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Objectives This study aimed to investigate the impact of a multicomponent exercise programme on perceived health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and depressive symptomatology in older people living in a long-term nursing home (LTNH). Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted. Forty-one older people were conveniently selected from the largest LTNH in the Basque Country. The participants were assigned to either an intervention group (n = 21) or a control group (n = 20). The intervention group participated in 50-min moderate intensity multicomponent physical exercise sessions (strength and balance, three sessions a week for 3 months). The control group participants continued their usual activities in the LTNH. Assessments were completed at baseline and reassessed after the 12-week intervention by the same nurse researchers who filled out the questionnaires: the 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results Thirty-eight participants completed the study (19 participants in each group). In the SF-36 parameters, physical functioning increase in the intervention group tends with a mean increase of 11.06 units (a 17.2% increase over the pre). In the role-emotional, the increase in the intervention group is with a mean increase of 5.27 units (a 29.1% increase over the pre) (P < 0.05). In social functioning, the increase in the control group is significant with a mean increase of 13.16 units (a 15.4% increase over the pre) (P < 0.05). There are no significant changes in the rest of the parameters, there are no differences between groups in the evolutionary pattern either. Conclusions As for the effects of the multicomponent exercise programme on HRQoL and depressive symptomatology, no statistically significant effects were obtained in the outcome data among older adults living in LTNHs. An increase in the sample size could confirm the trends obtained. The results may help inform the design of future studies. Open Access funding provided by University of Basque Country.

Resumen La velocidad de diseminación del COVID-19 en el mundo llevó a que los países afectados cerraran sus fronteras y tomaran medidas de distanciamiento social. Después de seis meses de que la enfermedad fuera declarada pandemia, muchos países están tomaron medidas de flexibilización del aislamiento, aunque sin una vacuna o un medicamento capaz de enfrentar la infección por el SARS-CoV-2, la situación podría revertirse en cualquier momento. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue proponer un algoritmo de decisión tendiente a optimizar las detecciones de casos asintomáticos y administrar la cuarentena de una manera estratégica, para así evitar la diseminación del virus y tender hacia una normalidad administrada. Se elaboró una propuesta tentativa de optimización y ordenamiento de pruebas de detección del SARS-CoV-2, basada en el análisis de muestras compuestas reunidas a partir de aquellas tomadas de manera individual a personas asintomáticas que integran cohortes de interés. Se definieron cohortes según su función en la sociedad o grado de vulnerabilidad. El algoritmo contempla variables como la prioridad de la cohorte, el número de integrantes de los grupos de análisis dentro de cada cohorte, el contacto intragrupal e intergrupal, la vulnerabilidad al contagio por la actividad desarrollada y el tiempo transcurrido desde que se realizó la prueba por última vez. Se ilustró la propuesta con cohortes hipotéticas definidas, con un único grupo de análisis para simplificar, y se comprobó que la aplicación de la herramienta permite establecer de una manera racional un orden de prioridad para realizar las pruebas en grupos críticos de la sociedad. Esta herramienta permitirá optimizar recursos y disminuir el impacto de la enfermedad en la salud, la sociedad y la economía de una región. Abstract The rapid spread of COVID-19 throughout the world, has led most of the affected countries to close their borders and implement some form of lockdown. Six months after the pandemic started, many countries made decisions tending to relax the lockdown, although wit-hout a vaccine or treatment capable of confronting SARS-CoV-2 infection, the situation could be reversed at any time. In this context, the aim of this work was to propose a decision algorithm that will allow to optimize asymptomatic case detections and strategically manage quarantine to prevent the spread of the virus and drive the transition to a managed new normal. This tentative proposal was developed for optimizing and ordering the number of tests for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, analyzing composite samples (group analysis) combining with those samples individually taken from asymptomatic members of cohorts of interest. Cohorts were defined according to their critical role in society and/or their vulnerability. The algorithm includes variables such as cohort priority, number of cohort members in the analysis groups, intra-and intergroup contact, vulnerability to contagion due to the activity performed, and time elapsed since last testing. The proposed tool was illustrated with defined hypothetical cohorts, in which, for the sake of simplification, only one analysis group was considered. The application of this tool allowed to establish in a rational way a priority order to test critical groups in society. Furthermore, this tool would help to optimize resources, reducing the impact on a region’s health, society, and economy.

