Lesiones deportivas en squash: estudio prospectivo en jugadores federados / Sports injuries in squash: Prospective study in federated players

Objetivo Analizar de manera prospectiva el patrón de lesión deportiva y su incidencia en función del tiempo de práctica, en una muestra de jugadores de squash de distinto nivel deportivo y de edad. Material y métodos Se realizó un estudio de cohortes prospectivo con jugadores de squash españoles que estuviesen federados y con ránking, durante la temporada 2018-2019. Se solicitó a los participantes que cubriesen un cuestionario «on line» cada vez que se registrase una lesión. Además, se registró el tiempo de entrenamiento y de competición de todos los jugadores, al objeto de establecer la incidencia lesional por cada 1.000h de práctica. Resultados Se obtuvo información de un total de 38 jugadores (17 veteranos, 13 senior y 8 sub-19). Se registraron un total de 22 lesiones, observándose que el 27,7, el 45,45 y el 27,27% de los jugadores veteranos, seniors y sub-19, respectivamente, reconocieron haberse lesionado durante la temporada. Ningún jugador se lesionó más de una vez. Las lesiones más habituales fueron las musculoesqueléticas y los miembros inferiores fueron la zona más frecuentemente afectada. La incidencia lesional fue de 1,41/1.000h. No se observó influencia del sexo o de la categoría en el riesgo de lesión. Conclusión La práctica del squash se puede considerar como potencialmente lesiva, dado que más de la mitad de los jugadores veteranos, senior y sub-19 se lesionan al menos una vez por temporada, con independencia de su edad, sexo o ránking. (AU)

Objective To prospectively analyse the pattern of sports injuries and their incidence as a function of practice time in a sample of squash players of different sporting levels and ages. Material and methods A prospective cohort study was carried out with Spanish squash players who were federated and ranked during the 2018-2019 season. Participants were asked to complete an online questionnaire each time they registered. In addition, the training and competition time of all players was also recorded in order to establish the injury incidence per 1000h of practice. Results Information was obtained from a total of 38 players (17 veterans, 13 seniors and 8 U19). A total of 22 injuries were recorded, with 27.7%, 45.45% and 27.27% of the veteran, senior and U19 players, respectively, acknowledging injuries during the season. No player was injured more than once. The most common injuries were musculoskeletal injuries, with the lower limbs being the most frequently affected area. The incidence of injury was 1.41/1000h. No influence of gender or category on injury risk was observed. Conclusion Squash can be considered as potentially injurious, given that more than half of the senior, senior and more than half of the veteran, senior and U19 players are injured at least once a season, regardless of at least once per season, irrespective of age, gender, or ranking. (AU)

Lesiones deportivas en squash: estudio prospectivo en jugadores federados / Sports injuries in squash: Prospective study in federated players

Objetivo Analizar de manera prospectiva el patrón de lesión deportiva y su incidencia en función del tiempo de práctica, en una muestra de jugadores de squash de distinto nivel deportivo y de edad. Material y métodos Se realizó un estudio de cohortes prospectivo con jugadores de squash españoles que estuviesen federados y con ránking, durante la temporada 2018-2019. Se solicitó a los participantes que cubriesen un cuestionario «on line» cada vez que se registrase una lesión. Además, se registró el tiempo de entrenamiento y de competición de todos los jugadores, al objeto de establecer la incidencia lesional por cada 1.000h de práctica. Resultados Se obtuvo información de un total de 38 jugadores (17 veteranos, 13 senior y 8 sub-19). Se registraron un total de 22 lesiones, observándose que el 27,7, el 45,45 y el 27,27% de los jugadores veteranos, seniors y sub-19, respectivamente, reconocieron haberse lesionado durante la temporada. Ningún jugador se lesionó más de una vez. Las lesiones más habituales fueron las musculoesqueléticas y los miembros inferiores fueron la zona más frecuentemente afectada. La incidencia lesional fue de 1,41/1.000h. No se observó influencia del sexo o de la categoría en el riesgo de lesión. Conclusión La práctica del squash se puede considerar como potencialmente lesiva, dado que más de la mitad de los jugadores veteranos, senior y sub-19 se lesionan al menos una vez por temporada, con independencia de su edad, sexo o ránking. (AU)

