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Abstract Objectives We aimed to evaluate the activity of selinexor, an oral selective inhibitor of nuclear export, in patients with recurrent or metastatic salivary gland tumors (SGT). Methods GEMS‐001 is an open‐label Phase 2 study for patients with recurrent or metastatic SGT with two parts. In Part 1 of the protocol, patients had tumor samples profiled with targeted next generation sequencing as well as immunohistochemistry for androgen receptor, HER‐2 and ALK. For Part 2, patients with no targeted therapies available were eligible to receive selinexor 60 mg given twice weekly every 28 days. The primary endpoint was objective response rate. Secondary endpoints included progression‐free survival (PFS) and prevalence of druggable alterations across SGT. Results One hundred patients were enrolled in GEMS‐001 and underwent genomic and immunohistochemistry profiling. A total of 21 patients who lacked available matched therapies were treated with selinexor. SGT subtypes (WHO classification) included adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 10), salivary duct carcinoma (n = 3), acinic cell carcinoma (n = 2), myoepithelial carcinoma (n = 2), carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (n = 2) and other (n = 2). Of 18 evaluable patients, stable disease (SD) was observed in 17 patients (94%) (SD ≥6 months in 7 patients (39%)). However, no objective responses were observed. The median PFS was 4.9 months (95% confidence interval, 3.4–10). The most common treatment‐related Grade 1–2 adverse events were nausea [17 patients (81%)], fatigue [16 patients (76%)], and dysgeusia [12 patients (57%)]. Most common treatment‐related Grade 3–4 adverse events were hyponatremia [3 patients (14%)], neutrophil count decrease [3 patients (14%)] and cataracts [2 patients (10%)]. No treatment‐related deaths were observed. Conclusions Although tumor reduction was observed across participants, single agent selinexor anti‐tumor activity was limited.

Treatment options in patients with recurrent endometrial carcinoma (EC) are limited and response rates to chemotherapy are poor. Here the authors report the results of a phase II trial of niraparib (PARP inhibitor) monotherapy or in combination with dostarlimab (anti-PD1) in recurrent EC.

BackgroundPeople with spinal cord injury (SCI) report feeling unprepared to manage their disability upon discharge to the community. This situation is exacerbated when they return to settings where self-management support and resources are sparse, thus increasing the risk of costly secondary conditions and rehospitalizations. These factors make a compelling case for implementing innovative community-based SCI self-management programs that empower and engage individuals with SCI. Using a community-engaged research (CEnR) approach, we developed a peer-supported SCI self-management intervention, known as PHOENIX (Peer-supported Health Outreach, Education, and Information Exchange), which integrates online educational content and support from peer navigators (PNs) through telehealth, to promote health and community participation after SCI. ObjectiveThe objective of this pilot study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of PHOENIX and the study design, and to obtain estimates of the variability of relevant outcome measures. MethodsWe conducted a pilot randomized waitlist-controlled trial (n=30) in collaboration with the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association (SCSCIA), our long-standing community-based nonprofit organization research partner. We recruited 4 PNs through our SCSCIA collaboration using its existing network of trained peer mentors. Our study design supported comparison of the following 2 randomly assigned groups: PHOENIX intervention group and waitlist enhanced usual care (EUC) group. The PHOENIX intervention was administered online by PNs over 16 weeks through scheduled “video visits.” The EUC group participated in the study for 16 weeks with usual community services and no navigation, and received 4 monthly newsletters from the SCSCIA on a variety of SCI-relevant topics. At the end of the waitlist period, the waitlist EUC group received the full PHOENIX intervention. Measures of feasibility included PN and participant recruitment and retention, PN workload, protocol adherence, and incidence of technical issues. We conducted qualitative interviews with participants and PNs to evaluate the acceptability of PHOENIX and the study design. Outcome measures, including community participation, quality of life, and the occurrence and subjective impact of medically serious secondary conditions and rehospitalizations, were assessed at baseline after randomization and at subsequent time points to allow between-group comparisons. ResultsPN hiring and training were completed in August 2018. Recruitment began in November 2018. A total of 30 participants were recruited across South Carolina, and 28 participants completed follow-up by August 2020. An analysis of the results is being finalized, and the results are expected to be published in 2023. ConclusionsThis study will provide valuable information to guide future research seeking to address unmet self-management needs and improve outcomes in individuals with SCI. Feasibility findings of this study will provide evidence from CEnR guided by people with SCI and SCI service providers to inform further development, testing, and dissemination of effective and scalable self-management strategies for people with SCI. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR1-10.2196/42688

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by synovial hyperplasia and cartilage/bone destruction with systemic comorbidities. Despite advances in understanding the aetiology of RA and novel biologic drugs, a substantial number of individuals with RA remain intolerant or resistant to these therapies. In this context, mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC)-based therapy has emerged as an innovative therapeutic alternative to address unresolved treatment issues for patients with RA thanks to the immunomodulatory properties of these cells. The majority of preclinical studies in MSC-based therapy have been conducted using the well-known collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model however due to its low incidence, the mouse strain restriction and the prolonged induction phase of collagen-induced arthritis, alternative experimental models of RA have been developed such as K/BxN serum transfer-induced arthritis (STIA), which mimics many of human RA features. In this study, we evaluate whether the K/BxN STIA model could be used as an alternative model to study the immunomodulatory potential of MSC-based therapy. Unexpectedly, our data suggest that adipose-derived MSC-based therapy is unsuitable for modulating the progression of K/BxN serum-transfer arthritis in mice despite the various experimental parameters tested. Based on the differences in the immune status and monocytic/macrophage balance among the different arthritic models, these results could help to identify the cellular targets of the MSCs and, most importantly to predict the RA patients that will respond positively to MSC-based therapy.

