•New archaeomagnetic data from the Early Iron Ages were obtained for Spain.•High geomagnetic fluctuation rates up to 8° and 16 μT/century were observed.•A new reconstruction model (SHAWQ-Iron Age) ...has been obtained.•New hints about the evolution of the Levantine Iron Age Anomaly (LIAA) are shown.•Normal flux patch (NFP) linked to the LIAA is observed at the core-mantle boundary.
Variations of geomagnetic field in the Iberian Peninsula prior to Late Iron Age times are poorly constrained. Here we report 14 directional and 10 palaeointensity results from an archaeomagnetic study carried out on 17 combustion structures recovered from six archaeological sites in eastern Spain. The studied materials have been dated by archaeological evidences and supported by radiocarbon dates (8th-5th centuries BC). Rock magnetic experiments indicate that the characteristic remanent magnetization is carried by a low coercivity magnetic phase with Curie temperatures of 500-575°C, most likely titanomagnetite/maghemite with low titanium content. Archaeointensity determinations were carried out by using the classical Thellier-Thellier experiment including pTRM-checks and magnetic anisotropy corrections. A new full vector Iberian Paleosecular Variation Curve for the Iron Age is presented. High fluctuation rates on both directions and intensities are observed during the Early Iron times that seems to be related with the Levantine Iron Age Anomaly (LIAA), the most prominent anomaly of the geomagnetic field of the last three millennia. Two intensity maxima were observed at Iberian coordinates, the oldest around 750 BC (associated with easterly declinations of around 23°) and the second 275 yrs later (475 BC) with northerly directions. The related virtual axial dipole moment was up to 14⋅1022 Am2 for the oldest materials (750 BC) and reaching 16⋅1022 Am2 for the materials corresponding to the end of the Early Iron Age.
In order to investigate the origin of the unusually high fluctuations of the palaeofield we have developed a new global geomagnetic field reconstruction, the SHAWQ-IronAge model, which is based on a critical revision of the global archeomagnetic and volcanic dataset. The new model provides an improved description of the evolution of the LIAA, which is related to a normal flux patch at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) below Arabian Peninsula clearly observed at around 950 BC. This flux patch expanded towards the north-west, while decreasing in intensity, reaching Iberia at around 750 BC. Around 600-500 BC, it underwent a revival below the European continent after that it seems to vanish in situ.
The Canary Islands longitudinal study on non-pharmacological treatments showed the overall effectiveness of mindfulness in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, no specific data on the maintenance of ...cognitive capacities were presented.
To determine whether the practice of mindfulness modifies the course of cognitive impairment in AD.
Longitudinal, non-inferiority and equivalence, randomized clinical trial, repeated-measures design, with three experimental groups and one control group.
Patients with AD who voluntarily attended the Lidia García Foundation (n = 502). Only those who were treated with donepezil and MMSE ≥18 were included (n = 120).
Over a two-year period, each group carried out three weekly sessions of stimulation based on mindfulness, cognitive stimulation therapy, and progressive muscle relaxation.
Cognitive assessment CAMDEX-R (MMSE and CAMCOG).
Repeated-measures ANOVA (p < 0.05) and the effect size Cohen's d were performed.
The mindfulness group showed significant scores compared with the control and muscle relaxation groups (p < 0.05), while mindfulness and cognitive stimulation therapy were equivalent (p≥0.05). Group cognitive stimulation evolved better than the control (p < 0.05) group but not better than the muscle relaxation group (p≥0.05). The effect size compared over two years was large for the mindfulness group (p≥0.80), moderate for the relaxation group (p≥0.50), and low for the cognitive stimulation group (p≥0.20).
The practice of mindfulness maintained cognitive function over a period of two years. This longitudinal study suggests that mindfulness can be used as a non-pharmacological treatment to slow cognitive impairment in AD.
This longitudinal study addressed whether mindfulness practice prevents psychological and behavioral symptoms, especially mood disorders, in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
To assess the incidence of ...depression in the course of AD and to determine which non-pharmacological treatment (NPT) is most effective in preventing psychopathological symptoms.