Objective To prospectively analyse the pattern of sports injuries and their incidence as a function of practice time in a sample of squash players of different sporting levels and ages. Material and methods A prospective cohort study was carried out with Spanish squash players who were federated and ranked during the 2018-2019 season. Participants were asked to complete an online questionnaire each time they registered. In addition, the training and competition time of all players was also recorded in order to establish the injury incidence per 1000h of practice. Results Information was obtained from a total of 38 players (17 veterans, 13 seniors and 8 U19). A total of 22 injuries were recorded, with 27.7%, 45.45% and 27.27% of the veteran, senior and U19 players, respectively, acknowledging injuries during the season. No player was injured more than once. The most common injuries were musculoskeletal injuries, with the lower limbs being the most frequently affected area. The incidence of injury was 1.41/1000h. No influence of gender or category on injury risk was observed. Conclusion Squash can be considered as potentially injurious, given that more than half of the senior, senior and more than half of the veteran, senior and U19 players are injured at least once a season, regardless of at least once per season, irrespective of age, gender, or ranking. (AU)

Heart rate measurement through carotid pulse by primary school children / Medición de la frecuencia cardíaca mediante pulso carotídeo por niños de primaria

This study aimed to determine whether primaryschool children can accurately monitor their heart rate (HR) through manual pulse measurement. Children aged 9 to 12 years manually assessed their HR through the carotid pulse three times in a physical education session; lying down, after submaximal effort and one minute later. Simultaneously, HR was measured by pulsometers. Of 417 children (10.58±0.93 years, 44.8% girls), 40% provided accurate values (<10% error). Concordance analysis showed wide limits of agreement (95% of measurements between 44.76% below and 78.64% above actual HR values). Sex, age and level of effort had no significant influence on the results. Primary school children are not able to accurately measure their HR through the carotid pulse (AU)

Este estudio tuvo como objetivodeterminar si los niños de primaria pueden controlar con precisión su frecuencia cardíaca (FC)mediante la medición manual del pulso. Niños de 9 a 12 años evaluaron manualmente su FC a través del pulso carotídeo tres veces en una sesión deeducación física; tumbados, trasun esfuerzo submáximo y un minuto después. Simultáneamente, se midió la FC mediante pulsómetros. De 417 niños (rango de edad 9 a 12 años, 44,8% niñas), un40% proporcionóvalores precisos (<10% de error). El análisis de concordancia mostró amplios límites de acuerdo (95% de las mediciones situadas entre un 44,76% por debajo y un 78,64% por encima de los valores reales de la FC). El sexo, la edad y el nivel de esfuerzo no tuvieron una influencia significativa en los resultados. Los niños de primaria no son capaces de medir con precisión su FC a través del pulso carotídeo (AU)

Real-life analysis on safety and efficacy of asciminib for ponatinib pretreated patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.

Failure of second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (2GTKI) is a challenging situation in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Asciminib, recently approved by the US Federal Drug Administration, has demonstrated in clinical trials a good efficacy and safety profile after failure of 2GTKI. However, no study has specifically addressed response rates to asciminib in ponatinib pretreated patients (PPT). Here, we present data on responses to asciminib from 52 patients in clinical practice, 20 of them (38%) with prior ponatinib exposure. We analyzed retrospectively responses and toxicities under asciminib and compared results between PPT and non-PPT patients.After a median follow-up of 30 months, 34 patients (65%) switched to asciminib due to intolerance and 18 (35%) due to resistance to prior TKIs. Forty-six patients (88%) had received at least 3 prior TKIs. Regarding responses, complete cytogenetic response was achieved or maintained in 74% and 53% for non-PPT and PPT patients, respectively. Deeper responses such as major molecular response and molecular response 4.5 were achieved in 65% and 19% in non-PPT versus 32% and 11% in PPT, respectively. Two patients (4%) harbored the T315I mutation, both PPT.In terms of toxicities, non-PPT displayed 22% grade 3-4 TEAE versus 20% in PPT. Four patients (20% of PPT) suffered from cross-intolerance with asciminib as they did under ponatinib.Our data supports asciminib as a promising alternative in resistant and intolerant non-PPT patients, as well as in intolerant PPT patients; the resistant PPT subset remains as a challenging group in need of further therapeutic options.

Distal Urethral Advance and Glanduloplasty (DUAGPI) for Distal Hypospadias: A 15 Years Experience

Background: Meatal advancement with glanduloplasty (MAGPI) has been in the recent years one of the most frequently surgical techniques used for the correction of distal hypospadias. Multiple modifications have been described to improve the results ofthis technique. In 2004 we presented the initial results of the New Modern MAGPI or DUAGPI (distal urethral advancement and glanduloplasty) as a surgical alternative to the original MAGPI. Objetive: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the applicability, safety and the cosmetic results obtained with this technique, as well as the long-term complications. Materials and Methods: Retrospective and descriptive study of patients with distal hypospadias, corrected using the DUAPI technique, between 2002 and 2018. Surgical technique: Initially, an artificial erection was performed, the absence of curvature in all patients is proven. A skin denudation was performed up to the base of the penis in those children with a bend greater than 30. Second, the distal urethral disconnection was performed at the posterior and lateral urethral level. A glandular triangular section is made to accommodate the distal urethra and to allow a conical appearance with a final glandular. Finally, the fixation of the distal urethral to the glandular tip and the anterior glandular closure is performed. We performed an annual follow-up of all patients. The analysis of all the variables collected during surgery and follow-up was done with SPSS 22 statistical package. Results: 90 patients meet inclusion criteria and were included in the study (32 glandular and 58 coronal). The mean surgical time was 47 minutes (Range: 37-71 minutes). The mean follow-up was 9.4 years (2.1-15 years). 2 patients had meatal stenosis after surgery, 4 mild glandular retraction, and 2 urethrocutaneous fistula. Six of the 8 patients with a complication were successfully reoperated (AU)

