RESUMEN

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for maize (Zea mays L.) growth and development. Therefore, generating cultivars with upgraded P use efficiency (PUE) represents one of the main strategies to reduce the global agriculture dependence on phosphate fertilizers. In this work, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were performed to detect quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN) and potential PUE-related candidate genes and associated traits in greenhouse and field trials under contrasting P conditions. The PUE and other agronomy traits of 132 maize inbred lines were assessed in low and normal P supply through the greenhouse and field experiments and Multi-locus GWAS was used to map the associated QTNs. Wide genetic variability was observed among the maize inbred lines under low and normal P supply. In addition, we confirm the complex and quantitative nature of PUE. A total of 306 QTNs were associated with the 24 traits evaluated using different multi-locus GWAS methods. A total of 186 potential candidate genes were identified, mainly involved with transcription regulator, transporter, and transference activity. Further studies are still needed to elucidate the functions and relevance of these genes regarding PUE. Nevertheless, pyramiding the favorable alleles pinpointed in the present study can be considered an efficient strategy for molecular improvement to increase maize PUE.

RESUMEN

Molecular and cellular characterization of tumors is essential due to the complex and heterogeneous nature of cancer. In recent decades, many bioinformatic tools and experimental techniques have been developed to achieve personalized characterization of tumors. However, sample handling continues to be a major challenge as limitations such as prior treatments before sample acquisition, the amount of tissue obtained, transportation, or the inability to process fresh samples pose a hurdle for experimental strategies that require viable cell suspensions. Here, we present an optimized protocol that allows the recovery of highly viable cell suspensions from breast cancer primary tumor biopsies. Using these cell suspensions we have successfully characterized genome architecture through Hi-C. Also, we have evaluated single-cell gene expression and the tumor cellular microenvironment through single-cell RNAseq. Both technologies are key in the detailed and personalized molecular characterization of tumor samples. The protocol described here is a cost-effective alternative to obtain viable cell suspensions from biopsies simply and efficiently.

RESUMEN

The Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is an iconic species that inhabits forested landscapes in Neotropical regions, with decreasing population trends mainly due to habitat loss, and currently classified as vulnerable. Here, we report on a chromosome-scale genome assembly for a female individual combining long reads, optical mapping, and chromatin conformation capture reads. The final assembly spans 1.35 Gb, with N50scaffold equal to 58.1 Mb and BUSCO completeness of 99.7%. We built the first extensive transposable element (TE) library for the Accipitridae to date and identified 7,228 intact TEs. We found a burst of an unknown TE ~ 13-22 million years ago (MYA), coincident with the split of the Harpy Eagle from other Harpiinae eagles. We also report a burst of solo-LTRs and CR1 retrotransposons ~ 31-33 MYA, overlapping with the split of the ancestor to all Harpiinae from other Accipitridae subfamilies. Comparative genomics with other Accipitridae, the closely related Cathartidae and Galloanserae revealed major chromosome-level rearrangements at the basal Accipitriformes genome, in contrast to a conserved ancient genome architecture for the latter two groups. A historical demography reconstruction showed a rapid decline in effective population size over the last 20,000 years. This reference genome serves as a crucial resource for future conservation efforts towards the Harpy Eagle.

Asunto(s)

Águilas , Genoma , Animales , Águilas/genética , Femenino , Elementos Transponibles de ADN/genética , Filogenia , Evolución Molecular , Retroelementos/genética , Genómica/métodos

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The Vaccinium genus, with over 200 species, is prized for its fruits and traditional medicinal uses. Introduced to South America in the 1980s, it has become a significant crop, particularly in Tucumán, Argentina. Southern highbush blueberries are the most cultivated. Recent research suggests that the leaves and stems of these species contain higher levels of beneficial compounds compared to fruits. This study explores the potential of V. myrtillus L. leaves and stems, typically discarded as agricultural waste, as sources of bioactive compounds. It provides the first detailed analysis of their anatomy and chemical composition, revealing high levels of phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. Leaf extracts show stronger antioxidant activity compared to stems. Toxicity tests on Artemia salina indicate their safety for further exploration. These findings suggest that V. myrtillus L. waste by-products could be valuable as sources of bioactive compounds, promoting their application in pharmaceuticals, food, or cosmetics industries.