We conducted a longitudinal, non-inferiority and equivalence randomized clinical trial, repeated-measures design, with a control group and three experimental treatments: mindfulness, cognitive stimulation, and relaxation. Each experimental group performed three weekly sessions for two years. The pharmacological treatment of all participants was donepezil (10 mg). Participants were patients with probable AD without diagnosed depression from the public neurology services of the Canary Health Service, Spain. Psychological evaluation was performed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-Q). The statistical analysis included only patients who attended at least 75% of the sessions. A nonparametric, repeated-measures analysis was performed with Kruskal-Wallis H test and between-group differences with Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction (p < 0.008). Effect size was calculated with partial eta-squared.
The results showed significant differences with large effect sizes (η2p>0.14) between mindfulness and the rest of the experimental groups as well as the control in the GDS, HDRS, and NPI-Q scales.
Compared to the other experimental groups, only mindfulness prevented the onset of depression and other psychopathologies in early-stage AD. Based on its effectiveness in maintaining cognitive functions and preventing psychopathology, we recommend mindfulness as the first-choice NPT for mild to moderate AD.
Abstract Objective To analyze the effect of the 'Exercise Without Movement' (E.W.M) yoga method on mindfulness and on the improvement of anxiety and depression symptoms. Methods A quasi-experimental ...study examined the effect of one month E.W.M. intervention among 38 participants who were enrolled voluntarily to both groups, study (n = 16) and control (n = 22). Five participants dropped out during the study. The State Mindfulness Scale (SMS) was used to measure mindfulness. The Anxiety Inventory Beck (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) were used to measure the anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively, before and after the intervention. Results Study group showed both a statistically significant increase in mindfulness and decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms, compared with the control group. Conclusions The E.W.M. has been useful in the development of mindfulness and in the treatment of anxiety and depression symptoms and may represent a new method in the mindfulness-based therapeutic application.
•The aim is to study the effect of yoga on essential arterial hypertension and on related emotional symptomatology.•Three yoga interventions (Meditation, Pranayama and Yoga) were conducted with ...essential arterial hypertension patients.•Significant correlations between mindfulness increase and emotional symptomatology improvement were found.•Improvements in mindfulness and reductions of emotional symptomatology were observed in all treatment groups.•Clinically significant reductions of systolic blood pressure were shown in the HT Meditation intervention group.
Background: Earlier statements suggested a negative impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on sports performance and injury risk. With the COVID-19 pandemic under control and the ...dominance of a less-severe strain of the virus, there is a need to confirm whether these adverse effects still apply to the current situation. Hypothesis: Infected players would have a higher noncontact muscle injury incidence compared with noninfected counterparts. Study Design: Cohort observational study. Level of Evidence: Level 3. Methods: Seven teams (n = 147 players) competing in the Spanish professional women’s football league (Liga F) were prospectively monitored during the 2021-2022 season. Data from noncontact injuries were recorded and classified following the latest consensus statement from the International Olympic Committee. COVID-19 was certified by the medical staff by regular polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results: Ninety-two players suffered at least 1 noncontact muscle injury during the season. Injury incidence during the season was similar in players with COVID-19 (n = 83) and players without infection (5.1 ± 6.7 versus 4.9 ± 10.0 injuries/1000 h of play, respectively; P = 0.90). Players with COVID-19 were not more likely to suffer noncontact injuries compared with those players without infection ( R 2 = 0.02; odds ratio OR 95% confidence interval 95% CI = 0.36-1.38; P = 0.31). There was no effect of COVID-19 on the days of absence due to injury ( R 2 = 0.01; OR 95% CI = 1.00-1.01; P = 0.44) or in the classification of the severity of the injury ( P = 0.79). Conclusion: COVID-19 has no significant effect on noncontact injury incidence and severity in professional female football players. Clinical Relevance: Currently, COVID-19 infection does not alter noncontact muscle injury risk in professional football and requires no further attention in terms of injury management. Usual return-to-play protocols apply to COVID-19 considering the particularities of each player since the severity of infection, period of inactivity, and effects on the player’s health and performance.
