AbstractIn this study, the newly synthesized TiO2 and N doped TiO2 clusters were added to silica sol to synthesize N-TiO2/SiO2 composites via the sol–gel method. Afterwards, the prepared sols were applied by brushing on portland cement. Doping with nitrogen significantly increased the absorption of TiO2 towards the visible region, thus, increasing the photocatalytic activity. SEM characterization of the treated samples showed that the clusters were distributed in form of aggregates on the samples' surface. The self-cleaning and air de-polluting performances were assessed through methylene blue degradation and the oxidation of nitrogen oxide, resulting in methylene blue (MB) removal of 85% and 78% after 60 min of irradiation for SN10TiO2 and STiO2, respectively. Regarding air de-pollution performance, the newly synthesized photocatalysts showed the ability of NOx reduction. However, their efficiency was somewhat lower, in which 23.81% of NO has been oxidized by the sample SN10TiO2, while SP25 showed a total NO conversion of 38.98%. The powdered xerogels of the newly synthesized nanoparticles revealed high photocatalytic efficiency concerning NO oxidation, resulting in a higher performance compared to those obtained by the xerogel containing P25. Graphical abstract
Resistance training (RT) is an effective methodology to improve physical performance of athletes. However, up to now, no studies have addressed the RT benefits in under-20 futsal players. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of six weeks of RT with high-velocity movements, low-to-moderate loads, and low volume on physical performance of under-20 futsal players. A total of 21 players were divided into two groups: A control group (CG, n = 10) and a RT group (RTG, n = 11). The RTG performed two weekly training sessions constituted by leg-press, jumps, and sprints, along with three futsal training sessions, while the CG only performed the futsal training. Before and after the intervention, the sprint time in 0–10 m (T10), 10–20 m (T10–20), and 0–20 m (T20), the countermovement jump (CMJ) height, the T-Test time, the kicking ball speed (KBS), and the maximum dynamic strength in the leg-press, were assessed. In post-test, significant improvements in CMJ, T-Test, KBS, and leg-press were found for the RTG, whilst a significant decrease in T10–20 was evidenced in the CG. The present results suggested that RT based on high velocity movements, low-to-moderate loads, and low volume produce positive effects on physical performance of under-20 futsal players.
Mathematics training is a challenge for students with visual impairments (VI). However, there are few protocols to assess math skills for them, especially the content related to counting and measurement. The objective of this article was to develop and test the applicability of a protocol to assess math skills in counting and measuring for children and adolescents with VI. The work was organized into two studies. The first dealt with the development of a protocol for assessing pre-arithmetic skills and knowledge and the second study assessed its applicability. In the first study, the protocol was developed from the few papers found on a literature review. In the second study, the protocol was applied to 12 participants with VI aged 5 and 16 years. The results showed that 8 of the 12 participants had performance ranging from 83% to 100% of correct responses in the protocol application, both for counting and measuring skills. The protocol applicability and difference in participants' performance are discussed. The study concludes that the protocol can be used as a tool to assess math knowledge for children at the end of Early Childhood Education or at the beginning of Elementary School, with or without VI.
The aim of this study was to analyze the training and detraining (DT) effects of concurrent aerobic training and resistance training against 3 different external loads on strength and aerobic variables. Thirty-two men were randomly assigned to 4 groups: low-load (LLG, n = 9), moderate-load (MLG, n = 9), high-load (HLG, n = 8), and control group (CG, n = 6). Resistance training consisted of full squat (FS) with a low load (40–55% 1 repetition maximum [1RM]), a moderate load (55–70% 1RM), or a high load (70–85% 1RM) combined with jump and sprint exercises. Aerobic training was performed at 75% of the maximal aerobic speed for 15–20 minutes. The training period lasted for 8-week, followed by 4-week DT. Pretraining, post-training, and post-DT evaluations included 20-m running sprints (0–10 m: T10; 0–20 m: T20), shuttle run test, countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) test, and loading test (1RM) in FS. All the experimental groups showed improvements (p ≤ 0.05) in all the parameters assessed, except the LLG for T10 and the HLG for T20. The LLG, MLG, and HLG showed great changes in 1RM and V̇o2max compared with the CG (p ≤ 0.05), whereas the HLG and MLG showed a greater percentage change than the CG in T10 (p < 0.001) and CMJ (p ≤ 0.05). The 4-week DT period resulted in detrimental effects in all variables analyzed for all 3 experimental groups. In conclusion, our results suggest that strength training programs with low, moderate, or high external loads combined with low-intensity aerobic training could be effective for producing significant gains in strength and aerobic capacities. Moreover, the higher loads used increased gains in explosive efforts. ; This project was supported by the National Funds through FCT—Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (UID/DTP/04045/2013)—and the European Fund for Regional Development (FEDER) allocated by European Union through the COMPETE 2020 Programme (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006969)—competitiveness and internationalization (POCI). The authors disclose funding received for this work from any of the following organizations: National Institutes of Health (NIH); Welcome Trust; Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI); and other(s).