RESUMEN

Projects and construction management in healthcare facilities are usually assigned to architectural firms and engineering companies with previous experience. However, there is no evaluation system to ensure their level of competence in the healthcare sector. In the past, this was also the case for clinicians when they were self-appointed specialists without any supervision. Currently, the Specialised Health Training (SHT) programme in Spain is the only official specialisation pathway and consists of a period that combines training and paid healthcare practice. Similarly, but from Argentina, hospital residencies in architecture have been carried out for specialised postgraduate training. The aim of this article was to show the experience in Argentina and to propose the extension of the SHT in Spain. Our proposal consists of a programme of residencies in architecture and engineering to be developed in healthcare centres. We believe that this initiative has great potential to address health from its multiple disciplines and to reinforce the maturity of a National Health System in constant change.

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Los proyectos y la dirección de obras en los centros sanitarios se suelen asignar a estudios de arquitectura y empresas de ingeniería con experiencia previa. Sin embargo, no hay un sistema de evaluación que asegure su nivel de competencia en el sector sanitario. Antiguamente, esta situación también se daba en los profesionales clínicos, cuando se autotitulaban especialistas sin ningún tipo de supervisión. En la actualidad, el programa de Formación Sanitaria Especializada (FSE) en España es la única vía de especialización oficial y consiste en un periodo que aúna formación y práctica asistencial remunerada. De manera similar, pero desde Argentina, se llevan realizando unas residencias hospitalarias de arquitectura para la formación especializada de posgrado. El objetivo de este artículo fue mostrar la experiencia en Argentina y proponer la ampliación de la FSE en España. Nuestra propuesta consiste en un programa de residencias en arquitectura e ingeniería a desarrollar en centros sanitarios. Consideramos que esta iniciativa tiene un gran potencial para abordar la salud desde sus múltiples disciplinas y reforzar la madurez de un Sistema Nacional de Salud en constante cambio.

Asunto(s)

Ingeniería , España , Ingeniería/educación , Humanos , Argentina , Especialización

RESUMEN

A deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids (ω3 FAs) in the brain has been correlated with cognitive impairment, learning deficiencies, and behavioral changes. In this study, we provided ω3 FAs as a supplement to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR+ ω3). Our focus was on examining the impact of dietary supplementation on the physicochemical properties of the brain-cell membranes. Significant increases in ω3 levels in the cerebral cortex of SHR+ ω3 were observed, leading to alterations in brain lipid membranes molecular packing, elasticity, and lipid miscibility, resulting in an augmented phase disparity. Results from synthetic lipid mixtures confirmed the disordering effect introduced by ω3 lipids, showing its consequences on the hydration levels of the monolayers and the organization of the membrane domains. These findings suggest that dietary ω3 FAs influence the organization of brain membranes, providing insight into a potential mechanism for the broad effects of dietary fat on brain health and disease.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: On tropical regions, phosphorus (P) fixation onto aluminum and iron oxides in soil clays restricts P diffusion from the soil to the root surface, limiting crop yields. While increased root surface area favors P uptake under low-P availability, the relationship between the three-dimensional arrangement of the root system and P efficiency remains elusive. Here, we simultaneously assessed allelic effects of loci associated with a variety of root and P efficiency traits, in addition to grain yield under low-P availability, using multi-trait genome-wide association. We also set out to establish the relationship between root architectural traits assessed in hydroponics and in a low-P soil. Our goal was to better understand the influence of root morphology and architecture in sorghum performance under low-P availability. RESULT: In general, the same alleles of associated SNPs increased root and P efficiency traits including grain yield in a low-P soil. We found that sorghum P efficiency relies on pleiotropic loci affecting root traits, which enhance grain yield under low-P availability. Root systems with enhanced surface area stemming from lateral root proliferation mostly up to 40 cm soil depth are important for sorghum adaptation to low-P soils, indicating that differences in root morphology leading to enhanced P uptake occur exactly in the soil layer where P is found at the highest concentration. CONCLUSION: Integrated QTLs detected in different mapping populations now provide a comprehensive molecular genetic framework for P efficiency studies in sorghum. This indicated extensive conservation of P efficiency QTL across populations and emphasized the terminal portion of chromosome 3 as an important region for P efficiency in sorghum. Increases in root surface area via enhancement of lateral root development is a relevant trait for sorghum low-P soil adaptation, impacting the overall architecture of the sorghum root system. In turn, particularly concerning the critical trait for water and nutrient uptake, root surface area, root system development in deeper soil layers does not occur at the expense of shallow rooting, which may be a key reason leading to the distinctive sorghum adaptation to tropical soils with multiple abiotic stresses including low P availability and drought.

