Search

The asymmetries study between both legs of the forces applied to the pedals in cycling is important because they may affect the performance of the cyclist or prevent the occurrence of injuries. Studies focused on analysing asymmetries in forces tend to consider only the effective force, disregarding the three-dimensional nature of the force. Furthermore, these studies do not analyse the possible physical or neurological causes that may have led to the appearance of the asymmetries. This paper presents a methodology to carry out three-dimensional analysis of the asymmetries of the forces applied in both pedals and discriminate the possible sources of these asymmetries. Seven participants, amateurs and without pathologies, were analysed. Two commercial pedals were instrumented to measure the three components of the force applied to each pedal. The Normalized Symmetry Index (NSI) and the Cross Correlation Coefficient (CCC) were used for the asymmetries analysis. Results showed that both indexes need to be used in conjunction to analyse the causes of asymmetry in the pedal forces from a 3D perspective along the pedal cycle. The NSI is an index that makes it possible to evaluate asymmetry by considering only the value of the force applied by each leg at each instant. The CCC makes it possible to evaluate whether the temporal evolutions of the forces applied by each leg are similar. Preliminary results suggest that the proposed methodology is effective for analysing asymmetries in the forces in a pedalling cycle from a three-dimensional point of view. Forces in the sagittal plane showed a high level of symmetry. The lateral-medial force presented the highest level of asymmetry due to the difference in the magnitudes of the applied forces by both legs and the existing time shift between the two force patterns. The results of this work will allow for more complete and accurate three-dimensional dynamic analyses of the lower body during pedalling. Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad DPI2016-80796-P

This article demonstrates the dynamic relationship between long-term ethnicized silences, family secrets and nation-building in Central and Eastern Europe. How have modern nation-states been imagined and formed on the basis of these long-term silences? In order to illustrate what we believe could be the contribution to anthropology (principally to nationalism studies) enabled by introducing this analytical category of silences, in this research we will focus on a close analysis of the life story and identity journey of a self-identified “Slovak woman with Hungarian-Roma roots” who settled in the Czech Republic in 2009. Through this ethnographic example, and in an attempt to go beyond particularities, some of the themes covered are: what meanings, uses and processes of silences can we find in Slovakia, and what is their relationship to the construction of minorities and to an ethno-cultural model of nation-building (an imagined community)? In which domains and under which power relationships have long-term silences and hidden family secrets prevailed in everyday life? To what extent have those silence frameworks been negotiated and used as intergenerational strategies of family unity and protection? And finally, within the context of migration and the complex processes of Europeanization and globalization, how have those long-term, in this case “shamed”, ethnicized Roma silences been contested and broken, and what is the meaning of this development (at micro and macro levels)? In other words, for nation-states that have long been imagined on the principle of ethno-cultural homogeneity, I ask what can long-term ethnicized silences tell us about the process of nation-building (from the bottom up) and the quality of our EU democracies? Where do we come from, where are we now and, at least in terms of a warning (due to the rise of xenophobic forms of populism and radical nationalism), where are we going?

[EN] The study of the diversity within and between major Solanaceae crops (pepper, tomato, eggplant) is of interest for the selection and development of balanced diets. We have measured thirty-six major fruit composition traits, encompassing sugars, organic acids, antioxidants and minerals, in a set of 10 accessions per crop for pepper, tomato and eggplant, grown under the same cultivation conditions. The aim was to evaluate the diversity within species and to provide an accurate comparison of fruit composition among species by reducing to a minimum the environmental effect. Pepper, tomato and eggplant had a clearly distinct composition profile. Pepper showed the highest average content in total sugars and organic acids. Fructose and glucose were the major sugar compounds in the three species, although in pepper and tomato sucrose was present only in trace amounts. Citric acid was the major organic acid in pepper and tomato, while in eggplant it was malic acid. Pepper and eggplant had the highest total antioxidant activity. Vitamin C content was much higher in pepper than in tomato and eggplant, while eggplant accumulated high concentrations of chlorogenic acid. Furthermore, eggplant was the species with higher content in most minerals, particularly for K, Mg and Cu, while pepper was the richest in Fe. Due to their complementary nutritional profiles, a combined regular consumption of the three vegetables would supply more than 20% of the Dietary Reference Intake of several of the analysed phytochemicals. The large diversity within each species is of interest for selecting varieties with better nutritional and organoleptic profiles, as well as for breeding new cultivars., This work has been funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 677379 (Linking genetic resources, genomes and phenotypes of Sola-naceous crops; G2PSOL) . Elena RosaMartinez is grateful to the Spanish Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad for a pre-doctoral grant (BES2016077482)

