L. plantarum were established, including increased beneficial bacteria, such as Faecalibacterium, and beneficial metabolites such as lactate; and on the other hand, a reduction in pathogenic genera, including Prevotella or Acidaminococcus and branched-chain fatty acids, overall supported their use as probiotics in the context of CFRGD.

Motivos de la práctica deportiva de atletas paralímpicos españoles / Motivos para la practica esportiva de atletas paralímpico Espanhois / Motives for the practicing sports of Spanish paralympic athletes

Los Juegos Paralímpicos constituyen el máximo exponente a nivel mundial del deporte de competición practicado por personas con discapacidad. En este estudio se analizaron los motivos de la práctica deportiva de los atletas paralímpicos españoles participantes en los Juegos de Londres 2012, utilizando como instrumento el cuestionario Participation Motivation Inventory, versión española, compuesto por 30 ítems. La muestra está conformada por 69 deportistas del máximo exponente del deporte paralímpico español y de diferentes discapacidades (discapacitados visuales, y discapacitados físico-motriz). El análisis factorial exploratorio llevado a cabo (con rotación Varimax) indicó con una varianza total explicado de 55.28% un conjunto de cuatro factores: Integración social, Personal, Socio-deportivo, y Superación. La importancia concedida por los atletas a los diferentes ítems de la escala nos indica que los motivos más importantes para practicar deporte estuvieron relacionados a los factores Personal y Superación. Como conclusión, podemos indicar la homogeneidad del grupo paralímpico en cuanto a la motivación en la práctica deportiva (AU)

Os Jogos Paraolímpicos constituem o maior expoente mundial do desporto de competição praticado por pessoas com deficiência. Neste estudo foram analisadas as razões para a prática esportiva de atletas paraolímpicos espanhóis que participaram nos Jogos de Londres 2012, utilizando-se como o questionário Participation Motivation Inventory, versão espanhola, composta por 30 itens. A amostra está constituída por 69 atletas do máximo expoente do esporte paralímpico espanhol com deficiências visuais e física/motora. A análise fatorial exploratória realizada (com rotação Varimax) indicou com uma variação total explicada de 55,28% um conjunto de quatro fatores: Integração social, Pessoal, Sócio-Esportiva e Superação. A importância atribuída pelos atletas aos diferentes itens da escala indica que as razões mais importantes para a prática do esporte foram relacionados a fatores Pessoais e Superação. Em conclusão, podemos indicar a homogeneidade do grupo paralímpico em termos de motivação na prática esportiva (AU)

The Paralympic Games are the greatest exponent of the world competitive sport practiced by disabilities people. This study analyzed the motives for the sports practice of the Spanish Paralympic athletes participants in the Games in 2012, using the questionnaire Participation Motivation Inventory, in Spanish version, consisting of 30 items. The sample consists of 69 athletes of the maximum exponent of the Spanish Paralympic sport, and different disabilities (blind and visually impaired, and physically disabled-motor. Exploratory factor analysis conducted (with Varimax rotation) indicated with a total variance explained of 55.28% a set of four factors: Social integration, Personal, Social and sporting and Overcoming. The importance given by athletes to different items of the scale indicates that the most important motives for sports were related to Social and Overcoming. In conclusion, we can indicate the homogeneity in Paralympic group, in terms of motivation in sport (AU)

Alternativa ecológica en la evaluación del salto de longitud de atletas paralímpicos / Alternativa ecológica para avaliar salto longas o Paralympians atletas / Ecological alternative in measuring long jump of paralimpics athletes

