Detection of subclinical atherosclerosis using vascular ultrasound as a vascular risk assessment method. Simplified protocol. / Detección de aterosclerosis subclínica mediante ecografía vascular como método de evaluación de riesgo vascular. Protocolo simplificado.

Cardiovascular disease secondary to atherosclerosis is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Cardiovascular risk stratification has proven to be an insufficient approach to detect those subjects who are going to suffer a cardiovascular event, which is why for years other markers have been sought to help stratify each individual with greater precision. Two-dimensional vascular ultrasound is a excellent method for vascular risk assessment.

Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm in primary care. / Utilidad de la ecografía en el cribado del aneurisma de aorta abdominal en atención primaria.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) constitutes a pathology with high mortality. There is currently no screening program implemented in primary care in Spain. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound in the detection of AAA in the at-risk population in primary care. Secondarily, to identify subjects whose vascular risk (VR) should be reclassified and to determine whether AAA is associated with the presence of carotid plaque and other risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, descriptive, multicenter, national, descriptive study in primary care. SUBJECTS: A consecutive selection of hypertensive males aged between 65 and 75 who are either smokers or former smokers, or individuals over the age of 50 of both sexes with a family history of AAA. MEASUREMENTS: Diameter of abdominal aorta and iliac arteries; detection of abdominal aortic and carotid atherosclerotic plaque. VR was calculated at the beginning and after testing (SCORE). RESULTS: One hundred and fifty patients were analyzed (age: 68.3±5 years; 89.3% male). Baseline RV was high/very high in 55.3%. AAA was detected in 12 patients (8%; 95% CI: 4-12); aortic ectasia in 13 (8.7%); abdominal aortic plaque in 44% and carotid plaque in 62% of the participants. VR was reclassified in 50% of subjects. The detection of AAA or ectasia was associated with the presence of carotid plaque, current smoking and lipoprotein(a), p<0.01. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of AAA in patients with VR is high. Ultrasound in primary care allows detection of AAA and subclinical atherosclerosis and consequently reclassification of the VR, demonstrating its utility in screening for AAA in the at-risk population.

Cardiovascular disease as part of Long COVID: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Long COVID syndrome has had a major impact on million patients' lives worldwide. The cardiovascular system is an important aspect of this multifaceted disease that may manifest in many ways. We have hereby performed a narrative review in order to identify the extent of the cardiovascular manifestations of the Long COVID syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS: An in-depth systematic search of the literature has been conducted for this narrative review. The systematic search of PubMed and Cochrane databases yielded 3,993, of which 629 underwent full text screening. A total of 78 studies were included in the final qualitative synthesis and data evaluation. The pathophysiology of the cardiovascular sequelae of Long COVID syndrome and the cardiac manifestations and complications of Long COVID syndrome are critically evaluated. In addition, potential cardiovascular risk factors are assessed, and preventive methods and treatment options are examined in this review. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review poignantly summarises the evidence from the available literature regarding the cardiovascular manifestations of Long COVID syndrome and reviews potential mechanistic pathways, diagnostic approaches, preventive measures and treatment options.

[Luces y sombras de la Guía Europea esc-2021 de Prevención de la Enfermedad Cardiovascular en la Práctica Clínica.] / Lights and shadows of the 2021 ESC Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice.

General practitioners see in their consultation a a significant number of patients at high vascular risk (VR). The European Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (2021) recommend a new risk classification and intervention strategies on on vascular risk factors (RF), with the aim of providing a shared decision-making recommendations between professionals and patients. In this document we present a critical analysis of these guidelines, offering possible solutions that can be implemented in Primary Care. It should be noted that there are positive aspects (lights) such as that the SCORE2 (from forty to sixty-nine years) and SCORE2-OP models (from seventy to eighty-nine years) are based on more current cohorts and measure cardiovascular risk in a more accurately manner. In addition, it is proposed to differentiate different risk thresholds according to age-groups. For sake of practicality, cardiovascular risk can be estimated using different websites with the new computer models. However, among the negative aspects (shadows), it seems to be add complexity implementing nine subgroups of subjects according to their age or level of risk, with a defined thresholds that could cause a substantial increase in the potential number of subjects susceptible to treatment without a clear evidence that supports it. In addition, two-step RF interventions could delay achievement of therapeutic goals, especially in very high-risk patients, diabetics, or patients with cardiovascular disease. Given these limitations, in this document we propose practical recommendations in order to simplify and facilitate the implementation of the guideline in primary care.