Introducción: El avance meatal con glanduloplastia (MAGPI) ha sido una de las técnicas quirúrgicas másutilizadas para la corrección de los hypospadias distales.Desde su descripción inicial, multiples modificaciones hansido descritas para mejorar los resultados de esta técnica.En 2004, nosotros presentamos los resultados iniciales delNew Modern MAGPI o DUAGPI (avance uretral distaly glanduloplastia) como alternativa quirúrgica al MAGPIoriginal, y la hemos utilizado durante los últimos 15 años.Objetivo: El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar la aplicabilidad, seguridad y los resultados estéticosobtenidos con esta técnica, así como sus complicaciones alargo plazo.Material y Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo, de pacientes con hipospadias con meato a nivel distal, corregidos utilizando la técnica DUAGPI, entre 2002y 2018. Técnica quirúrgica: Inicialmente realizamos unaerección artificial. La ausencia de curvatura en todos lospacientes fue comprobada . Se realiza la denudación peneshasta la base en los penes con una curvatura mayor a 30º. Secundariamente, se realiza la disección de la uretra distal en sus caras laterales y dorsal . Una sección glandular triangular se realiza para acomodar la uretra distal, logrando además un aspecto cónico y natural del glande . Finalmente, se realiza la fijación de la uretra distal avanzaday el cierre glandular . Realizamos un seguimiento anualde los pacientes, evaluando las complicaciones y los resultados estéticos tras la cirugía. El análisis de las variablesrecolectadas fue realizado con el paquete estadístico SPSS22.Resultados: 90 pacientes fueron incluidos en el estudio (32 hipospadias glandulares y 58 coronales), conuna edad media en el momento de la cirugía de 23 meses(Rango: 15-54). La media de tiempo quirúrgico...(AU)

Fiabilidad y validez del cuestionario SAPF y del pictograma de Stunkard en población mayor española / Reliability and validity of the SAPF questionnaire and the Stunkard rating scale amongst elderly Spanish people

Fundamento: El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar lafiabilidad y validez del cuestionario SAPF y del pictogra-ma de Stunkard para conocer la forma física autopercibi-da y el grado de insatisfacción corporal en un grupo depersonas mayores españolas. Método: Ambos instrumentos se adaptaron al castellanoy se administraron dos veces a un grupo de 86 personasmayores. Su fiabilidad y validez se evaluaron con el ín-dice de correlación intraclase (CCI), el alfa de Cronbachy el coeficiente rho de Spearman, a partir del nivel deforma física de los participantes y de su índice de masacorporal (IMC). La comparación de las variables con dis-tribución normal se realizó mediante ANOVA. Resultados: El cuestionario y el pictograma mostraronuna buena fiabilidad test-retest (CCI = 0,78 y CCI = 0,8respectivamente). La puntuación del SAPF y el nivel deforma física mostraron asociación débil (rho = 0,424) yla autopercepción de la propia composición corporaly el IMC, moderadamente fuerte (rho = 0,727). La formafísica autopercibida del 59,5 % de la muestra fue nor-mal, del 11,4 % mala y del 29,1 % buena. Solo el 27,06 %se mostró satisfecho con su imagen corporal, el restomostró su deseo de bajar de peso el equivalente a uno(47,1 %), dos (22,4 %) o tres o más puntos (3,5 %) en elpictograma. Conclusiones: La adaptación al castellano de los dos ins-trumentos mostró fiabilidad y validez, permitiendo cono-cer que gran parte de la muestra se mostró insatisfechacon su imagen corporal, aspecto sobre el que el IMC ejer-ció una influencia significativa