Resumen Introduccion Los objetivos del estudio fueron determinar las tasas de prevalencia brutas y ajustadas por edad y sexo de diabetes mellitus (DM), DM tipo 1 (DM1) y DM tipo 2 (DM2), y comparar la asociacion de factores de riesgo cardiovascular, enfermedades cardiovasculares, enfermedad renal cronica y enfermedades metabolicas entre las poblaciones con y sin DM. Metodos SIMETAP-DM es un estudio observacional transversal realizado en atencion primaria, con una muestra aleatoria de base poblacional de 10.579 adultos. Tasa de respuesta: 66%. Los diagnosticos de DM, DM1 y DM2 se basaron en criterios clinicos y bioquimicos y/o en la comprobacion de estos diagnosticos en las historias clinicas. Se determinaron las prevalencias brutas y ajustadas por edad y sexo (estandarizadas con la poblacion espanola). Resultados Las prevalencias brutas de DM1, DM2 y DM fueron del 0,87% (intervalo de confianza al 95% [IC 95%]: 0,67-1,13), el 14,7% (IC 95%: 13,9-15,6) y el 15,6% (IC 95%: 14,7-16,5), respectivamente. Las prevalencias ajustadas por edad y sexo de DM1, DM2 y DM fueron del 1,0% (1,3% para hombres y 0,7% para mujeres), el 11,5% (13,6% para hombres y 9,7% para mujeres) y el 12,5% (14,9% para hombres y 10,5% para mujeres), respectivamente. La prevalencia de DM en la poblacion ≥ 70 anos era el doble (30,3% [IC 95%: 28,0-32,7]) que en la poblacion entre 40 y 69 anos (15,3% [IC 95%: 14,1-16,5%]). La hipertension arterial, la enfermedad arterial periferica, el indice cintura-talla aumentado, la albuminuria, la enfermedad coronaria, la dislipidemia aterogenica y la hipercolesterolemia se asociaban con la DM. Conclusiones En el ambito de la atencion primaria espanola, las prevalencias ajustadas por edad de DM1, DM2 y DM en la poblacion adulta fueron del 1,0, el 11,5 y el 12,5%, respectivamente. Un tercio de la poblacion mayor de 70 anos padecia DM.

Exercise interventions improve physical fitness, cognitive and affective function, and quality of life among nursing home residents. However, little is known regarding the consequences of cessation of activity, or detraining. We analyzed physical fitness, physical activity level, cognitive function, quality of life, and loneliness during a 6-month observational follow-up after a 6-month randomized controlled trial in which nursing home residents performed either routine activities (control group) or group-based exercise (intervention group). The intervention group showed an important decline in most physical fitness and cognitive function parameters after a 6-month detraining period. These results highlight the importance of recreation as part of residents' care needs, and exercise should therefore be implemented continuously.

Objectives To determine the strength of the association between objectively and subjectively measured physical activity (PA) and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in a sample of older adults to assess which measure of PA is most appropriate for use in this population. Study design and outcome measures The study was a cross-sectional analysis of a community-dwelling sample aged 60 years or more (61 women and 34 men). Data collection included anthropometric measurements, blood analytics, and objective and subjective measurements of PA from accelerometers and Yale PA Survey questionnaires, respectively. Results Although the questionnaire indicated a higher summary index (total units) of PA in men than in women, objective measurements of total PA (mean counts per minute and steps per day) did not differ by sex. However, we obtained different results between women and men when we analyzed the relation between objective and subjective PA parameters and CVRF. In women, parameters that indicate cardiovascular risk, such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), glucose, and total cholesterol, negatively correlated with objective PA parameters, while HDLc positively correlated with objective PA parameters and negatively with subjective PA parameters. In men, BMI and WC were negatively correlated with objective PA parameters, while blood cholesterol, LDLc, and triglycerides negatively correlated with subjective PA parameters. Conclusions In women, it seems more appropriate to use objective methods to measure PA, while in men, objective and subjective methods seem to be complementary. Both methods of measurement, accelerometers and questionnaires, should be used simultaneously in research studies in older populations to establish precise relationships between PA and cardiovascular risk.