Asunto(s)

Estudio de Asociación del Genoma Completo , Fósforo , Raíces de Plantas , Sitios de Carácter Cuantitativo , Sorghum , Sorghum/genética , Sorghum/metabolismo , Sorghum/crecimiento & desarrollo , Fósforo/metabolismo , Raíces de Plantas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Raíces de Plantas/metabolismo , Raíces de Plantas/genética , Raíces de Plantas/anatomía & histología , Mapeo Cromosómico , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Suelo/química , Fenotipo

RESUMEN

This article proposes a data collection technique for describing experiences of a built environment. Besides the experiences of the visual and physical aspects of the place, this technique helps describe the sensory, bodily, emotional, interactive, and social experiences occurring during the human-environment encounter. The enabling technique presented is called Reactions and Actions Description Survey (RADES). It employs 120 images depicting people going through different situations involving all the senses, showing expressions related to positive and negative emotions, and realizing varied activities. Forty-five participants visited the esplanade in the exterior of a historic building called Obispado. The case study is located on a hill and is a scenic viewpoint of Monterrey, Mexico. The participants answered the RADES and the Environmental Description Survey (ENVIDES), which focuses on describing the qualities of the place and the appraisals with which it is experienced. The comments about the experiences of the place obtained through both surveys were grouped into 133 categories. Qualitative and quantitative data about the experiences of the place were obtained through both techniques. A quantitative analysis of the data was realized since the participants not only described their experiences with words but also indicated numerically the intensity of such experiences. Spearman correlations between the experiences were calculated, and a general map of the experiences of the place was created through multidimensional scaling analysis (MDS). The study revealed the connections between the elements and qualities of the site and the views with specific positive and negative experiences occurring during the visit. Furthermore, MDS allowed the discovery of 10 dimensions of environmental experience-pleasure/displeasure, high/low arousal, dominance/submissiveness, knowing/inhabiting, environment/self, higher/lower cognition, spatiality/materiality, states/processes, natural/built, and visual/sensory. The presented techniques and the findings obtained through them can assist architects in recognizing valuable environmental features for the design of livable spaces.

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have suggested that a reduced length of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) fascicles may increase the risk of hamstring strain injury (HSI). However, it remains unclear whether the BFlh fascicles of the injured limb are shorter than those of the contralateral limb in athletes with an acute HSI. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the between-limb asymmetry of BFlh fascicle length in amateur athletes with an acute HSI. METHODS: Male amateur athletes were evaluated using ultrasound scans within five days following an HSI. The BFlh fascicle length was estimated using a validated equation. RESULTS: Eighteen injured athletes participated in this study. There was no significant difference (p = 0.27) in the length of BFlh fascicles between the injured limb (9.53 ± 2.55 cm; 95%CI 8.26 to 10.80 cm) and the uninjured limb (10.54 ± 2.87 cm; 95%CI 9.11 to 11.97 cm). Individual analysis revealed high heterogeneity, with between-limb asymmetries (percentage difference of the injured limb compared to the uninjured limb) ranging from -42% to 25%. Nine out of the 18 athletes had a fascicle length that was more than 10% shorter in the injured limb compared to the uninjured limb, five athletes had a difference of less than 10%, and four athletes had a fascicle length that was more than 10% longer in the injured limb compared to the uninjured limb. CONCLUSION: The architecture characteristics of injured and uninjured muscles is not consistent among athletes with HSI. Therefore, rehabilitation programs focused on fascicle lengthening should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Asunto(s)