[CA] En els últims anys, ha cobrat importància l'interès pel cultiu de les varietats tradicionals d’hortalisses. No obstant això, aquestes presenten una falta de estudis de caracterització i tipificació. Aquests són imprescindibles per detectar factors que dificulten la seua explotació, així com per emprendre programes de millora de les mateixes per augmentar la seva competitivitat i rendibilitat. En aquest treball s'han caracteritzat 3 poblacions de tomaca ‘Valenciana d’El Perelló’. L'objectiu ha estat obtenir informació fenotípica de rellevància en aquest tipus de tomaca. Aquesta informació està sent molt útil per a la seua millora genètica. Així, hem pogut constatar que les poblacions emprades de tomaca ‘Valenciana d’El Perelló’ es caracteritzen per presentar fruits del tipus “masclet” amb una freqüència elevada i un nivell productiu molt acceptable. La menor productivitat de les seleccions assajades en comparació amb el control comercial pareix ser deguda a una concentració de la producció en els 2-3 primers pomells de la planta; i una caiguda dràstica del quallat en els pomells superiors. No obstant, en el programa de selecció i millora de la tomaca ‘Valenciana d’El Perelló’ que s’està realitzant es disposa de seleccions amb una freqüència de masclets molta elevada y una distribució de quallat molt més uniforme., [EN] In recent years, has taken important interest in the cultivation of traditional varieties of vegetables. However, these studies show a lack of characterization and classification. These are essential to identify factors that hinder their operation, as well as to undertake programs to improve them to increase their competitiveness and profitability. In this work we have characterized three populations of ‘Valenciana d’El Perello’ tomato. The aim has been phenotypic information relevant in this type of tomato. This information has been very useful for their breeding. Thus, we have found that the populations used for ‘Valenciana d’El Perello’ tomato are characterized by fruits such as "Masclet" with a high frequency and very productive level acceptable. The lower productivity of the teams tested compared to commercial control seems to be due to a concentration of production in the first 2-3 Pomells plant; and a drastic fall in mincemeat Pomells superiors. However, the program of selection and improvement of the tomato ‘Valenciana d’El Perello’ being made available to teams with a much higher frequency masclets and distribution of more uniform fruit set., Este treball ha sido financiat por la Cooperativa Valenciana Unió Protectora d’El Perelló y por el programa de investigación e innovación Horizonte 2020 de la Unión Europea a través del contrato No. 634561 (TRADITOM)

Objectives: To compare manual and electric vacuum aspiration for surgical abortions between 14 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. Methods: A consecutive case series of pregnant women presenting to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center for abortion. There were 73 women in the manual vacuum aspiration group and 37 women in the electric vacuum aspiration group. Dilatation and evacuation was performed using manual or electric vacuum aspiration according to protocol. Procedure time was assessed with the t-test. Results: In all cases, abortion was performed with initial vacuum. Group sizes were sufficient to detect a 20% difference in mean procedure time with 80% power (calculated with two separate S.D.s for procedure time). There was no significant difference in procedure time between the two groups. Conclusions: Manual vacuum aspiration can be safely and effectively used in second-trimester abortion procedures and should be more widely investigated for this purpose.

All regions of the US experience disasters which result in a number of negative public health consequences. Some populations have higher levels of social vulnerability and, thus, are more likely to experience negative impacts of disasters including emotional distress, loss of property, illness, and death. To mitigate the impact of disasters on at-risk populations, emergency managers must be aware of the social vulnerabilities within their community. This paper describes a qualitative study which aimed to understand how emergency managers identify social vulnerabilities, also referred to as at-risk populations, in their populations and barriers and facilitators to current approaches. Findings suggest that although public health tools have been developed to aid emergency managers in identifying at-risk populations, they are not being used consistently. Emergency managers requested more information on the availability of tools as well as guidance on how to increase ability to identify at-risk populations.

