Jose Miguel

Neck pain can be associated with specific conditions, such as neurological disorders, vascular or inflammatory diseases, fractures, herniated discs, etc. However, the majority of neck pain cases cannot be attributed to a specific cause. The objective of this review is to describe the muscle dysfunctions associated with neck pain, as measured by electromyography, and to determine the effectiveness of dry needling in improving these muscular dysfunctions. The research was conducted using the following databases: PubMed, Alcorze, and Google Scholar. The next conclusions have been extracted after the revision of the 65 selected manuscripts. The current scientific evidence supports electromyographic pathological findings in individuals with chronic neck pain, especially during general upper limb movement, repetitive work, violin playing, cervical force, and cervical movement tasks. Dry needling applied to an active myofascial trigger point in the upper trapezius can be suggested as an intervention to enhance the performance in the cranio-cervical flexion. Dry needling applied to latent myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius after typing tasks in healthy subjects resulted in decreased upper trapezius activity and fatigue in the short term. In women with trapezius myalgia, dry needling applied to the upper trapezius led to a lower increase in electromyography activity compared to no intervention.

In 1999, Goodpasture antigen-binding protein (GPBP) was identified as a protein interacting with the N-terminal region of the human Goodpasture antigen, linked to collagen IV in patients with Goodpasture syndrome, an autoimmune disease. In 2003, a splice variant lacking a serine-rich domain was discovered, which is involved in the cytosolic transport of ceramide, leading to its renaming as Ceramide Transfer Protein (CERT). This dual functionality has sparked debate regarding the roles of GPBP/CERT, as they appear to participate in distinct research fields and are implicated in various pathologies. This review follows the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA). It compiles data from searches on Medline (PubMed) and Web of Science conducted between February and November 2022. Out of 465 records, 47 publications were selected for review. The literature predominantly focuses on GPBP/CERT as ceramide transporters. Notably, no studies contradict either hypothesis, with substantial scientific evidence supporting both roles. The need for further research is clear, and new insights into these proteins' involvement in multiple pathologies could drive future therapeutic strategies. GPBP and CERT are multifunctional proteins with roles beyond collagen organization and ceramide transport, extending to autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. The ongoing controversy highlights the necessity for continued investigation, which promises to offer significant insights and potential therapeutic avenues.

Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain

Laboratorio de Medicina de Conservación de la Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto

Edible mushrooms have been part of the human diet for centuries. Traditionally, they have been used for culinary and medicinal purposes due to their chemical composition and nutritional value, including their high antioxidant activity attributed to key metabolites such as phenolic compounds and ergothioneine. P. ostreatus mushrooms, known for their potent antioxidant activity, are prone to spoilage shortly after harvest, making preservation methods necessary. Various drying methods were evaluated to determine their effects on physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant properties, and ergothioneine content. Mushrooms were subjected to freeze-drying (FD), hot-air-drying (HAD), and microwave-vacuum-drying (MVD). The rehydration rate, color, and microstructural characteristics of extracts from fresh and dried P. ostreatus mushrooms were evaluated. Additionally, the total soluble phenolic content and antioxidant activity were assessed using DPPH and ORAC assays, along with the determination of ergothioneine content. FD and HAD at 40 °C showed the best results regarding the physicochemical characteristics. In terms of total soluble phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and ergothioneine content, the mushrooms dried using HAD at 40 °C showed the best retention of bioactive compounds. Among the evaluated methods, HAD at 40 °C proved to be a suitable alternative for processing P. ostreatus.

Faculty of Engineering, Universidad Anáhuac México, Av. Universidad Anáhuac 46, Col. Lomas Anáhuac, Huixquilucan 52786, Mexico

This study presents an approach to autonomous navigation for wheeled robots, combining radar-based dynamic obstacle detection with a BiGRU-based deep reinforcement learning (DRL) framework. Using filtering and tracking algorithms, the proposed system leverages radar sensors to cluster object points and track dynamic obstacles, enhancing precision by reducing noise and fluctuations. A BiGRU-enabled DRL model is introduced, allowing the robot to process sequential environmental data and make informed decisions in dynamic and unpredictable environments, achieving collision-free paths and reaching the goal. Simulation and experimental results validate the proposed method's efficiency and adaptability, highlighting its potential for real-world applications in dynamic scenarios.

Validity and Reliability of Kinovea ® for Pelvic Kinematic Measurement in Standing Position and in Sitting Position with 45° of Hip Flexion

This research aims to identify aroma compounds, their combinations, and statistical relationships to classify and characterize wines produced in small, defined areas known as “terroirs”, which share edaphoclimatic characteristics grape varieties, viticultural practices, harvest timing, and winemaking processes. The goal is to deepen the understanding of the relationship between the terroir and wine typicity. This study analyzed the contents based on enological parameters, the major and minor volatile compounds of the young wines produced in three wineries across two vintages, using the Pedro Ximenez white grape variety cultivated in different terroirs within the same quality zone. Statistical tools, such as Multiple Variable Analysis (MVA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were employed to identify significant differences in the volatilomes of wines. PCA effectively differentiated wines from each terroir and vintage using scores from the first two principal components, calculated based on the absolute concentrations of 12 major volatile compounds and 3 polyols. Conversely, PCA based on the concentrations of 52 minor volatile compounds showed a strong ability to classify wines by vintage year. The minor volatile contents of wines from 2 vintages, grouped into 9 chemical families, provide distinct fingerprints that enable wines to be distinguished by terroir. The results underscore the chemical basis underlying terroir typicity in a production zone within a warm Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO).

The numerical modelling procedures and damage criteria of both existing and retrofitted reinforced concrete (RC) elements are crucial for reliable seismic assessment and the retrofitting of existing RC buildings. A widely used retrofitting technique involves the application of fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) to vulnerable RC elements, enhancing their flexural and shear capacities. However, the current version of EC8-3 does not explicitly provide guidelines for numerical modelling, nor does it offer specific information on the assessment of retrofitting elements. This study focuses on developing a concentrated plasticity modelling approach and defining the damage state criteria for retrofitted RC columns with FRPs, based on experimental data from the literature. A database comprising 99 FRP-retrofitted RC columns was compiled, and regression analysis procedures were used to calibrate the peak load rotation, ultimate rotation, and post-capping rotation capacities. The modelling approach was validated through comparison with existing formulations using OpenSees, and the results indicate its adequacy for the seismic assessment of retrofitted buildings. This research advances the seismic assessment of FRP-retrofitted RC elements by introducing a novel trilinear moment–rotation model and refined damage criteria, which provide higher predictive accuracy in comparison to existing proposals. It also addresses critical gaps in seismic assessment practices by proposing the peak load rotation as a more reliable SD limit state threshold for retrofitted columns.