Aim To determine in the adult population the crude and the sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates of hypertriglyceridaemia (HTG) and to assess its association with cardiovascular risk factors, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. Methods Cross-sectional observational study conducted in Primary Care, with 6,588 adult study subjects, randomly selected on base-population. Patients had HTG if the triglyceride level was ≥150 mg/dL (≥1.7 mmol/L), or were on lipid-lowering therapy to lower triglyceride. Associations were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis, and crude and sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates were determined. Results The arithmetic and geometric means of triglyceride levels were respectively 120.5 and 104.2 mg/dL in global population, 135.7 and 116.0 mg/dL in men, and 108.6 and 95.7 mg/dL in women. The crude HTG prevalence rates were 29.6% in global population, 36.9% in men and 23.8% in women. The sex- and age-adjusted HTG prevalence rates were 27.0% in global population, 34.6% in men and 21.4% in women. The independent variables that were most associated with HTG were hypercholesterolemia (OR: 4.6), low HDL-C (OR: 4.1), hepatic steatosis (OR: 2.8), diabetes (OR: 2.0), and obesity. (OR: 1.9). Conclusions The means of triglyceride levels and HTG prevalence rates are intermediate between those of other national and international studies. A fifth of the female adult population and more than a third of the male population had HTG. The independent factors associated with HTG were hypercholesterolemia and low HDL-C, and the cardiometabolic variables diabetes, hepatic steatosis and obesity.

Introduction The aims of this study were to determine the crude age-and sex-adjusted prevalence rates of diabetes mellitus (DM), type 1 DM (DM1) and type 2 DM (DM2), and to compare the relationship with cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease and metabolic diseases among populations with and without DM. Methods SIMETAP-DM is a cross-sectional observational study conducted in a primary care setting, with a random population-based sample of 10,579 adults. Response rate: 66%. The diagnoses of DM, DM1 and DM2 were based on clinical and biochemical criteria and/or the checking of these diagnoses in medical records. The crude and age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rates (standardised with the Spanish population) were calculated. Results The crude prevalence rates of DM1, DM2 and DM were 0.87% (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.67–1.13), 14.7% (95% CI: 13.9–15.6) and 15.6% (95% CI: 14.7–16.5), respectively. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rates of DM1, DM2 and DM were 1.0% (1.3% for men and 0.7% for women), 11.5% (13.6% for men and 9.7% for women) and 12.5% (14.9% for men and 10.5% for women), respectively. The prevalence of DM in the population ≥70 years was double (30.3% [95% CI: 28.0–32.7]) that of the population between 40 and 69 years old (15.3% [95% CI: 14.1–16.5%]). Hypertension, peripheral arterial disease, increased weight-to-height ratio, albuminuria, coronary heart disease, atherogenic dyslipidaemia and hypercholesterolaemia were associated with DM. Conclusions In a Spanish primary care setting, the age-adjusted prevalences of DM1, DM2 and DM in the adult population were 1.0, 11.5 and 12.5%, respectively. A third of the population over 70 years old suffered from DM.

Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterized by decreasing functional reserves and increasing vulnerability to falls, injuries and declining health, leading to dependence upon caregivers. Frailty is associated not only with physical decline, but also with cognitive and psychological impairments in aging people. Higher serum adiponectin concentration has been linked to better performance on frailty measures but also to worse cognitive status. Nonetheless, several studies have proposed adiponectin as a frailty biomarker. To further delineate the relationship between adiponectin serum levels and frailty-related parameters, we studied a population of 112 long-term nursing home residents (aged 84.9 ± 6.7) and analyzed their serum adiponectin levels in conjunction with frailty-related parameters including body composition, physical fitness, cognitive function, psychological parameters and quality of life. Frailty was assessed following the Fried Frailty Criteria, the Clinical Frailty Scale and the Tilburg Frailty Indicator. In women, higher serum adiponectin levels were associated with lower body weight, body mass index, body fat mass, fat mass/height2, lean mass, lean mass/height2 and smaller waist circumference and hip circumference (p The results of our study show that adiponectin is linked to body composition, cognitive function and anxiety in long-term nursing home residents with differential relationships by sex. Further studies should be conducted to determine whether adiponectin is a valid and reliable frailty biomarker.

Objective To determine the implication of general physical activity and some specific sports in semen quality in men from infertile couples. Study design This is an observational study performed in men from infertile couples (n = 454). The interventions performed involved analyzing semen quality parameters according to 2010 WHO criteria and assessing physical activity by means of an International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Result(s) There was no association between different levels of general physical activity and semen parameters. We neither found association with running, cycling and racquet sports. Interestingly, people who practice weightlifting more than two hours per week presented significantly lower sperm concentration (linear coefficient = −24.80) and lower total sperm count (linear coefficient = −70.87) in comparison with participants that did not practice regular exercise. Conclusion(s) From a reproductive point of view, there does not seem to be any reason to recommend the increase or the decrease in general physical activity in males from infertile couples. However, additional studies are needed to investigate the relationship between weightlifting and sperm quality.

Introduction Few studies conducted in primary care setting report about age-adjusted prevalence rates of erectile dysfunction (ED). Aims of SIMETAP-ED study were to determine crude and age-adjusted prevalence rates of ED diagnosis, to compare these rates with other similar studies, and to compare prevalence rates of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), metabolic diseases and chronic kidney disease (CKD) between populations with and without ED. Methods Cross-sectional observational study conducted in primary care setting. Population-based random sample: 2934 adult men. Response rate: 66%. A clinical interview was conducted to diagnose ED using a question derived from ED definition. The medical records of patients were reviewed to identify their CVRF and diseases associated with ED. The age-adjustments were standardized to Spanish population. Results The prevalence rates of metabolic diseases, CVD, CVRF, and CKD in population with ED were higher than population without ED, highlighting the CVD. The crude prevalence of ED was 17.2% (95% confidence interval: 15.8•18.6). The age-adjusted prevalence rates of ED were 0.71% in men under 40 years, 12.4% in men over 18 years, 10.8% in men aged 40•69 years, 18.9% in men over 40 years, and 48.6% in men over 70 years. Conclusions SIMETAP-ED study showed association of ED with metabolic diseases, CKD, CVRF, and highlighting CVD. The age-adjusted prevalence of ED was 12.4% in adult men, 19% in men over 40 years, and almost 50% in men over 70 years.

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) belong to the seven transmembrane receptor superfamily that transduce signals via G proteins in response to external stimuli to initiate different intracellular signaling pathways which culminate in specific cellular responses. The expression of diverse GPCRs at the plasma membrane of human spermatozoa suggests their involvement in the regulation of sperm fertility. However, the signaling events downstream of many GPCRs in spermatozoa remain uncharacterized. Here, we selected the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) as a study model and applied phosphoproteomic approach based on TMT labeling and LC-MS/MS analyses. Quantitative coverage of more than 5000 proteins with over 3500 phosphorylation sites revealed changes in the phosphorylation levels of sperm-specific proteins involved in the regulation of the sperm fertility in response to a specific agonist of KOR, U50488H. Further functional studies indicate that KOR could be involved in the regulation of sperm fertile capacity by modulation of calcium channels. Our findings suggest that human spermatozoa possess unique features in the molecular mechanisms downstream of GPCRs which could be key regulators of sperm fertility and improved knowledge of these specific processes may contribute to the development of useful biochemical tools for diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

