Effects of beetroot juice intake on repeated performance of competitive swimmers.

Beetroot juice is a sport supplement with a high level of evidence on the physical performance enhancement. However, in swimming, there is no clear data about the effects of beetroot juice on performance. To investigate whether an acute intake of beetroot juice (BJ) improves the performance of competitive swimmers in a repeated maximum swimming effort.

Analysis of Sport Supplement Consumption by Competitive Swimmers According to Sex and Competitive Level.

Sports supplements (SS) are commonly used by athletes to improve their performance. SS use by competitive swimmers is reported to be prevalent but there is no evidence of such use by elite swimmers, either male or female. The objective of this research was to study the patterns of SS use by competitive swimmers based on sex and competitive levels (national and international); Methods: Using the categories of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), a total of 102 competitive swimmers (59 men and 43 women) completed a validated self-administered questionnaire on the use of SS; (3) Results: Overall, 86.

Targeting neural stem cells with titanium dioxide nanoparticles coupled to specific monoclonal antibodies.

Aiming to characterize the use of biomaterials in cancer therapy, we took advantage of the n-type semiconductor properties, which upon irradiation excite their electrons into the conduction band to induce photoelectrochemical reactions generating oxygen reactive species (ROS). Indeed, photoactivated TiO(2) nanoparticles have been shown to kill in vitro either bacteria or tumor cells in culture following UV irradiation, as a consequence of the ROS levels generated; the killing was highly effective although devoid of specificity. In this report, we have directed the TiO(2) nanoparticles to particular targets by coupling them to the monoclonal antibody (mAb) Nilo1, recognizing a surface antigen in neural stem cells within a cell culture, to explore the possibility of making this process specific.

Polymorphic variation at the serotonin 1-A receptor gene is associated with comorbid depression and generalized anxiety.

Background: Serotonin 1-A receptors are key regulators of serotonin activity and their dysregulation might be implicated in the emergence of both major depression (MD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Previous studies have yielded inconclusive results as to whether the 5-HT1A receptor gene (HTR1A) has a role in the aetiology of MD and no study up to date has analysed this polymorphism on either pure MD or MD comorbid with GAD.

Methods: In this study, 1059 patients taking part in the PREDICT-Gene study were ascertained for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV MD and GAD diagnoses using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders questionnaire, respectively.

Psychosocial and sociodemographic predictors of attrition in a longitudinal study of major depression in primary care: the predictD-Spain study.

Background: Few data exist on the psychosocial factors associated with attrition in longitudinal surveys. This study was undertaken to determine psychosocial and sociodemographic predictors of attrition from a longitudinal study of the onset and persistence of episodes of major depression in primary care.

Methods: A systematic random sample of general practice attendees was recruited in seven Spanish provinces between October 2005 and February 2006.

Development and validation of an international risk prediction algorithm for episodes of major depression in general practice attendees: the PredictD study.

Context: Strategies for prevention of depression are hindered by lack of evidence about the combined predictive effect of known risk factors.

Objectives: To develop a risk algorithm for onset of major depression.

Design: Cohort of adult general practice attendees followed up at 6 and 12 months.

Spatial analysis to identify hotspots of prevalence of schizophrenia.

Introduction: The geographical distribution of mental health disorders is useful information for epidemiological research and health services planning.

Objective: To determine the existence of geographical hotspots with a high prevalence of schizophrenia in a mental health area in Spain.

Method: The study included 774 patients with schizophrenia who were users of the community mental health care service in the area of South Granada.

Prevalence of common mental disorders in general practice attendees across Europe.

Background: There is evidence that the prevalence of common mental disorders varies across Europe.

Aims: To compare prevalence of common mental disorders in general practice attendees in six European countries.

Method: Unselected attendees to general practices in the UK, Spain, Portugal, Slovenia, Estonia and The Netherlands were assessed for major depression, panic syndrome and other anxiety syndrome.

Social predictors of out-patient mental health contact in schizophrenia patients.

Introduction: Since community-based health care was introduced, the use of mental health services by patients with serious mental disorders has been an issue of much interest. However, our knowledge of intervening factors is both scarce and partial.

Objective: To study socio-demographic variables which may predict time-lapse (in days) between each out-patient contact among a cohort of schizophrenia patients.

The 5-HTTLPR s/s genotype at the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) increases the risk for depression in a large cohort of primary care attendees: the PREDICT-gene study.

Previous reports and meta-analyses have yielded inconclusive results as to whether the s/s genotype at the 5-HTTLPR serotonin transporter polymorphism confers increased risk for depression. We tested the association between s/s genotype and depression in a large cohort (n = 737) of Spanish primary care consecutive attendees participating in a European study on predictors for depression in primary care (PREDICT study). Participants were administered the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) depression subscale allowing diagnoses using ICD-10 criteria for depressive episodes.