University of Huelva

The biceps curl test is easy to apply, does not require expensive equipment, and its short execution time makes it feasible in school settings with limited resources. To verify the reliability of the biceps curl test in children and adolescents and to provide reference values according to chronological age and sex. A total of 1103 schoolchildren aged 6 to 17 years (500 boys and 603 girls) were evaluated. Weight and height were evaluated and Body Mass Index (BMI) and Tri Ponderal Index (TPI) were calculated. The right and left hand biceps curl was evaluated in 30 s. Children aged 6 to 11 years used a 1 kg dumbbell and those aged 12 to 17 years used a 2 kg dumbbell. Percentiles were calculated using the LMS method. The values of the relative Technical Error of Measurement (TEM%) of the biceps curl test of both hands ranged from 0.48 to 2.89%. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) evidenced high values of 0.93 to 0.99. The Bland-Altman plot showed wide limits of agreement (-1.28 to 1.29 rep). These findings demonstrate that the test is reliable and consistent for use in pediatric populations and is suitable for different stages of physical development in school children. The values showed stability and wide limits of agreement. In addition, the proposed percentiles are useful to evaluate and monitor the strength endurance performance of both arms.

A nonperturbatively-improved, symmetry-preserving approximation to the quantum field equations relevant in calculations of meson masses and interactions is used to deliver predictions for all distribution functions (DFs) of the ground state pion, $\pi _0$ π 0 , and its first radial excitation, $\pi _1$ π 1 , viz. valence, glue, and sea. Regarding Mellin moments of the valence DFs, the m=0,1 m = 0 , 1 moments in both states are identical; but for each $m\ge 2$ m ≥ 2 , that in the $\pi _0$ π 0 is greater than its partner in the $\pi _1$ π 1 . Working with such information, pointwise reconstructions of the hadron-scale $\pi _{0,1}$ π 0 , 1 valence DFs are developed. The predicted $\pi _0$ π 0 valence DF is consistent with extant results. The $\pi _1$ π 1 valence DF is novel: it possesses three-peaks, with the central maximum partnered by secondary peaks on either side, each separated from the centre by a zero: the zeroes lie at $x\approx 0.2,0.8$ x ≈ 0.2 , 0.8 and the secondary peaks at $x\approx 0.1,0.9$ x ≈ 0.1 , 0.9 . Evolution to $\zeta =3.2\,$ ζ = 3.2 GeV, a typical scale for nonperturbative calculations, is accomplished using an evolution scheme for parton DFs that is all-orders exact. At this higher scale, differences between the $\pi _{0,1}$ π 0 , 1 valence DFs remain significant, but analogous differences between glue and sea DFs are far smaller. This analysis confirms that, owing to constraints imposed by chiral symmetry and the pattern by which it is broken in Nature, there are noticeable differences between the structural properties of the pion ground state and its radial excitations.

