Snail-induced anaphylaxis in patients with underlying Artemisia vulgaris pollinosis: the role of carbohydrates

Purpose: The importance of carbohydrates in anaphylaxis has been described with some foods. The current work intends to obtain clinical and immunological evidence of the importance of the O-glycans for IgE binding activity in anaphylactic reactions due to Helix aspersa (HA) ingestión and Artemisia vulgaris (AV) exposition. Methods: The studio focused on two cases of IgE-mediated anaphylaxis induced by snail ingestion in patients with underlying rhino-conjunctivitis and asthma due to AV. We performed on both patients: skin prick tests ( SPTs) with HA and AV and with a battery of aeroallergen, controlled nasal challenge and specific IgE to HA and AV, ImmunoCAP ISAC®, and a differential pattern of IgE recognition with SDS-PAGE Immunoblotting (SDSI) when these allergens have suffered an O-deglycosylation procedure. Results: The patients showed positive results in SPTs, nasal challenges, and serum-specific IgE against HA and AV. In patient 1, the SDSI detected several IgE-binding proteins in AV with a molecular mass of 22, 24, and 44 kDa, whereas a band of 12 kDa was detected in HA. On the other hand, patient 2’s serum revealed an IgE-binding zone between 75 and 20 kDa in the AV and a band of 24 kDa in the HA. When glycans were removed, patient 1’s serum only revealed the AV’s 22 and 24 kDa bands, whereas patient 2’s serum did not detect any IgE-reactive protein in the HA. Conclusions: Our data suggest that O-glycosylation can be relevant in patients with anaphylaxis due to snails and allergy to Artemisia vulgaris. This new entity representing cross-reactivity between AV and HA could be named Snail-Artemisia Syndrome (AU)

Snail-induced anaphylaxis in patients with underlying Artemisia vulgaris pollinosis: the role of carbohydrates.

PURPOSE: The importance of carbohydrates in anaphylaxis has been described with some foods. The current work intends to obtain clinical and immunological evidence of the importance of the O-glycans for IgE binding activity in anaphylactic reactions due to Helix aspersa (HA) ingestión and Artemisia vulgaris (AV) exposition. METHODS: The studio focused on two cases of IgE-mediated anaphylaxis induced by snail ingestion in patients with underlying rhino-conjunctivitis and asthma due to AV. We performed on both patients: skin prick tests ( SPTs) with HA and AV and with a battery of aeroallergen, controlled nasal challenge and specific IgE to HA and AV, ImmunoCAP ISAC®, and a differential pattern of IgE recognition with SDS-PAGE Immunoblotting (SDSI) when these allergens have suffered an O-deglycosylation procedure. RESULTS: The patients showed positive results in SPTs, nasal challenges, and serum-specific IgE against HA and AV. In patient 1, the SDSI detected several IgE-binding proteins in AV with a molecular mass of 22, 24, and 44 kDa, whereas a band of 12 kDa was detected in HA. On the other hand, patient 2's serum revealed an IgE-binding zone between 75 and 20 kDa in the AV and a band of 24 kDa in the HA. When glycans were removed, patient 1's serum only revealed the AV's 22 and 24 kDa bands, whereas patient 2's serum did not detect any IgE-reactive protein in the HA. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that O-glycosylation can be relevant in patients with anaphylaxis due to snails and allergy to Artemisia vulgaris. This new entity representing cross-reactivity between AV and HA could be named Snail-Artemisia Syndrome.

Effects of a telerehabilitation program and detraining on cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with post-COVID-19 sequelae: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a 15-week telerehabilitation program and a detraining period on cardiorespiratory fitness and mechanical efficiency in patients with post-COVID-19 sequelae. METHODS: 131 patients with post-COVID-19 sequelae were randomly assigned to one of two groups: patients who carried out the supervised telerehabilitation program (TRG, n = 66) and a control group (CG, n = 65). An incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed on cycle ergometer to compare cardioventilatory responses between experimental groups. RESULTS: A significant increase in the CPET duration, peak power output, and mechanical efficiency was observed in TRG compared to CG after the telerehabilitation program (p ≤ 0.001). A significant increase in the CPET duration, peak power output, and mechanical efficiency was verified at 3 months compared to the pretest and after detraining in TRG (p < 0.001). A significant increase in peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak ) was identified after the intervention and in the detraining period compared to the pretest in both experimental groups (p < 0.001). A higher ventilatory efficiency was observed after the telerehabilitation program (p = 0.021) than in pretest only in TRG. CONCLUSIONS: A 15-week supervised home telerehabilitation program improved exercise capacity, power output, and mechanical efficiency in TRG compared to a CG. The telerehabilitation program was not more effective in improving V̇O2peak than the activities of the CG. However, ventilatory efficiency was improved only after the telerehabilitation program. The reported results after the detraining period highlight the need to maintain the rehabilitation program over time.

