Dynamics of Gut Microbiota and Short-Chain Fatty Acids during a Cycling Grand Tour Are Related to Exercise Performance and Modulated by Dietary Intake.

BACKGROUND: Regular exercise has been described to modify both the diversity and the relative abundance of certain bacterial taxa. To our knowledge, the effect of a cycling stage race, which entails extreme physiological and metabolic demands, on the gut microbiota composition and its metabolic activity has not been analysed. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this cohort study was to analyse the dynamics of faecal microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content of professional cyclists over a Grand Tour and their relationship with performance and dietary intake. METHODS: 16 professional cyclists competing in La Vuelta 2019 were recruited. Faecal samples were collected at four time points: the day before the first stage (A); after 9 stages (B); after 15 stages (C); and on the last stage (D). Faecal microbiota populations and SCFA content were analysed using 16S rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography, respectively. A principal component analysis (PCA) followed by Generalised Estimating Equation (GEE) models were carried out to explore the dynamics of microbiota and SCFAs and their relationship with performance. RESULTS: Bifidobacteriaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, and Sutterellaceae dynamics showed a strong final performance predictive value (r = 0.83, ranking, and r = 0.81, accumulated time). Positive correlations were observed between Coriobacteriaceae with acetate (r = 0.530) and isovalerate (r = 0.664) and between Bifidobacteriaceae with isobutyrate (r = 0.682). No relationship was observed between SCFAs and performance. The abundance of Erysipelotrichaceae at the beginning of La Vuelta was directly related to the previous intake of complex-carbohydrate-rich foods (r = 0.956), while during the competition, the abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae was negatively affected by the intake of simple carbohydrates from supplements (r = -0.650). CONCLUSIONS: An ecological perspective represents more realistically the relationship between gut microbiota composition and performance compared to single-taxon approaches. The composition and periodisation of diet and supplementation during a Grand Tour, particularly carbohydrates, could be designed to modulate gut microbiota composition to allow better performance.

Modulation of microRNAs through Lifestyle Changes in Alzheimer's Disease.

Lifestyle factors, including diet and physical activity (PA), are known beneficial strategies to prevent and delay Alzheimer's disease (AD) development. Recently, microRNAs have emerged as potential biomarkers in multiple diseases, including AD. The aim of this review was to analyze the available information on the modulatory effect of lifestyle on microRNA expression in AD. Few studies have addressed this question, leaving important gaps and limitations: (1) in human studies, only circulating microRNAs were analyzed; (2) in mice studies, microRNA expression was only analyzed in brain tissue; (3) a limited number of microRNAs was analyzed; (4) no human nutritional intervention studies were conducted; and (5) PA interventions in humans and mice were poorly detailed and only included aerobic training. Despite this, some conclusions could be drawn. Circulating levels of let-7g-5p, miR-107, and miR-144-3p were associated with overall diet quality in mild cognitive impairment patients. In silico analysis showed that these microRNAs are implicated in synapse formation, microglia activation, amyloid beta accumulation, and pro-inflammatory pathways, the latter also being targeted by miR-129-5p and miR-192-5p, whose circulating levels are modified by PA in AD patients. PA also modifies miR-132, miR-15b-5p, miR-148b-3p, and miR-130a-5p expression in mice brains, which targets are related to the regulation of neuronal activity, ageing, and pro-inflammatory pathways. This supports the need to further explore lifestyle-related miRNA changes in AD, both as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Refining Stereotaxic Neurosurgery Techniques and Welfare Assessment for Long-Term Intracerebroventricular Device Implantation in Rodents.