Los Juegos Paralímpicos constituyen el máximo exponente a nivel mundial del deporte de competición practicado por personas con discapacidad. En este trabajo exponemos la investigación realizada en los Juegos Paralímpicos de Londres 2012, analizando las acciones de los atletas ciegos en el salto de longitud. Para la toma de datos se utilizaron 4 cámaras Exilim F1 (Casio, Japan), grabando 2 en alta velocidad (512x384 píxeles a 300 Hz) y 2 en alta definicón (1280x720 pixeles a 30 Hz), permitiendo no interferir en la competición. El tratamiento y extracción de datos cinemáticos de las imágenes se realizó con el programa Kinovea 0.8.15 (disponible en http:// kinovea.org). Las variables analizadas en el último paso de la carrera de aproximación fueron: velocidad de paso, Vp (m/s); velocidad resultante, Vr (m/s); frecuencia de paso, Fp (Hz); longitud de paso, Lp (m); tiempo de contacto, Tc (s); tiempo de vuelo, Tv (s), tiempo de paso, Tp; altura del centro de masas, BCM h1(m); ángulo de batida, a1(º); y la duración de la batida, Tc0 (s). Se ha observado una influencia positiva en las variables Tc1, Tv1 y Vp1 y negativas en a1, Lp1, Tp1 y Tc0. Los resultados obtenidos han permitido identificar las variables determinantes del rendimiento en salto de longitud de atletas ciegos y comparar éstas con los ya existentes de deportistas sin discapacidad y de similar habilidad técnica. La metodología utilizada se ha mostrado fiable, válida y precisa, siendo de gran utilidad en los ámbitos competitivos por no interferir en el espacio deportivo (AU)

Os Jogos Paraolímpicos são o auge do esporte competitivo a nível mundial praticado por pessoas com deficiência. Neste artigo apresentamos uma pesquisa realizada nos Jogos Paraolímpicos de Verão de 2012, analisando as ações dos atletas cegos no salto em distância. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizadas 4 câmeras de gravação de alta velocidade F1 Exilim (Casio, Japão), 2 gravando em alta velocidade (512x384 pixels a 300 Hz) e 2 em alta definição (1280x720 pixels a 30 Hz), permitindo não interferir na competição. A análise dos dados de imagem cinematográfica foi realizada com o programa Kinovea 0.8.15 (disponível em http://kinovea.org). As variáveis analisadas no último passo da corrida de aproximação foram: velocidade, Vp (m / s); velocidade resultante, VR (m / s); frequência de passada, Fp (Hz); comprimento do passo, Lp (m); tempo de contato, Tc (s); tempo de vôo, TV (s), tempo de intervalo Tp; altura do centro de gravidade, h1 BCM (m); ângulo do passo preparatório, a1 (º); e a duração do ataque, TC0 (s). Se há observado uma influência positiva no Tc1, na TV1 e no VP1 e negativa na a1, variáveis Lp1, TP1 e TC0. Os resultados encontrados permitiram identificar as variáveis que determinam o rendimento do salto em distância de atletas cegos e compará-los com os resultados de atletas sem deficiência, com habilidades técnicas semelhantes. A metodologia utilizada se mostrou confiável, válida e precisa, sendo muito útil nos âmbitos competitivos por não interferir na área de competição (AU)

The Paralympic Games are the maximum exponent of worldwide competitive sport practiced by people with disabilities. In this paper we present the research conducted during 2012 London Paralympic Games, analysing the actions performed by blind athletes in the long jump, using four Exilim F1 (Casio, Japan) cameras for data collection. We used two of them to record at high speed (512x384 píxels at 300 Hz) and two at high definition (1280x720 pixels at 30 Hz), allowed us not to interfere in the competition. The analysis and extraction of the kinematic image data was performed using the Kinovea V0.8.15 software (available at http://www.kinovea.org). The variables analysed in the last step of the approach run were: Step speed, Vp (m / s); Resulting speed, Vr (m / s); Step frequency, Fp (Hz); Stride length, Lp (m); Contact time, Tc (s); Flight time, TV (s), Step time, Tp; BCM height h1 (m); take off angle, a1 (º) and take off duration, TC0 (s). It has been a positive influence in the Tc1, Tv1 and Vp1 and negative one in: a1, Lp1, TP1 and TC0 variables. The results have identified the variables that determine performance in horizontal jumping with existing athletes without disabilities and similar technical skills. The methodology has been showed reliable, valid and accurate being very useful in competitive areas not to interfere in the sports area (AU)