ObjectivesThe objective of this systematic review was to assess associations between quantitative body composition measures extracted from imaging examinations and chemotherapy-related toxicity in pancreatic cancer patients. A secondary objective was to evaluate the different definitions of sarcopenia across included studies.MethodsThis systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. A comprehensive literature search of three electronic databases was performed by two authors. For each eligible article, information was collected concerning the clinical setting; basic study; population characteristics; technical; body composition features evaluated; CA 19.9 tumor marker levels; chemotherapy drugs administered; toxicities (hematologic, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, neuropathy, reduction of number of cycles, overall toxicity); association of body composition values with toxicities. The overall quality of the included studies was critically evaluated.ResultsAfter the initial retrieval of 1137 articles, the systematic review included 12 articles (1/12 in the neo-adjuvant setting; 2/12 in the adjuvant setting; 3/12 in the metastatic setting; 2/12 in the unresectable setting; the other 4/12 included more than one clinical setting). The number of patients included ranged between 17 and 251; mean/median age ranged between 63 and 77 years; the percentage of sarcopenic patients ranged between 23 and 76%. The most frequent body composition parameter evaluated was skeletal muscle index (11/12). Chemotherapy regimens included gemcitabine (as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs); FOLFIRINOX and S-1. Among the trials including gemcitabine, 2/9 demonstrated an association with toxicity, whereas 7/9 did not; among those including FOLFIRINOX, one demonstrated associated toxicity whereas the others did not. Altogether, 4/12 papers demonstrated an association between the body composition values and the development of chemotherapy-related toxicities.ConclusionsThere is a wide variability of results about the association of body composition and chemotherapy-related toxicity in PC patients. Furthermore, cut-off values to define sarcopenia in PC patients are not yet uniformly defined.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022337753, identifier CRD42022337753.

En este artículo se realiza un análisis sobre las condiciones sociales y productivas de las familias pertenecientes a tres asociaciones campesinas que surgen en el marco del conflicto armado, como propuestas comunitarias de resistencia pacífica y construcción de paz en Colombia. Los resultados cuantitativos de esta investigación se obtienen a través de un instrumento estructurado aplicado a 102 hogares pertenecientes a familias asociadas en el departamento de Santander y la zona del Magdalena Medio, seleccionados por muestreo aleatorio simple. Se destacan las ventajas sociales, educativas y productivas que estos modelos asociativos, surgidos como defensa ante el conflicto armado, brindan a sus familias y que pueden ser capitalizados como modelos productivos en el postconflicto. También se encontraron carencias en la asistencia estatal y dificultades en la formalización de la tenencia de la propiedad de la tierra y la comercialización de la producción.

Reinforcement Learning (RL) comes with the promise of automating network management. However, due to its trial-and-error learning approach, model-based RL (MBRL) is not applicable in some network management scenarios. This paper explores the potential of using Automated Planning (AP) to achieve this MBRL in the functional areas of network management. In addition, a comparison of several integration strategies of AP and RL is depicted. We also describe an architecture that realizes a cognitive management control loop by combining AP and RL. Our experiments evaluate on a simulated environment evidence that the combination proposed improves model-free RL but demonstrates lower performance than Deep RL regarding the reward and convergence time metrics. Nonetheless, AP-based MBRL is useful when the prediction model needs to be understood and when the high computational complexity of Deep RL can not be used.

Este artigo investiga a reescritura da corporeidade da mulher negra no romance Becos da memória, de Conceição Evaristo, publicado em 2006. Intenciona-se analisar a forma como o corpo e seus símbolos são representados no romance e como essas construções desestabilizam juízos morais e estereótipos que ancoram o corpo da mulher negra a um passado escravizado, criando novas territorialidades onde a subjetividade da mulher negra é visibilizada e valorizada.

Background The evaluation of the force in internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) of the shoulder is commonly used to diagnose possible pathologies or disorders in the glenohumeral joint and to assess patient’s status and progression over time. Currently, there is new technology of multiple joint isokinetic dynamometry that allows to evaluate the strength in the human being. The main purpose of this study was to determine the absolute and relative reliability of concentric and eccentric internal and external shoulder rotators with a functional electromechanical dynamometer (FEMD). Methods Thirty-two male individuals (21.46 ± 2.1 years) were examined of concentric and eccentric strength of shoulder internal and external rotation with a FEMD at velocities of 0.3 m s−1 and 0.6 m s−1. Relative reliability was determined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Absolute reliability was quantified by standard error of measurement (SEM) and coefficient of variation (CV). Systematic differences across velocities testing circumstances, were analyzed with dependent t tests or repeated-measures analysis of variance in case of 2 or more than 2 conditions, respectively. Results Reliability was high to excellent for IR and ER on concentric and eccentric strength measurements, regardless of velocity used (ICC: 0.81–0.98, CV: 5.12–8.27% SEM: 4.06–15.04N). Concentric outcomes were more reliable than eccentric due to the possible familiarization of the population with the different stimuli. Conclusion All procedures examined showed high to excellent reliability for clinical use. However, a velocity of 0.60 m s−1 should be recommended for asymptomatic male patients because it demands less time for evaluation and patients find it more comfortable.

We hypothesized that WNT5A could contribute to the enhanced migration and invasiveness of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA FLS), which is one of the incompletely understood aspects of the RA FLS aggressive phenotype. This hypothesis is based on the previous evidence of a WNT5A role in both, RA and cell migration. Migration and invasion of RA FLS were assessed after incubation with recombinant Wnt5a (rWnt5a) or silencing of the endogenous WNT5A expression. The expression of WNT5A, WNT receptors, cytokines, chemokines, and metalloproteinases was quantified with RT-PCR. The WNT pathway was explored with gene silencing, antibody and pharmacological inhibition followed by migration assays and phosphoprotein western blots. Here, we reported that rWnt5a promoted migration and invasion of RA FLS, whereas knockdown of the endogenous WNT5A reduced them. These effects were specific to the RA FLS since they were not observed in FLS from osteoarthritis (OA) patients. Also, rWnt5a induced the expression of IL6, IL8, CCL2, CXCL5, MMP1, MMP3, MMP9, and MMP13 from baseline or potentiating the TNF induction, WNT5A signaling required the RYK receptor and was mediated through the WNT/Ca2+ and the ROCK pathway. These pathways involved the RYK and ROCK dependent activation of the p38, ERK, AKT, and GSK3β kinases, but not the activation of JNK. Together these findings indicate that WNT5A contributes to the enhanced migration and invasiveness of RA FLS through RYK and the specific activation of ROCK and downstream kinases.

Este artigo analisa o trânsito da protagonista transexual Shirley Marlone no romance Deixei ele lá e vim (2006), de Elvira Vigna, por diversos espaços sociais, simbólicos e geográficos da cidade. De modo específico investigamos como essa representação permite ao leitor mapear relações de espacialidade e invisibilidade de pessoas transexuais. Defendemos que essas topografias literárias desenhadas pela autora trazem à tona lacunas e distorções de discursos hegemônicos sobre aqueles que transgridem as fronteiras do gênero e da sexualidade. Ao fazê-lo, a autora desestabiliza categorias essencializadas sobre os corpos e sujeitos, criando novos territórios simbólicos onde mulher transexual e suas experiências são visibilizadas e valorizadas.