Traumatismos en Atletas , Músculos Isquiosurales , Esguinces y Distensiones , Ultrasonografía , Humanos , Masculino , Músculos Isquiosurales/lesiones , Músculos Isquiosurales/fisiología , Músculos Isquiosurales/fisiopatología , Adulto Joven , Traumatismos en Atletas/fisiopatología , Esguinces y Distensiones/fisiopatología , Adulto , Atletas

RESUMEN

Autonomous driving navigation relies on diverse approaches, each with advantages and limitations depending on various factors. For HD maps, modular systems excel, while end-to-end methods dominate mapless scenarios. However, few leverage the strengths of both. This paper innovates by proposing a hybrid architecture that seamlessly integrates modular perception and control modules with data-driven path planning. This innovative design leverages the strengths of both approaches, enabling a clear understanding and debugging of individual components while simultaneously harnessing the learning power of end-to-end approaches. Our proposed architecture achieved first and second place in the 2023 CARLA Autonomous Driving Challenge's SENSORS and MAP tracks, respectively. These results demonstrate the architecture's effectiveness in both map-based and mapless navigation. We achieved a driving score of 41.56 and the highest route completion of 86.03 in the MAP track of the CARLA Challenge leaderboard 1, and driving scores of 35.36 and 1.23 in the CARLA Challenge SENSOR track with route completions of 85.01 and 9.55, for, respectively, leaderboard 1 and 2. The results of leaderboard 2 raised the hybrid architecture to the first position, winning the edition of the 2023 CARLA Autonomous Driving Competition.

RESUMEN

Legume plants develop two types of root postembryonic organs, lateral roots and symbiotic nodules, using shared regulatory components. The module composed by the microRNA390, the Trans-Acting SIRNA3 (TAS3) RNA and the Auxin Response Factors (ARF)2, ARF3, and ARF4 (miR390/TAS3/ARFs) mediates the control of both lateral roots and symbiotic nodules in legumes. Here, a transcriptomic approach identified a member of the Lateral Organ Boundaries Domain (LBD) family of transcription factors in Medicago truncatula, designated MtLBD17/29a, which is regulated by the miR390/TAS3/ARFs module. ChIP-PCR experiments evidenced that MtARF2 binds to an Auxin Response Element present in the MtLBD17/29a promoter. MtLBD17/29a is expressed in root meristems, lateral root primordia, and noninfected cells of symbiotic nodules. Knockdown of MtLBD17/29a reduced the length of primary and lateral roots and enhanced lateral root formation, whereas overexpression of MtLBD17/29a produced the opposite phenotype. Interestingly, both knockdown and overexpression of MtLBD17/29a reduced nodule number and infection events and impaired the induction of the symbiotic genes Nodulation Signaling Pathway (NSP) 1 and 2. Our results demonstrate that MtLBD17/29a is regulated by the miR390/TAS3/ARFs module and a direct target of MtARF2, revealing a new lateral root regulatory hub recruited by legumes to act in the root nodule symbiotic program.

Asunto(s)

Medicago truncatula , Proteínas de Plantas , Nodulación de la Raíz de la Planta , Raíces de Plantas , Factores de Transcripción , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas , Técnicas de Silenciamiento del Gen , Ácidos Indolacéticos/metabolismo , Medicago truncatula/genética , Medicago truncatula/crecimiento & desarrollo , Medicago truncatula/microbiología , MicroARNs/genética , MicroARNs/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/metabolismo , Proteínas de Plantas/genética , Nodulación de la Raíz de la Planta/genética , Raíces de Plantas/genética , Raíces de Plantas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas/genética , Nódulos de las Raíces de las Plantas/genética , Nódulos de las Raíces de las Plantas/crecimiento & desarrollo , Simbiosis/genética , Factores de Transcripción/metabolismo , Factores de Transcripción/genética