Body fluids and muscle changes in trail runners of various distances.

Background: This study aims to investigate body fluids and muscle changes evoked by different trail races using anthropometric, bioelectrical, and creatine kinase (CK) measurements. Methods: A total of 92 subjects (55 men, 37 women) participating in three different races of 14, 35, and 52 km were evaluated before (PRE) and after (POST) the races. Classic bioelectrical impedance vector analysis was applied at the whole-body level (WB-BIVA). Additionally, muscle-localized bioelectrical assessments (ML-BIVA) were performed in a subgroup of 11 men (in the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves). PRE-POST differences and correlations between bioelectrical values and CK, running time and race distance were tested. Results: Changes in whole-body vectors and phase angles disclosed an inclination towards dehydration among men in the 14, 35, and 52 km groups (p < 0.001), as well as among women in the 35 and 52 km groups (p < 0.001). PRE Z/H was negatively correlated with running time in the 35 km men group and 14 km women group (r = -0.377, p = 0.048; r = -0.751, p = 0.001; respectively). POST Z/H was negatively correlated with running time in the 14 km women group (r = -0.593, p = 0.02). CK was positively correlated with distance in men and women (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with reactance and vector length in the 14 km men group (p < 0.05). ML-BIVA echoed the same tendency as the WB-BIVA in the 35 and 52 km runners, with the most notable changes occurring in the calves (p < 0.001). Conclusions: WB-BIVA and CK measurements underscored a conspicuous trend towards post-race dehydration and muscle damage, displaying a weak association with performance. Notably, ML-BIVA detected substantial alterations primarily in the calves. The study underscores the utility of BIVA as a technique to assess athlete's body composition changes.

Effect of different types of supervised exercise programs on cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, pain, fatigue, mental health and inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in older patients with post-COVID-19 sequelae "EJerSA-COVID-19": a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Many patients with COVID-19 present the so-called post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 such as fatigue, post-stress discomfort, dyspnea, headache, pain mental impairment, incapacity to perform daily physical tasks ant exercise intolerance. This study aims to investigate the effects of different exercise programs on physical and mental fitness, physical condition and biomarkers of the immune system and oxidative stress in older patients with post-COVID-19 sequelae. METHODS: The sample will be made up of 120 eligible participants, over the age of 60 years who have had COVID-19 disease and are survivors and present persistent COVID-19 symptomatology diagnosed by the corresponding physician. The participants will be randomly assigned to the experimental groups: supervised endurance group (SEG, n = 30), supervised strength group (SSG, n = 30), supervised concurrent group (SCG, n = 30), which will perform the corresponding exercise program 3 days a week compared to the control group (CG, n = 30), which will not carry out a supervised exercise program. The design of this project will include measurements of four relevant dimensions; 1) Cardiorespiratory fitness; 2) Muscle fitness; 3) Pain and mental health; and 4) Biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will provide insights into the effects of different exercise programs on physical and mental fitness, physical condition and biomarkers of the immune system and oxidative stress in older patients with post-COVID-19 sequelae. These findings may be the basis for the formulation of health plans and rehabilitation programs that allow healthy aging and a reduction in the associated morbidity in patients with post-COVID-19 sequelae. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05848518. Registered on May 8, 2023.

Human occupations of upland and cold environments in inland Spain during the Last Glacial Maximum and Heinrich Stadial 1: The new Magdalenian sequence of Charco Verde II.