Stereotaxic surgeries enable precise access to specific brain regions, being of particular interest for chronic intracerebroventricular drug delivery. However, the challenge of long-term studies at this level is to allow the implantation of drug storage devices and their correct intrathecal connection while guaranteeing animal welfare during the entire study period. In this study, we propose an optimized method for safe intrathecal device implantation, focusing on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative procedures, following the 3Rs principle and animal welfare regulations. Our optimized protocol introduces three main refinements. Firstly, we modify the dimensions of the implantable devices, notably diminishing the device-to-mouse weight ratio. Secondly, we use a combination of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive and UV light-curing resin, which decreases surgery time, improves healing, and notably minimizes cannula detachment or adverse effects. Thirdly, we develop a customized welfare assessment scoresheet to accurately monitor animal well-being during long-term implantations. Taken together, these refinements positively impacted animal welfare by minimizing the negative effects on body weight, surgery-related complications, and anxiety-like behaviors. Overall, the proposed refinements have the potential to reduce animal use, enhance experimental data quality, and improve reproducibility. Additionally, these improvements can be extended to other neurosurgical techniques, thereby advancing neuroscience research, and benefiting the scientific community.

Exercise sustains the hallmarks of health.

Exercise has long been known for its active role in improving physical fitness and sustaining health. Regular moderate-intensity exercise improves all aspects of human health and is widely accepted as a preventative and therapeutic strategy for various diseases. It is well-documented that exercise maintains and restores homeostasis at the organismal, tissue, cellular, and molecular levels to stimulate positive physiological adaptations that consequently protect against various pathological conditions. Here we mainly summarize how moderate-intensity exercise affects the major hallmarks of health, including the integrity of barriers, containment of local perturbations, recycling and turnover, integration of circuitries, rhythmic oscillations, homeostatic resilience, hormetic regulation, as well as repair and regeneration. Furthermore, we summarize the current understanding of the mechanisms responsible for beneficial adaptations in response to exercise. This review aimed at providing a comprehensive summary of the vital biological mechanisms through which moderate-intensity exercise maintains health and opens a window for its application in other health interventions. We hope that continuing investigation in this field will further increase our understanding of the processes involved in the positive role of moderate-intensity exercise and thus get us closer to the identification of new therapeutics that improve quality of life.

New, Fully Implantable Device for Selective Clearance of CSF-Target Molecules: Proof of Concept in a Murine Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

We have previously proposed a radical change in the current strategy to clear pathogenic proteins from the central nervous system (CNS) based on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-sink therapeutic strategy, whereby pathogenic proteins can be removed directly from the CNS via CSF. To this aim, we designed and manufactured an implantable device for selective and continuous apheresis of CSF enabling, in combination with anti-amyloid-beta (Aß) monoclonal antibodies (mAb), the clearance of Aß from the CSF. Here, we provide the first proof of concept in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Devices were implanted in twenty-four mice (seventeen APP/PS1 and seven Wt) with low rates of complications. We confirmed that the apheresis module is permeable to the Aß peptide and impermeable to mAb. Moreover, our results showed that continuous clearance of soluble Aß from the CSF for a few weeks decreases cortical Aß plaques. Thus, we conclude that this intervention is feasible and may provide important advantages in terms of safety and efficacy.

Physical exercise shapes the mouse brain epigenome.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the genome-wide epigenomic and transcriptomic changes induced by long term resistance or endurance training in the hippocampus of wild-type mice. METHODS: We performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of mice hippocampus after 4 weeks of specific training. In addition, we used a novel object recognition test before and after the intervention to determine whether the exercise led to an improvement in cognitive function. RESULTS: Although the majority of DNA methylation changes identified in this study were training-model specific, most were associated with hypomethylation and were enriched in similar histone marks, chromatin states, and transcription factor biding sites. It is worth highlighting the significant association found between the loss of DNA methylation in Tet1 binding sites and gene expression changes, indicating the importance of these epigenomic changes in transcriptional regulation. However, endurance and resistance training activate different gene pathways, those being associated with neuroplasticity in the case of endurance exercise, and interferon response pathways in the case of resistance exercise, which also appears to be associated with improved learning and memory functions. CONCLUSIONS: Our results help both understand the molecular mechanisms by which different exercise models exert beneficial effects for brain health and provide new potential therapeutic targets for future research.

