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Solenopsis geminata is an aggressive pest of manzano pepper (Capsicum pubescens) crops. Herein, we report on the volatilomics profiling of manzano pepper plants obtained during S. geminata infestation by solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. As a result, 68 volatile organic compounds were identified from ants, non-infested plants, and infested plants, including terpenes, esters, steroids, aldehydes, phenylpropanoids, and fatty acids. As a remarkable finding, oleic and palmitic acids were the main compounds released during ant infestation. These fatty acids were evaluated as biocidal or repellent agents under in vitro and in situ conditions. From these experiments, the biocidal effect of palmitic acid was more potent (median lethal dose [LC 50 ], 0.97 mg/cm 2 ) than that of oleic acid (LC 50 , 5.03 mg/cm 2 ) on S. geminata workers. Nevertheless, only oleic acid had a repellent effect under in situ conditions (p < 0.01). Our results represent new insights into the role of both fatty acids in manzano pepper defense mechanisms., (© 2024 Wiley‐VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Chia ( Salvia hispanica L.) flour seeds produce films with good barrier properties against water vapor and could be used as food packaging; however, their mechanical properties are poor, which limits their application. The incorporation of nanoparticles into natural polymers is a strategy used to improve the properties of films to increase their applications. Furthermore, nanoparticles can encapsulate antioxidant agents and generate active films. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of chia flour (4%-7%), glycerol (15%-25%), and chia extract-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (ChCNp) (0%-0.75%) on the physical, mechanical, barrier, structural and antioxidant properties of chia flour nanocomposite films. Chitosan nanoparticles loaded with antioxidant chia extract were synthesized by ionic gelation and incorporated into the films. The thickness, water vapor permeability, tensile strength, and antioxidant properties of the films were evaluated using a Box-Behnken experimental design. Structural analysis was conducted using the FTIR technique. The results of the ANOVA of the responses were adjusted to second and third order polynomial models obtaining determination coefficients of 0.96-0.99. The water vapor permeability of the films was 3.89 × 10 -8 -1.68 × 10 -7  g mm/Pa s m 2 , tensile strength was 0.67-3.59 MPa and antioxidant activity was 57.12%-67.84%. The variables presented different effects on the films. Increasing the chia seed flour concentration negatively affected the water vapor permeability but improved the tensile strength and the antioxidant capacity of the films. The increase in glycerol concentration caused the films to become brittle. The nanoparticles had a significant effect on the thickness of the films and improved their mechanical and antioxidant properties. However, they did not show an effect on barrier properties. The results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain nanocomposite films with antioxidant capacity from chia seed flour and with the incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with antioxidants., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Morales-Olán, Moreno-Zarate, Ríos-Corripio, Hernández-Cázares, Rojas-López and Luna-Suárez.)

Tomato seeds are a rich source of protein that can be utilized for various industrial food purposes. This study delves into the effects of using supercritical CO 2 (scCO 2 ) on the structure and techno-functional properties of proteins extracted from defatted tomato seeds. The defatted meal was obtained using hexane (TSMH) and scCO 2 (TSMC), and proteins were extracted using water (PEWH and PEWC) and saline solution (PESH and PESC). The results showed that scCO 2 treatment significantly improved the techno-functional properties of protein extracts, such as oil-holding capacity and foaming capacity (especially for PEWC). Moreover, emulsifying capacity and stability were enhanced for PEWC and PESC, ranging between 4.8 and 46.7% and 11.3 and 96.3%, respectively. This was made possible by the changes in helix structure content induced by scCO 2 treatment, which increased for PEWC (5.2%) and decreased for PESC (8.0%). Additionally, 2D electrophoresis revealed that scCO 2 hydrolyzed alkaline proteins in the extracts. These findings demonstrate the potential of scCO 2 treatment in producing modified proteins for food applications.