The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of cervical preparation with misoprostol or laminaria suction abortion up to 18 weeks gestation. The study was conducted among a consecutive case series of patients presenting for dilatation and evacuation at a single center. Cervical preparation was effected by either 600 mg buccal misoprostol (n = 32) or laminaria (n = 78). Dilatation and evacuation was then performed using vacuum aspiration, with fetal parts or placenta removed as necessary with appropriate forceps. The principle outcome of interest was procedure time. Complete abortion was effected in 100% of the cases. In all cases, the cervix was adequately prepared to allow either the introduction of a size 14-mm suction cannula or was easily dilated to this diameter. Group size was sufficient for detection of a 20% difference in mean procedure time with 80% power (calculated with two separate standard deviations for procedure time). Procedure times were not significantly different when misoprostol was used compared to laminaria for cervical preparation. It is concluded that the use of misoprostol to provide cervical preparation in second trimester abortion procedures appeared effective and offers an alternative to laminaria. Buccal misoprostol should be more widely investigated for this purpose.

Resumen —Mycobacterium marinum es un microorganismo que produce infecciones cutaneas y de partes blandas. Suele ser el resultado de la inoculacion externa de heridas en contacto con agua contaminada de piscinas y acuarios. Solamente es patogeno en piel erosionada, por tanto las localizaciones mas frecuentes son los lugares expuestos a traumatismos. Presentamos tres casos de infeccion cutanea causada por Mycobacterium marinum. En el cultivo de un fragmento de biopsia se obtuvo crecimiento de Mycobacterium marinum en los tres casos. Los pacientes recibieron tratamiento antibiotico con distinta respuesta al tratamiento. Discutimos las caracteristicas de la infeccion cutanea causada por esta micobacteria, asi como la necesidad de tenerla presente en nuestro diagnostico diferencial para realizar un adecuado diagnostico y tratamiento, evitando de este modo la aparicion de complicaciones.

Novel donor-acceptor functionalized pentafulvenes have been synthesized and characterized. Structural data have been obtained by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Their molecular and macroscopic second-order nonlinear optical properties have been investigated, via electric field induced second harmonic generation (EFISH) in solution and by second harmonic generation with evanescent wave (SHEW) in the solid state.

Neonatal lupus erythemalosus (NLE) is an autoimmune disease whose major findings are skin lesions and congenital heart block. Affected infants have maternal, transplacentally acquired, autoantibodies to Ro/SSA, La/SSB, or U,-RNP antigens. Anti-Ro/SSA is the predominant autoantibody, present in about 95% of cases. Mothers of babies with NLE may be asymptomatic initially or may have Sjogrent syndrome, lupus erythematosus, overlap syndrome or, uncommonly, leukocytoclastic vasculitis. When evaluating a young woman with a cutaneous leucocytoclastic vasculitis, dermatologists should be aware of the possible presence of antibodies related to NLE. If any patient suffering a disorder related to NLE becomes pregnant, testing for autoantibodies and close obstetric prenatal care with fetal echocardiogram is necessary. In cases of fetal bradycardia, treatment with dexamethasone or betamethasone should be considered, as these drugs are accessible to the fetal circulation.

Resumen —La dermatomiositis juvenil es una enfermedad multisistemica de etiologia desconocida que se caracteriza por una inflamacion no supurativa de la piel y el musculo esqueletico. La electromiografia y la biopsia muscular confirman el diagnostico clinico, pero son tecnicas invasivas. La resonancia magnetica (RM) ha demostrado ser una herramienta util para el diagnostico de enfermedades musculares, aunque su especificidad es limitada. Los hallazgos de la RM pueden ser utiles para establecer el diagnostico de esta enfermedad dentro del contexto clinico. Se presenta un caso clinico compatible con dermatomiositis juvenil y se revisa las aportaciones de la RM en el diagnostico y seguimiento de la enfermedad.