The aims of this work were to isolate microorganisms from vinasse (V) and black liquor (BL), by-products of alcohol and paper industries and to assess their potential as substrates to produce biosurfactants. Thirty-nine microorganisms, 19 from V (acidophilic, a1 to a19) and 20 from BL (alkaliphilic, b1 to b20) were isolated. A high- throughput method was design and set up for surface tension (γ) measurement. In the first screening, 15/39 strains were pre-selected for their capacity of γ reduction of media formulated with V and BL. A Student's t-test was applied to data obtained in the second screening, to search for significant differences among γ values reached in each production media and their respective sterile medium. Three acidophilic (a1, a5, a6) and 3 alkaliphilic (b1, b2, b17) significantly decreased the γ compared to the control (p < 0.05) after 5 days with 5% of substrate concentration. A BCindex was defined to assess biosurfactant capacity. The strains showed the following percentage of γ reduction: Lactobacillus rhamnosus a5 (34%), Bacillus safensis b1 (13%), Alkalihalobacillus halodurans b2 (10%) and Pichia cecembensis a6 (10%), Lactobacillus paracasei a1 (6%). The two strains that presented the best potential biosurfactant capacity and the greatest γ reduction when compared to the control (p-value) were Lactobacillus rhamnosus a5 (BCindex = 16.98, p = 0.007), and Bacillus safensis b1 (BCindex = 17.66, p = 0.003). These industrial by-products are a source of new super-producing strains and will be assess as economic substrates for biosurfactant production. Published version This research was funded by Research Projects from Agencia Nacional de Promoci ́on de la Investigaci ́on, el Desarrollo Tecnol ́ogico y la Innovaci ́on (Agencia I+D+i) (PICT 2017-1909) and from the Consejo de Investigaciones de la Universidad Nacional de Salta (Salta, Argentina) through Research Project PIE 2690. Mariano Rivero and Diego Gaston Sanguino-Jorquera are recipients of a doctoral fellowship from CONICET.

Background Ageism is studied extensively in community-dwelling older adults, but remains poorly understood in institutionalized older adults. Here, we compared the physical, psychological, and social variables associated with self-reported age-based biases in community-dwelling older adults and in those living in nursing homes (NHs). Material and methods Participants (n = 272) in this descriptive cross-sectional study lived in NHs (n = 126) or in their homes (n = 146), were 60 years or older, and had no cognitive or serious functional impairments. Those in NHs had been institutionalized for at least six months. The dependent variable was negative stereotypes toward aging (CENVE). We developed generalized linear models (GLMs) by place of residence and sex following the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment´s (CGA) methodology. Results There is a statistically significant relationship between negative stereotypes of aging and different multidimensional variables. These variables differ between institutionalized and non-institutionalized adults and between men and women. While some variables are non-modifiable (age and sex) others are potentially modifiable (educational level, participation in activities, length of NH stay, hand strength, autonomy, and depression). Conclusions This study compared, for the first time, levels of ageism in older people living in two different social environments. Because most of the significant variables are modifiable in both environments, our results provide a framework to combat this type of discrimination. Promising strategies include anti-ageism policies and laws, educational interventions, and increased intergenerational contact.

This study compared the effects of a capacitive-resistive electric transfer therapy (Tecar) and passive rest on physiological and biomechanical parameters in recreational runners when performed shortly after an exhausting training session.Randomized controlled crossover trial.University biomechanical research laboratory.Fourteen trained male runners MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physiological (running economy, oxygen uptake, respiratory exchange ratio, ventilation, heart rate, blood lactate concentration) and biomechanical (step length; stride angle, height, frequency, and contact time; swing time; contact phase; support phase; push-off phase) parameters were measured during two incremental treadmill running tests performed two days apart after an exhaustive training session.When running at 14 km/h and 16 km/h, the Tecar treatment group presented greater increases in stride length (p 0.001), angle (p 0.05) and height (p 0.001) between the first and second tests than the control group and, accordingly, greater decreases in stride frequency (p 0.05). Physiological parameters were similar between groups.The present study suggests that a Tecar therapy intervention enhances biomechanical parameters in recreational runners after an exhaustive training session more than passive rest, generating a more efficient running pattern without affecting selected physiological parameters.