Aim To determine the absolute and relative reliability of functional trunk tests, using a functional electromechanical dynamometer to evaluate the isokinetic strength of trunk flexors and to determine the most reliable assessment condition, in order to compare the absolute and relative reliability of mean force and peak force of trunk flexors and to determine which isokinetic condition of evaluation is best related to the maximum isometric. Methods Test-retest of thirty-seven physically active male student volunteers who performed the different protocols, isometric contraction and the combination of three velocities (V1 = 015 m s−1 , V2 = 0.30 m s−1, V3 = 0.45 m s−1) and two range of movement (R1 = 25% cm ; R2 = 50% cm) protocols. Results All protocols to evaluate trunk flexors showed an absolute reliability provided a stable repeatability for isometric and dynamic protocols with a coefficient of variation (CV) being below 10% and a high or very high relative reliability (0.69 < intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] > 0.86). The more reliable strength manifestation (CV = 6.82%) to evaluate the concentric contraction of trunk flexors was mean force, with 0.15 m s−1 and short range of movement (V1R1) condition. The most reliable strength manifestation to evaluate the eccentric contraction of trunk flexors was peak force, with 0.15 m s−1 and a large range of movement (V1R2; CV = 5.07%), and the most reliable way to evaluate isometric trunk flexors was by peak force (CV = 7.72%). The mean force of eccentric trunk flexor strength with 0.45 m s−1 and short range of movement (V3R1) condition (r = 0.73) was best related to the maximum isometric contraction. Conclusion Functional electromechanical dynamometry is a reliable evaluation system for assessment of trunk flexor strength.

Realizing autonomic management control loops is pivotal for achieving self-driving networks. Some studies have recently evidence the feasibility of using Automated Planning (AP) to carry out these loops. However, in practice, the use of AP is complicated since network administrators, who are non-experts in Artificial Intelligence, need to define network management policies as AP-goals and combine them with the network status and network management tasks to obtain AP-problems. AP planners use these problems to build up autonomic solutions formed by primitive tasks that modify the initial network state to achieve management goals. Although recent approaches have investigated transforming network management policies expressed in specific languages into low-level configuration rules, transforming these policies expressed in natural language into AP-goals and, subsequently, build up AP-based autonomic management loops remains unexplored. This paper introduces a novel approach, called NORA, to automatically generate AP-problems by translating Goal Policies expressed in natural language into AP-goals and combining them with both the network status and the network management tasks. NORA uses Natural Language Processing as the translation technique and templates as the combination technique to avoid network administrators to learn policy languages or AP-notations. We used a dataset containing Goal Policies to evaluate the NORA’s prototype. The results show that NORA achieves high precision and spends a short-time on generating AP-problems, which evinces NORA aids to overcome barriers to using AP in autonomic network management scenarios.

Performance in handball comes from a complex combination of specific skills. Throwing speed is considered the most relevant action of a team’s offensive game. The main objectives of this investigation were two, firstly, to determine if there are differences between the throwing speed in training and the throwing speed in competition, and secondly, to determine the anthropometric and conditional variables that have the greatest influence on the effective speed during a competition. The 14 junior players of the Portuguese national team who participated in the Junior World Championship were assessed through a countermovement jump test, their anthropometric variables were measured, they were assessed by dynamometry, and their maximum throwing speeds in training without a goalkeeper, with a goalkeeper. And during the eight games played in the championship were the maximum recorded speed of the throws that resulted in goals was selected for each player. One-way repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to compare the effect of player interaction (no interaction, interaction with goalkeeper, interaction with all other players in competition) on ball velocity. Approximately 77% of the effective speed (the speed at which a player scores a goal during a match) was explained by the speed of throws in support from 9 metres, with no goalkeeper, and the circumference of the flexed arm. The players did not achieve their maximum throwing speed during the competition. The throwing speed during competition was strongly correlated with the flexed arm girth and throwing speed without the goalkeeper in training (factors that can be modified by training).

Background Systematizing reliable protocols and procedures for strength assessment in handball has allowed for a more thorough kinetic analysis and increased precision in detecting training-induced changes in muscular strength. The evaluation of upper limb strength with a bilateral standing press (BSP) exercise in handball players approximates blocking actions in the defensive phase, pushing and fixation. Aim The aim of this study was to analyze the relative and absolute reliability of intra-session comparisons in an isometric peak muscle strength protocol in a bilateral standing press (BSP) exercise among female handball players. Methods Sixteen young female handball players at an international level, aged between 22 ± 4 years, with no prior experience in using functional electromechanical dynamometers (FEMD) participated in this study. The participants initiated the assessment of maximum isometric force in a bipedal stance with a forward projection of the dominant foot between 20 and 30 cm. The knees were kept semi-flexed, and the hip extension of the non-dominant limb ranged from 15 to 20°. Bilateral anterior push of the upper limb was performed with shoulder abduction and elbow flexion at 90°, maintaining a pronated hand position. Participants were instructed to exert three sets of maximal force for 5 s in BSP exercise. Relative reliability was assessed using the model intraclass correlation (ICC) and absolute reliability was assessed using the coefficient of variation (CV) and standard error of measurement (SEM). For this study, the parameters of maximum and mean muscle strength were considered. Results The results demonstrated high relative reliability (ICC 0.93–0.97) and absolute reliability (SEM 0.19–2.79) y (CV 4.78–9.03) for both mean force and peak force, with no significant differences between the sets (p > 0.05), indicating a negligible effect size (0.01−0.12). Conclusion The mean and peak isometric muscle strength for the BSP exercise controlled with FEMD in female handball players exhibits high relative and absolute reliability between series.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurological condition with a wide range of symptoms, including visual disturbances, headache, vomiting, seizures, and altered consciousness. This review describes the pathophysiology of PRES, as well as the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic intervention during pregnancy. The gold standard for diagnosis of PRES is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), helping to differentiate it from other similar conditions. The aim of this paper is to review the principal aspects of PRES, general care, blood pressure control, and seizures prevention while avoiding potential injuries to the mother and fetus in the event of pregnancy. We concluded that PRES can be effectively treated and reversed if prompt diagnostic action is made, and adequate care is initiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of sports performance, sports medicine, and physical rehabilitation, there is a great interest in the development of protocols and reliable techniques and instruments for the evaluation of strength produced by athletes. In the last ten years, women’s football has increased its popularity and participation in numerous countries, which has contributed to players developing more professionally and requiring more specific muscle strength training to improve their performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the absolute and relative test–retest reliabilities of peak muscle strength in knee flexion (FLE) and extension (EXT) controlled using a functional electromechanical dynamometer (FEMD) in a group of seventeen professional female soccer players (age = 18.64 ± 0.62 years; weight = 54.72 ± 7.03 kg; height = 1.58 ± 0.04 m; BMI = 21.62 ± 2.70 kg/m2). Peak muscle strength was measured with knee flexion (FLE) and extension (EXT) movements at a speed of 0.4 m·s−1 unilaterally in a concentric phase (CON) and an eccentric phase (ECC). No significant mean differences were found in the test–retest analysis (p > 0.05; effect size < 0.14), and high reliability was reported for peak muscle strength assessments in both the CON (ICC) = 0.90–0.95) and the ECC (ICC = 0.85–0.97). Furthermore, stable repeatability was presented for extension in the CON (CV = 7.39–9.91%) and ECC (CV = 8.65–13.64). The main findings of this study show that peak muscle strength in knee flexion and extension in CON and ECC is a measure with acceptable absolute reliability and extremely high relative reliability using the FEMD in professional female soccer players.