The ankle brachial index (ABI) is a test that is suitable for general application because of its capacity to bloodlessly evaluate the haemodynamic state in peripheral chronic ischemia. Determining ...the pressure through direct arterial puncture, however, is the reference method. One recently applied non-invasive method is the so-called lifting test.
To compare the different methods of determining the ABI and to evaluate the reliability of the lifting test in patients with critical ischemia of the lower limbs.
A prospective study was designed involving a sample of 55 extremities with critical ischemia. The ABI was determined using the three methods and a statistical analysis of the results was performed by means of a descriptive, correlation and hypothesis testing study (Wilcoxon test).
The mean ABI for the classical method, arterial puncture and lifting test was 0.58 (0.51-0.64), 0.14 (0.12-0.14) and 0.16 (0.13-0.20) respectively. In the correlation analysis, the lifting test proved to have a higher correlation (r=0.71) than the classical method (r=0.32) with regard to arterial puncture. The Wilcoxon test revealed the existence of significant differences between the classical method and arterial puncture, whereas this was not the case with the lifting test.
The lifting test appears as a more reliable method for determining the ABI in patients with critical ischemia, since it does not allow the overestimation that occurs with the traditional ABI.
El índice tobillo/brazo (ITB) es un test de aplicación generalizada por su capacidad de evaluar deforma incruenta el estado hemodinámico en la isquemia crónica periférica. La determinación de la presión mediante punción arterial directa representa, sin embargo, el método de referencia. Un método no invasivo de aplicación reciente es el llamado test de elevación.
Comparar los distintos métodos de determinación del ITB y evaluar la fiabilidad del test de elevación en pacientes con isquemia crítica de las extremidades inferiores.
Se diseñó un estudio prospectivo sobre un tamaño muestral de 55 extremidades con isquemia crítica. Se determinó el ITB por los tres métodos y se realizó un análisis estadístico de los resultados mediante un estudio descriptivo, de correlación y contraste de hipótesis (test de Wilcoxon).
El ITB medio para el método clásico, la punción arterial y el test de elevación fue, respectivamente, de 0,58 (0,51-0,64), 0,14 (0,12-0,14) y 0,16 (0,13-0,20). En el análisis de correlación el test de elevación demostró tener mayor correlación (r=0,71) que el método clásico (r=0,32) con la punción arterial. El test de Wilcoxon demostró la existencia de diferencias significativas entre el método clásico y la punción arterial, mientras que el test de elevación no las presentó.
El test de elevación se presenta como un método de determinación del ITB más fiable en enfermos con isquemia crítica, ya que evita la sobreestimación del ITB por el método tradicional.
O índice tornozelo-braço (ITB) é um teste de aplicação generalizada pela sua capacidade de permitir avaliar de forma não cruenta o estado hemodinâmico na isquemia crónica periférica. A determinação dapressao porpunção arterial directa representa, contudo, o método de referência. Um método não invasivo de aplicação recente é o assim chamado teste de elevação.
Comparar os distintos métodos de determinação do ITB e avaliar a fiabilidade do teste de elevação em doentes com isquemia crítica dos membros inferiores.
Desenhou-se um estudo prospectivo sobre um tamanho de amostra de 55 membros com isquemia crítica. Determinou-se o ITB pelos trêls métodos e realizou-se uma análise estatística dos resultados através de um estudo descritivo, de correlação e contraste de hipóteses (teste de Wilcoxon).
O ITB médio para o método clássico, punção arterial e teste de elevação, foi respectivamente de: 0,58 (0,51-0,64), 0,14 (0,12-0,14) e 0,16 (0,13-0,20). Na análise de correlação, o teste de elevação demonstrouter maior correlação (r=0,71) do que o método clássico (r=0,32) em relação à punção arterial. O teste de Wilcoxon demonstrou a existência de diferencas significativas entre o método clássico e a punção arterial, enquanto que o teste de elevação não as apresentou.
O teste de elevação apresenta-se como o método de determinação do ITB mais fiável em doentes com isquemia crítica, uma vez que evita a sobrestimação do ITB tradicional.