The settlement of cold and arid environments by Pleistocene hunter-gatherers has been a heated topic in Paleolithic Archaeology and the Quaternary Sciences for years. In the Iberian Peninsula, a key area for studying human adaptations to such environments is composed by the large interior and upland regions of the northern and southern plateaus (Mesetas) and bordering areas. As, traditionally, these regions have been relatively under-investigated compared to the ecologically more favored coastal areas of the peninsula, our knowledge of the human settlement of the whole Iberian hinterland remains scarce for the Last Glacial. In this paper we present the discovery and first geoarcheological, paleoenvironmental and chronometric evidence obtained at Charco Verde II, a new site close to the southwestern foothills of the Iberian system range (Guadalajara province, Spain), bearing a sequence of Magdalenian human occupations starting at least at 20.8-21.4 ka cal BP during the Last Glacial Maximum, and covering Greenland Stadial 2 until ∼15.1-16.6 ka cal BP, including Heinrich stadial 1. As this site is located in an upland region which today faces one of the harshest climates in Iberia, such occupation sequence, occurred during some of the coldest and most arid phases of the Last Glacial, has relevant implications for our understanding of human-environment-climate interactions and population dynamics in Iberia and Western Europe. These findings support the hypothesis that the Iberian hinterland was not avoided by Upper Paleolithic hunter-gatherers due to ecological constraints, but it hosted a complex and relatively dense settlement at least in some areas, even during cold periods. This suggest, one more time, that the historical scarcity of Upper Paleolithic sites in inland Iberia is, to a significant extent, an artifact of research bias.

Correction: Cebrián-Ponce et al. Bioelectrical, Anthropometric, and Hematological Analysis to Assess Body Fluids and Muscle Changes in Elite Cyclists during the Giro d'Italia. Biology 2023, 12, 450.

In the original publication [...].

Bioelectrical, Anthropometric, and Hematological Analysis to Assess Body Fluids and Muscle Changes in Elite Cyclists during the Giro d'Italia.

This study aimed to characterize and monitor the body fluid and muscle changes during the Giro d'Italia in nine elite cyclists via bioelectrical (whole-body and muscle-localized) anthropometric and hematological analysis. There were three checkpoint assessments: at the beginning, middle, and end of the race. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the data at baseline and follow up. The Spearman correlation was used to explore relationships between variables. Hotelling's T2 test was used to determine bioelectrical differences in the complex vector. Bodyweight did not change during the competition, despite bioelectrical and hematological data indicating that at the first half of the race, there was a fluid gain, and in the second half a fluid loss occurred, reaching baseline values. These changes were especially prevalent in the extracellular water compartment. Significant correlations between whole-body bioelectrical vector changes and red blood cell parameter changes were reported. The muscle group most sensitive to changes were the calves. Quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves reported a PhA decrease trend during the first half of the race, and an increase during the second half. Bioelectrical impedance vector analysis appears to be sensitive enough to detect hydration and cellular integrity adaptions induced by competitions as demanding as the Giro d'Italia.

Impaired pulmonary and muscle function during moderate exercise in female patients recovered from SARS-CoV-2.

This study aimed to assess pulmonary and muscle dysfunction by analyzing the slow component of oxygen uptake (VO2SC), and mechanical and ventilatory efficiency in adult women recovered from the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type II (SARS-CoV-2) during a constant load test. 32 women (N = 17 patients with SARS-CoV-2; N = 15 control group) performed two cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPX) on a cycle ergometer. In the first test, the participants performed incremental CPX until extenuation. In the second test the participants performed a 10-min CPX at a constant load intensity (watts) corresponding to the first ventilatory threshold. There was a 48-72 h rest period between the two tests. There was a significant increase in the VO2SC in the patients recovered from SARS-CoV-2 (160.4 ± 60 mL min-1) in comparison with the healthy participants (59.6 ± 65 mL min-1) (P < 0.001). Mechanical efficiency significantly decreased in patients recovered from SARS-CoV-2 compared to the control group (P = 0.04). Ventilatory inefficiency significantly increased in the patients recovered from SARS-CoV-2 compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Adult women recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection have important pulmonary and muscular dysfunction and fatigue which contributes to increasing the VO2SC and reducing mechanical and ventilatory efficiency during mild-moderate exercise at a constant load.