Background: Hallux limitus (HL) is a condition marked by the restricted dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, causing pain and functional limitations, especially during the propulsive phase of walking. This restriction affects the gait, particularly in the final phase, and impairs foot stability and support. HL is more common in adults and leads to biomechanical and functional adaptations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the center of pressure between subjects with hallux limitus and those with healthy feet. Methods: A total of 80 participants (40 with bilateral HL and 40 healthy controls) aged 18 to 64 were selected from a biomechanics center at the Universidade da Coruña, Spain. The gait analysis focused on three key phases: initial contact, forefoot contact, and the loading response. Data were collected using a portable baropodometric platform and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0.2.0; statistical significance was set at p < 0.05, with a 95% confidence interval. Results: The gait analysis indicated that the case group exhibited statistically significant differences, showing lower values in the left foot load response during the foot contact time (77.83 ± 40.17) compared to the control group (100.87 ± 29.27) (p = 0. 010) and in the foot contact percentage (p = 0. 013) during the stance phase (10.02 ± 5.68) compared to the control group (13.05 ± 3.60). Conclusions: Bilateral HL causes subtle gait changes, with individuals showing greater contact time values in the total stance phase versus the control group. Early detection may improve quality of life and prevent complications.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health of healthcare workers globally. Given the critical role these professionals play, understanding the prevalence and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among healthcare workers is crucial for developing targeted interventions. Comprehensive data on the predictors of PTSD symptoms within this population remain limited. This cross-sectional study surveyed 852 healthcare workers across 4 Polish regions between 2021 and 2022. Data were collected using the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist–Civilian Version (PCL-C), which was culturally adapted and validated for Polish respondents. To identify key predictors of PTSD symptoms, researchers employed various statistical methods: Descriptive Statistics summarized key variables (e.g. age, job tenure) to provide an overview of data distribution and sample characteristics. Pearson Correlations examined linear relationships among variables like age, work experience, and PTSD severity, ensuring no multicollinearity through variance inflation factor checks. t-Tests and Mann–Whitney U tests compared PTSD symptom severity across demographic and professional subgroups, accounting for normality using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. And Hierarchical Regression Analysis identified significant predictors, incorporating demographic factors first and work-related variables (e.g. fear for personal health) in a second step. A total of 88.1% of participants were female, and 82.6% were nurses. The overall prevalence of PTSD symptoms was high, with a mean total PTSD score of 37.87. Gender differences were significant, with women reporting higher scores across the PTSD subscales, including avoidance and hyperarousal. Nurses had significantly higher intrusion symptoms compared to other professionals. Fear for personal health was the strongest predictor of PTSD symptoms (β = 0.15, P < .001), explaining 11% of the variance in the final regression model (R2 = 0.11, P < .001). The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions, particularly for women and nurses, who are disproportionately affected by PTSD during the pandemic. Predictive models should guide the development of support programs to mitigate the long-term psychological impact of COVID-19 and ensure better preparedness for future pandemics. The significant influence of fear for personal health on PTSD outcomes highlights the importance of protective measures and psychological support for frontline healthcare workers.

Diclofenac (DCF) exposure is of great concern due to the ecotoxicological risk linked with a decline of vulture populations in Southeast Asia, but also because it can affect the reproduction and neurotoxicity in mammals. Otherwise, selenium (Se) is an antioxidant essential element with key roles in health and with antagonistic action against pollutants, but in some cases with a synergistic effect. To investigate the potential intertwined mechanisms between DCF, Se, and gut microbiota, gut metabolomic and gut microbiota profiles were determined in mice after DCF exposure and Se supplementation. Speciation of selenoproteins in plasma was carried out by isotopic dilution analysis to quantify the levels of selenoproteins. Significant differences in the levels of 79% of the gut metabolites were determined after DCF exposure. The most significant altered pathway in DCF and DCF-Se groups is the primary bile biosynthesis, being the only pathway altered in mice exposed to DCF, while in DCF-Se, the metabolism of galactose and linoleic acid is also altered. Moreover, specific associations between specific gut microbiota and metabolites were determined in the studied mice groups suggesting intertwined mechanisms. Selenium supplementation modulated the gut metabolic and microbiota profiles affected by DCF.

Hallux limitus pathology is defined as a limitation of the dorsiflexion movement of the first toe without degenerative involvement of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, which produces pain and generates functional impairment, especially in the propulsive phase of gait. It is very common to find this pathology in adulthood accompanied by other compensations at a biomechanical level as a consequence of blockage of the main pivot in the sagittal plane. The aim was to determine the symmetry index that occurs in dynamics affiliated with other gait parameters in subjects with and without hallux limitus. A total of 70 subjects were part of the sample, and these were separated into two groups, each consisting of 35 subjects, depending on whether they had bilateral hallux limitus or if they were healthy subjects. In this study, a platform was used to assess the load symmetry index and walking phases. The results showed significant differences in the symmetry index for lateral load (p = 0.023), the initial contact phase (p = 0.003), and the flatfoot phase (p < 0.001). The adults who had bilateral hallux limitus exhibited changes in the symmetry index during the lateral load as well as in the initial contact and flatfoot contact phases, demonstrating increased instability when compared to individuals with normal feet.