Exercise-Induced Hyperhomocysteinemia Is Not Related to Oxidative Damage or Impaired Vascular Function in Amateur Middle-Aged Runners under Controlled Nutritional Intake.

To determine the influence of different doses of maximal acute exercise on the kinetics of plasma homocysteine (tHcy) and its relationship with oxidative status and vascular function, nine recreational runners completed a 10 km race (10K) and a marathon (M). Blood samples were collected before (Basal), immediately post-exercise (Post0), and after 24 h (Post24). Nutritional intake was controlled at each sample point. A significant increase in tHcy was observed after both races, higher after M. Basal levels were recovered at Post24 after 10K, but remained elevated at Post 24 for M. A significant decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio was observed in Post0, especially marked after M. Furthermore, this increase in pro-oxidant status remained at Post24 only after M. Other oxidative status markers failed to confirm this exercise-induced pro-oxidant status except glutathione peroxidase activity that was lower in Post24 compared to Basal in 10K and in Post0 and Post24 in M. No statistical correlation was found between oxidative markers and tHcy. No significant changes were observed in the concentration of endothelial cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and E-Selectin) and VEGF. In conclusion, tHcy increases in an exercise-dose-response fashion but is not related to endothelial dysfunction mediated by oxidative stress mechanisms.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in a School Population in the Principality of Asturias (Spain): Relationship with Physical Activity and Body Weight.

The Mediterranean diet (MD), despite its multiple benefits, presents low levels of adherence among children. Moreover, childhood is a key stage in the acquisition of healthy habits. The aim of this study was to describe adherence to MD in school-age children from Asturias, Spain, and to evaluate the association with weight status and several lifestyle behaviors. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 309 children aged between 8 and 13 years old. The level of adherence to MD was evaluated through the KIDMED questionnaire. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between adherence to MD and weight status, frequency of out-of-school exercise, frequency of school canteen attendance, and sleep habits. We found that 54.4% of children had optimal adherence to MD and 29.9% of the sample was overweight or obese. Frequency of exercise practice was positively associated with optimal adherence to MD (95% CI: 1.02, 1.33). A positive association was found between some KIDMED items and frequency of out-of-school exercise practice and attendance at the school canteen. This study shows the need for an improvement in the adherence to MD in youth considering the concomitant occurrence of other related healthy behaviors.

Versatility of Protocols for Resistance Training and Assessment using Static and Dynamic Ladders in Animal Models.

Resistance training is a physical exercise model with profound benefits for health throughout life. The use of resistance exercise animal models is a way to gain insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms that orchestrate these adaptations. The aim of this article is to describe exercise models and training protocols designed for strength training and evaluation of resistance in animal models and provide examples. In this article, strength training and resistance evaluation are based on ladder climbing activity, using static and dynamic ladders. These devices allow a variety of training models as well as provide precise control of the main variables which determine resistance exercise: volume, load, velocity, and frequency. Furthermore, unlike resistance exercise in humans, this is a forced exercise. Thus, aversive stimuli must be avoided in this intervention to preserve animal welfare. Prior to implementation, a detailed design is necessary, along with an acclimatization and learning period. Acclimatization to training devices, such as ladders, weights, and clinical tape, as well as to the manipulations required, is necessary to avoid exercise rejection and to minimize stress. At the same time, the animals are taught to climb up the ladder, not down, to the resting area on the top of the ladder. Resistance evaluation can characterize physical strength and permit adjusting and quantifying the training load and the response to training. Furthermore, different types of strength can be evaluated. Regarding training programs, with appropriate design and device use, they can be sufficiently versatile to modulate different types of strength. Furthermore, they should be flexible enough to be modified depending on the adaptive and behavioral response of the animals or the presence of injuries. In conclusion, resistance training and assessment using ladders and weights are versatile methods in animal research.

Resistance and Endurance Exercise Training Induce Differential Changes in Gut Microbiota Composition in Murine Models.