Similar Slow Component of Oxygen Uptake and Ventilatory Efficiency between an Aerobic Dance Session on an Air Dissipation Platform and a Constant-Load Treadmill Test in Healthy Women.

There is a lack of evidence about the slow component of oxygen consumption (V.O2sc) and ventilatory efficiency (slope VE·VCO2−1) during an aerobic dance (AD) session on an air dissipation platform (ADP) despite the key role played in endurance exercises. This research was designed to assess V.O2sc, ventilatory efficiency, and blood lactate concentration by comparing two exercise modes: AD session on an ADP versus treadmill test at a constant-load intensity of the first ventilatory threshold (VT1). In the first session, an incremental treadmill test was completed. In sessions 2 and 3, the participants were randomly assigned to the AD session on an ADP or to a treadmill constant-load test at VT1 intensity to determine their cardioventilatory responses. In addition, their blood lactate levels and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE, CR-10) were evaluated. No significant differences were found between the constant-load treadmill test and AD session on an ADP with respect to V.O2sc, VE VCO2−1 slope, and RPE (p > 0.05). Higher blood lactate concentrations were observed in an AD session on an ADP than in a constant-load treadmill test at 10 min (p = 0.003) and 20 min (p < 0.001). The two different exercise modalities showed similar V.O2sc and VE·VCO2−1 slope, even though the blood lactate concentrations were different.

Design and Validation of a Questionnaire to Measure the Perception of Nursing Degree Students about the Learning Process in Primary Care.

The aim of this study was to develop a tool for the evaluation of the learning process of the clinical practicum in primary care. The study was carried out in two phases: (1) identification of the categories that determine the perception of the nursing degree students about the learning process in the clinical practicum in primary care and the items for each category; and (2) cross-sectional study in a sample of 475 nursing degree students. The psychometric properties in terms of reliability (internal consistency) and construct validity were analyzed through a confirmatory factor analysis. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of internal consistency for the entire questionnaire was 0.93, and that for each of the categories was above 0.70 in all cases. The chi-squared test was statistically significant (2.84; p < 0.001). The confirmatory factor analysis produced a model of 6 dimensions and 41 items. The parameters were estimated through the least squares method. All saturations were statistically significant (p < 0.05). In view of the results of this study, it can be asserted that the questionnaire to measure the perception of the nursing degree students about the learning process in the community clinical practicum (QPCLP) presents good properties in terms of internal consistency and validity.

Neuromuscular Fatigue and Metabolic Stress during the 15 Minutes of Rest after Carrying Out a Bench Press Exercise Protocol.

Background: Velocity loss (VL) at 1 m·s−1 can help to determine neuromuscular fatigue after performing an exercise protocol. The aim of this study was to analyse muscle fatigue and metabolic stress during the 15 min that follow the execution of a bench press (BP) exercise protocol. Methods: Forty-four healthy male students of sports science performed two exercise sessions separated by one week of rest. In the first week, the participants carried out a test with progressive loads in the (BP) exercise until reaching the one-repetition maximum (1RM) in order to obtain the load−velocity relationship of each participant. In the second week, each participant conducted three BP exercise sets at an intensity of 70% of 1RM, determining this load through the mean propulsive velocity (MPV) obtained from the individual load−velocity relationship, with the participants performing the maximum number of repetitions (MNR) to muscle failure. Two minutes of rest were allocated between sets. MPV at 1 m·s−1 and blood lactate concentrations were recorded before executing the exercise and at minute 0, 5, 10 and 15 after performing the exercise protocol. Results: A two-factor repeated measures ANOVA was performed. MPV at 1 m·s−1 in minute 0 post-exercise was −33.3% (p < 0.05), whereas in minute 10 and 15 post-exercise, it was ≈−9% (p > 0.05). Regarding the blood lactate levels, significant differences were observed in all measurements before and after the exercise protocol (p < 0.001), obtaining ≈7 mmol·L−1 at minute 10 post-exercise and 4.3 mmol·L−1 after 15 min of recovery. Conclusions: MPV with medium or moderate loads shows a certain recovery from minute 10 of rest. However, the blood lactate levels are still high (>5 mmol·L−1). Therefore, although there seem to be certain conditions to reach a similar maximum MPV peak, the residual fatigue at the neuromuscular level and the non-recovery of metabolic homeostasis would hinder the reproduction of these protocols, both at the level of applied stimulus and from a methodological perspective, since a long recovery time would be required between sets and exercises.