Aims: To determine the intrasession and intersession reliability of the isometric force at three different starting block positions, to compare the intrasession and intersession reliability of the peak and average isometric force of three different starting block positions, and to compare the intrasession and intersession reliability of three different starting block positions. Methods: Eighteen male college students participated in this study. A repeated measures design was used to evaluate the intrasession and intersession reliability of isometric force in three different starting block positions. Results: Very high and extremely high reliability of the average and peak isometric force of the three positions of the starting blocks were obtained, with ICC ranging from 0.63 to 0.91 and a CV close to 10%. Peak force was able to determine the outcomes of the bilateral position with higher reliability than the mean force, and the dominant was the most reliable position for assessing the starting blocks. Conclusion: The functional electromechanical dynamometer can be used with a high level of reliability to assess the force exerted in the starting blocks.

This study aimed to determine the absolute and relative reliability of concentric and eccentric flexion, extension, horizontal abduction, and adduction movements of the shoulder using a functional electromechanical dynamometer (FEMD). Forty-three active male university students (23.51 ± 4.72 years) were examined for concentric and eccentric strength of shoulder flexion, extension, horizontal abduction, and horizontal adduction with an isokinetic test at 0.80 m·s−1. Relative reliability was determined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with 95% confidence intervals. Absolute reliability was quantified by the standard error of measurement (SEM) and coefficient of variation (CV). Reliability was very high to extremely high for all movements on concentric and eccentric strength measurements (ICC: 0.76–0.94, SEM: 0.63–6.57%, CV: 9.40–19.63%). The results of this study provide compelling evidence for the absolute and relative reliability of concentric and eccentric flexion, extension, horizontal abduction, and horizontal adduction shoulder isokinetic strength tests in asymptomatic adults. The mean concentric force was the most reliable strength value for all tests.

Objetivo. Estudiar la relación entre la fuerza de dos ejercicios específicos de balonmano (test del martillo y test de un paso) y la velocidad de lanzamiento en apoyo. Métodos. Trece jugadores españoles de balonmano de élite fueron evaluados (28.77 ± 4.81 años, 90.19 ± 13.07 kg y 1.86 ± 0.10 m) durante la pretemporada. Se realizó un día de familiarización con los test de lanzamiento y de fuerza con Dinamometría Electromecánica Funcional (DEMF). Una semana después, se realizaron las evaluaciones de fuerza específica de tren superior e inferior (test del martillo y test de un paso) y de velocidad de lanzamiento. Resultados. Se encontraron (i) relaciones significativas entre la velocidad máxima de lanzamiento y la fuerza isométrica media del ejercicio de martillo unilateral con el brazo dominante (r = 0.548, p = 0.05), y (ii) relaciones significativas entre la velocidad máxima de lanzamiento y el paso con la pierna dominante (r = 0.628, p = 0.02). Conclusión. El entrenamiento con situaciones cercanas a las condiciones reales del juego se relaciona positivamente en el proceso de mejora del rendimiento del jugador de balonmano. Por lo tanto, utilizar dispositivos que permitan evaluar y entrenar a la vez en situaciones específicas es algo que debería extenderse entre los profesionales del deporte.

The main purposes of this study were to determine the absolute and relative reliability of two-step test (TST) with a functional electromechanical dynamometer (FEMD) in the evaluation of body displacement velocity. Sixteen physically active male handball players volunteers (age 21.4 ± 2.1 years) participated in this study. A repeated-measurement design was used to evaluate body displacement velocity with 15% and 30% of body weight overload (BWO). The mean velocity of the three highest repetitions and the peak velocity for the concentric contractions were taken to calculate the body displacement velocity. Reliability was assessed by t-tests of paired samples with the effect size (ES), the coefficient of variation (CV), standard error of measurement (SEM), and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), with 95% confidence intervals. The absolute reliability provided stable repeatability for the 15% BWO protocol for mean velocity and for peak velocity in both protocols, with CV being below 10% in nearly all instances. The relative reliability of different velocity protocols to evaluate mean and peak velocity was acceptable (ICCs between 0.48 and 0.79). TST has acceptable reliability for the evaluation of the body displacement velocity in handball players using a FEMD.

ABSTRACTBackground: Like many developing countries, Colombia faces difficulties in financing health-care services as well as programs for health promotion and health education and there is evidence that its health-care system is underperforming.Objective: To provide evidence-based estimates of potential funding levels and assess the strengths, weaknesses, and viability of innovative funding mechanisms with a focus on treating rare diseases in Colombia.Methods: The strategy involved evidence-based projections of potential funding levels and a qualitative viability assessment using an expert panel.Results: Crowdfunding, corporate donation, and social impact bonds (SIBs) were deemed to be the most viable of numerous potential strategies. Expected funding levels over 10 years for rare diseases in Colombia from crowdfunding, corporate donations, and SIBs were roughly $7,200, $23,000, and $12,400, respectively.Conclusions: Based on the combination of projected funding potential along with expert consensus regarding viability and operability, crowdfunding, corporate donations, and SIBs, especially in combination, have the potential to substantially improve funding for vulnerable patient populations in Colombia.