The aim of this study was to verify the effects of different aerobic intensities combined with the same resistance training on strength and aerobic performances. Thirty-nine men were randomly assigned to a low-intensity group (LIG), moderate-intensity group (MIG), high-intensity group (HIG), and a control group. The training program consisted of full squat, jumps, sprints, and running at 80% (LIG), 90% (MIG), or 100% (HIG) of the maximal aerobic speed for 16-20 minutes. The training period lasted for 8 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of detraining. Evaluations included 20-m sprints (0-10 m: T10; 0-20 m: T20), shuttle run, countermovement jump (CMJ), and strength (1RM(est)) in full squat. There were significant improvements from pre-training to post-training in T10 (LIG: 4%; MIG: 5%; HIG: 2%), T20 (3%; 4%; 2%), CMJ (9%; 10%; 7%), 1RM(est) (13%; 7%; 8%), and oxygen uptake (V?o(2)max; 10%; 11%; 10%). Comparing the changes between the experimental groups, 1RM(est)gains were significantly higher in the LIG than HIG (5%) or MIG (6%). Furthermore, there was a tendency for higher gains in LIG and MIG compared with HIG, with 'possibly' or 'likely' positive effects in T10, T20, and CMJ. Detraining resulted in performance decrements, but minimal losses were found for V?o(2)max in LIG (-1%). Concurrent training seems to be beneficial for strength and aerobic development regardless of the aerobic training intensity. However, choosing lower intensities can lead to increased strength and is recommended when the cardiorespiratory gains should be maintained for longer. ; This project was supported by the National Funds through FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (UID/DTP/04045/2013)-and the European Fund for Regional Development (FEDER) allocated by European Union through the COMPETE 2020 Program (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006969)-competitiveness and internationalization (POCI).
The infusion of boar seminal plasma (SP) before artificial insemination (AI) positively alters the expression of endometrial genes and pathways involved in embryo development. This study aimed to determine which transcriptome changes occur in preimplantation embryos in response to SP infusions during estrus. Postweaning estrus sows received 40-mL intrauterine infusions of either SP (N = 6) or BTS extender (control group; N = 6) 30 min before each of two post-cervical AIs. On Day 6, embryos were surgically collected and analyzed for differential gene expression. Microarray analysis of embryos revealed 210 annotated genes, differentially expressed (p-value 2) in SP-blastocysts, compared to controls. Most of these genes were associated with biological, cellular, metabolic and developmental processes. The pathways enriched among the upregulated genes related to signal transduction, cellular processes and the endocrine system. Among altered genes involved in these pathways, the SP-group showed a conspicuous overexpression of ApoA-I, CDK1, MAPK1, SMAD2, PRKAA1 and RICTOR, with reported key roles in embryo development, implantation, or progression of pregnancy. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that SP infusions prior to AI upregulates the expression of embryo development related genes in Day 6 pig embryos. ; Funding agencies: the MINECO-FEDER (AGL2015-69735-R), Madrid, Spain; the FundacionSeneca (19892/GERM/15), Murcia, Spain; the MICIU/FEDER (RTI2018-093525-B-I00), Madrid, Spain; the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the MSCA (grant agreement No 891663); and the Swedish Research Council FORMAS (Projects 2017-00946 and 2019-00288), Stockholm, Sweden.
[EN] A simple, versatile and efficient methodology for the immobilization of chiral pybox systems has been developed by formation of a covalent bond between the pyridine ring and the insoluble support using copolymerization (polystyrene-pybox) or grafting (silica gel-pybox). The results indicated that the polymerised pybox offers a behaviour close to that of a homogeneous catalyst. This new route opens the way for the preparation of a range of different supported pybox-based catalysts for a wide variety of enantioselective reactions. ; [FR] Une méthodologie simple, polyvalente et efficace a été développée pour l'immobilisation de systèmes pybox chiraux au travers de la formation d'une liaison covalente entre l'anneau de pyridine et le support insoluble, en utilisant la copolymérisation (polystyrène-pybox) ou le greffage (silice-pybox). Les résultats indiquent que le comportement de la pybox polymérisée est très semblable à celui du catalyseur homogène. Cette nouvelle procédure ouvre la voie à la préparation d'un groupe de catalyseurs à base de pybox destinés à un large éventail de réactions énantiosélectives. ; This work was made possible by the generous financial support of the C.I.C.Y.T. (Project PPQ2002–04012) and of the Navarra Government (Res.5/2003). ; Peer reviewed
This project was supported by the National Funds through FCT – Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (UID/DTP/04045/2013) – the European Fund for Regional Development (FEDER) allocated by European Union through the COMPETE 2020 Programme (POCI - 01 - 0145 - FEDER - 006969) – competitiveness and internationalization (POCI). ; Warm - up is considered an essential part of the exercise and training performance, preventing injuries and optimising physical activity performances (Fradkin, Zazryn & Smolig, 2010). Not much is known about the effects of preparation activities on muscle performance, and, more specifically, on strength training performance (McGowan, Pyne, Thompson & Rattray, 2015). The current study aimed to verify the effect of two different intensities of specific warm - up in a full - squat training set.
The cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) trammel net fishery is one of the most important small-scale fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea. Here we describe the main catch, by-catch and discard patterns found in this fishery on Mallorca Island by onboard surveys of 1005 netting walls from 23 fishing trips. The number of items captured, their size and their subsequent use, i.e. kept for sale or discarded, were recorded. Furthermore, the immediate survival of the unwanted items (i.e. vitality state when the gear came on board) and the medium-term survival of a subsample were assessed. The cuttlefish was the dominant species in the commercial fraction of the catch, particularly during the fishing season peak (March). However, S. officinalis catches quickly decreased further into the season, with other high-value fish, such as Scorpaena scrofa, increasing in the commercial fraction of the catch. As species composition is continuously changing, it is often difficult to determine the main target species of this fishery. This strategy possibly complicates management but maximizes fishing revenue, which was an average of €175 per trip. With respect to discards, up to 104 different species were caught but not commercialized. The most abundant were Holothuria sp. and Torpedo marmorata. Their immediate survival was 100% and 20%, respectively. In both cases, the medium-term survival and the vitality status were high after seven days in monitored captivity. Therefore, in these cases, their immediate release to the sea should be promoted, given that they are exempt from the EU landing obligation. Interviews with fishers revealed that the perceived quantity of discards was lower than the amount recorded by the present study. Currently, just a small percentage (1.5%) of these discards will be affected by the landing obligation enforced by the new European discards ban. ; La pesquería de sepia (Sepia officinalis) con trasmallo es una de las pesquerías artesanales más importantes en el Mediterráneo. En este estudio describimos los principales patrones representados por esta pesquería en la isla de Mallorca a través de la inspección a bordo de 1005 paneles de red durante 23 jornadas de pesca. Se registró la cantidad de individuos capturados, su tamaño y su uso posterior, es decir, si se guardaron para su venta o se descartaron. Además, se evaluó la supervivencia inmediata (es decir, el estado de vitalidad cuando la red llegó a bordo) de los individuos no deseados y la supervivencia a medio plazo de una submuestra. La sepia fue la especie dominante en la fracción comercial de la captura, principalmente durante el pico de la temporada de pesca (marzo). Sin embargo, las capturas de S. officinalis disminuyeron rápidamente a lo largo de la temporada, mientras que otros peces de alto valor, como Scorpaena scrofa, aumentaron sus capturas. Como la composición de las especies cambia continuamente, a menudo es difícil discriminar las principales especies objetivo de esta pesquería. Esta estrategia posiblemente complica la gestión, pero maximiza los ingresos de los pescadores, que en promedio fueron de 175 Euros por jornada de pesca. En lo que respecta a los descartes, se capturaron 104 especies diferentes. Las más abundantes fueron Holothuria sp. y Torpedo marmorata. Su supervivencia inmediata fue del 100% y 20%, respectivamente. En ambos casos, la supervivencia a medio plazo y el estado de vitalidad fueron altos después de 7 días en cautividad. Por lo tanto, en estos casos, se debía promover la liberación inmediata al mar, dado que estas especies están exentas de la obligación de desembarque de la UE. Las entrevistas a los pescadores revelaron que la cantidad percibida de descartes fue menor que las cantidades registradas en el presente estudio. Realmente, solo un pequeño porcentaje (1.5%) de estos descartes se verá afectado por la obligación de desembarque impuesta por la nueva prohibición de descartes en Europa.
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the viral strain that has caused the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has presented healthcare systems around the world with an unprecedented challenge. In locations with significant rates of viral transmission, social distancing measures and enforced 'lockdowns' are the new 'norm' as governments try to prevent healthcare services from being overwhelmed. However, with these measures have come important challenges for the delivery of existing services for other diseases and conditions. The clinical care of patients with pituitary disorders typically involves a multidisciplinary team, working in concert to deliver timely, often complex, disease investigation and management, including pituitary surgery. COVID-19 has brought about major disruption to such services, limiting access to care and opportunities for testing (both laboratory and radiological), and dramatically reducing the ability to safely undertake transsphenoidal surgery. In the absence of clinical trials to guide management of patients with pituitary disease during the COVID-19 pandemic, herein the Professional Education Committee of the Pituitary Society proposes guidance for continued safe management and care of this population.