Background: The effect of resistance training on gut microbiota composition has not been explored, despite the evidence about endurance exercise. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of resistance and endurance training on gut microbiota composition in mice. Methods: Cecal samples were collected from 26 C57BL/6N mice, divided into three groups: sedentary (CTL), endurance training on a treadmill (END), and resistance training on a vertical ladder (RES). After 2 weeks of adaption, mice were trained for 4 weeks, 5 days/week. Maximal endurance and resistance capacity test were performed before and after training. Genomic DNA was extracted and 16S Ribosomal RNA sequenced for metagenomics analysis. The percentages for each phylum, class, order, family, or genus/species were obtained using an open-source bioinformatics pipeline. Results: END showed higher diversity and evenness. Significant differences among groups in microbiota composition were only observed at genera and species level. END showed a significantly higher relative abundance of Desulfovibrio and Desulfovibrio sp., while Clostridium and C. cocleatum where higher for RES. Trained mice showed significantly lower relative abundance of Ruminococcus gnavus and higher of the genus Parabacteroides compared to CTL. We explored the relationship between relative taxa abundance and maximal endurance and resistance capacities after the training period. Lachnospiraceae and Lactobacillaceae families were negatively associated with endurance performance, while several taxa, including Prevotellaceae family, Prevotella genus, and Akkermansia muciniphila, were positively correlated. About resistance performance, Desulfovibrio sp. was negatively correlated, while Alistipes showed a positive correlation. Conclusion: Resistance and endurance training differentially modify gut microbiota composition in mice, under a high-controlled environment. Interestingly, taxa associated with anti- and proinflammatory responses presented the same pattern after both models of exercise. Furthermore, the abundance of several taxa was differently related to maximal endurance or resistance performance, most of them did not respond to training.

Circulating MicroRNA Profiling Reveals Specific Subsignatures in Response to a Maximal Incremental Exercise Test.

ABSTRACT: Fernández-Sanjurjo, M, Díaz-Martínez, ÁE, Díez-Robles, S, González-González, F, de Gonzalo-Calvo, D, Rabadán, M, Dávalos, A, Fernández-García, B, and Iglesias-Gutiérrez, E. Circulating microRNA profiling reveals specific subsignatures in response to a maximal incremental exercise test. J Strength Cond Res 35(2): 287-291, 2021-Circulating microRNAs (c-miRNAs) have been described as emergent regulators and biomarkers of exercise. The aim of this study was to analyze the c-miRNA response to a maximal incremental exercise test (MIET) and its relationship with markers of exercise response and adaptation. Two blood samples were collected from 9 male amateur runners (31-50 years), before (Pre) and after (Post) a MIET. The maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max), maximum heart rate (HRmax), and maximal aerobic speed (MAS) were recorded. Lactate and creatine kinase (CK) plasma concentrations were measured. A panel of 752 miRNAs was analyzed using standardized protocols and relative quantification to Pre. A total of 13 miRNAs were found significantly upregulated at Post. By focusing on the exercise markers that correlate with the expression of these miRNAs, they were clustered into different functional groups or subsignatures. Thus, miR-21-5p, miR-29b-3p, and miR-183-5p showed a strong correlation with HRmax and a validated target signature related to fatty acid metabolism. Furthermore, let-7c-5p, miR-340-5p, miR-425-3p, and miR-629-5p were significantly correlated with CK, and the most significantly enriched pathways for these subsignatures were the Hippo signaling pathway and signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells. Finally, Pre miR-106b-5p expression showed an inverse association with MAS and Post lactate concentration, which highlights its relevance as biomarker of training status and its predictive value for performance. No significant correlations were observed with V̇o2max. Our results define for the first time specific functional c-miRNA subsignatures, adding novel evidence about their potential regulatory role in exercise response.

Exercise dose affects the circulating microRNA profile in response to acute endurance exercise in male amateur runners.