Introduction. The relationship between vascular malformations and the appearance of intermittent claudication is rare. Case report. We describe the case of a 70-year-old male, a smoker, diabetic and ...dyslipidemic, who visited because of intermittent claudication at short distances with occasional rest pain in both lower limbs. Following a clinical and haemodynamic examination, an arteriographic study was performed. The right common iliac artery was found to be occluded, there was stenosis of both deep femoral arteries at the origins, and bilateral femoral-popliteal obstruction was also observed. After performing a right iliofemoral bypass, a thromboendarterectomy of the left common and deep femoral arteries was carried out. An incidental surgical finding was the unilateral anomalous drainage of the internal saphenous arch in the deep femoral vein, which crossed over the artery of the same name, constricting and displacing it, thus giving rise to a certain degree of fibrosis in surrounding tissue. The arteriotomy showed a severe reduction in the calibre of the arterial lumen at this level, caused by both an increase in the atherosclerotic plaque and the intrinsic compression due to the aberrant situation of the internal saphenous artery. Conclusions. This is the first description of this anatomical malformation in the great inguinal vessels and we were also able to observe directly the probable effect on the morphological and haemodynamic factors of aetiopathogenesis in the arteriosclerotic process and, consequently, in limb ischemia. ANGIOLOGÍA 2004; 56: 587-94
Introducción. La relación de las malformaciones vasculares con la aparición de claudicación intermitente es excepcional. Caso clínico. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 70 años, fumador, diabético y dislipémico, que acude por claudicación intermitente a corta distancia, con dolor de reposo ocasional en ambas extremidades inferiores. Tras la exploración clínica y hemodinámica, se realiza el estudio arteriográfico. La ilíaca primitiva derecha se encuentra ocluida, existen estenosis de ambas femorales profundas en sus orígenes, además de observarse obstrucción femoropoplítea bilateral. Tras la realización de un bypass iliofemoral derecho se lleva a cabo una tromboendarterectomía de femoral común y profunda izquierdas. Como hallazgo operatorio se observa un drenaje anómalo unilateral del cayado de la safena interna en la vena femoral profunda, se cruza sobre la arteria del mismo nombre, la comprime y desplaza originando cierto grado de fibrosis a su alrededor. En la arteriotomía se percibe una grave disminución del calibre de la luz arterial a este nivel, originada tanto por un aumento de la placa aterosclerótica, como por la compresión extrínseca causada por la disposición aberrante de la safena interna. Conclusión. Constituye la primera descripción de esta malformación anatómica en los grandes vasos inguinales, y se observa directamente su probable intervención sobre los factores etiopatogénicos morfológicos y hemodinámicos del proceso arteriosclerótico, y, por consiguiente, en la isquemia de la extremidad. ANGIOLOGÍA 2004; 56: 587-94
Introdução. A relagao das malformações vasculares com o aparecimento de claudicação intermitente é excepcional. Caso clínico. Apresentamos o caso de um homem de 70 anos, fumador, diabético e dislipidémico, que recorre á consulta por claudição intermitente a curta distância, com dor ocasional em repouso em ambas as extremidades inferiores. Após a exploração clínica e hemodinâmica, é realizado o estudo arteriográfico. A ilíaca primitiva direita encontrase ocluída, existem estenoses de ambas as femorais profundas nas suas ori-gens, para além disso, observa-se obstrução femoropopliteia bilateral. Após a realizagao de um bypass iliofemoral direito, faz se a tromboendarterectomia da femoral comum e profunda esquerdas. Como descoberta operatória observa-se uma drenagem anómala unilateral da crossa da safena interna na veia femoral profunda, que se cruza sobre a artéria com o mesmo nome, comprimindo-a e deslocando-a, originando um certo grau de fibrose ao seu redor. Na arteriotomia é perceptível uma grave diminuição do calibre do lumen arterial a este nível, originada tanto por um aumento da placa aterosclerótica, como pela compressão extrínseca, causada pela disposição aberrante da safena interna. Conclusão. Constitui a primeira descricao desta malformacao anatómica nos grandes vasos inguinais, e observa-se directamente a sua provável influencia sobre os factores etiopatogénicos, morfológicos e hemodinámicos do processo arteriosclerótico, e por conseguinte, na isquemia da extremidade. ANGIOLOGÍA 2004; 56: 587-94