We assess the ability of a light-composite breakup model coupled to pre-compound and compound statistical emission models to describe selected compound nuclear cross sections. The framework employed calculates elastic and nonelastic breakup differential cross sections using the post-form distorted wave Born expressions of the Ichimura-Austern-Vincent approach. This has been incorporated into the EMPIRE nuclear reaction code for the specific case of the deuteron, used in the calculations presented here. The exciton preequilibrium and Hauser-Feshbach compound-nucleus models are used to account for pre-equilibrium and equilibrium emission. The outcome of our analyses yields a satisfactory agreement between theoretical and experimental values in most cases. The analysis also permits a preliminary assessment of the importance of inelastic excitation on the cross-section predictions.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the mental health of workers. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of psychological distress among Brazilian workers during the early months of the pandemic and explore its associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire administered to 2903 Brazilian workers, including 1752 non-healthcare workers (NHCWs) and 1151 healthcare workers (HCWs), between April and May 2020. Snowball sampling was employed for participant recruitment, and the research questionnaire was adapted for use with the Brazilian population through a process of translation and cultural adaptation, based on an instrument initially created and validated for use in Spain. Differences between NHCWs and HCWs were tested using the chi-square or Fisher’s Exact test and Mann–Whitney test followed by effect size measurement. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the association between psychological distress and the predictor variables. Psychological distress was observed in 72.6% (95% CI 70.1–74.2%) of the participants, with no significant difference observed between NHCWs and HCWs. Although 32 variables showed statistically significant differences between NHCWs and HCWs, only 7 demonstrated clinical–epidemiological relevance, primarily related to occupational factors. Work-related stress was positively associated with psychological distress, but this relationship diminished in the absence of family members infected with COVID-19. Conversely, a higher sense of coherence was protective against psychological distress, although this effect weakened in the absence of family members infected with COVID-19. The study highlights the high prevalence of psychological distress among Brazilian workers during the pandemic’s early months. Work stress played a significant role, while sense of coherence appeared to mitigate mental health challenges. These findings highlight the need for targeted mental health interventions, particularly for workers facing both professional and family-related stressors during crises.

It has been reported that phenylalanine (Phe) or tyrosine (Tyr) supplementations significantly affect fish stress and welfare biomarkers. The objective of this study was to determine the amount of Phe/Tyr in the diet and feeding time necessary to mitigate stress. Seabreams (Sparus aurata) were stocked at 5 kg m⁻³ in 500 L tanks. The experimental treatments consisted of different types of feeding: control, Phe-enriched (5%, 7.5%, 10% on dry food), and Tyr-enriched (5%, 7.5%, 10%) food for 2, 4, or 8 days each. At the end of each experimental treatment, fish were sampled for blood, and 10 fish from each treatment were previously subjected to stress by exposure to air (3 min) and sampled 30 min and 2 h later. Plasma glucose, lactate, proteins, cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline concentrations were measured. Dietary Tyr supplements led to high mortalities in long treatments (8 days). The best results for attenuating stress biomarkers were found for the 10% Tyr supplements for 4 days since this treatment kept the maximum number of stress biomarkers with no significant changes. The correlations between biomarker concentrations and amino acid (AA) concentration/supply time were not always significant, though it seems that Tyr supplements present more consistent effects, the increase in Tyr concentration or feeding period being related to decreasing biomarker concentrations.