The systemic response to exercise is dose-dependent and involves a complex gene expression regulation and cross-talk between tissues. This context ARISES the need for analyzing the influence of exercise dose on the profile of circulating microRNAs (c-miRNAs), as emerging posttranscriptional regulators and intercellular communicators. Thus, we hypothesized that different exercise doses will determine specific c-miRNA signatures that will highlight its potential as exercise dose biomarker. Nine active middle-aged males completed a 10-km race (10K), a half-marathon (HM), and a marathon (M). Blood samples were collected immediately before and after races. Plasma RNA was extracted, and a global screening of 752 microRNAs was analyzed using RT-qPCR. Three different c-miRNA profiles were defined according to the three doses. In 10K, 14 c-miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed between pre- and post-exercise, 13 upregulated and 1 downregulated. Regarding HM, 13 c-miRNAs were found to be differentially modulated, in all the cases upregulated. A total of 28 c-miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in M, 21 overexpressed and 7 repressed after this race. We had also found 3 common c-miRNAs between 10K and M and 2 common c-miRNAs between 10K and HM. In silico analysis supported a close association between exercise dose c-miRNA profiles and cellular pathways linked to energy metabolism and cell cycle. In conclusion, we have observed that different exercise doses induced specific c-miRNA profiles. So, our results point to c-miRNAs as emerging exercise dose biomarkers and as one of regulatory mechanisms modulating the response to endurance exercise.

Autophagy is required for performance adaptive response to resistance training and exercise-induced adult neurogenesis.

Endurance training promotes exercise-induced adaptations in brain, like hippocampal adult neurogenesis and autophagy induction. However, resistance training effect on the autophagy response in the brain has not been much explored. Questions such as whether partial systemic autophagy or the length of training intervention affect this response deserve further attention. Therefore, 8-week-old male wild-type (Wt; n = 36) and systemic autophagy-deficient (atg4b-/- , KO; n = 36) mice were randomly distributed in three training groups, resistance (R), endurance (E), and control (non-trained), and in two training periods, 2 or 14 weeks. R and E maximal tests were evaluated before and after the training period. Forty-eight hours after the end of training program, cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and cerebellum were extracted for the analysis of autophagy proteins (LC3B-I, LC3B-II, and p62). Additionally, hippocampal adult neurogenesis was determined by doublecortin-positive cells count (DCX+) in brain sections. Our results show that, in contrast to Wt, KO were unable to improve R after both trainings. Autophagy levels in brain areas may be modified by E training only in cerebral cortex of Wt trained for 14 weeks, and in KO trained for 2 weeks. DCX + in Wt increased in R and E after both periods of training, with R for 14 weeks more effective than E. Interestingly, no changes in DCX + were observed in KO after 2 weeks, being even undetectable after 14 weeks of intervention. Thus, autophagy is crucial for R performance and for exercise-induced adult neurogenesis.

Effects of Slackline Training on Acceleration, Agility, Jump Performance and Postural Control in Youth Soccer Players.

The goal of this study was to assess the effects of a supervised slackline training program in a group of soccer players. Thirty-four male division I under-19 players (16.64 ± 0.81 years) agreed to participate in the study. They were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). The first group (EG) followed a 6-week supervised slackline training program (3 sessions/week; 5-9 min/session), while the CG performed only regular soccer training. Several variables were assessed in all participants: acceleration (20-m sprint test), agility (90º turns test), jump performance (squat jump, countermovement jump), and postural control (Center of Pressure ( CoP) testing: length, area, speed, Xmean, Ymean, Xspeed, Yspeed, Xdeviation, Ydeviation). Ratings of perceived exertion and local muscle ratings of perceived exertions were also recorded after each slackline training session. At post-tests, there was a significant increase only in the EG in acceleration, agility, squat jump and countermovement jump performance, as well as several CoP variables: area in the bipedal support on a firm surface, and length, area and speed in the left leg on a firm surface. The program was rated as "somewhat hard" by the players, while quadriceps, gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior were the most exerted muscles while slacklining. In conclusion, slackline training can be an effective training tool for young, high-level soccer players.