Los médicos de familia atienden un importante número de pacientes con alto riesgo vascular (RV). Las Guías Europeas de Prevención Cardiovascular (2021) proponen una nueva clasificación del riesgo y estrategias de intervención sobre los factores de riesgo (FRV), orientada a la toma de decisiones compartidas entre profesionales y pacientes. En el presente trabajo realizamos un análisis crítico de dichas guías, ofreciendo posibles soluciones prácticas para la Atención Primaria. Son destacables aspectos positivos (luces) que los modelos de RV SCORE2 (entre cuarenta y sesenta y nueve años) y SCORE2-OP (entre setenta y ochenta y nueve años) se basan en cohortes más actuales y miden con mayor exactitud y discriminación dicho riesgo. Además, se propone actuar diferenciadamente sobre el riesgo según la edad. Pragmáticamente, se presentan nuevos modelos informáticos para calcular el riesgo. Sin embargo, entre los aspectos negativos (sombras), parece colegirse una mayor dificultad de implementación al proponerse nueve subgrupos de sujetos según su edad o nivel de riesgo, con un dintel definitorio de alto RV subjetivo que podría ocasionar un incremento sustancial en el número de sujetos susceptibles de tratar sin una discriminación objetiva que lo sustente. Además, las intervenciones sobre los FRV en dos pasos podrían retrasar la consecución de objetivos terapéuticos, sobre todo en pacientes de muy alto riesgo, diabéticos o con enfermedad cardiovascular. Ante las dificultades que plantea la valoración del riesgo, proponemos unificar criterios y simplificar los mensajes claves para hacer unas guías más atractivas y que realmente ayuden a los profesionales de Atención Primaria en su práctica habitual.

Luces y sombras de la Guía Europea ESC-2021 de Prevención de la Enfermedad Cardiovascular en la Práctica Clínica / Lights and shadows of the 2021 ESC Guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention in clinical practice

Los médicos de familia atienden un importante número de pacientes con alto riesgo vascular (RV). LasGuías Europeas de Prevención Cardio-vascular (2021) proponen una nueva clasificación del riesgo y estrategias de intervención sobre los factores de riesgo (FRV), orientada a la tomade decisiones compartidas entre profesionales y pacientes. En el presente trabajo realizamos un análisis crítico de dichas guías, ofreciendoposibles soluciones prácticas para la Atención Primaria.Son destacables aspectos positivos (luces) que los modelos de RV SCORE2 (entre cuarenta y sesenta y nueve años) y SCORE2-OP (entre setenta yochenta y nueve años) se basan en cohortes más actuales y miden con mayor exactitud y discriminación dicho riesgo. Además, se propone actuardiferenciadamente sobre el riesgo según la edad. Pragmáticamente, se presentan nuevos modelos informáticos para calcular el riesgo. Sin embargo,entre los aspectos negativos (sombras), parece colegirse una mayor dificultad de implementación al proponerse nueve subgrupos de sujetos segúnsu edad o nivel de riesgo, con un dintel definitorio de alto RV subjetivo que podría ocasionar un incremento sustancial en el número de sujetossusceptibles de tratar sin una discriminación objetiva que lo sustente. Además, las intervenciones sobre los FRV en dos pasos podrían retrasar laconsecución de objetivos terapéuticos, sobre todo en pacientes de muy alto riesgo, diabéticos o con enfermedad cardiovascular.Ante las dificultades que plantea la valoración del riesgo, proponemos unificar criterios y simplificar los mensajes claves para hacer unas guíasmás atractivas y que realmente ayuden a los profesionales de Atención Primaria en su práctica habitual.(AU)

General practitioners see in their consultation a a significant number of patients at high vascular risk (VR). The European Guidelines forCardiovascular Disease Prevention (2021) recommend a new risk classification and intervention strategies on on vascular risk factors (RF), withthe aim of providing a shared decision-making recommendations between professionals and patients. In this document we present a criticalanalysis of these guidelines, offering possible solutions that can be implemented in Primary Care.It should be noted that there are positive aspects (lights) such as that the SCORE2 (from forty to sixty-nine years) and SCORE2-OP models (fromseventy to eighty-nine years) are based on more current cohorts and measure cardiovascular risk in a more accurately manner. In addition, it isproposed to differentiate different risk thresholds according to age-groups. For sake of practicality, cardiovascular risk can be estimated usingdifferent websites with the new computer models. However, among the negative aspects (shadows), it seems to be add complexity implemen-ting nine subgroups of subjects according to their age or level of risk, with a defined thresholds that could cause a substantial increase in thepotential number of subjects susceptible to treatment without a clear evidence that supports it. In addition, two-step RF interventions coulddelay achievement of therapeutic goals, especially in very high-risk patients, diabetics, or patients with cardiovascular disease.Given these limitations, in this document we propose practical recommendations in order to simplify and facilitate the implementation of theguideline in primary care.(AU)

Quantifying the potential seepage from porphyry copper tailing impoundments using a multi-isotopic approach.