Scalable Microfabrication of Multi-Emitter Arrays in Silicon for a Compact Microfluidic Electrospray Propulsion System.

The recent proliferation of SmallSats and their use in increasingly demanding applications require the development of onboard electric propulsion compatible with the power, mass, and volume constraints of these spacecraft. Electrospray propulsion is a promising technology for SmallSats due to its unique high efficiency and scalability across the wide power range of these platforms, for example, from a few watts available in a CubeSat to a few hundred watts in a MiniSat. The implementation of electrospray propulsion requires the use of microfabrication techniques to create compact arrays of thousands of electrospray emitters. This article demonstrates the microfabrication of multi-emitter electrospray sources of a scalable size for electrospray propulsion. In particular, a microfabrication and assembly process is developed and demonstrated by fabricating sources with arrays of 1, 64, and 256 emitters. The electrospray sources are tested in a relevant environment for space propulsion (inside a vacuum chamber), exhibiting excellent propulsive performance (e.g., absence of beam impingement in the extractor electrode, absence of hysteresis in the beam current versus propellant flow rate characteristic, proper operation in the cone-jet electrospraying mode, etc.) and nearly coincident output per emitter. Several design elements contribute to this performance: the even distribution of the propellant among all emitters made possible by the implementation of a network of microfluidic channels in the backside of the emitter array; the small dead volume of the network of microfluidic channels; the accurate alignment between the emitters and extractor orifices; and the use of a pipe-flow configuration to drive the propellant through closed conduits, which protects the propellant.

Weight changes after first-line antiretroviral initiation in a cohort of HIV-positive patients in Southern Spain (CAPOTA study).

BACKGROUND: Obesity among persons living with HIV (PLWH) has increased and weight gain after antiretroviral therapy (ART) can lead to metabolic disorders and impact survival. Our objective was to analyze weight and metabolic changes in HIV näive patients after 48 weeks of ART. METHODS: Observational, retrospective, multicentered cohort study comprising naïve-patients who started tenofovir alafenamide/emtricitabine/elvitegravir/cobicistat (TAF/FTC/EVG/c) or abacavir/lamivudine/dolutegravir (ABC/3TC/DTG), with no change in treatment for 48 weeks. Clinical and metabolic parameters were collected at baseline and week-48. Statistical program used was SPSS 21.0.0. RESULTS: The study included 329 participants from 6 hospitals. Participants were 89% male and 10% had AIDS diagnosis. Median age was 35 (IQR 27-43) years. Median baseline CD4 count was 417 (IQR 250-569) cell/mm3 and HIV viral load 4.65 (IQR 4.21-5.18) log10 copies/ml. Baseline median weight was 70 (IQR 62-79) kg, body mass index 23.4 (IQR 21.2-26.0) kg/m2; 22.7% overweight and 6.4% obese. ART regimens: ABC/3TC/DTG (196), TAF/FTC/EVG/c (133). Baseline characteristics were similar in both ART groups. Average weight gain at week-48 was 2.9 (SD 5.5) kg (p < 0.0001) with no differences between both groups. There was an increase in obesity (6.4%-8%; p < 0.003) and overweight (22.7%-28.9%; p < 0.0001). Weight increase was associated with AIDS: OR 3.05 (95%; CI 1.009-9.22), p = 0.048; and lower baseline weight: OR 1.032 (95% CI 1.009-1.05), p = 0.006. CONCLUSIONS: After ART initiation patients gain weight regardless of the regimen they take. Weight gain is associated with AIDS and the use of TAF/FTC/EVG/c.

Physiological Responses at 15 Minutes of Recovery after a Session of Functional Fitness Training in Well-Trained Athletes.