Biopharmaceuticals are complex biological molecules that require careful storage and handling to ensure medication integrity. In this study, a work system analysis of real-world protein drug (PD) handling was performed with the following goals: identify main barriers and facilitators for successful adherence to accepted recommendations in PD handling, analyse differences in two organizations, and define a Best Current Practice in the real-life handling of PDs based on the results of the work system analysis. Observational study was held in two university hospitals in Spain and Sweden. Based on the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model, the tools chosen were: the PETT scan, in order to indicate the presence of barriers or facilitators for the PETT components (People, Environment, Tools, Tasks); the Tasks and tools matrices to construct a checklist to record direct observations during the real-life handling of biopharmaceuticals, and the Journey map to depict the work process. Observations were performed between March and November 2022. Each episode of direct observation included a single protein drug in some point of the supply chain and considered all the elements in the work system. Based on the results of the work system analysis and the literature review, the authors propose a list of items which could be assumed as Best Current Practice for PDs handling in hospitals. There were a total of 34 observations involving 19 PDs. Regarding People involved in the work process, there was a diversity of professionals with different previous training and knowledge, leading to an information gap. With respect to Environment, some structural and organizational differences between hospitals lead to risks related to the time exposure of PDs to room temperature and mechanical stress. Some differences also existed in the Tools and Tasks involved in the process, being especially relevant to the lack of compatibility information of PDs with new technologies, such as pneumatic tube system, robotic reconstitution, or closed-system transfer devices. Finally, 15 suggestions for best current practice are proposed. Main barriers found for compliance with accepted recommendations were related to the information gap detected in professionals involved in the handling of protein drugs, unmonitored temperature, and the lack of compatibility information of protein drugs with some new technologies. By applying a Human Factors and Systems Engineering Approach, the comparison of two European hospitals has led to a suggested list of Best Current Practices in the handling of protein drugs in a hospital., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of International Society for Quality in Health Care.)

Herein we report on the generation of hairy root lines of P. scaberrima able to produce hernandulcin (HE), a non-caloric sweetener with nutraceutical properties. From ten different lines analyzed, three synthesized up to 100 mg ⋅ L -1 HE under the batch culture conditions standardized in this investigation. Adding elicitors (salicylic acid, chitin, Glucanex, polyethylene glycol) and biosynthetic precursors (farnesol and (+)-epi-alpha-bisabolol) significantly altered HE accumulation. Chitin and Glucanex enhanced HE production from 130 to 160 mg ⋅ L -1 , whereas farnesol and (+)-epi-alpha-bisabolol from 165 to 200 mg ⋅ L -1 without dependence on biomass accumulation. Improved batch cultures containing liquid Murashige & Skoog medium (MS; pH 7), added with 4 % sucrose, 0.5 mg ⋅ L -1 naphthaleneacetic acid, 100 mg ⋅ L -1 Glucanex, 150 mg ⋅ L -1 chitin, 250 mg ⋅ L -1 farnesol, and 150 mg ⋅ L -1 (+)-epi-alpha-bisabolol at 25 °C (12 h light/12 h darkness), triggered HE accumulation to 250 mg ⋅ L -1 in 25 days. The efficiency of each recombinant line is discussed., (© 2024 Wiley-VHCA AG, Zurich, Switzerland.)

Introduction: The primary objective of this study is to describe the design and implementation of a mobile application (App) for tracking preparations compounded in the Pharmacy Department. Secondary objectives include: i) evaluating the time spent on resolving incidents related to the distribution of preparations before and after implementation, ii) assessing users satisfaction with the application, and iii) establishing a panel of quality indicators based on the data extracted from the App., Methods: 1) Defining application requirements, identifying drugs to be included in the software and outlining different workflows. 2) Developing the App in collaboration with the supplier and integrating it with the computer programs involved in prescription and validation. Additionally, QR codes were created to identify delivery points at destination units, and suitable mobile devices were acquired. The initial phase involved user training in the application and a pilot test conducted in a hospital ward. 3) The subsequent phase focused on expansion and consolidation., Results: The system includes 86.9% of all sterile preparations prepared in the Hospital Pharmacy, encompassing chemotherapy, adult parenteral nutrition, and other non-hazardous sterile preparations. Furthermore, the application has been implemented in all hospitalisation wards, day care units and two external sites. On average, 5403 preparations were tracked per month (SD = 297.3). The time required to address incidents related to the distribution of preparations has decreased by 83% (from 38.9 to 6.6 min per day). The App regularly provides valuable management data for optimising workflow in the compounding area. Additionally, users have expressed satisfaction with the application., Discusion: The proposed application enables hospital staff to easily and intuitively track preparations compounded in the Pharmacy, irrespective of the computer program used for prescription. It has significantly reduced the need for manual record-keeping and has mitigated incidents associated with the distribution of sterile preparations., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None declared., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria (S.E.F.H). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The primary objective of this study is to describe the design and implementation of a mobile application (App) for tracking preparations compounded in the Pharmacy Department. Secondary objectives include evaluating the time spent on resolving incidents related to the distribution of preparations before and after implementation, assessing users satisfaction with the application, and establishing a panel of quality indicators based on the data extracted from the App., Methods: Defining application requirements, identifying drugs to be included in the software and outlining different workflows. Developing the App in collaboration with the supplier and integrating it with the computer programs involved in prescription and validation. Additionally, QR codes were created to identify delivery points at destination units, and suitable mobile devices were acquired. The initial phase involved user training in the application and a pilot test conducted in a hospital ward. The subsequent phase focused on expansion and consolidation., Results: The system includes 86.9% of all sterile preparations prepared in the Hospital Pharmacy, encompassing chemotherapy, adult parenteral nutrition, and other non-hazardous sterile preparations. Furthermore, the application has been implemented in all hospitalization wards, day care units and two external sites. On average, 5,403 preparations were tracked per month (SD = 297.3). The time required to address incidents related to the distribution of preparations has decreased by 83% (from 38.9 to 6.6 minutes per day). The App regularly provides valuable management data for optimizing workflow in the compounding area. Additionally, users have expressed satisfaction with the application., Discusion: The proposed application enables hospital staff to easily and intuitively track preparations compounded in the pharmacy, irrespective of the computer program used for prescription. It has significantly reduced the need for manual record-keeping and has mitigated incidents associated with the distribution of sterile preparations., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria (S.E.F.H). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background: The vacuoles, E1-enzyme, X linked, autoinflammatory and somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is an adult-onset autoinflammatory disease (AID) due to postzygotic UBA1 variants., Objectives: To investigate the presence of VEXAS syndrome among patients with adult-onset undiagnosed AID. Additional studies evaluated the mosaicism distribution and the circulating cytokines., Methods: Gene analyses were performed by both Sanger and amplicon-based deep sequencing. Patients' data were collected from their medical charts. Cytokines were quantified by Luminex., Results: Genetic analyses of enrolled patients (n=42) identified 30 patients carrying UBA1 pathogenic variants, with frequencies compatible for postzygotic variants. All patients were male individuals who presented with a late-onset disease (mean 67.5 years; median 67.0 years) characterised by cutaneous lesions (90%), fever (66.7%), pulmonary manifestations (66.7%) and arthritis (53.3%). Macrocytic anaemia and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate and ferritin were the most relevant analytical abnormalities. Glucocorticoids ameliorated the inflammatory manifestations, but most patients became glucocorticoid-dependent. Positive responses were obtained when targeting the haematopoietic component of the disease with either decitabine or allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Additional analyses detected the UBA1 variants in both haematopoietic and non-haematopoietic tissues. Finally, analysis of circulating cytokines did not identify inflammatory mediators of the disease., Conclusion: Thirty patients with adult-onset AID were definitively diagnosed with VEXAS syndrome through genetic analyses. Despite minor interindividual differences, their main characteristics were in concordance with previous reports. We detected for the first time the UBA1 mosaicism in non-haematopoietic tissue, which questions the previous concept of myeloid-restricted mosaicism and may have conceptual consequences for the disease mechanisms., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Protein concentrates obtained from discarded grain flours of white chickpea Sinaloa ( Cicer arietinum) (CC) , " Azufrazin" bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris) (BC), and white corn ( Zea mays) (MC) , were characterized biochemically through bromatological analyses (protein, lipid, fiber, moisture, ashes, and nitrogen free extract), HPLC techniques (amino acids content), and spectrophotometry (anti-nutrients: phytic acid, trypsin inhibitors, and saponins). The