Instituciones de enseñanza superior de España y Brasil: temática sobre las personas con discapacidad / Institutions of higher education in Spain and Brazil: topics on people with disabilities

Las discusiones acerca de la población con discapacidades fueron insertadas en los cursos de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y Deporte y Educación Física como forma de atender a las disposiciones acordadas en diferentes documentos legales elaborados a lo largo de discusiones sobre el proceso de inclusión. Este proceso resultó en una mayor participación de ese grupo en otros ámbitos sociales entre ellos el deporte, el ocio y las competiciones. Eso nos llevó a preguntarnos cómo esta temática es abordada en los cursos citados. Para comprender este factor analizamos los planes docentes o programas de asignaturas de dos instituciones, una de Brasil y otra de España, que ofrecen estos cursos y que se destacan por la relevancia en el área en sus países. Observamos que la cantidad de horas de trabajo dedicado a la discusión sobre las personas con discapacidad es prácticamente la misma en los dos países, aunque la institución brasileña ofrezca mayor cantidad de asignaturas. Además notamos que la institución brasileña presenta repeticiones de temas que tratan específicamente de la etiología de la discapacidad. Las lecturas específicas indicadas en los programas pueden ser más diversificadas en algunas asignaturas. Por fin, notamos que apenas las asignaturas con temática específica sobre las personas con discapacidad las abordan. Creemos que los cursos pueden ofrecer más posibilidades de discusión sobre esta población en otras asignaturas, ya que las personas con discapacidad participan activamente de diversos espacios donde los profesionales de la Educación Física actúan

Discussions about people with disabilities were inserted into the course of Physical Activity Sciences and Sports and Physical Education as a way to meet the agreed provisions in different legal documents developed over discussions about the inclusion process. This process resulted in a greater share of this group in other social areas including sport, leisure and competitions. That led us to ask how this issue is addressed at the listed courses. To understand this factor we analyzed teaching plans or programs of subjects from two institutions, one from Brazil and other from Spain, which offer these courses and highlights the relevance in the area at their countries. We noted that the number of hours of work devoted to the discussion of disability in the specific subjects is almost the same in both countries, although the Brazilian institution offers more subjects. We have also noticed that the Brazilian institution shows repetitions of topics that specifically address the etiology of the disability. Specific readings indicated in the programs can be more diversified at some subjects. Finally, we note that only the subjects with specific focus on people with disabilities address this population. We believe that courses may offer more possibilities for discussion on this in other subjects, because people with disabilities actively participate in many spaces where professionals of Physical Education act

Free radical scavenging activity and secondary metabolites from in vitro cultures of Sanicula graveolens.

An in vitro propagation system was developed to obtain shoot and root cultures from the Andean spice Sanicula graveolens (Apiaceae). Propagation of shoots, roots and plantlets was achieved by the temporary immersion system. The free radical scavenging effect of the methanol/water (7:3 v/v) extracts was determined by the discoloration of the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH). Total phenolic, flavonoid, chlorogenic acid (CA) and quercetin 3-O-glucoside content in the samples was assessed by spectrophotometry and DAD-HPLC analysis, respectively. On a dry weight basis, the crude extracts showed total phenolic values ranging from 3.57 to 6.93%, with highest content for the root culture sample. Total flavonoid content ranged from 1.23 to 2.23% and was lower for the root culture. Chlorogenic acid and neochlorogenic acid were identified by TLC in all samples. Highest free radical scavenging effect was observed for the root culture which also presented the highest CA content. Two of the shoot culture samples, with similar IC50 values in the DPPH discoloration assay, also presented close quercetin-3-O-glucoside content.

Free radical scavengers from Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) stapf plants cultivated in bioreactors by the temporary immersion (TIS) principle.