The purposes were to synthesize as much scientific evidence as possible to determine the effect of core training on balance, throwing/hitting velocity or distance, and jumping in healthy subjects, identify the possible differences between isolated and combined core training on performance and study training and sample variables related to performance. PRISMA guidelines were followed, and a systematic search was performed in the Scopus, Web of Science, Sports Discuss, and PubMed databases with no date restrictions until November 2022. The studies were considered for this meta-analysis following PICO; a) randomized control trials and randomized allocation studies with healthy subjects and > 12 years old b)isolated or combined core training programs with a minimum of 4 weeks in length; c) athletic performance outcomes for balance, throw/hit, and jump variables should be measured; d) sufficient data to calculate effect sizes. The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach were used for assessing methodological quality. A total of 3223 studies were identified, 22 studies were included in the systematic review and 21 for the meta-analysis. We observed that core training improved balance outcomes (ES = 1.17; p < 0.0001), throwing/hitting velocity (ES = 0.30; p = 0.14), throwing/hitting distance (ES = 3.42; p = 0.03), vertical jumping (ES = 0.69; p = 0.0003), and horizontal jump (ES = 0.84; p = 0.01). Our findings indicate that core training improved different variables of performance such as balance, throw/hit, and vertical and horizontal jump.

Among the dominant imaginary of territories of poverty, the favela has been the chosen space to allocate symbols of a failed modernity, transforming its residents into species that embrace violent representations. Although reductive representations abound in Brazilian literature, an effort is currently underway to change pre-existing discourses of the favelas and the "periferias," as well as on the residents people of these places. This article investigates how Conceição Evaristo's novel Becos da memória (2006) contrasts the homogeneous discourse in relation to the favelas and marginalized groups, and how her new constructions destabilize moral judgments and stereotypes that anchor the black body to an enslaved past, creating new territorialities where the subjectivity of black women and men is seen and valued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of different drying methods (freeze drying, vacuum drying, infrared drying, convective drying, and sun drying) on the biological properties of berries from the Chilean murta (Ugni molinae Turcz) shrub. Physical-chemical properties (proximal composition, dietary fiber, sugars) were determined. Total phenolic content through the method of Folin-Ciocalteau, the profile of phenol compounds was determined by HPLC, and antioxidant potential by DPPH and ORAC assays were also evaluated. The topic anti-inflammatory effect was evaluated by mice´s ear edema, and in vitro anti-tumoral activity was tested by MTT assay. The chemical properties of dried berries differed significantly based on the drying method: freeze-dried murta berries showed increased total phenolic content extracted over fresh and dried samples. In addition, this lyophilized extract stood out in its antioxidant potential, in both assays evaluated (DPPH and ORAC), compared to the other drying methods. Notwithstanding, vacuum- and infrared-dried murta also showed a higher ORAC value. Antioxidant potential was significantly associated with phenolic compounds catechin and pyrogallol, which were the most abundant phenolic compounds present in all samples. The anti-inflammatory activity was most effective under freeze-drying and vacuumdrying conditions. Moreover, vacuum drying and infrared drying best preserved the anti-tumoral effect on cancer cells.

Irreversible inhibition of the enzyme type I dehydroquinase (DHQ1), a promising target for anti-virulence drug development, has been explored by enhancing the electrophilicity of specific positions of the ligand towards covalent lysine modification. For ligand design, we made use of the advantages offered by the intrinsic acid-base properties of the amino substituents introduced in the quinate scaffold, namely compounds 6–7 (R configuration at C3), to generate a potential leaving group, as well as the recognition pattern of the enzyme. The reactivity of the C2–C3 bond (Re face) in the scaffold was also explored using compound 8. The results of the present study show that replacement of the C3 hydroxy group of (–)-quinic acid by a hydroxyamino substituent (compound 6) provides a time-dependent irreversible inhibitor, while compound 7, in which the latter functionality was substituted by an amino group, and the introduction of an oxirane ring at C2–C3 bond, compound 8, do not allow covalent modification of the enzyme. These outcomes were supported by resolution of the crystal structures of DHQ1 from Staphylococcus aureus (Sa-DHQ1) and Salmonella typhi (St-DHQ1) chemically modified by 6 at a resolution of 1.65 and 1.90 Å, respectively, and of St-DHQ1 in the complex with 8 (1.55 Å). The combination of these structural studies with extensive molecular dynamics simulation studies allowed us to understand the molecular basis of the type of inhibition observed. This study is a good example of the importance of achieving the correct geometry between the reactive center of the ligand (electrophile) and the enzyme nucleophile (lysine residue) to allow selective covalent modification. The outcomes obtained with the hydroxyamino derivative 6 also open up new possibilities in the design of irreversible inhibitors based on the use of amino substituents.

Abstract During the last decades, the incorporation of beneficial microorganisms in agriculture crop management has become a common practice. Seed coating of these microorganisms still faces technical issues, which limit its implementation in conventional agriculture. An adaption to widely established agricultural practices, e.g. fertigation, could help to overcome these issues. Here, using Bacillus velezensis strain BBC047, we show the influence of the crop phenological stages on the efficiency and success of microbial inoculation under agricultural conditions. In the commercial nursery, strain BBC047 improved growth in a variety of horticulture crops like basil, cabbage, tomato and bell pepper, the latter with the strongest effects in strengthening and accelerating the seedling growth (root and aerial biomass). For a field trial under productive conditions, different application strategies were compared, using bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) as crop under fertigation: conventional management (T1), application to the seedling (only nursery, T2), only post-transplant application (field, T3) and a combination of both (T4). In T2 and T4, the post-transplantation survival rate (p 100%). Applications of BBC047 post-transplantation (T3) caused a lower increase in productivity (25%). Fruits from all three application strategies contained significantly more Vitamin C. We conclude that in conventional agriculture, the applications of PGPR inoculants to early crop phenological stages like nurseries are a viable alternative for the efficient use of PGPR inoculants. In comparison, a late introduction of a PGPR reduces its beneficial effect on crop productivity. We highlight that an appropriate timing in the use of PGPR inoculants is crucial for product development and success in sustainable agriculture.