BACKGROUND: the aim of this study was to analyse muscle fatigue and metabolic stress at 15 min of recovery after performing two independent sessions of functional fitness training (FFT): a session of strength functional fitness training (FFTstrength) and a session of endurance functional fitness training (FFTendurance). METHODS: eighteen well-trained men conducted two protocols, separated by one week of rest: FFTstrength (3 sets of 21, 15 and 9 repetitions of Thruster with bar + Pull ups) and FFTendurance (3 sets × (30 kcal rowing + 15 kcal assault air bike)). Neuromuscular fatigue and metabolic stress were measured right before, right after and at 10 and 15 min after completing the FFT workout, as well as the mean heart rate (HRmean) and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at the end of the FFT. RESULTS: FFTendurance recovered the velocity loss values after 15 min of recovery. On the other hand, FFTstrength only recovered velocity in the 1 m·s-1 Tests in squat (SQ), since the velocity levels were 7% lower in the 1 m·s-1 Tests in military press exercise (MP) after 15 min. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that there are specific recovery patterns not only as a function of the exercise and the body regions involved, but also regarding the recovery of neuromuscular and metabolic factors, since both FFT workouts obtained high blood lactate concentrations.

Circulating nitrate-nitrite reduces oxygen uptake for improving resistance exercise performance after rest time in well-trained CrossFit athletes.

This study aimed to determine the effects of circulating nitrate plus nitrite (NOx) concentrations on resistance exercise performance, VO2 and biomarkers of muscle damage. Eleven well-trained male CrossFit athletes (29.2 ± 3.7 years, 78.9 ± 5.4 kg, 175.1 ± 6.3 cm) carried out a resistance exercise test after drinking 140 mL of beetroot juice (BJ) or placebo. The test consisted of repeating the same resistance exercise routine twice: wall ball shots plus full back squat with 3-min rest (1st routine) or without rest (2nd routine) between the two exercises. Higher NOx plasma levels were verified after BJ than placebo in the pretest and post-test (p < 0.001). A higher number of repetitions was observed after BJ intake compared to placebo in the full back squat exercise during the first routine (p = 0.004). A significantly reduced VO2 was detected after BJ intake compared to placebo during rest and full back squat execution in the first routine (p < 0.05). Plasma myoglobin concentrations were significantly increased with BJ compared to placebo (p = 0.036). These results showed that plasma NOx levels reduced VO2 after BJ intake during rest time. These reduced VO2 was a key factor for improving full back squat performance during the first routine.

Reproducibility and Applicability of Traditional Strength Training Prescription Recommendations.

Background: The aim of this study was to verify the reproducibility of a resistance training protocol in the bench press (BP) exercise, based on traditional recommendations, analysing the effect of the muscle fatigue of each set and of the whole exercise protocol. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, thirty male physical education students were divided into three groups according to their relative strength ratio (RSR), and they performed a 1RM BP test (T1). In the second session (T2), which was one week after T1, the participants performed a BP exercise protocol of three sets with the maximum number of repetitions (MNR) possible to muscle failure, using a relative load corresponding to 70% 1RM determined through the mean propulsive velocity (MPV) obtained from the individual load−velocity relationship, with 2 min rests between sets. Two weeks later, a third session (T3) identical to the second session (T2) was performed. The MPV of each repetition of each set and the blood lactate level after each set were calculated, and mechanical fatigue was quantified through the velocity loss percentage of the set (% loss MPV) and in a pre-post exercise test with an individual load that could be lifted at ~1 m·s−1 of MPV. Results: The number of repetitions performed in each set was significantly different (MNR for the total group of participants: set 1 = 12.50 ± 2.19 repetitions, set 2 = 6.06 ± 1.98 repetitions and set 3 = 4.20 ± 1.99 repetitions), showing high variation coefficients in each of the sets and between groups according to RSR. There were significant differences also in MPVrep Best (set 1 = 0.62 ± 0.10 m·s−1, set 2 = 0.42 ± 0.07 m·s−1, set 3 = 0.36 ± 0.10 m·s−1), which significantly reduced the % loss MPV of all sets (set 1 = 77.4%, set 2 = 64%, set 3 = 54.2%). The lactate levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) (set 1 = 4.9 mmo·L−1, set 2 = 6 mmo·L−1, set 3 = 6.5 mmo·L−1), and MPV loss at 1 m·s−1 after performing the three sets was 36% in T2 and 34% in T3, with acceptable intrasubject variability (MPV at 1 m·s−1 pre-exercise: SEM ≤ 0.09 m·s−1, CV = 9.8%; MPV at 1 m·s−1 post-exercise: SEM ≤ 0.07 m·s−1, CV = 11.7%). Conclusions: These exercise propositions are difficult to reproduce and apply. Moreover, the number of repetitions performed in each set was significantly different, which makes it difficult to define and control the intensity of the exercise. Lastly, the fatigue generated in each set could have an individual response depending on the capacity of each subject to recover from the preceding maximum effort.