This study aimed to examine the mediating roles of resilience and meaning-centered coping in the relationships between life satisfaction and posttraumatic growth and depreciation. The sample consisted of 255 participants (70% females, M age = 23.35), who directly experienced the earthquakes that occurred in Turkey on February 6, 2023. Using an online survey, participants answered self-reported questions about their perceived life satisfaction, posttraumatic growth, depreciation, resilience, and meaning-centered coping. Findings showed that life satisfaction significantly predicted resilience, meaning-centered coping, and posttraumatic depreciation. Resilience and meaning-centered coping significantly predicted both posttraumatic growth and depreciation. Importantly, resilience and meaning-centered coping significantly mediated the association of life satisfaction with posttraumatic growth and depreciation. In conclusion, the findings of this study have important implications for customizing interventions designed to enhance the resilience and coping mechanisms of individuals dealing with traumas, including those with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Background: Emotional exhaustion, a central component of burnout syndrome, affects social workers due to adverse work factors such as excessive workload, work–family conflict, and a lack of social support. The job demands–resources and conservation of resources models explain how chronic stress influences these professionals. Methods: A systematic review was carried out using the recommendations of the PRISMA guidelines as a reference for the selection and identification of studies and the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, registering the protocol in PROSPERO. Cross-sectional studies published from 1 January 2019 to 30 September 2024 were included and five main databases―Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and PsycInfo—were used to search for specific studies written in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Results: Of 361 initial records, 21 studies involving more than 24,000 social workers from diverse global settings were analyzed. The main risk factors identified were workload, work–family conflict, and work victimization. Resilience, self-care, and social support were highlighted as protective factors. Emotional exhaustion was associated with low job satisfaction, turnover intention, and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Conclusions: Emotional burnout requires specific strategies, such as work flexibility, wellness programs, and organizational support. These measures can mitigate its impact, improving work–life balance and fostering resilience.

Background/Objectives: Fear of recurrence is one of the main issues affecting cancer patients after the completion of treatment. Despite the development of various assessment tools at the international level, there is a lack of validated questionnaires in Spanish. For this reason, the aim of this study is to conduct a transcultural adaptation and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR7) questionnaire. Methods: We carried out translation and transcultural adaptation of the FCR7 scale, content validity through expert review, and face validity with a pilot test in the first phase. In the second phase, construct validity was evaluated through confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis, along with reliability (internal consistency), convergent–divergent validation, and known-groups validation in a sample of 315 individuals with a history of cancer. Descriptive and inferential analysis was performed using JAMOVI© v.2.3.24., confirmatory factor analysis with FACTOR© v.12.02.01x64 bits, and Rasch analysis with JMetrik© v.2.0. Results: Aiken’s coefficient exceeded 0.75 for all items, indicating acceptable face validity for the instrument. Two unidimensional models were obtained for the instrument, FCR7-SP and FCR6-SP, both showing acceptable fit values and adequate reliability (omega coefficient = 0.933 [95% CI: 0.922–0.944] and 0.942 [95% CI: 0.931–0.951], respectively). Conclusions: The Spanish version of the FCR7 is valid and reliable for assessing fear of cancer recurrence in the Spanish population, with two models available for its application (FCR7-SP and FCR6-SP). The availability of this tool will enable the evaluation of this phenomenon in clinical practice and a more effective approach to addressing its consequences.

Several aspects of the internal structure of pseudoscalar mesons, accessible through generalized parton distributions in their zero-skewness limit, are examined. These include electromagnetic and gravitational form factors related to charge and mass densities; and distributions in the impact parameter space. To this end, we employ an algebraically viable framework that is based upon the valence-quark generalized parton distribution expressed explicitly in terms of the associated distribution function and a profile function that governs the off-forward dynamics. The predominantly analytical nature of this scheme yields several algebraic results and relations while also facilitating the exploration of insightful limiting cases. With a suitable input distribution function, guided either by experiment or theory, and with an appropriate choice of the profile function, it is possible to provide testable predictions for spatial distributions of valence quarks inside pseudoscalar mesons. When comparison is possible, these predictions align well with existing experimental data as well as the findings of reliable theoretical approaches and lattice QCD.

River mouths act as containers for pollution episodes that have occurred in their drainage basins over time. The estuary of the Tinto River is currently one of the most polluted areas in the world, due to past and recent mining and industrial activities. This communication studies the concentrations of seven strategic minerals in a sediment core obtained in the middle estuary of this river. The Holocene geochemical record has allowed us to distinguish four episodes of contamination: an initial one due to acid rock drainage during the MIS-1 transgression and three anthropogenic ones due to the first mining activities, the Roman period, and the industrial mining stages of the 19th and 20th centuries. The concentrations of these strategic minerals increase from the first episode to the fourth. A first evaluation of the concentrations obtained in this core and adjacent pre-Holocene formations reveals that they are too low to consider these sediments ore deposits of the seven elements studied.