Porphyry-style copper deposits are characterized by low Cu grades and high tonnages, resulting in large mine tailing volumes disposed in impoundments. Due to the mining tailing sizes, waterproofing techniques cannot be applied along the dam base. Therefore, to minimize seepage towards the aquifers, pumping wells are usually installed as hydraulic barriers. Currently, there is a controversy over whether or not the water extracted from hydraulic barriers should be counted as the use of new water rights. Consequently, a growing interest to develop tools to trace and quantify the tailing impacts in groundwater and to determine the water pumped amount subjected to water rights exist. In the present study, isotope data (δ2H-H2O, δ18O-H2O, δ34S-SO42- and δ18O-SO42-) are proposed as a tool to quantify tailings seepage towards groundwater and to assess hydraulic barriers effectiveness. To illustrate this approach usefulness, the Quillayes porphyry Cu tailing impoundment (Chile) case study is presented. The multi-isotopic approach revealed that tailing waters are highly evaporated showing high SO42- content (~1900 mg L-1) derived from primary sulfate ore dissolution, whereas freshwaters, derived from recharge water, have low SO42- contents (10-400 mg L-1) resulting from the interaction with geogenic sulfides from barren host rock. The δ2H and δ18O values of groundwater samples collected downstream from the impoundment suggest a mixing at different proportions of highly evaporated water from the mine tailing waters and non-evaporated regional fresh groundwater. Cl-/SO42-, δ34S-SO42-/δ18O-SO42-, δ34S-SO42-/ln(SO42-) and δ2H-H2O/δ18O-H2O mixing models allowed to determine that groundwater located closer to the impoundment had a mine tailing water contribution from 45 to 90 %, whereas those located farther away had lower contribution (5-25 %). Results confirmed the stable isotope usefulness to determine the water origin and to calculate the hydraulic barrier efficiencies and the pumped water proportions unrelated to the mining tailing subject to the water rights.

Diazoxide improves muscle function in association with improved dyslipidemia and decreased muscle oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

AIM/INTRODUCTION: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic degenerative disease, and its main biochemical characteristic is hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin secretion, resistance to peripheral actions of insulin, or both. Hyperglycemia causes dyslipidemia and stimulates oxidative damage, leading to the main symptoms, such as fatigue and culminates in diabetic complications. Previous studies have shown that ATP-sensitive potassium channels counteract muscle fatigue and metabolic stress in healthy mouse models. To determine the effect of diazoxide on muscle strength development during diabetes, we tested the effect of diazoxide in streptozotocin-diabetic rats in muscle function, lipid profile and oxidative stress biomarkers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of six animals each: (1) Control group, (2) diabetes group, (3) Control group + diazoxide, and (4) Diabetic + diazoxide (DB + DZX). 4 weeks after rats were sacrificed, soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles (EDL) were extracted to prepare homogenates and serum was obtained for biochemical measurements. Oxidative damage was evaluated by the thiobarbituric acid method and the fluorescent for reactive oxygen species (ROS) probe 2,4-H2DCFDA, respectively. RESULTS: Diabetic rats with diazoxide administration showed an increase in the development of muscle strength in both muscles; in turn, the onset of fatigue was longer compared to the group of diabetic rats without treatment. Regarding the lipid profile, diazoxide decreased total cholesterol levels in the group of diabetic rats treated with diazoxide (x̅46.2 mg/dL) compared to the untreated diabetic group (x̅=104.4 mg/dL); secondly, diazoxide decreased triglyceride concentrations (x̅=105.3 mg/dL) compared to the untreated diabetic rats (x̅=412.2 mg/dL) as well as the levels of very low-density lipoproteins (x̅=20.4 mg/dL vs. x̅=82.44 mg/dL). Regarding the various markers of oxidative stress, the diabetic group treated with diazoxide was able to reduce the concentrations of TBARS and total reactive oxygen species as well as preserve the concentrations of reduced glutathione. CONCLUSION: Diazoxide administration in diabetic rats increases muscle strength development in EDL and soleus muscle, decreases fatigue, reduces cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and improves oxidative stress parameters such as TBARS, ROS, and glutathione status.