The biomass production of Cymbopogon citratus shoots cultivated in bioreactors according to the temporary immersion (TIS) principle was assessed under different growth conditions. The effect of gassing with CO2-enriched air, reduced immersion frequency, vessel size and culture time on total phenolic and flavonoid content and free radical scavenging effect of the methanolic extracts was measured. From the TIS-culture of C. citratus, seven compounds were isolated and identified as caffeic acid (1), chlorogenic acid (2), neochlorogenic acid (3), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (4), p-hydroxybenzoic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucoside (5), glutamic acid (6) and luteolin 6-C-fucopyranoside (7). The occurrence of compounds 1-7 and their variability in C. citratus grown under different TIS conditions was determined by HPLC. The free radical scavenging effect of the methanolic extract and compounds was measured by the discoloration of the free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). The main metabolites in 6- and 8-week-old cultures, both in 5 and 10 1 vessels, were chlorogenic acid (2) (100-113 mg%) and neochlorogenic acid (3) (80-119 mg%), while in the cultures with CO2-enriched air and reduced immersion frequency the main compound detected in the extracts was glutamic acid (6) (400 and 670 mg% for the green and white biomass and 619 and 630 mg% for the green and white biomass, respectively). The most active compounds, as free radical scavengers, in the DPPH discoloration assay were caffeic acid (1), chlorogenic acid (2), neochlorogenic acid (3) and the flavonoid luteolin 6-C-fucopyranoside (7).

In vitro shoot and root organogenesis, plant regeneration and production of tropane alkaloids in some species of Schizanthus.

A rapid in vitro propagation system leading to formation of shoots from callus, roots, and plantlets was developed for Schizanthus hookeri Gill. (Solanaceae), an endemic Chilean plant. The genus Schizanthus is of particular interest due to the presence of several tropane alkaloids. So far, in vitro propagation of species of this genus has not been reported. Propagation of S. hookeri consisted of two phases, the first one for callus initiation and shoot formation and the second for rhizogenesis and plantlet regeneration. From a single callus that rapidly increased in cell biomass (from approximately 50 mg to approximately 460 mg/culture tube [25 x 130 mm] in 60 days) in the presence of 2.69 microM NAA and 2.22 microM BA, more than 10 shoots/callus explant were formed. From the latter, approx. twenty plantlets formed after 90-110 days shoot subculture in medium devoid of growth regulators that favored root formation. Ten alkaloids ranging from simple pyrrolidine derivatives to tropane esters derived from angelic, tiglic, senecioic or methylmesaconic acids were obtained from in vitro regenerated plantlets. One of them, 3alpha-methylmesaconyloxytropane, was not previously described. The same growth conditions, as well as other growth regulator levels tested, were required to induce callus and root formation in S. grahamii Gill. Root organogenesis occurred despite a high level of BA vs. NAA used, (i.e., 4.44 microM BA and 0.54 microM NAA); however no shoot formation was achieved. In the case of S. tricolor Grau et Gronbach, only callus formation was obtained in the presence of various growth regulators.

Secondary metabolite content in rhizomes, callus cultures and in vitro regenerated plantlets of Solidago chilensis.

An in vitro culture system leading to the formation of callus and plant regeneration, starting from nodal sections and shoot tips, was developed for Solidago chilensis (Asteraceae). The content of the gastroprotective diterpene solidagenone as well as the phenolics chlorogenic acid (CA) and rutin was determined either in rhizomes from wild growing plants and in callus and in in vitro regenerated plantlets by analytical HPLC. Additionally, total phenolic and flavonoid content was assessed in plant samples, callus and cell suspensions. In terms of dry starting material, the percentual solidagenone content in nine S. chilensis samples ranged from 0.5-3.5% for rhizomes from wild growing plants, 0.1-0.3% for callus and 0.3% for an in vitro regenerated plantlet, respectively. The highest solidagenone contents were found in the wild plant during the late summer in the months of March and April (3.5-2.2%) while highest values for chlorogenic acid (0.5%) and rutin (0.4%) were detected in May, before senescence. The callus tissue and cell suspensions contained some 1.8-2.0 and 1.2% of total phenolics, respectively. CA was the main phenolic in the cell suspension while only traces were found in the callus. Rutin was not detected in the callus nor cell culture.