percentage of protein obtained from CC, BC, and MC was 71.23, 81.10, and 55.69%, respectively. Most peptides in the BC and CC flours had a molecular weight of <1.35 kDa, meanwhile, MC peptides were heavier (1.35 to 17 kDa). The amino acids (AA) profile of flours and protein concentrates were similar; however, all the protein concentrates showed an increased AA accumulation (300 to -400%) compared with their flours. The protein concentrates from BC registered the highest AA accumulation (77.4 g of AA/100 g of protein concentrates). Except for the phytic acid in CC and trypsin inhibitor in CC and MC, respectively, the rest of the protein concentrates exhibited higher amounts of the anti-nutrients compared with their flours; however, these levels do not exceed the reported toxicity for some animals, mainly when used in combination with other ingredients for feed formulations. It is concluded that CC and BC protein concentrates showed better nutritional characteristics than MC (level of protein, size of peptides, and AA profile). After biochemical characterization, protein concentrates derived from by-products have nutritional potential for the animal feed industry., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Hervey Rodriguez Gonzalez reports financial support, administrative support, equipment, drugs, or supplies, statistical analysis, travel, and writing assistance were provided by 10.13039/501100003069National Polytechnic Institute., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most frightening complications after surgery. Adhesive drapes (AD) are widely used as an infection prevention tool. They can be non-impregnated or iodophor-impregnated, although non-impregnated are less used as they might be related to higher number of infections. One of the most common ways to study their efficacy is by analyzing the intraoperative contamination, which is a useful primary endpoint as it does not need follow-up and it has been strongly associated with infections. Therefore, we believe a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis is needed to determine which is the literature available about this topic and to explore their results., Methods: All randomized controlled trials (RCT) published since 1984 through to January 15, 2023 will be included. Non-human and experimental studies will be excluded. We will only include studies written in English. We will conduct searches in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE (via PubMed), SCOPUS and Web Of Science. The protocol of the SR was registered in PROSPERO under the number CRD42023391651 and was written according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocol guidelines., Discussion: The evidence regarding the benefits of using iodophor-impregnated adhesive drapes (IIAD) is scarce. Therefore, this SR and meta-analysis is required to determine if they are related with a lower intraoperative contamination incidence, compared to no AD., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

The effect of acylglycerols on the thermal inactivation of lactic acid bacteria used in the production of fermented products was studied. The starting point was the observation of an increase in thermal sensitivity in the presence of an emulsifier based on mono- and diacylglycerols in the culture medium. Analysis of the emulsifier showed that monoacylglycerols were the compounds responsible for this effect, with monopalmitin being the main contributor. Monostearin, on the other hand, showed significantly less potentiating effect. Interestingly, monoacylglycerols showed a greater bactericidal effect when used individually than when used in combination. On the other hand, the rate of thermal inactivation observed in reconstituted skim milk emulsions was lower than in peptone water emulsions, showing that the presence of proteins and colloidal particles increased the resistance of bacteria to heat treatment. With respect to pH values, a reduction in pH from 6.6 to 5.5 promoted an increase in the rate of thermal death. However, at pH = 5.5, the enhancing bactericidal effect was only detectable when the heat treatment was performed at low temperatures but not at high temperatures. This finding is of interest, since it will allow the design of moderate heat treatments, combining the use of temperature with the addition of acylglycerols, to prolong the shelf life of products fermented with lactic acid bacteria, and minimizing the destruction of desirable compounds that were obtained by the fermentation process., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objective: To determine the prevalence and appropriateness of antimicrobial use in Spanish hospitals through a pharmacist-led systematic cross-sectional review., Method: A nationwide multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted on  10% of the patients admitted to the participating hospitals on one day in April  2021. Hospital participation was voluntary, and the population was randomly  selected. The study sample was made up of patients who, on the day of the  study, received at least one antimicrobial belonging to groups J01, J02, J04,  J05AB, J05AD or J05AH in the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification  System. The pharmacist in charge made a record and carried out an evaluation  of the appropriateness of antimicrobial use following a method  proposed and validated by the Pharmaceutical Care of Patients with