Sociocultural differences in the development of obesity in adolescents in Murcia.

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity presents alarming numbers in our country, being even higher in the population of immigrant origin. The main objective was to analyse the excess weight numbers both in native adolescents and in those children of immigrants and to determine the ethnic influence on lifestyle habits that could condition these differences in weight overload. METHODS: Adolescents from 1st year of Obligatory Secondary Education (E.S.O.) participated; somatometry was determined and classified according to BMI (with WHO references) and parental origin. Parents completed the survey on healthy habits (ENHASA). An analysis of variance was performed for each of the 4 dimensions of the questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 416 adolescents participated (12.8±0.62 years). Excess weight was detected in 41.2% of the participants, with significant differences between groups (p 0.018): 36.7% in Spanish, 42.9% in North Africa and 58.2% in South America. The ANOVA analysis showed differences in the section "physical activity" (p 0.003), highlighting the maximum disparity in the performance of extracurricular sports activities, with a lower score in both non-native groups. CONCLUSION: We found significant differences according to ethnic origin in the number of overweight children and the amount of physical activity they do; South American adolescents are the most sedentary. We must design interventions that guarantee the access of all adolescents to sports activities to prevent the development of obesity.

Importancia y rendimiento de los hábitos implicados en el desarrollo de exceso de peso según género / Importance and performance of habits involved in the development of excess weight according to gender

Introducción: la obesidad afecta cada vez más a los adolescentes. La clave de la prevención sigue siendo el control de los factores de riesgo modificables. El objetivo fue realizar un análisis mediante mapas de importancia-rendimiento de las principales conductas que condicionan la aparición de exceso de peso en adolescentes en función del género, una técnica estadística que representa gráficamente la importancia y el rendimiento de cada uno de los factores involucrados en el desarrollo del exceso de peso. Material y métodos: se administró un cuestionario sobre hábitos saludables (ENHASA) a padres de adolescentes de 12-14 años de Murcia (España). Posteriormente, fueron clasificados según estado ponderal siguiendo los criterios de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Se realizaron un análisis multivariante y mapas de importancia-rendimiento según género. Resultados: participaron 416 adolescentes, detectándose un 40,6% de exceso de peso, sin diferencias significativas por género. El análisis mostró un R2 de 0,123 en adolescentes hombres y de 0,156 en adolescentes mujeres. Se reveló la falta de actividad física como el factor más importante para el desarrollo de exceso de peso en los adolescentes hombres, aunque los hábitos con mayor capacidad de mejora en ellos fueron los relacionados con el uso de televisión y horas de pantalla. En las adolescentes mujeres, lo más condicionante fue el ambiente socioescolar, siendo también los hábitos con menor rendimiento los relacionados con el uso de pantallas. Conclusiones: existen diferencias de género en los hábitos que condicionan el exceso de peso. Se debería tener en cuenta una perspectiva de género a la hora de diseñar nuevas estrategias de prevención (AU)

Introduction: obesity affects more adolescents every day. The key to prevention remains the control of modifiable risk factors. The objective of the work was to carry out an analysis using importance-performance maps of the main behaviors that condition the appearance of excess weight in adolescents according to gender. An statistical technique that draws on a map the importance and performance of each of the risk factors involved in the development of excess weight.Material and methods: we collected information from 416 adolescents between 12 and 14 years of age in Murcia (Spain) using the ENHASA healthy habits questionnaire. Later, we determined their somatometry and they were classified following the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO). A multivariate analysis and importance-performance maps according to gender were performed.Results: 416 adolescents participated. We obtained 40,6% excess weight without significant differences by sex. The analysis showed an R2 of 0,123 in boys and 0,156 in girls. Lack of physical activity revealed as the most important factor for the development of excess weight in boys, although the habits with the greatest capacity for improvement were those related to the use of television and screen time. In girls, the most determining dimension was the socio-school environment; and the habits with the lowest performance were also those related to the use of screens.Conclusions: there are gender differences in the habits that determine overweight and obesity. It is important to take gender perspective into account when designing new more efficient prevention. (AU)

Proposal of a Multi-Criteria Model for the Evaluation of Territorial Development Plans: An Application in Chile's Lagging Areas.