Background: The aim of the study was to identify the re-liability and validity of the SAPF questionnaire and theStunkard rating scale in determining self-perceived phys-ical appearance and the degree of body dissatisfaction ina group of elderly Spanish people. Methods: Both instruments were adapted to Spanishpeople and were administered twice to a group of 86 el-derly people. Their reliability and validity were assessedby means of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC),Cronbach’s alpha and Spearman’s rho coefficient, fromthe physical fitness level of the participants and theirbody mass index (BMI). ANOVA test was carried out tocompare the variables with normal distribution. Results: The questionnaire and the Stunkard ratingscale showed a good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.78 andICC = 0.8, respectively). SAPF and fitness level showed asignificant, albeit weak, association (rho = 0.424), while theassociation between self-perception of body compositionand BMI was moderately strong (rho = 0.727). The self-per-ceived physical appearance of 59.5 % of the sample wasacknowledged to be normal, 11.4 % perceived it as bad and29.1 % as good. Only 27.1 % were satisfied with their bodyimage, while the other participants showed a desire tolose the equivalent weight of one (47.06 %), two (22.35 %)or three or more (3.5 %) points in the Stunkard scale. Conclusion: The versions of both instruments adaptedto Spanish persons showed reliability and validity, andshowed that it was possible to determine that a large partof the sample was dissatisfied with their body image. BMIhad a significant influence in this regard.(AU)

Quiste de duplicación piloroduodenal neonatal. A propósito de un caso / Neonatal pyloroduodenal duplication cyst. A case report

Las duplicaciones intestinales duodenales son entidades raras, principalmente se presentan en la primerao segunda porción, siendo prácticamente excepcionalsu localización a nivel piloroduodenal, con menos dediez casos descritos en la literatura.Presentamos el caso de una neonata que a las 48 horas de vida manifestó un cuadro de obstrucción intestinal alta que requirió realizar una laparotomía exploradora, observándose un quiste piloroduodenal, que fueresecado en la intervención.Se trata de una entidad congénita extremadamenterara, los signos y síntomas son un desafío y el objetivoquirúrgico debe ser la exéresis completa. Si la reseccióntotal origina compromiso de los órganos adyacentes, laexéresis parcial con mucosectomía es una alternativaválida para evitar las complicaciones de una cirugíamás agresiva.(AU)

Intestinal duplications located in the duodenum arerare conditions that generally affect the first or secondduodenal portion. It is extremely unusual for this condition to be located in the pyloroduodenal area, accounting for less than ten documented cases.This research presents a case of a female newbornwho showed on the second day of life signs of upperintestinal obstruction which required exploratory laparotomy. The surgery revealed a pyloroduodenal cystthat was successfully excised.This is an extremely rare congenital anomaly thatencompasses challenging symptoms and signs, and thepurpose of the surgery should be the complete resection of the lesion. If the complete excision endangersthe surrounding organs, partial resection through mucosectomy is a valid alternative to prevent the complications of more invasive surgery.(AU)

[Neonatal pyloroduodenal duplication cyst. A case report].

Intestinal duplications located in the duodenum are rare conditions that generally affect the first or second duodenal portion. It is extremely unusual for this condition to be located in the pyloroduodenal area, accounting for less than ten documented cases. This research presents a case of a female newborn who showed on the second day of life signs of upper intestinal obstruction which required exploratory laparotomy. The surgery revealed a pyloroduodenal cyst that was successfully excised. This is an extremely rare congenital anomaly that encompasses challenging symptoms and signs, and the purpose of the surgery should be the complete resection of the lesion. If the complete excision endangers the surrounding organs, partial resection through mucosectomy is a valid alternative to prevent the complications of more invasive surgery.

Magnetoencephalography reveals differences in brain activations for fast and slow responses to simple multiplications.

Despite decades of studies, it is still an open question on how and where simple multiplications are solved by the brain. This fragmented picture is mostly related to the different tasks employed. While in neuropsychological studies patients are asked to perform and report simple oral calculations, neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies often use verification tasks, in which the result is shown, and the participant must verify the correctness. This MEG study aims to unify the sources of evidence, investigating how brain activation unfolds in time using a single-digit multiplication production task. We compared the participants' brain activity-focusing on the parietal lobes-based on response efficiency, dividing their responses in fast and slow. Results showed higher activation for fast, as compared to slow, responses in the left angular gyrus starting after the first operand, and in the right supramarginal gyrus only after the second operand. A whole-brain analysis showed that fast responses had higher activation in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. We show a timing difference of both hemispheres during simple multiplications. Results suggest that while the left parietal lobe may allow an initial retrieval of several possible solutions, the right one may be engaged later, helping to identify the solution based on magnitude checking.