RESUMEN

Alfredo Ramón Campos (1880-1970), militar, arquitecto, político, docente y escritor uruguayo. Constructor material y doctrinario del Ejército del siglo XX. De joven, participó en las guerras civiles de 1897 y 1904. De adulto en la revolución de 1910 y luego en la de 1935. En 1935 concurre como presidente de la delegación uruguaya a la Comisión Militar Neutral para solucionar lo que no pudo la Sociedad de Naciones en la guerra del Chaco. Asume como Ministro de Defensa en junio 1938, sorteando la llegada del Graf Spee a Montevideo y renunciando un año y medio más tarde por falta de apoyo político con la ley del Servicio Militar Obligatorio. Asume nuevamente el ministerio de Defensa en 1942 culminando un importante número de proyectos. En cada destino militar nos dejó un reglamento y una ley. En cada acontecimiento histórico que participó, nos dejó un relato de los hechos. Abrazó una segunda profesión, docente de secundaria, Facultad de Matemáticas y Arquitectura, socio fundador de la "Sociedad de Arquitectos del Uruguay" y jurado de los principales edificios y monumentos del país en la primera mitad del siglo XX. Construyó más de doscientas obras particulares y estatales, realizó decoraciones y reformas, y sobre todo construyó los edificios para alojamiento de las tropas en el Ejército Nacional, ampliaciones del Hospital Militar y Sanatorio Español. La fortaleza de sus obras hace, que aún se mantengan de pie.

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Alfredo Ramón Campos (1880-1970), Uruguayan military man, architect, politician, teacher and writer. Material and doctrinal builder of the Army of the 20th century. As a young man, he participated in the civil wars of 1897 and 1904. As an adult, he participated in the revolution of 1910 and then in the revolution of 1935. In 1935 he was president of the Uruguayan delegation to the Neutral Military Commission to solve what the League of Nations could not in the Chaco War. He became Minister of Defense in June 1938, avoiding the arrival of the Graf Spee to Montevideo and resigned a year and a half later due to lack of political support for the law of Compulsory Military Service. He assumed again the Ministry of Defense in 1942, culminating an important number of projects. In each military assignment he left us a regulation and a law. In each historical event in which he participated, he left us an account of the facts. He embraced a second profession, secondary school teacher, Faculty of Mathematics and Architecture, founding member of the "Society of Architects of Uruguay" and juror of the main buildings of the country in the first half of the twentieth century. He built more than two hundred private and state works, made decorations and reforms, and above all built the buildings for troop housing in the National Army, extensions of the Military Hospital and the Spanish Sanatorium. The strength of his works means that they are still standing.

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Alfredo Ramón Campos (1880-1970), oficial militar, arquiteto, político, professor e escritor uruguaio. Construtor de material e doutrina do exército no século XX. Quando jovem, participou das guerras civis de 1897 e 1904. Quando adulto, participou das revoluções de 1910 e 1935. Em 1935, foi presidente da delegação uruguaia na Comissão Militar Neutra para resolver o que a Liga das Nações não conseguiu na Guerra do Chaco. Tornou-se Ministro da Defesa em junho de 1938, evitando a chegada do Graf Spee a Montevidéu e renunciando um ano e meio depois devido à falta de apoio político à lei do Serviço Militar Obrigatório. Ele assumiu novamente o Ministério da Defesa em 1942 e concluiu um grande número de projetos. Em cada missão militar, ele nos deixou um regulamento e uma lei. Em cada evento histórico do qual participou, ele nos deixou um relato dos fatos. Adotou uma segunda profissão: professor de ensino médio, professor de matemática e arquitetura, membro fundador da Sociedad de Arquitectos del Uruguay e jurado dos principais edifícios do país na primeira metade do século XX. Ele construiu mais de duzentos edifícios privados e estatais, realizou decorações e reformas e, acima de tudo, construiu os edifícios para acomodação de tropas no Exército Nacional, extensões do Hospital Militar e do Sanatório Espanhol. A força de suas obras significa que elas ainda estão de pé até hoje.