[Nutrition and gastronomy in the Principality of Asturias]. / Nutrición y gastronomía en el Principado de Asturias.

INTRODUCTION: Introduction: Asturias is renowned for its beautiful and diverse nature and landscapes and for its rich gastronomic tradition. Objectives: to understand the traditional gastronomic identity of Asturias and its relationship with food and nutritional intake and health indicators of the population. Methods: bibliographic search (PubMed, Google Scholar) with different combinations of keywords. Results: the gastronomic tradition of Asturias is characterized by a great variety of foods and dishes, with emblematic culinary preparations. Different reports and studies agree that it is one of the Spanish Regions with the highest food consumption, except for vegetables and cereals and derivatives. The energy intake is also among the highest, but with the highest rates of diet quality indexes. The high consumption of food and the high energy intake, together with an aged population with a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyles, could explain that the prevalence of obesity in the adult population of Asturias is the highest of all the Spanish Regions, with an increasing incidence of diabetes. Conclusions: it is necessary to implement public health policies aimed at improving food selection and health indicators. Furthermore, the study of the contribution of traditional dishes to the dietary habits, the nutritional intake and the health indicators of the population of Asturias would help in improving food selection.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: Asturias es reconocida por su riqueza natural y paisajística y por su rica tradición gastronómica. Objetivos: conocer la identidad gastronómica tradicional de Asturias y su relación con los hábitos de consumo alimentario, la ingesta nutricional y los indicadores de salud de la población. Métodos: búsqueda bibliográfica (PubMed, Google Scholar) con distintas combinaciones de las palabras clave. Resultados: Asturias tiene una gastronomía caracterizada por una gran variedad de alimentos y platos, con preparaciones culinarias emblemáticas. Distintos informes y estudios coinciden en que es una de las comunidades autónomas con mayor consumo y gasto per cápita en alimentación, a pesar de lo cual está entre las de menor consumo de verduras, hortalizas y cereales y derivados (excepto el pan). La ingesta energética está también entre las más altas, si bien el perfil calórico y el perfil lipídico muestran los valores más cercanos a las recomendaciones. El elevado consumo de alimentos y la alta ingesta energética, unidos al envejecimiento poblacional y al elevado sedentarismo, podrían explicar que la prevalencia de obesidad en la población adulta de Asturias sea la más alta de todas las comunidades autónomas, con una creciente incidencia de diabetes. Conclusiones: se hace necesaria la implementación de políticas públicas de salud orientadas a la mejora de la selección de alimentos, así como el estudio de la contribución de los platos tradicionales al conjunto de los hábitos alimenticios y de la ingesta de energía y nutrientes de la población asturiana.

Nutrición y gastronomía en el Principado de Asturias / Nutrition and gastronomy in the Principality of Asturias

Introducción: Asturias es reconocida por su riqueza natural y paisajística y por su rica tradición gastronómica. Objetivos: conocer la identidad gastronómica tradicional de Asturias y su relación con los hábitos de consumo alimentario, la ingesta nutricional y los indicadores de salud de la población. Métodos: búsqueda bibliográfica (PubMed, Google Scholar) con distintas combinaciones de las palabras clave. Resultados: Asturias tiene una gastronomía caracterizada por una gran variedad de alimentos y platos, con preparaciones culinarias emblemáticas. Distintos informes y estudios coinciden en que es una de las comunidades autónomas con mayor consumo y gasto per cápita en alimentación, a pesar de lo cual está entre las de menor consumo de verduras, hortalizas y cereales y derivados (excepto el pan). La ingesta energética está también entre las más altas, si bien el perfil calórico y el perfil lipídico muestran los valores más cercanos a las recomendaciones. El elevado consumo de alimentos y la alta ingesta energética, unidos al envejecimiento poblacional y al elevado sedentarismo, podrían explicar que la prevalencia de obesidad en la población adulta de Asturias sea la más alta de todas las comunidades autónomas, con una creciente incidencia de diabetes. Conclusiones: se hace necesaria la implementación de políticas públicas de salud orientadas a la mejora de la selección de alimentos, así como el estudio de la contribución de los platos tradicionales al conjunto de los hábitos alimenticios y de la ingesta de energía y nutrientes de la población asturiana