[Reliability and validity of the SAPF questionnaire and the Stunkard rating scale amongst elderly Spanish people].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to identify the reliability and validity of the SAPF questionnaire and the Stunkard rating scale in determining self-perceived physical appearance and the degree of body dissatisfaction in a group of elderly Spanish people. METHODS: Both instruments were adapted to Spanish people and were administered twice to a group of 86 elderly people. Their reliability and validity were assessed by means of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Cronbach's alpha and Spearman's rho coefficient, from the physical fitness level of the participants and their body mass index (BMI). ANOVA test was carried out to compare the variables with normal distribution. RESULTS: The questionnaire and the Stunkard rating scale showed a good test-retest reliability (ICC=0.78 and ICC=0.8, respectively). SAPF and fitness level showed a significant, albeit weak, association (rho=0.424), while the association between self-perception of body composition and BMI was moderately strong (rho=0.727). The self-perceived physical appearance of 59.5% of the sample was acknowledged to be normal, 11.4% perceived it as bad and 29.1% as good. Only 27.1% were satisfied with their body image, while the other participants showed a desire to lose the equivalent weight of one (47.06%), two (22.35%) or three or more (3.5%) points in the Stunkard scale. CONCLUSION: The versions of both instruments adapted to Spanish persons showed reliability and validity, and showed that it was possible to determine that a large part of the sample was dissatisfied with their body image. BMI had a significant influence in this regard.

Short telomeres drive pessimistic judgement bias in zebrafish.

The role of telomerase reverse transcriptase has been widely investigated in the contexts of ageing and age-related diseases. Interestingly, decreased telomerase activities (and accelerated telomere shortening) have also been reported in patients with emotion-related disorders, opening the possibility for subjective appraisal of stressful stimuli playing a key role in stress-driven telomere shortening. In fact, patients showing a pessimistic judgement bias have shorter telomeres. However, in humans the evidence for this is correlational and the causal directionality between pessimism and telomere shortening has not been established experimentally yet. We have developed and validated a judgement bias experimental paradigm to measure subjective evaluations of ambiguous stimuli in zebrafish. This behavioural assay allows classification of individuals in an optimistic-pessimistic dimension (i.e. from individuals that consistently evaluate ambiguous stimuli as negative to others that perceive them as positive). Using this behavioural paradigm we found that telomerase-deficient zebrafish (tert-/-) were more pessimistic in response to ambiguous stimuli than wild-type zebrafish. The fact that individuals with constitutive shorter telomeres have pessimistic behaviours demonstrates for the first time in a vertebrate model a genetic basis of judgement bias.

Osteoarthritis-related nociceptive behaviour following mechanical joint loading correlates with cartilage damage.

OBJECTIVE: In osteoarthritis (OA), the pain-structure relationship remains complex and poorly understood. Here, we used the mechanical joint loading (MJL) model of OA to investigate both knee pathology and nociceptive behaviour. DESIGN: MJL was used to induce OA in the right knees of 12-week-old male C57BL/6 mice (40 cycles, 9N, 3x/week for 2 weeks). Mechanical sensitivity thresholds and weight-bearing ratios were measured before loading and at weeks one, three and six post-loading. At these time points, separate groups of loaded and non-loaded mice (n = 12/group) were sacrificed, joints collected, and fur corticosterone levels measured. µCT analyses of subchondral bone integrity was performed before joint sections were prepared for nerve quantification, cartilage or synovium grading (scoring system from 0 to 6). RESULTS: Loaded mice showed increased mechanical hypersensitivity paired with altered weight-bearing. Initial ipsilateral cartilage lesions 1-week post-loading (1.8 ± 0.4) had worsened at weeks three (3.0 ± 0.6, CI = -1.8-0.6) and six (2.8 ± 0.4, CI = -1.6-0.4). This increase in lesion severity correlated with mechanical hypersensitivity development (correlation; 0.729, P = 0.0071). Loaded mice displayed increased synovitis (3.6 ± 0.5) compared to non-loaded mice (1.5 ± 0.5, CI = -2.2-0.3) 1-week post-loading which returned to normal by weeks three and six. Similarly, corticosterone levels were only increased at week one post-loading (0.21 ± 0.04 ng/mg) compared to non-loaded controls (0.14 ± 0.01 ng/mg, CI = -1.8-0.1). Subchondral bone integrity and nerve volume remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicates that although the loading induces an initial stress reaction and local inflammation, these processes are not directly responsible for the nociceptive phenotype observed. Instead, MJL-induced allodynia is mainly associated with OA-like progression of cartilage lesions.

Intrinsic Rashba coupling due to hydrogen bonding in DNA.

We present an analytical model for the role of hydrogen bonding on the spin-orbit coupling of a model DNA molecule. Here, we analyze in detail the electric fields due to the polarization of the hydrogen bond on the DNA base pairs and derive, within a tight binding analytical band folding approach, an intrinsic Rashba coupling which should dictate the order of the spin active effects in the chiral-induced spin selectivity effect. The coupling found is ten times larger than the intrinsic coupling estimated previously and points out to the predominant role of hydrogen bonding in addition to chirality in the case of biological molecules. We expect similar dominant effects in oligopeptides, where the chiral structure is supported by hydrogen-bonding and bears on orbital carrying transport electrons.