BACKGROUND: Early-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD), a marker of cardiovascular risk, is susceptible to therapeutic intervention but need further study in populations with low incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). Incorporating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) could improve cardiovascular risk prediction in these patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine if decreased GFR is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality and to analyse GFR effect on cardiovascular risk prediction in a population with low CHD incidence. METHODS: Retrospective, observational, population-based study of 1,081,865 adults (35-74years old). Main exposure variable: GFR. OUTCOMES: CHD, cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular diseases, all-cause mortality. Association between GFR categories of CKD (G1-G5) and outcomes was tested with Cox survival models. G1 was defined as the reference category. Predictive value of GFR was evaluated by integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) and net reclassification improvement (NRI) indices. RESULTS: Beginning at stage-3a CKD, increased risk was observed for coronary (HR 1.27 (95%CI 1.14-1.43)), cerebrovascular (HR 1.19 (95%CI 1.06-1.34)), cardiovascular (HR 1.23 (95%CI 1.13-1.34)) and all-cause mortality risk (HR 1.17 (95%CI 1.07-1.27)). GFR did not increase discrimination and reclassification indices significantly for any outcome. CONCLUSION: In general population with low CHD incidence and stage-3 CKD, impaired GFR was associated with increased risk of all cardiovascular diseases studied and all-cause mortality, but adding GFR values did not improve cardiovascular risk calculation. Despite a four-fold higher rate of CHD incidence at GFR G3a compared to G1, this represents moderate cardiovascular risk in our context. ; This project was supported by grants from the Spanish Government's 2011 Health Ministry call for clinical research proposals (EC11-349), the 2012 Ministry of Science and Innovation call through the Carlos III Health Institute (Net RD12/0005/0002), and the 2013 call from the Carlos III Health Institute for clinical research proposals related to the Health Strategic Action Plan, 2013–2016, under the Program on Research Related to Society's Challenges, within the framework of Spain's 2013–2016 Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation (PI13/01,511, co-funded by the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRD) of the European Union). Additional funding was provided by the 2012 IDIAP Jordi Gol scholarship call (9è ajut a l'impuls d'estratègies de recerca a l'atenció primària mitjançant la intensificació d'investigadors). M.G. is funded by a FEDER contract from Carlos III Health institute (FIS CP12/03287).
BACKGROUND: Evidence is lacking about the effectiveness of risk reduction interventions in patients with asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess whether statin therapy was associated with a reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and mortality in this population. METHODS: Data were obtained from 2006 through 2013 from the Catalan primary care system's clinical records database (SIDIAP). Patients age 35 to 85 years with an ankle-brachial index ≤0.95 and without clinically recognized cardiovascular disease (CVD) were included. Participants were categorized as statins nonusers or new-users (first prescription or represcribed after at least 6 months) and matched 1:1 by inclusion date and propensity score for statin treatment. Conditional Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to compare the groups for the incidence of MACE (myocardial infarction, cardiac revascularization, and ischemic stroke) and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The matched-pair cohort included 5,480 patients (mean age 67 years; 44% women) treated/nontreated with statins. The 10-year coronary heart disease risk was low (median: 6.9%). Median follow-up was 3.6 years. Incidence of MACE was 19.7 and 24.7 events per 1,000 person-years in statin new-users and nonusers, respectively. Total mortality rates also differed: 24.8 versus 30.3 per 1,000 person-years, respectively. Hazards ratios were 0.80 for MACE and 0.81 for overall mortality. The 1-year number needed to treat was 200 for MACE and 239 for all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Statin therapy was associated with a reduction in MACE and all-cause mortality among participants without clinical CVD but with asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease, regardless of its low CVD risk. The absolute reduction was comparable to that achieved in secondary prevention. ; This project was supported by clinical research grants from the Ministerio de Salud (EC10-84, EC10-83); Spain's Ministry of Science and Innovation through the Carlos III Health Institute, cofinanced with European Union ERDF funds (Network for Prevention and Health Promotion in primary Care RedIAPP RD12/0005, Programa HERACLES RD12/0042, and Miguel Servet Contract CP12/03287); and by the Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Agency for Health Technology Assessment (AATRM 034/33/02), and Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (2005SGR00577). Drs. Ramos and Garcia-Gil collaborate (without receiving any personal fee) in 2 projects of primary care for the institute IDIAP Jordi Gol funded by AstraZeneca and AMGEN that are unrelated to the present work. Dr. Marrugat has received lecture fees from Ferrer-in-Code; holds a patent with Gendiag SL; and has received payment for development of educational presentations from AstraZeneca.