Infectious  Diseases Working Group of the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy. The  evaluation method considered each of the items comprising antimicrobial  prescriptions. An algorithm was used to assess prescriptions as appropriate,  suboptimal, inappropriate and unevaluableResults: One-hundred three hospitals participated in the study and the treatment of 3,568 patients was reviewed. A total of 1,498 (42.0%) patients received antimicrobial therapy, 424 (28.3%) of them in  combination therapy. The most commonly prescribed antimicrobials were  moxicillin-clavulanic acid (7.2%), ceftriaxone (6.4%), piperacillin-tazobactam  (5.8%), and meropenem 4.0%. As regards appropriateness,  prescriptions were considered appropriate in 34% of cases, suboptimal in 45%,  inappropriate in 19% and unevaluable in 2%. The items that most  influenced the assessment of a prescription as suboptimal were completeness  f medical record entries, choice of agent, duration of treatment and monitoring of efficacy and safety. The item that most influences the  assessment of a prescription as inappropriate was the indication of  ntimicrobial agent. Conclusions: The method used provided information on the prevalence and  appropriateness of the use of antimicrobials, a preliminary step in the design  and implementation of actions aimed at measuring the impact of the use of  ntimicrobials within the antimicrobial stewardship programs., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Some studies aimed at revealing the relationship between protein structure and their functional properties. However, the majority of these reports have been carried out using protein isolates. There are limited reports on the possible relationship between the functional properties and the structure of a purified protein. In this work the amaranth 11S globulin acidic subunit (AAC) and five mutations of the same protein that were modified in their variable regions with antihypertensive peptides (VYVYVYVY and RIPP), were analyzed at two ionic strength (2.9 and 17.6 g/L NaCl) and pH (3.0-7.0). Results revealed better solubility for the proteins mutated at the terminal ends (AACM.1 and AACM.4) and lower solubility for the protein inserted with RIPP peptide. Spectroscopy studies revealed an increase of β-sheet structure at high salt concentration for all proteins. It was also observed that salt concentration acted as a modulator, which allowed a better foam features for all modified proteins limiting movement of side chains and reducing red-shifted displacement of λmax. All proteins showed foam capacity ranging from 76 to 93% although foam stability was twofold better for modified proteins than for AAC at high salt concentration. This study allowed better understanding about the structural changes that influence the foaming properties of engineered proteins.

Research Background: Amaranth ( Amaranthus hypochondriacus ) flour produces films with excellent barrier properties against water vapor, allowing food preservation, but the mechanical properties are poor compared to synthetic films. One strategy to improve these properties is the incorporation of nanoparticles. The particles can also serve as a vehicle for the addition of antioxidant agents into the films. The objective of this work is to optimize the formulation for the preparation of amaranth flour films treated with antioxidant chia ( Salvia hispanica L.) extract-loaded chitosan particles using response surface methodology (RSM)., Experimental Approach: Chitosan nanoparticles with the extract were synthesized by ionic gelation, and the films were made by the casting method. Three independent variables were assigned: amaranth flour (4-6%), glycerol (25-35%) and chitosan nanoparticles loaded with the chia extract (0-0.75%). We then evaluated the physical (thickness), mechanical (tensile strength, Young´s modulus and elongation), barrier (water vapor permeability, moisture and water solubility) and antioxidant properties of the films. The experimental results of the properties were analyzed using a Box-Behnken experimental design generating 15 runs with three replicates at the central point., Results and Conclusions: Second and third order polynomial models were obtained from the ANOVA analysis of the evaluated responses, and high coefficients of determination were found (0.91-1.0). The water vapor permeability of the films was 0.82-2.39·10 -7 (g·mm)/(Pa·s·m 2 ), tensile strength was 0.33-1.63 MPa and antioxidant activity 2.24-5.65%. The variables had different effects on the films: glycerol negatively affected their properties, and the permeability values increased with increased amaranth flour content. The nanoparticles improved the mechanical, barrier and antioxidant properties of the films compared to the films without nanosystems. The optimal formulation was 4% amaranth flour, 25% glycerol and 0.36% chitosan nanoparticles. The optimized films had better mechanical (1.62 MPa) properties, a low water vapor permeability value (0.91·10 -7 (g·mm)/(Pa·s·m 2 )) and moderate antioxidant activity (6.43%)., Novelty and Scientific Contribution: The results show the effect of chitosan nanoparticles on the properties of amaranth flour films for the first time. The resulting equations are useful in the design of food packaging., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflict of interest with respect to authorship, research and/or publication of this paper.