Sleep disorders and cognitive dysfunction in acromegaly.

PURPOSE: In the general population, sleep disorders are associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment. The prevalence of sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, in acromegalic patients is higher than in the general population, and they may have additional risk of cognitive impairment due to acromegaly treatment and comorbidities. We aim to study the relationship between sleep disturbances and cognitive dysfunction in a group of acromegalic patients. METHODS: We studied 67 consecutive acromegalic patients. We performed a neurocognitive assessment and patients completed the Acromegaly Quality of Life Questionnaire (AcroQoL), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. RESULTS: Of the 67 acromegaly patients in the study, 38.8% were male and median age at the neurological examination was 56 (IQR 48, 65). Approximately 6-10% of patients had impaired cognitive assessment, depending on the test. In linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, BMI, disease duration, and disease activity, poorer sleep quality was associated with lower global cognitive z-score (B = -0.03, 95% CI -0.06, -0.002). Daytime somnolence was associated with poorer physical AcroQoL sub-score (B = -0.04, 95% CI -0.08, -0.002). Sleep quality was associated with poorer overall AcroQoL (B = -0.03, 95% CI -0.05, -0.006), physical AcroQoL (B = -0.04, 95% CI -0.07, -0.005), psychological AcroQoL (B = -0.02, 95% CI -0.04, -0.001), and social AcroQoL (B = -0.02, 95% CI -0.04, -0.0009). CONCLUSIONS: In acromegaly patients, we found robust evidence that poor sleep quality is associated with poorer quality of life, and some evidence that it is associated with poorer cognitive function.

Análisis de la validez convergente de la Versión reducida en español del cuestionario de actividad física en el tiempo libre de Minnesota (VREM) y de la versión española del Cuestionario internacional de actividad física en personas mayores (IPAQ-E) / Analysis of the convergent validity of the Spanish short version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (VREM) and the Spanish version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in elderly people (IPAQ-E)

Fundamento: Los cuestionarios Versión reducida en español del cuestionario de actividad física en el tiempo libre de Minnesota (VREM) y Cuestionario internacional de actividad física adaptado a las personas mayores (IPAQ-E) se consideran herramientas de utilidad cuando se pretende cuantificar la actividad física (AF) que la población geriátrica realiza en nuestro país. Sin embargo, son escasos los estudios realizados al respecto de sus propiedades psicométricas. Por ello, esta investigación pretende aportar información sobre la validez convergente de ambos cuestionarios, analizando el grado de asociación que muestran con la condición física (CF). Material y Métodos: Un total de 105 personas (edad media: 76,77 (DE=6,01) años; 84,8% mujeres), contestaron ambos cuestionarios y realizaron la batería Senior Fitness Test (SFT) al objeto de recoger información sobre su nivel de CF. Resultados: Se encontraron correlaciones significativas entre la SFT y los ítems del VREM relativos al gasto energético derivado de caminar (r=0,227) o de realizar actividades deportivas o baile (r=0,235), y el gasto energético total estimado (r=0,314). El IPAQ-E no estableció asociaciones significativas con ninguna de las variables analizadas. Aunque a priori se observó una cierta correlación entre el VREM y el IPAQ-E (r=0,447, p<0,001), y la diferencia media entre ambos parámetros fue nula (p=0,553), se consideró que los cuestionarios mostraron un grado de concordancia escaso, debido a la gran amplitud encontrada en el rango de diferencias. Conclusiones: Se aconseja el empleo del cuestionario VREM para estimar la cantidad de AF en población geriátrica, ya que presenta cierto grado de asociación, si bien débil, con el nivel de CF

Background: In our country the Spanish short version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (VREM) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in elderly people (IPAQ-E) are considered useful tools for estimating the amount of physical activity (PA) performed by the geriatric population. However, few studies have been carried out on their psychometric properties. Therefore, this research aims to provide information on their convergent validity by analysing the degree of association that both questionnaires show with physical fitness level. Material and Methods: A total of 105 people (mean age: 76.77 (SD=6.01) years; 84.8% women), answered both questionnaires and performed the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), in order to assess their physical fitness level. Results: Significant correlations were found between the SFT and the VREM items related to energy expenditure derived from walking (r=0.227) or from performing sports activities or dancing (r=0.235), and the estimated total energy expenditure (r=0.314). The IPAQ-E did not establish significant associations with any of the variables analysed. Although a certain a priori correlation was observed between the VREM and the IPAQ-E (r=0.447, p<0.001) and the mean difference between both parameters was nil (p=0.553), it was considered that the questionnaires showed a lack of agreement due to the great width found in the range of differences. Conclusions: The use of the VREM questionnaire is recommended for estimating the amount of PA performed by the geriatric population, as it shows a certain degree of association, albeit weak, with the level of physical fitness

[Analysis of the convergent validity of the Spanish short version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (VREM) and the Spanish version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in elderly people (IPAQ-E)]. / Análisis de la validez convergente de la Versión reducida en español del cuestionario de actividad física en el tiempo libre de Minnesota (VREM) y de la versión española del Cuestionario internacional de actividad física en personas mayores (IPAQ-E).