Background: Trunk rotator strength plays an important role in sports performance and health. A reliable method to assess these muscles with functional electromechanical dynamometer has not been described. Therefore, the objectives of this paper were (I) to explore the reliability of different strength variables collected in isokinetic and isometric conditions during two trunk rotator exercises, and (II) to determine the relationship of isometric and dynamic strength variables collected in the same exercise. Methods: A repeated measures design was performed to evaluate the reliability of the horizontal cable woodchop (HCW) and low cable woodchop (LCW) exercises. Reliability was assessed using t-tests of paired samples for the effect size, the standard error of measurement, the coefficient of variation (CV) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The Pearson’s (r) correlation coefficient was used to explore the association between isometric and isokinetic tests. Results: HCW exercise is more reliable than LCW exercise in assessing trunk rotator muscles. The strength manifestation that should be used is the average strength, and the most reliable evaluation was the HCW at 0.40 m·s−1 concentric (ICC = 0.89; CV = 10.21%) and eccentric (ICC = 0.85; CV = 9.33%) contraction and the dynamic condition that most correlated with the isometric was LWC at 0.50 m·s−1 (r = 0.83; p < 0.01). Conclusion: HCW is a reliable exercise to measure trunk rotator muscles.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common chronic inflammatory disease affecting primarily peripheral joints, which is only partially controlled with current treatments. RA leads to pain, disability, deformities, and life expectancy shortening. Its pathogenesis is complex involving multiple cell types and signaling pathways that we incompletely understand. One of the pathways we have elucidated starts with WNT5A signaling and contributes to the aggressive phenotype of the RA synoviocytes through RYK-RhoA/ROCK signaling. Now, we have explored the contribution of ROCK to arthritis in vivo, using the K/BxN serum-transfer arthritis model; and to osteoclastogenesis, using the arthritis model and cells from patients with inflammatory arthritis. The mice and cells were treated with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 that caused a significant improvement of arthritis and reduction of osteoclastogenesis. The improvement in mouse arthritis was observed in the clinical evaluation and, histologically, in synovial inflammation, cartilage damage, bone erosion, and the abundance of multinucleated TRAP+ cells. Expression of inflammatory mediators in the arthritic joints, as assessed by real-time PCR, was also significantly reduced. The effect on bone was confirmed with in vitro assays using bone marrow precursors of arthritic mice and peripheral blood monocytes of patients with inflammatory arthritis. These assays showed dramatically reduced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Overall, our findings suggest that ROCK inhibition could be part of a therapeutic strategy for RA by its dual action on inflammation and bone erosion.

Introduction: The population is susceptible to COVID-19 and knowing the most predominant characteristics and comorbidities of those affected is essential to diminish its effects. Objective: This study analyzed the biological, social and clinical risk factors for mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the district of Trujillo, Peru. Methods: A descriptive type of study was made, with a quantitative approach and a correlational, retrospective, cross-sectional design. Data was obtained from the Ministry of Health’s database, with a sample of 64 patients from March to May 2020. Results: 85,71% of the total deceased are male, the most predominant occupation is Retired with an 28,57% incidence, and an average age of 64,67 years. When it came to symptoms of deceased patients, respiratory distress represents the highest percentage of incidence with 90,48%, then fever with 80,95%, followed by malaise in general with 57,14% and cough with 52,38%. The signs that indicated the highest percentage in deaths were dyspnea and abnormal pulmonary auscultation with 47,62%, in Comorbidities patients with cardiovascular disease were found in 42,86% and 14,29% with diabetes. The logistic regression model to predict mortality in hospitalized patients allowed the selection of risk factors such as age, sex, cough, shortness of breath and diabetes. Conclusion: The model is adequate to establish these factors, since they show that a fairly considerable percentage of explained variation would correctly classify 90,6% of the cases.

RESUMEN Objetivos: Sintetizar y analizar la evidencia disponible sobre la eficacia de las intervenciones multicomponente encaminadas a la promoción de la actividad física en personas mayores de 65 años residentes en la comunidad. Metodología: Revisión sistemática de ensayos clínicos aleatorizados. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de artículos publicados en inglés y castellano en Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CUIDEN y CINAHL, desde 2007 a 2017, que indagaran sobre la eficacia de las intervenciones multicomponente para promover la actividad física. La selección de estudios elegibles se realizó por duplicado y de forma independiente según los criterios establecidos, consensuando posteriormente los resultados. Se encontraron 1320 estudios, de los cuales 6 cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Se siguió la declaración PRISMA. La calidad de los artículos fue evaluada con la escala de JADAD y el riesgo de sesgo con el instrumento de la Colaboración Cochrane. Resultados: Aunque la mayoría de las intervenciones que utilizaron tecnologías o su combinación con sesiones educativas mejoraron la actividad física, el funcionamiento físico y las conductas de salud, ciertos estudios no confirman que las intervenciones promovieran la actividad física. Conclusiones: Existe cierta controversia sobre la eficacia de las intervenciones multicomponente. A pesar de lo anterior, incorporar tecnologías de la información y la comunicación y su combinación con las sesiones educativas mejora la actividad física en personas mayores y las tasas de adherencia a las intervenciones. Futuros estudios deben indagar en los factores asociados al éxito de las intervenciones.

Background: A method to assess the influence of sex and side testing on trunk rotator muscles has not been described. The purpose was to analyze the influence of sex and dominant and non-dominant sides (DS-NDS) on the reliability of two trunk rotator exercises and to study the relationship between the DS-NDS of two trunk rotator strength exercises. Methods: The reliability of the horizontal cable woodchop (HCW) and low cable woodchop (LWC) exercises was studied using a test-retest design with 51 physically active students. Isokinetic and isometric strength were assessed with a functional electromechanical dynamometer. Results: There were significant differences in reliability between male and female HCW and no significant differences in reliability between the average of the DS-NDS in HCW and LCW. There were no significant differences between the DS-NDS in the sex of HCW, and the strength of the two exercises showed no significant differences except for two conditions assessed. Very large to extremely large correlations were observed between sides in the strength of two exercises (r = 0.71–0.91). Conclusions: This test is handy for physical trainers or coaches to know the strength of the trunk rotators of their athletes.

Neuregulin 1 (NRG1) and its receptor ERBB4 are schizophrenia (SZ) risk genes that control the development of both excitatory and inhibitory cortical circuits. Most studies focused on the characterization ErbB4 deficient mice. However, ErbB4 deletion concurrently perturbs the signaling of Nrg1 and Neuregulin 3 (Nrg3), another ligand expressed in the cortex. In addition, NRG1 polymorphisms linked to SZ locate mainly in non-coding regions and they may partially reduce Nrg1 expression.Here, to study the relevance of Nrg1 partial loss-of-function in cortical circuits we characterized a recently developed haploinsufficient mouse model of Nrg1 (Nrg1tm1Lex). These mice display SZ-like behavioral deficits. The cellular and molecular underpinnings of the behavioral deficits in Nrg1tm1Lex mice remain to be established.With multiple approaches including Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), electrophysiology, quantitative imaging and molecular analysis we found that Nrg1 haploinsufficiency impairs the inhibitory cortical circuits. We observed changes in the expression of molecules involved in GABAergic neurotransmission, decreased density of Vglut1 excitatory buttons onto Parvalbumin interneurons and decreased frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Moreover, we found a decreased number of Parvalbumin positive interneurons in the cortex and altered expression of Calretinin. Interestingly, we failed to detect other alterations in excitatory neurons that were previously reported in ErbB4 null mice suggesting that the Nrg1 haploinsufficiency does not entirely phenocopies ErbB4 deletions.Altogether, this study suggests that Nrg1 haploinsufficiency primarily affects the cortical inhibitory circuits in the cortex and provides new insights into the structural and molecular synaptic impairment caused by NRG1 hypofunction in a preclinical model of SZ.