To investigate the impact of a multicomponent exercise program on anthropometry, physical function, and physical activity on older adults living in long-term nursing homes (LTNH), we conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 112 participants aged 84.9 ± 6.9 years. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention (IG) or control group (CG). The IG participated in a 3-month multicomponent exercise intervention focused on strength, balance, stretching exercises, and walking recommendations. Subjects in the CG participated in routine activities. Analyses of outcome parameters were performed in the entire sample and in two subgroups, classified according to participants' physical function score at baseline. The group-by-time interaction, favoring the IG, was significant for the entire sample and for the participants in the low physical function subgroup for the following parameters: waist circumference, 30-s chair-stand, arm-curl, 8-ft timed up-and-go, SPPB score, gait speed, and Berg scale (p .05). In participants with higher physical function at baseline, significant group-by-time interaction was observed in the SPPB score and Berg scale (p .05). When differences were analyzed within groups, the IG maintained or improved in all assessed parameters, while participants in the CG showed a marked decline. Our study showed that a multicomponent exercise program is effective for older people living in LTNH. This is especially relevant in those with lower physical function scores. The lower efficacy of the program in participants with better function might be due to the insufficient exercise demands of our intervention for more fit residents. Future studies should analyze the effects of programs with higher intensities in older people with intermediate to high physical function.

Numerous studies have reported the benefits of physical exercise in older adults. However, studies performed in long-term nursing home (LTNH) residents are scarce. A literature search was conducted to identify physical exercise intervention studies that were randomized and controlled and that assessed gait ability in older LTNH residents using both walking speed and timed up-and-go (TUG) tests simultaneously. Together, these tests have been defined under the term “gait ability”; they are widely used to screen for impaired physical function, and can predict accelerated functional decline, difficulty with activities of daily living (ADL), falls, and disability in older adults. Multicomponent physical exercise programs are effective in improving or maintaining gait ability in older LTNH residents. The studies included in this review show substantial heterogeneity in terms of participant characteristics (age, baseline TUG performance, and walking speed), types of evaluated intervention (multicomponent and gait retraining programs), duration of the intervention (ranging from four weeks to 12 months), duration of physical exercise sessions (ranging from 30 min to 1 h), and exercise intensity (from 40% to 60–70% RM). Due to this heterogeneity, no firm conclusions can be drawn regarding the impact of exercise programs on gait ability in LTNH residents. However, the results of this review should encourage the gathering of additional evidence to support the use of multicomponent exercise programs by older individuals.

Lactate threshold is considered an essential parameter when assessing performance of elite and recreational runners and prescribing training intensities in endurance sports. However, the measurement of blood lactate concentration requires expensive equipment and the extraction of blood samples, which are inconvenient for frequent monitoring. Furthermore, most recreational runners do not have access to routine assessment of their physical fitness by the aforementioned equipment so they are not able to calculate the lactate threshold without resorting to an expensive and specialized centre. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to create an intelligent system capable of estimating the lactate threshold of recreational athletes participating in endurance running sports. The solution here proposed is based on a machine learning system which models the lactate evolution using recurrent neural networks and includes the proposal of standardization of the temporal axis as well as a modification of the stratified sampling method. The results show that the proposed system accurately estimates the lactate threshold of 89.52% of the athletes and its correlation with the experimentally measured lactate threshold is very high (R=0,89). Moreover, its behaviour with the test dataset is as good as with the training set, meaning that the generalization power of the model is high. Therefore, in this study a machine learning based system is proposed as alternative to the traditional invasive lactate threshold measurement tests for recreational runners., Comment: 33 pages, 16 figures