BACKGROUND: In our country the Spanish short version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (VREM) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in elderly people (IPAQ-E) are considered useful tools for estimating the amount of physical activity (PA) performed by the geriatric population. However, few studies have been carried out on their psychometric properties. Therefore, this research aims to provide information on their convergent validity by analysing the degree of association that both questionnaires show with physical fitness level. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 105 people (mean age: 76.77 (SD=6.01) years; 84.8% women), answered both questionnaires and performed the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), in order to assess their physical fitness level. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between the SFT and the VREM items related to energy expenditure derived from walking (r=0.227) or from performing sports activities or dancing (r=0.235), and the estimated total energy expenditure (r=0.314). The IPAQ-E did not establish significant associations with any of the variables analysed. Although a certain a priori correlation was observed between the VREM and the IPAQ-E (r=0.447, p<0.001) and the mean difference between both parameters was nil (p=0.553), it was considered that the questionnaires showed a lack of agreement due to the great width found in the range of differences. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the VREM questionnaire is recommended for estimating the amount of PA performed by the geriatric population, as it shows a certain degree of association, albeit weak, with the level of physical fitness.

Cold sensing by NaV1.8-positive and NaV1.8-negative sensory neurons.

The ability to detect environmental cold serves as an important survival tool. The sodium channels NaV1.8 and NaV1.9, as well as the TRP channel Trpm8, have been shown to contribute to cold sensation in mice. Surprisingly, transcriptional profiling shows that NaV1.8/NaV1.9 and Trpm8 are expressed in nonoverlapping neuronal populations. Here we have used in vivo GCaMP3 imaging to identify cold-sensing populations of sensory neurons in live mice. We find that ∼80% of neurons responsive to cold down to 1 °C do not express NaV1.8, and that the genetic deletion of NaV1.8 does not affect the relative number, distribution, or maximal response of cold-sensitive neurons. Furthermore, the deletion of NaV1.8 had no observable effect on transient cold-induced (≥5 °C) behaviors in mice, as measured by the cold-plantar, cold-plate (5 and 10 °C), or acetone tests. In contrast, nocifensive-like behavior to extreme cold-plate stimulation (-5 °C) was completely absent in mice lacking NaV1.8. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and subsequent microarray analysis of sensory neurons activated at 4 °C identified an enriched repertoire of ion channels, which include the Trp channel Trpm8 and potassium channel Kcnk9, that are potentially required for cold sensing above freezing temperatures in mouse DRG neurons. These data demonstrate the complexity of cold-sensing mechanisms in mouse sensory neurons, revealing a principal role for NaV1.8-negative neurons in sensing both innocuous and acute noxious cooling down to 1 °C, while NaV1.8-positive neurons are likely responsible for the transduction of prolonged extreme cold temperatures, where tissue damage causes pan-nociceptor activation.

N2pc reflects two modes for coding the number of visual targets.

Humans share with a variety of animal species the spontaneous ability to detect the numerical correspondence between limited quantities of visual objects and discrete auditory events. Here, we explored how such mental representation is generated in the visual modality by monitoring a parieto-occipital ERP component, N2pc, whose amplitude covaries with the number of visual targets in explicit enumeration. Participants listened to an auditory sequence of one to three tones followed by a visual search display containing one to three targets. In Experiment 1, participants were asked to respond based on the numerical correspondence between tones and visual targets. In Experiment 2, participants were asked to ignore the tones and detect a target presence in the search display. The results of Experiment 1 showed an N2pc amplitude increase determined by the number of visual targets followed by a centroparietal ERP component modulated by the numerical correspondence between tones and visual targets. The results of Experiment 2 did not show an N2pc amplitude increase as a function of the number of visual targets. However, the numerical correspondence between tones and visual targets influenced N2pc amplitude. By comparing a subset of amplitude/latency parameters between Experiment 1 and 2, the present results suggest N2pc reflects two modes for representing the number of visual targets. One mode, susceptible to subjective control, relies on visual target segregation for exact target individuation, whereas a different mode, likely enabling spontaneous cross-modal matching, relies on the extraction of rough information about number of targets from visual input.