Asunto(s)

Humanos , Masculino , Historia del Siglo XIX , Historia del Siglo XX , Arquitectura , Hospitales Militares , Personal Militar , Uruguay

RESUMEN

Soil alkalinity is a critical environmental factor for plant growth and distribution in ecosystems. An alkaline condition (pH > 7) is imposed by the rising concentration of hydroxides and cations, and prevails in semiarid and arid environments, which represent more than 25% of the total arable land of the world. Despite the great pressure exerted by alkalinity for root viability and plant survival, scarce information is available to understand how root microbes contribute to alkaline pH adaptation. Here, we assessed the effects of alkalinity on shoot and root biomass production, chlorophyll content, root growth and branching, lateral root primordia formation, and the expression of CYCB1, TOR kinase, and auxin and cytokinin-inducible trangenes in shoots and roots of Arabidopsis seedlings grown in Petri plates with agar-nutrient medium at pH values of 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, and 9.0. The results showed an inverse correlation between the rise of pH and most growth, hormonal and genetic traits analyzed. Noteworthy, root inoculation with Achromobacter sp. 5B1, a beneficial rhizospheric bacterium, with plant growth promoting and salt tolerance features, increased biomass production, restored root growth and branching and enhanced auxin responses in WT seedlings and auxin-related mutants aux1-7 and eir1, indicating that stress adaptation operates independently of canonical auxin transporter proteins. Sequencing of the Achromobacter sp. 5B1 genome unveiled 5244 protein-coding genes, including genes possibly involved in auxin biosynthesis, quorum-sensing regulation and stress adaptation, which may account for its plant growth promotion attributes. These data highlight the critical role of rhizobacteria to increase plant resilience under high soil pH conditions potentially through genes for adaptation to an extreme environment and bacteria-plant communication.

Asunto(s)

Proteínas de Arabidopsis , Arabidopsis , Plantones , Proteínas de Arabidopsis/genética , Ecosistema , Raíces de Plantas , Ácidos Indolacéticos/metabolismo , Suelo , Regulación de la Expresión Génica de las Plantas

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Sleep bruxism (SB) occurring during No-REM (nREM) sleep and increase in microarousals per hour have been described in adults, but not in children. OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between sleep architecture and masseter muscle activity related to sleep bruxism (SB/MMA) in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-three children aged 7-12 years (mean age: 9.4 ± 1.3) with confirmed SB underwent a two-night polysomnographic (PSG) study in a sleep laboratory, for accommodation (first night) and data collection (second night). Data on sleep architecture (total sleep duration (TSD), sleep efficiency (SE), sleep onset latency (SOL), REM and nREM sleep duration and proportion and microarousals/hour during REM and nREM sleep) and episodes/hour of SB/MMA were recorded. Single and multiple-variable linear regression analyses were performed to assess the correlation between data on sleep architecture (predictors) and SB/MMA (dependent variable). RESULTS: Shorter TSD, REM and nREM stage 1 sleep duration, longer SOL and more microarousals/hour during REM and nREM sleep were found to be positive predictors of SB/MMA in children in the multiple-variable regression analysis (R2  = 0.511). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that SB/MMA is correlated with altered sleep architecture in children (shorter total sleep duration (TSD), shorter nREM and REM sleep and higher microarousals during REM and nREM sleep). Nevertheless, the clinical significance of these findings need to be demonstrated in future studies.

Asunto(s)

Bruxismo del Sueño , Adulto , Niño , Humanos , Músculo Masetero/fisiología , Polisomnografía , Sueño/fisiología