Introduction: Asturias is renowned for its beautiful and diverse nature and landscapes and for its rich gastronomic tradition. Objectives: to understand the traditional gastronomic identity of Asturias and its relationship with food and nutritional intake and health indicators of the population. Methods: bibliographic search (PubMed, Google Scholar) with different combinations of keywords. Results: the gastronomic tradition of Asturias is characterized by a great variety of foods and dishes, with emblematic culinary preparations. Different reports and studies agree that it is one of the Spanish Regions with the highest food consumption, except for vegetables and cereals and derivatives. The energy intake is also among the highest, but with the highest rates of diet quality indexes. The high consumption of food and the high energy intake, together with an aged population with a high prevalence of sedentary lifestyles, could explain that the prevalence of obesity in the adult population of Asturias is the highest of all the Spanish Regions, with an increasing incidence of diabetes. Conclusions: it is necessary to implement public health policies aimed at improving food selection and health indicators. Furthermore, the study of the contribution of traditional dishes to the dietary habits, the nutritional intake and the health indicators of the population of Asturias would help in improving food selection

[Quality perceived by users of minor surgery according to care level and the professionals that carried it out]. / Calidad percibida por usuarios de cirugía menor según nivel asistencial y profesionales que la realizan.

OBJECTIVE: Nowadays minor surgery is performed by di- fferent professionals at primary as well as specialized care. Being a healthcare technology, minor surgery must be assessed in order to achieve an organizational efficiency. User's satisfaction must be one of the quality criteria. That is why an analysis of the quality perceived by users according to where minor surgery takes place and who carries it out is made. METHODS: This study explores, conducting telephone surveys, the satisfaction of a sample of 275 minor surgery patients of two hospitals and three primary healthcare areas of Asturias. The survey is based on the SERVQUAL model adapting the one used by the Spanish Ministry of Health in 1977. A behavior pattern of satisfaction was established in terms of the variables that increase or diminish it. RESULTS: In every item, satisfaction was perceived as good or very good at least in 84% of the survey users and in the majority was over 95%. There was a significant difference in favour of primary care with respect to waiting time (p less than 0,001), explanations received (p=0,002) and security perceived (p=0,015). The more explanatory variables of excellent satisfaction were the sense of security and the staff attention. The kind of professional did not represent a conditioning factor and the level of healthcare only appeared to be so among those who did not feel safe showing to be less satisfied those treated in primary care. CONCLUSIONS: Good quality perceived by users does not seem to be penalized by the fact that minor surgery can be carried out at different healthcare levels or which specialist performs it.

OBJETIVO: La cirugía menor es realizada actualmente por diversos profesionales en atención primaria y especializada. Como tecnología sanitaria debe ser evaluada para conseguir una eficiencia organizacional. La satisfacción del usuario es uno de los criterios de calidad. Por ello se plantea un análisis de la calidad percibida por el usuario según dónde y quién realice cirugía menor. METODOS: Se estudió por encuesta telefónica la satisfacción de una muestra de 275 pacientes de cirugía menor pertenecientes a dos hospitales y tres áreas de atención primaria de Asturias. El cuestionario sigue el modelo SERVQUAL adaptando el utilizado por el Ministerio de Sanidad en 1977. Se establece un modelo de comportamiento de la satisfacción en función de las variables que la incrementan o disminuyen. RESULTADOS: En todos los ítems la satisfacción fue buena o muy buena como mínimo en el 84% de los encuestados y en la mayoría estaba por encima del 95%. Había una diferencia significativa, a favor de atención primaria en tiempo de espera (p menor que 0,001), explicaciones recibidas (p=0,002) y seguridad percibida (p=0,015). Las variables más explicativas de una satisfacción excelente fueron la sensación de seguridad y la atención del personal. El tipo de profesional no apareció como condicionante y el nivel asistencial solo apareció entre los que no se sentían muy seguros, en cuyo caso estaban menos satisfechos los atendidos en atención primaria. CONCLUSIONES: La buena calidad percibida por los usuarios no penaliza el que la cirugía menor sea realizada en ninguno de los niveles asistenciales ni por ninguno de los profesionales que la realizan actualmente.