Introducción. En las hernias paraesofágicas tipo IV se produce la herniación del estómago junto a otros órganos abdominales. La herniación del páncreas es muy infrecuente. Caso clínico. Varón de 57 años que acude por dolor torácico, disnea e intolerancia al decúbito. En la tomografía computarizada toracoabdominal se observa hernia diafragmática que contiene colon transverso, intestino delgado y páncreas, con reticulación de la grasa alrededor del mismo, compatible con pancreatitis aguda. Conclusión. La asociación de hernia hiatal con páncreas herniado y pancreatitis es extremadamente infrecuente. El diagnóstico se estableció mediante tomografía computarizada y el tratamiento fue conservador, con cirugía diferida de la hernia de hiato.

Background: Diversion colitis is a non-specific inflammation of a defunctionalised segment of the colon after a temporary stoma has been performed. This inflammation is associated with a change in the colonic flora.Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative stimulation of the efferent loop with probiotics prior to closure of the protective ileostomy in patients operated on colorectal carcinoma and its effect on diversion colitis. A prospective, randomised, double-blind, controlled study is carried out.Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for colorectal carcinoma with protective ileostomy pending reconstructive surgery and with diversion colitis as diagnosis are included. Randomised and divided into two groups. Histological and endoscopic changes were evaluated after stimulation, after restorative surgery and during the short-term follow-up after surgery.Results: Patients in CG were distributed according to the endoscopic index of severity in pre-stimulation/post-stimulation as follows: severe n = 9/9 (25.7%), moderate n = 23/23 (65.7%), and mild n = 3/3 (8.6%); compared to the distribution in SG, severe n = 9/0 (26.5/0%), moderate n = 23/3 (67.6/8.8%), mild n = 2/19 (5.9/55.9%) and normal colonoscopy in 0/12 patients (0/35.3%).Conclusion: Probiotic stimulation of the efferent loop is a safe and effective method, managing to reduce both macroscopic and microscopic colitis, as well as a decrease in symptoms in the short term after reconstructive surgery.

Objetivo: La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar si existe relación entre los factores biológicos, sociales y culturales con las actitudes y prácticas preventivas frente a la pandemia del COVID-19 en ciudadanos de Trujillo- Perú. Material y Métodos: Tipo de estudio descriptivo, de enfoque cuantitativo y diseño correlacional, prospectivo, de corte transversal. Mediante un cuestionario previamente validado se tomaron datos de ciertos factores biológicos, sociales y culturales, así como de las actitudes y prácticas preventivas frente al COVID-19 en 185 ciudadanos de Trujillo. Por encontrarnos en cuarentena debido a la emergencia sanitaria, la recolección de datos se realizó de manera virtual. Resultados: Los resultados muestran que ciudadanos de 18 a 29 años tienen actitudes inadecuas (12.4%), con prácticas preventivas inadecuadas (8.6%) y también que ser de sexo masculino constituye un riesgo para tener actitud y practica inadecuada. También existen ciudadanos que son solteros o convivientes, no tienen hijos y tienen actitudes inadecuadas (14.1%) y prácticas inadecuadas (13%). Conclusiónes: De los factores biológicos la edad y el sexo se asocian a las actitudes y prácticas preventivas frente a la pandemia, de los sociales, el estado civil y la tenencia de hijos se asocian a las actitudes y prácticas preventivas frente a la pandemia, y del cultural el tener conocimiento de la enfermedad y de las acciones a tomar se asocia con las prácticas preventivas frente a la pandemia del COVID-19.

The University Hospital of Salamanca, in Spain, had its first COVID-19 case on March 1st and as of May 11th, we had 1,100 positive cases. Based on the vulnerability of patients with blood cancers, on March 9th, the Hematology Department developed a protocol, amended as the new information was available, to maintain the Hematology Unit as a “free COVID-19 island.” The protocol included symptom-based surveys and screening tests to patients, caregivers, and healthcare personnel to identify early potential positive cases and prevent its spread. Between March 9 and April 28, 32 asymptomatic patients and caregivers were tested and 68 rT-PCR diagnostic assays have been performed with two positive results. A 106 healthcare workers have been tested (208 rT-PCR) and seven of them were positive. In summary, the implementation of preemptive measures after the first case appeared allowed us to be able to provide treatment to our patients.

Large studies in von Willebrand disease patients, including Spanish and Portuguese registries, led to the identification of >250 different mutations. It is a challenge to determine the pathogenic effect of potential splice site mutations on VWF mRNA. This study aimed to elucidate the true effects of 18 mutations on VWF mRNA processing, investigate the contribution of next-generation sequencing to in vivo mRNA study in von Willebrand disease, and compare the findings with in silico prediction. RNA extracted from patient platelets and leukocytes was amplified by RT-PCR and sequenced using Sanger and next generation sequencing techniques. Eight mutations affected VWF splicing: c.1533+1G>A, c.5664+2T>C and c.546G>A (p.=) prompted exon skipping; c.3223-7_3236dup and c.7082-2A>G resulted in activation of cryptic sites; c.3379+1G>A and c.7437G>A) demonstrated both molecular pathogenic mechanisms simultaneously; and the p.Cys370Tyr missense mutation generated two aberrant transcripts. Of note, the complete effect of three mutations was provided by next generation sequencing alone because of low expression of the aberrant transcripts. In the remaining 10 mutations, no effect was elucidated in the experiments. However, the differential findings obtained in platelets and leukocytes provided substantial evidence that four of these would have an effect on VWF levels. In this first report using next generation sequencing technology to unravel the effects of VWF mutations on splicing, the technique yielded valuable information. Our data bring to light the importance of studying the effect of synonymous and missense mutations on VWF splicing to improve the current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms behind von Willebrand disease. clinicaltrials.gov identifier:02869074.