Energy barrier for ion field emission from a dielectric liquid sphere.

Ion field emission from the surface of a dielectric liquid is commonly modeled as a kinetic process with an energy barrier lowered by the strength of the electric field. Expressions for the energy barrier exist for simplified cases such as a planar surface and a conducting sphere. This article derives an analytical expression for the more general case of a dielectric sphere, which is the continuum model and geometry for most cases of interest. The energy barrier is computed using the method of image charges, and compared to existing expressions for simpler models. The energy barrier increases at decreasing dielectric constant and decreasing radius of curvature. Ion emission from typical systems (the ideal Taylor cone and charged nanodroplets) differs substantially when calculated with either our model or with existing simpler models.

A motivational interview program for cardiac rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial in primary healthcare.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction permits recovery of the heart function and enables secondary prevention programs in which changes in lifestyle habits are crucial. Cardiac rehabilitation often takes place in hospitals without coordination with primary healthcare and is not focused on individual patient preferences and goals, which is the core of the motivational interview. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a cardiac rehabilitation program with a motivational interview in patients discharged from hospital after acute myocardial infarction. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomized, non-pharmacological clinical trial in six primary healthcare centers in Barcelona (Spain) will assess whether a tailored cardiac rehabilitation program consisting of four motivational interviews and visits with family physicians, primary healthcare nurses and a cardiologist, coordinated with the reference hospital, results in better cardiac rehabilitation than standard care. A minimum sample of 284 participants requiring cardiac rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction will be randomized to a cardiac rehabilitation group with a motivational interview program or to standard primary healthcare. The main outcome will be physical function measured by the six-minute walk test, and the secondary outcome will be the effectiveness of secondary prevention: a composite outcome comprising control of blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, smoking and body weight. Results will be evaluated at 1,3 and 6 months. DISCUSSION: This is the first clinical trial to study the impact of a new primary healthcare cardiac rehabilitation program with motivational interviews for patients discharged from hospital after myocardial infarction. Changes in lifestyles and habits after myocardial infarction are a core element of secondary prevention and require patient-centered care strategies such as motivational interviews. Therefore, this study could clarify the impact of this approach on health indicators, such as functional capacity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTriasl.gov NCT05285969 registered on March 18, 2022.

Aerobic Dance on an Air Dissipation Platform Improves Cardiorespiratory, Muscular and Cellular Fitness in the Overweight and Obese Elderly.

Background: Obesity is a global health problem associated with a high number of comorbidities that decrease functional capacity, especially in elderly people. Aerobic dance is considered a viable strategy to prevent the effects of aging, mainly in obese and overweight elderly people. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of aerobic dance on an air dissipation platform (ADP) on body composition, oxidative stress and muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness in elderly people. Methods: In total, 32 elderly adults (67.1 ± 3.6) were divided into 3 groups based on body mass index: healthy (HG), overweight (OWG) and obese (OG). Training program of aerobic dance on an ADP was carried out twice a week for 12 weeks. Results: OWG (p = 0.016) and OG decreased their weight (p < 0.001). There was a significant decrease in malondialdehyde concentrations in all experimental groups (p < 0.05). OWG and OG significantly improved their peak oxygen uptake (p < 0.01). HG increased the vertical jump height (p < 0.05), and HG and OG improved the power output of the lower extremities (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The aerobic dance on an ADP may be an effective alternative to lose weight, prevent oxidative stress and improve cardiorespiratory fitness in obese and overweight elderly people.