Circulating microRNA as Emerging Biomarkers of Exercise.

An interest has recently emerged in the role of circulating microRNAs (c-miRNAs) as posttranscriptional regulators, intercellular communicators and, especially, as potential biomarkers of the systemic response to acute exercise and training. We propose that, with the limited, heterogeneous, and mainly descriptive information currently available, c-miRNAs do not provide a reliable biomarker of exercise in healthy or diseased individuals.

Calidad percibida por usuarios de cirugía menor según nivel asistencial y profesionales que la realizan / Quality perceived by users of minor surgery according to care level and the professionals that carried it out

Fundamentos. La cirugía menor es realizada actualmente por diversos profesionales en atención primaria y especializada. Como tecnología sanitaria debe ser evaluada para conseguir una eficiencia organizacional. La satisfacción del usuario es uno de los criterios de calidad. Por ello se plantea un análisis de la calidad percibida por el usuario según dónde y quién realice cirugía menor. Métodos. Se estudió por encuesta telefónica la satisfacción de una muestra de 275 pacientes de cirugía menor pertenecientes a dos hospitales y tres áreas de atención primaria de Asturias. El cuestionario sigue el modelo SERVQUAL adaptando el utilizado por el Ministerio de Sanidad en 1977. Se establece un modelo de comportamiento de la satisfacción en función de las variables que la incrementan o disminuyen. Resultados. En todos los ítems la satisfacción fue buena o muy buena como mínimo en el 84% de los encuestados y en la mayoría estaba por encima del 95%. Había una diferencia significativa, a favor de atención primaria en tiempo de espera (p<0,001), explicaciones recibidas (p=0,002) y seguridad percibida (p=0,015). Las variables más explicativas de una satisfacción excelente fueron la sensación de seguridad y la atención del personal. El tipo de profesional no apareció como condicionante y el nivel asistencial solo apareció entre los que no se sentían muy seguros, en cuyo caso estaban menos satisfechos los atendidos en atención primaria. Conclusiones. La buena calidad percibida por los usuarios no penaliza el que la cirugía menor sea realizada en ninguno de los niveles asistenciales ni por ninguno de los profesionales que la realizan actualmente

Background. Nowadays minor surgery is performed by different professionals at primary as well as specialized care. Being a healthcare technology, minor surgery must be assessed in order to achieve an organizational efficiency. User’s satisfaction must be one of the quality criteria. That is why an analysis of the quality perceived by users according to where minor surgery takes place and who carries it out is made. Methods. This study explores, conducting telephone surveys, the satisfaction of a sample of 275 minor surgery patients of two hospitals and three primary healthcare areas of Asturias. The sur- vey is based on the SERVQUAL model adapting the one used by the Spanish Ministry of Health in 1977. A behavior pattern of satisfaction was established in terms of the variables that increase or diminish it. Results. In every item, satisfaction was perceived as good or very good at least in 84% of the survey users and in the majority was over 95%. There was a significant difference in favour of primary care with respect to waiting time (p<0,001), explanations received (p=0,002) and security perceived (p=0,015). The more explanatory variables of excellent satisfaction were the sense of security and the staff attention. The kind of professional did not represent a conditioning factor and the level of healthcare only appeared to be so among those who did not feel safe showing to be less satisfied those treated in primary care. Conclusions. Good quality perceived by users does not seem to be penalized by the fact that minor surgery can be carried out at different healthcare levels or which specialist performs it