RESUMEN

Muscle ultrasonography is frequently used to improve the understanding of musculoskeletal impairments in children with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP). So far, most studies on muscle morphology and architecture have included typically developing children and children with SCP with similar ancestry, being mainly Caucasian. Less is known about differences in muscle morphology between children with different ancestral backgrounds. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare muscle morphology and architecture of the medial gastrocnemius in typically developing children with African, South Asian and Southeast Asian descent from Suriname. This explorative cohort study identified children as Maroon (Ghana, African descent), Hindustani (India, South Asian) or Javanese (Indonesia, Southeast Asian), aged 5-10 years. Using 3D freehand ultrasound with the subject prone, the following medial gastrocnemius parameters were defined: muscle tendon unit (MTU) length, muscle belly length, tendon length, muscle volume, muscle thickness, anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA), fascicle length, pennation angle, and physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA). In addition, differences between ancestral groups were assessed for the length of the MTU, muscle, tendon and fascicles in two passive stretch conditions corresponding to an externally applied joint torque of 1Nm and 4Nm. One-way ANOVA with post hoc t-tests were used to investigate differences between the ancestral groups. In total, 100 Hindustani (n = 34), Javanese (n = 34) and Maroon (n = 32) children were included. For statistical analyses, we matched the children by age, which resulted in groups of 25 children per ancestral group (n = 75). There were no differences found in MTU length, muscle belly length, ACSA, PCSA and muscle volume. Tendon length, fascicle length and pennation angle were different between ancestral groups. Compared to Javanese children, tendon length was longer (p = 0.001) and pennation angle (p = 0.001) was larger in Maroon children and fascicle length was shorter in both Maroon and Hindustani children (p < 0.001). While there was a difference found in MTU length at different conditions of passive stretch between ancestries, no differences were found in the muscle, tendon and fascicles. This is the first study that investigated macroscopic morphological and architectural parameters for the medial gastrocnemius in one extended cohort of typically developing children, stratified in three ancestral subgroups. The current results imply that ancestry-specific reference data for children are needed, especially for tendon length, fascicle length and pennation angle when investigating altered muscle morphology in neurological or neuromuscular pathologies, such as SCP. Future studies should report the ancestral background when describing muscle morphology and architecture of children and ancestral specifications should be included in normative databases.

Asunto(s)

Parálisis Cerebral , Músculo Esquelético , Niño , Humanos , Estudios de Cohortes , Músculo Esquelético/fisiología , Tendones , Parálisis Cerebral/patología , Ultrasonografía/métodos

RESUMEN

Resumo Em 2020 o mundo vivenciou o flagelo da covid-19. A Fiocruz se viu novamente diante de um grande desafio. Uma das estratégias estabelecidas pela instituição para o enfrentamento da doença foi a construção de um novo hospital. Não era a primeira vez que a Fiocruz construía um espaço de assistência hospitalar. O primeiro hospital, cujas instalações necessitam de ações de preservação, foi aberto em 1918 para estudos e tratamento de doenças tropicais. O segundo foi erguido em 2021, especialmente para tratar as vítimas da nova epidemia, na lógica de um hospital de campanha. Esse artigo pretende trazer reflexões para se entender o contexto de construção de ambos os hospitais, bem como contribuir para estudos sobre história das ciências e da saúde.

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Abstract In 2020 the world suffered from covid-19. Fundação Oswaldo Cruz faced itself again with a challenging task. One of its strategies while battling the disease was building a hospital. It was not the first time the institution would build such a healthcare facility. The first hospital, which nowadays needs preservation measures, opened in 1918 intending to study and treat tropical diseases. The second, built in 2021, was a field hospital designed to treat the new epidemic victims. This article aims to reflect upon both hospitals' construction contexts, as well as contribute to studies on the history of science and health.