Secondary metabolite content in Fabiana imbricata plants and in vitro cultures.

A rapid in vitro propagation system leading to the formation of shoots, calli, roots, cell suspensions and plantlets was developed for the Andean medicinal plant Fabiana imbricata (Solanaceae). Massive propagation of shoots and roots was achieved by the temporary immersion system (TIS), morphogenesis and maintenance of cell suspensions by standard in vitro culture techniques. Oleanolic acid (OA), rutin, chlorogenic acid (CA) and scopoletin content in aerial parts of wild growing Fabiana imbricata plants as well as in plantlets regenerated in vitro, callus cultures, cell suspensions and biomass, obtained by the TIS system was assessed by HPLC. On a dry weight basis, the OA content in the aerial parts of the plant ranged between 2.26 and 3.47% while in vitro plantlets, callus and root cultures presented values ranging from not detected up to 0.14%. The rutin content of the samples presented a similar trend with maxima between 0.99 and 3.35% for the aerial parts of the plants to 0.02 to 0.20% for plantlets, 0.12% for cell suspensions and 0.28% for callus. Rutin was not detected in the roots grown by the TIS principle. The CA and scopoletin content in the aerial parts of F. imbricata ranged between 0.22-1.15 and < 0.01-0.55%, respectively. In the plantlets, the concentration of CA was 0.29 to 1.48% with scopoletin in the range 0.09 to 0.64% while in the callus sample, the CA and scopoletin content were 0.46 and 0.66%, respectively. A very different result was found in roots grown by TIS, where both OA and rutin were not detected and its main secondary metabolite, scopoletin was found between a range of 0.99 and 1.41% with CA between of 0.11 and 0.42%.

Kraft mill residues effects on Monterey pine growth and soil microbial activity.

The production of bleached Kraft pulp generates inorganic and organic residues that are usually deposited on the soil surface or land-filled. Studies conducted to address the impact of these wastes on the environment are scarce. In this work, Monterey pine (Pinus radiata D. Don), an important tree for pulping, was evaluated for germination and development under greenhouse conditions in forest soils exposed to solid residues of the cellulose industry using the Kraft process. Soils exposed to 10 to 60% ashes, 10 to 70% fly ashes, or 10 to 30% dregs allowed substantial seed germination and seedling growth. In contrast, soils exposed to low proportions of brown rejects, grits, or a mixture of all these residues were detrimental for germination, plant growth, or both. The strongest negative effect (no germination) was observed with as low as 10% grits. The changes in pH and/or water content caused by solid wastes did not correlate with detrimental effects observed in various soil-residue combinations. No significant changes in the microbial community of soils exposed to these solid residues were observed by determination of culturable counts, or by terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the microbial community DNA. The presence of organic residues did not affect the ability of the soil microbial community to remove typical pulp bleaching chloroaromatics. However, inorganic wastes strongly decreased the removal of such compounds.

Interactions between chilean matorral shrubs and phytophagous insects.

Lithraea caustica (Mol.) H. et Arn. and Colliguaya odorifera Mol. are two sclerophyllous shrubs of the scrub vegetation in Central Chile. These two species commonly grow in close association on equator-facing slopes. Leaves of L. caustica are severely predated upon by phytophagous insects while those of C. odorifera are rarely attacked. Leaf growth dynamics, leaf loss, and leaf predation by insects were correlated through the year with leaf phenolic compounds. Leaf structural properties (cuticle thickness, density, sclerenchymatic fibers, leaf thickness) were similar between the two species, while leaf phenol content differed significantly. The higher phenol content in C. odorifera may influence leaf palatability, and thus account for the observed lower leaf area loss in that species due to insect damage.