The evaluation of Territorial Development Plans (TDP) is a challenge most Latin American countries face. The problem arises in establishing a model to evaluate TDP that meets the criteria and indicators established in a national policy or regulatory framework under local needs. This study proposes an application to evaluate the TDP of the lagging areas in Chile based on the AHP multi-criteria methodology. This methodology allows to objectively unify the evaluation of the different plans, combining the different dimensions, objectives, scales, and judgments of the experts present in the evaluation process without sacrificing the quality, reliability, and participation of the actors involved. The model is flexible to changes in the criteria, as it can be updated according to the needs over time. An efficient and effective tool is provided to support decision-makers in formulating better development plans to bridge the gaps in territorial groups with high vulnerability.

Modeling of the Influence of Operational Parameters on Tire Lateral Dynamics.

Tires play a critical role in vehicle safety. Proper modeling of tire-road interaction is essential for optimal performance of active safety systems. This work studies the influence of temperature, longitudinal vehicle speed, steering frequency, vertical load, and inflation pressure on lateral tire dynamics. To this end, a tire test bench that allows the accurate control of these parameters and the measurement of the variables of interest was used. The obtained results made it possible to propose a simple model that allowed the determination of relaxation length as a function of tire vertical load and vehicle linear speed, and the determination of a representative tread temperature. Additionally, a model has been proposed to determine the lateral friction coefficient from the aforementioned temperature. Finally, results also showed that some variables had little influence on the parameters that characterize lateral dynamics.

Comparative Effect of Three Different Exercise Intensities in Combination with Diazoxide on Contraction Capacity and Oxidative Stress of Skeletal Muscle in Obese Rats.

Obesity is a chronic disease that impairs skeletal muscle function, affects the ability to contract, and promotes the development of fatigue. For this reason, the study of treatments that seek to reduce the harmful effects of obesity on muscle tissue has been deepened. Diazoxide treatment and various exercise protocols have been proposed to protect skeletal muscle against oxidative stress and its effects. However, the intensity and duration of exercise combined with diazoxide that would obtain the best results for improving skeletal muscle function in obese rats is unknown. To this end, this study evaluated the effects of three different exercise intensities combined with diazoxide on contraction capacity, resistance to fatigue, markers of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, ROS, and glutathione redox status of skeletal muscle. The results showed that treatments with diazoxide and exercise at different intensities improved muscle contraction capacity by reducing oxidative stress during obesity, with the best results being obtained with low-intensity exercise in combination with diazoxide. Therefore, these results suggest that diazoxide and low-intensity exercise improve muscle function during obesity by decreasing oxidative stress with the same efficiency as a moderate-intensity exercise protocol.

Gene-diet interactions and cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review of observational and clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Both genetic background and diet are important determinants of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Understanding gene-diet interactions could help improve CVD prevention and prognosis. We aimed to summarise the evidence on gene-diet interactions and CVD outcomes systematically. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE® via Ovid, Embase, PubMed®, and The Cochrane Library for relevant studies published until June 6th 2022. We considered for inclusion cross-sectional, case-control, prospective cohort, nested case-control, and case-cohort studies as well as randomised controlled trials that evaluated the interaction between genetic variants and/or genetic risk scores and food or diet intake on the risk of related outcomes, including myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and CVD as a composite outcome. The PROSPERO protocol registration code is CRD42019147031. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We included 59 articles based on data from 29 studies; six articles involved multiple studies, and seven did not report details of their source population. The median sample size of the articles was 2562 participants. Of the 59 articles, 21 (35.6%) were qualified as high quality, while the rest were intermediate or poor. Eleven (18.6%) articles adjusted for multiple comparisons, four (7.0%) attempted to replicate the findings, 18 (30.5%) were based on Han-Chinese ethnicity, and 29 (49.2%) did not present Minor Allele Frequency. Fifty different dietary exposures and 52 different genetic factors were investigated, with alcohol intake and ADH1C variants being the most examined. Of 266 investigated diet-gene interaction tests, 50 (18.8%) were statistically significant, including CETP-TaqIB and ADH1C variants, which interacted with alcohol intake on CHD risk. However, interactions effects were significant only in some articles and did not agree on the direction of effects. Moreover, most of the studies that reported significant interactions lacked replication. Overall, the evidence on gene-diet interactions on CVD is limited, and lack correction for multiple testing, replication and sample size consideration.