RESUMEN

Introducción: El mareo postural perceptual persistente (MPPP) es una de las causas más frecuentes de vértigo crónico. Si bien, los pacientes con MPPP tienen alteraciones de la percepción espacial, se desconoce si presentan alteraciones en el miedo a las alturas. Para no exponer a pacientes con MPPP a ambientes reales con altura, nos propusimos utilizar la realidad virtual para estudiar el miedo a las alturas. Objetivo: Cuantificar el miedo a las alturas en pacientes con MPPP y controles mediante ambientes simulados con realidad virtual. Material y Método: Estudio transversal, prospectivo de casos y controles pareados por edad y sexo. Se reclutaron pacientes con MPPP del Servicio de Otorrinolaringología del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile entre los años 2020 y 2021. Se midió presencia subjetiva de miedo y taquicardia. Los escenarios se desarrollaron con el programa Blender 2.8 y Oculus Link para equipo Oculus Quest. Se utilizaron cinco escenarios a diferentes alturas (pisos 1, 3, 6, 12, 19). Resultados: Se reclutaron 20 sujetos (12 mujeres, 47 años en promedio), incluyendo 10 pacientes con MPPP y 10 controles sin síntomas vestibulares. Ningún sujeto del grupo control presentó miedo en los escenarios presentados, mientras que siete pacientes del grupo MPPP tuvieron miedo subjetivo a una altura menor a 40 metros virtuales (Fischer, p < 0,05). Conclusión: Los pacientes con MPPP presentan, con mayor frecuencia, miedo subjetivo a las alturas que los controles, pero se requiere de nuevos estudios para determinar si este miedo es específico de MPPP, o es general a otras causas de vértigo crónico.

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Introduction: Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is one of the most common causes of chronic vertigo. While patients with PPPD have spatial perception alterations, it is unknown whether they present alterations in fear of heights. To avoid exposing patients with PPPD to high places, we aimed to use virtual reality to quantify fear of heights. Aim: To quantify fear of heights in patients with PPPD and controls using simulated environments with virtual reality. Material and Method: A prospective cross-sectional study of age- and sex-matched case-control pairs. PPPD patients were recruited from the Otolaryngology Service of the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile between 2020 and 2021. Presence of subjective fear and tachycardia were measured. The scenarios were developed using Blender 2.8 and Oculus Link for the Oculus Quest. Five scenarios at different heights (floors 1, 3, 6, 12, 19) were used. Results: Twenty subjects were recruited (12 women, average age of 47 years), including 10 PPPD patients and 10 controls without vestibular symptoms. None of the control group subjects presented fear in the presented scenarios, while seven patients in the PPPD group had subjective fear at a height lower than virtual 40 meters (Fischer, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with PPPD present a greater proportion of subjective fear to heights than controls, but further studies are required to determine if this fear is specific to PPPD or is general to other causes of chronic vertigo.

Asunto(s)

Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Adolescente , Adulto , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Adulto Joven , Postura/fisiología , Vértigo/fisiopatología , Mareo/fisiopatología , Realidad Virtual , Percepción de Movimiento/fisiología , Estudios Transversales

RESUMEN

Serious Exergames (SEGs) have been little concerned with flexibility/equivalence, complementarity, and monitoring (functionalities of systems that deal with a wide variety of inputs). These functionalities are necessary for health SEGs due to the variety of treatments and measuring requirements. No known SEG architectures include these three functionalities altogether. In this paper, we present the 123-SGR software architecture for the creation of an SEG that is appropriate to the needs of professionals and patients in the area of rehabilitation. An existing SEG was adapted and therapy-related sensor devices (Pneumotachograph, Manovacuometer, Pressure Belt, and Oximeter) were built to help the patient interact with the SEG. The architecture allows the most varied input combinations, with and without fusion, and these combinations are possible for both conscious and unconscious signals. Health and Technology professionals have assessed the SEG and found that it had the functionalities of flexibility/equivalence, complementarity, and monitoring, and that these are really important and necessary functionalities. The 123-SGR architecture can be used as a blueprint for future SEG development.

Asunto(s)

Videojuego de Ejercicio , Programas Informáticos , Humanos

RESUMEN

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been widely used to build deep learning models for medical image registration, but manually designed network architectures are not necessarily optimal. This paper presents a hierarchical NAS framework (HNAS-Reg), consisting of both convolutional operation search and network topology search, to identify the optimal network architecture for deformable medical image registration. To mitigate the computational overhead and memory constraints, a partial channel strategy is utilized without losing optimization quality. Experiments on three datasets, consisting of 636 T1-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRIs), have demonstrated that the proposal method can build a deep learning model with improved image registration accuracy and reduced model size, compared with state-of-the-art image registration approaches, including one representative traditional approach and two unsupervised learning-based approaches.