This aims of this study were (I) to determine the velocity variable and regression model which best fit the load-velocity relationship during the free-weight prone bench pull exercise, (II) to compare the reliability of the velocity attained at each percentage of the one-repetition maximum (1RM) between different velocity variables and regression models, and (III) to compare the within- and between-subject variability of the velocity attained at each %1RM. Eighteen men (14 rowers and four weightlifters) performed an incremental test during the free-weight prone bench pull exercise in two different sessions. General and individual load-velocity relationships were modelled through three velocity variables (mean velocity [MV], mean propulsive velocity [MPV] and peak velocity [PV]) and two regression models (linear and second-order polynomial). The main findings revealed that (I) the general (Pearson's correlation coefficient [r] range = 0.964-0.973) and individual (median r = 0.986 for MV, 0.989 for MPV, and 0.984 for PV) load-velocity relationships were highly linear, (II) the reliability of the velocity attained at each %1RM did not meaningfully differ between the velocity variables (coefficient of variation [CV] range = 2.55-7.61% for MV, 2.84-7.72% for MPV and 3.50-6.03% for PV) neither between the regression models (CV range = 2.55-7.72% and 2.73-5.25% for the linear and polynomial regressions, respectively), and (III) the within-subject variability of the velocity attained at each %1RM was lower than the between-subject variability for the light-moderate loads. No meaningful differences between the within- and between-subject CVs were observed for the MV of the 1RM trial (6.02% vs. 6.60%; CVratio = 1.10), while the within-subject CV was lower for PV (6.36% vs. 7.56%; CVratio = 1.19). These results suggest that the individual load-MV relationship should be determined with a linear regression model to obtain the most accurate prescription of the relative load during the free-weight prone bench pull exercise.

Diversion colitis is a non-specific inflammation of a defunctionalised segment of the colon after a temporary stoma has been performed. This inflammation is associated with an alteration of certain inflammatory serum markers. The aims of this study were, firstly, to evaluate the modification of inflammatory biomarkers after stimulation with probiotics prior to closure of the protective ileostomy. Secondly, to identify if a relationship could be established between the severity of diversion colitis and the alteration of inflammatory biomarkers in the blood. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study was conducted. Patients who underwent surgery for colorectal carcinoma with protective ileostomy between January 2017 and December 2018 were included, pending reconstructive surgery and with diversion colitis as diagnosis. The sample was randomly divided into a group stimulated with probiotics (SG) (n = 34) and a control group (CG) (n = 35). Histological and endoscopic changes were evaluated after stimulation, after restorative surgery and during the short-term follow-up after surgery, including the correlation with pro-inflammatory biomarkers in blood. As main findings, a significant decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP), Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR ratio), and monocyte/lymphocyte ratio (LMR ratio) was observed in the SG versus the CG with a p < 0.001. A significant increase in transferrin values and in the platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) was observed in the SG versus CG after stimulation with probiotics with a p < 0.001. A normalisation of CRP and transferrin levels was observed in the third month of follow-up after closure ileostomy, and NLR, LMR and PLR ratios were equal in both groups. Decreased modified Glasgow prognostic score was found in SG compared to CG after probiotic stimulation (p < 0.001). The endoscopic and histological severity of diversion colitis is associated with a greater alteration of blood inflammatory biomarkers. The stimulation with probiotics prior to reconstructive surgery promotes an early normalization of these parameters.

The use of a loop ileostomy as the defunctioning procedure of choice to protect a distal colonic anastomosis causes histological and endoscopic changes in the intestinal mucosal architecture, which have been related to chronic inflammation and changes in the microflora that consequently impact the intestinal structure and function following fecal stream diversion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histological and endoscopic changes on the colonic mucosa in patients with diversion colitis after stimulation of the efferent loop with probiotics prior to closure of the protective ileostomy. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study was designed. All patients who underwent surgery for colorectal carcinoma with protective ileostomy between January 2017 and December 2018 were included. These patients were pending reconstructive surgery and were diagnosed with endoscopic and histological diversion colitis. Divided into two groups, a group stimulated with probiotics (SG) and a control group (CG). 34 cases and 35 controls were included in the study. Histological and endoscopic changes were evaluated after stimulation, after restorative surgery and during the short-term follow-up after surgery. A decrease in endoscopic pathological findings (mucosal friability, mucous erosions, polyps, edema, erythema and stenosis) and in histological findings (follicular hyperplasia, eosinophils, cryptic abscesses, lymphocyte infiltration, plasma cell infiltration and architecture distortion) was observed in SG. These results were statistically significant with a p < 0.001. The stimulation of the efferent loop of the ileostomy in patients with diversion colitis produced a decrease of the endoscopic and histological severity of colitis in the short term.

Loop ileostomy closure after colorectal surgery is often associated with Postoperative ileus, with an incidence between 13–20%. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative stimulation of the efferent loop with probiotics prior to ileostomy closure in patients operated on for colorectal carcinoma. For this, a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study is designed. All patients who underwent surgery for colorectal carcinoma with loop ileostomy were included. Randomized and divided into two groups, 34 cases and 35 controls were included in the study. Postoperative ileus, the need for nasogastric tube insertion, the time required to begin tolerating a diet, restoration of bowel function, and duration of hospital stay were evaluated. The incidence of Postoperative ileus was similar in both groups, 9/34 patients stimulated with probiotics and 10/35 in the control group (CG) with a p = 0.192. The comparative analysis showed a direct relationship between Postoperative ileus after oncological surgery and Postoperative ileus after reconstruction surgery, independently of stimulation. Postoperative ileus after closure ileostomy is independent of stimulation of the ileostomy with probiotics through the efferent loop. There seem to be a relationship between Postoperative ileus after reconstruction and the previous existence of Postoperative ileus after colorectal cancer surgery.

The use of biomass has increased significantly in recent years. In this context, the use of not valued high-potential biomass (NVHPB) is emerging as a suitable alternative. This is the case of pruning vine, pruning kiwi, scrub (heather, gorse, broom) and forest pruning. The objective of this research was to study the potential of six selected agroforestry biomasses as biofuels in thermochemical processes. For that purpose, biomass was collected by specific machinery. Proximate and ultimate analyses were carried out as well as the inorganic compounds’ determination. Then, natural and forced drying were conducted. Low heating values (LHV) between 17 and 20 MJ/kg (dry basis) were achieved in all analyzed cases. Granulometric reduction, biomass classification and densification took place. Finally, energy recovery tests through microcogeneration were carried out. Values close to 97% in cogeneration efficiency were reached (9% net electric yield and 88% thermal yield), offering an alternative to obtain clean energy.