In 1995, a 30-year-old woman presented with a 6-day history of fever and pruritic pustules on her left hand. Physical examination revealed confluent pustules surrounded by erythema on the dorsal aspect of the left hand, palm, and wrist (Figure 1). There were no lesions in other locations. Her medical history was otherwise unremarkable. A complete laboratory blood cell count showed a slightly low white blood cell count (3600/μL [reference range, 4500-10 800/μL]; to convert to 10/L, multiply by 0.001). Findings from biochemical tests were within reference range. Cultures of the pustules were negative for organisms. Findings from skin biopsy specimens showed an intraepidermal pustule with mild acantholysis and moderate mononuclear infiltrate in dermis. A diagnosis of localized pustulosis was made. The patient was initially treated with topical and oral antibiotics with poor response. After a month, oral retinoids and topical steroids were added to her treatment, but the patient experienced new flares. Seven months after the onset of the process, she complained about arthralgias and chest and back pain. Imaging studies (radiography, computed axial tomography) revealed sacroileitis. A diagnosis of incomplete SAPHO syndrome (sacroileitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, osteitis) was made. Therapy was begun with methotrexate, 7.5 mg/wk, and the dosage was subsequently increased to 10 mg/wk. Two months later there was no improvement, so oral cyclosporine was added to her drug regimen but was poorly tolerated because of headache. During the following 4 years the patient subsequently failed treatment with sulfone, prednisone, colchicine, sulfasalazyn, and numerous nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The current literature reflects three routes toward improving cervical cancer screening. The first is to improve the test qualities of cytology-based screening. The use of liquid-based cytology and computerized analysis of Papanicolaou tests are examples of attempts at this approach. Secondly, through various combinations of parallel or sequential tests, either the sensitivity or the specificity of a given test could be improved depending on the tests chosen and the order in which they were performed (eg, Papanicolaou test followed by human papillomavirus [HPV] or vice versa). Several excellent studies have been published this year on the use of HPV DNA testing as a primary screening modality and as an adjunct to the triage of mildly abnormal cytologic findings. The recent literature also reflects increasing interest in visual inspection of the cervix and self-collected samples for HPV testing as an equally effective and viable alternative to cytology in low-resource settings. A third possibility is to make use of advances in digital and spectroscopic techniques. In these cost-conscious times, a significant number of articles address the cost-effectiveness of these technologies and the real value of cervical cancer screening. This article reviews the current literature concerning both the advent of new cervical cancer screening technologies and the rediscovery of old ones.

In developing countries, cervical cancer remains a clinical problem of public health proportions. Eighty percent of the approximately 400,000 new cases of cervical cancer each year occur in such settings. Primarily as a result of the introduction and success of screening programs, cervical cancer rates in developed countries have dropped remarkably. However, in most developing countries, screening programs are virtually nonexistent. Reasons for this relate primarily to lack of public awareness and the fact that screening via cytology is an untenable proposition for mass screening in such low-resource settings. Matching the resources available to provide cervical cancer screening in such settings requires alternative means of providing testing and treatment. Recent evidence indicates that, depending on local conditions and locally-made decisions, visual inspection of the cervix with acetic acid wash, coupled with a benign form of therapy, such as cryotherapy, could hold promise as a means of testing and treatment. By adapting resource-appropriate technologies and building local consensus regarding clinically driven public health approaches that are safe and feasible, the challenge of reducing the mortality from cervical cancer in developing countries can yet be met.

REPORT OF A CASE A 28-year-old heterosexual man was found to be seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 1990. The patient had recurrent perianal ulcerations and vesicular periungual lesions that were treated with intermittent courses of oral acyclovir. His clinical history was relevant for oral candidiasis. Medications taken included didanosine, sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, fluconazole, and ethambutol hydrochloride. When the patient was seen initially in November 1994, the painful perianal ulceration was persistent for the previous 2 months and unresponsive to oral acyclovir treatment. The 18-cm perianal ulcer had a vesicular border (Figure 1). The CD4 cell count was 0.08× 109/L (80/μL). Initial treatment consisted of intravenous acyclovir (10 mg/kg for 8 hours for 21 days) without result. The skin biopsy taken from the active border of the lesion showed the presence of epidermal multinucleated giant cells and intranuclear inclusions consistent with herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, without