Early Feeding versus Traditional Feeding in Children with Ileostomy Closure.

Context: Elective intestinal anastomosis is a frequently used surgical procedure in pediatric surgery. Aims: This study aimed to compare postoperative complications and hospital stay in children who underwent ileostomy closure with early feeding in the 1st 24 h versus those in whom the oral route was initiated traditionally. Settings and Design: Observational, comparative, cross-sectional, ambispective, and single-center study that included pediatric patients who had undergone ileostomy closure from January 2017 to August 2019. Materials and Methods: Data were analyzed in SPSS. Statistical analysis was used: the variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test when the former could not be applied. Results: They were divided into the following two groups: group 1 included patients who started the oral route early (n = 25) and Group 2 included patients who started the oral route late (n = 20). The average in-hospital stay for Group 1 was 5.48 days and that for Group 2 was 8.35 days. In Group 1, the oral route was started with a mean of 9.32 h and in Group 2 at 146.4 h. Those in Group 1 at 32.9 h presented their first evacuation and Group 2 at 131.45 h. Group 1 reached their normal diet on average at 79.96 h and Group 2 at 172.8 h. Conclusions: This comparison between early oral feeding and traditional oral feeding suggests that various benefits exist when enteral nutrition is initiated early after ileostomy closure in pediatric patients. The benefits and importance of initiating early oral feeding in adults have been reported, but there are few studies on pediatric populations.

Influence of Lifestyle Habits in the Development of Obesity during Adolescence.

Background: The alarming increase in childhood obesity is a global public health problem since it has significant health consequences. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the potentially modifiable risk factors for developing excess weight and determine the importance of developing certain habits to prevent childhood overweight and obesity. Methods: The sample included 416 students between the ages of 12 and 14 (12.8 ± 0.62) first-year high school students from Murcia in Spain. Data were collected on their lifestyle habits through the ENHASA questionnaire, and the somatometry of the participants was measured. Such data were studied through structural equation modeling and importance-performance map analyses. Results: The modifiable risk factors that presented the greatest potency directly regarding when developing excess weight in adolescents were 'use of electronic devices' and 'not performing physical activity' (p < 0.001). 'Social and school environment' and 'diet' showed relationships but no significant differences with overweight or obesity. Globally, the lifestyle habit of the greatest importance for not being overweight was 'engagement in extracurricular physical activities'. On the other hand, the habits related to using new technologies in a sedentary way showed the best capacity for improvement. Therefore, it would be very efficient to focus on them to control excess weight. Conclusion: Responsible and limited use of screens and engaging in extracurricular physical activities may be the most remarkable and cost-effective strategies for obesity prevention programs.

Free will without consciousness?

Findings demonstrating decision-related neural activity preceding volitional actions have dominated the discussion about how science can inform the free will debate. These discussions have largely ignored studies suggesting that decisions might be influenced or biased by various unconscious processes. If these effects are indeed real, do they render subjects' decisions less free or even unfree? Here, we argue that, while unconscious influences on decision-making do not threaten the existence of free will in general, they provide important information about limitations on freedom in specific circumstances. We demonstrate that aspects of this long-lasting controversy are empirically testable and provide insight into their bearing on degrees of freedom, laying the groundwork for future scientific-philosophical approaches.

Dietary Iron Restriction Improves Muscle Function, Dyslipidemia, and Decreased Muscle Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic degenerative disease characterized by hyperglycemia and oxidative stress. Iron catalyzes free radical overproduction. High iron concentrations have previously been reported to promote an increase in oxidative stress; however, the effect of iron restriction in diabetes has not yet been explored, so we tested to see if iron restriction in diabetic rats reduces oxidative damage and improved muscle function. Wistar rats were assigned to 4 groups: Control; Diabetic; Diabetic rats with a high iron diet, and Diabetic with dietary iron restriction. After 8 weeks the rats were sacrificed, the muscles were extracted to prepare homogenates, and serum was obtained for biochemical measurements. Low iron diabetic rats showed an increase in the development of muscle strength in both muscles. Dietary iron restriction decreased triglyceride concentrations compared to the untreated diabetic rats and the levels of extremely low-density lipoproteins. Aggravation of lipid peroxidation was observed in the diabetic group with a high iron diet, while these levels remained low with iron restriction. Iron restriction improved muscle strength development and reduced fatigue times; this was related to better lipid profile control and decreased oxidant stress markers.