Influence of cognitive impairment on the freezing of gait in non demented people with Parkinson's disease. / Influencia del deterioro cognitivo en la congelacion de la marcha en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson sin demencia.

INTRODUCTION: Freezing of gait (FOG) is a motor disturbance usually appearing in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Cognitive and executive function seems to play an important role in this phenomenon. AIM: To investigate if cognitive and kinematic parameters correlate with FOG in PD patients without dementia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study. Participants were classified in two groups: freezers and non-freezers. Clinical information was obtained by Hoehn and Yahr scale, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale and balance test of Short Physical Performance Battery. Cognitive function was evaluated using Minimental Examination and the Fuld Object Memory Evaluation; executive function was assessed with the Frontal Assessment Battery test. Battery kinematic parameters were assessed by means of gait speed, cadence, stride length and stride time. RESULTS: Twenty-five participants with PD without dementia completed the evaluation. Statistical significant differences between freezers and non-freezers were found in global cognition (p = 0,02), memory (p = 0,04), executive function (p = 0,04), cadence (p = 0,02), stride length (p = 0,04) and stride time (p = 0,01). CONCLUSION: Cognitive parameters may have an important contribution to the manifestation of freezing of gait in PD. These results may have important clinical implications for developing future non-pharmacological and cognitive interventions strategies targeted to PD patients with FOG.

TITLE: Influencia del deterioro cognitivo en la congelacion de la marcha en pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson sin demencia.Introduccion. La congelacion de la marcha (CDM) es una alteracion motora que suele aparecer en estadios avanzados de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP). Las funciones cognitivas y ejecutivas parecen tener un papel importante en la aparicion de este fenomeno. Objetivo. Investigar si los parametros cognitivos y cinematicos se correlacionan con la CDM en pacientes con EP sin demencia. Pacientes y metodos. Estudio observacional y transversal. Los participantes se clasificaron en dos grupos: con y sin CDM. La informacion clinica se obtuvo mediante la escala de Hoehn y Yahr, la Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale y la prueba de equilibrio de la Short Physical Performance Battery. La funcion cognitiva se valoro con el miniexamen cognitivo y la Fuld Object Memory Evaluation, y la funcion ejecutiva, con la Frontal Assessment Battery. Los parametros cinematicos se valoraron mediante la velocidad de la marcha, la cadencia, la longitud del paso y el tiempo del paso. Resultados. Veinticinco participantes con EP sin demencia completaron el programa. Se encontraron diferencias estadisticamente significativas entre individuos con y sin CDM en cognicion global (p = 0,02), memoria (p = 0,04), funcion ejecutiva (p = 0,04), cadencia (p = 0,02), longitud del paso (p = 0,04) y tiempo del paso (p = 0,01). Conclusion. Diversos parametros cognitivos pueden contribuir de forma importante en la aparicion de la CDM en la EP. Estos resultados pueden tener implicaciones clinicas relevantes para el desarrollo de estrategias e intervenciones no farmacologicas y cognitivas dirigidas a pacientes con EP y con CDM.

Obstetrical providers' preferred mode of delivery and attitude towards non-medically indicated caesarean sections: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe obstetrical providers' delivery preferences and attitudes towards caesarean section without medical indication, including on maternal request, and to examine the association between provider characteristics and preferences/attitudes. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Two public and two private hospitals in Argentina. POPULATION: Obstetrician-gynaecologists and midwives who provide prenatal care and/or labour/delivery services. METHODS: Providers in hospitals with at least 1000 births per year completed a self-administered, anonymous survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Provider delivery preference for low-risk women, perception of women's preferred delivery method, support for a woman's right to choose her delivery method and willingness to perform caesarean section on maternal request. RESULTS: 168 providers participated (89.8% coverage rate). Providers (93.2%) preferred a vaginal delivery for their patients in the absence of a medical indication for caesarean section. Whereas 74.4% of providers supported their patient's right to choose a delivery method in the absence of a medical indication for caesarean section and 66.7% would perform a caesarean section upon maternal request, only 30.4% would consider a non-medically indicated caesarean section for their own personal delivery or that of their partner. In multivariate adjusted analysis, providers in the private sector [odds ratio (OR) 4.70, 95% CI 1.19-18.62] and obstetrician-gynaecologists (OR 4.37, 95% CI 1.58-12.09) were more willing than either providers working in the public/both settings or midwives to perform a caesarean section on maternal request. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the ethical debate surrounding non-medically indicated caesarean sections, we observe very high levels of support, especially by providers in the private sector and obstetrician-gynaecologists, as aligned with the high caesarean section rates in Argentina. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Non-medically indicated c-section? 74% of sampled Argentine OB providers support women's right to choose.