Background: There are few studies that relate eating and nutritional habits to the severity of the disease and demographic profile in patients with schizophrenia., Objective: To describe eating and nutritional habits and their relationship with the severity of the disease in patients with schizophrenia., Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study., Sample: 31 patients with schizophrenia (ICD-10) under outpatient treatment., Inclusion Criteria: age 18-65 years, clinically stable and, written informed consent., Assessment: Demographic, clinical characteristics (CGI-SCH, length of illness, BMI, abdominal perimeter), ad hoc questionnaire (eating, nutritional, and physical activity)., Results: Mean age 43.13(SD = 7.85) years, males 61.3%. Mean severity of illness was 3.94(SD = 1.06), mean duration of the illness 18.42(SD = 8.27) years. 74.2% used to eatweekly fat meat and 64.5% less than 3-4 servings of fish, 77.4% less than 3 servings of fruit per day, and 51.6% drink less than 1 L of water. 83.9% used to drink coffee daily, 2.81(SD = 2.02) cups per day. Patients showed lower levels of Vitamin A, D, E, K1, C, folic acid, and magnesium. 93.5% did not fulfill the WHO recommendations on physical activity. Only retinol (r = -0.602, P = .039) and vitamin K1 (r = -0.693, P = .012) in women were related to the severity of illness., Conclusions: Outpatients with schizophrenia do not follow WHO recommendations on healthy diets, neither physical activity. Both clinical severity of the illness and marital status and cohabitation were associated with poor eating habits and nutrients deficit. These data should be taken into account by the nursing staff when implementing specific care in routine clinical practice., (Copyright © 2019 SEP y SEPB. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

We present the case of a patient with a voluminous cerebral abscess caused by Aggregatibacter aphrophilus and Actinomyces meyeri occurring a week post dental scaling. Both these bacteria are rarely involved in brain abscesses, and so far, cases of cerebral actinomyces have mostly been treated surgically and with intravenous (IV) antibiotics for 3-4 months, then put on oral antibiotic therapy with penicillin or amoxicillin for a further 3-12 months. Our patient underwent drainage through craniotomy and was subsequently put on intravenous ceftriaxone for 3 months accompanied by brain imaging control at the end of this period which showed complete regression of the abscess. Following parenteral treatment, no oral antibiotics were given since pharmacokinetic properties do not allow to attain high tissue concentration in the brain. This treatment gave excellent results., (Copyright © 2021 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Metabolic syndrome is a severe public health issue characterized by multiple metabolic disturbances. Current treatments prescribe a particular drug for each of them, producing multiple side effects. As a first step towards a more integral approach, we applied our recently described methodology to design single proteins, based in the Concanavalin B scaffold (1CNV), that contain several bioactive peptides (BPs), including antioxidant and lipid-lowering activities as well as inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) and the angiotensin converting enzyme. Modified Concanavalin (CNV44), the designed protein that showed the best in silico properties, was expressed in high yields in E. coli and purified to homogeneity. After in vitro digestion with gastrointestinal enzymes, all the biological activities tested where higher in CNV44 when compared to the non-modified protein 1CNV, or to other previous reports. The results presented here represent the first in vitro evidence of a modified protein with the potential to treat metabolic syndrome and open the venue for the design of proteins to treat other non-communicable diseases.

Chia ( Salvia hispanica L.) seeds contain antioxidants with great benefits for health and are widely used in the food industry. Antioxidants can be degraded by environmental factors, decreasing their biological activity. Their encapsulation in chitosan (CH) particles represents an alternative to protect them and increases their application. The encapsulation efficiency (%EE) of the antioxidants in the CH particles depends on the synthesis conditions. In this study, two methods for encapsulation of chia extract in chitosan particles were evaluated: method A, 0.05% CH in 1% acetic acid was mixed with 0.07% of tripolyphosphate (TPP) and method B, 0.3% CH in 2% acetic acid was mixed with 1% TPP. The results showed that the %EE decreased with the concentration of the extract, and the FTIR analysis suggested that the compounds of the extract were adsorbed on the surface of the particles. Dynamic light scattering and zeta potential analysis showed that the particles of method A are unstable and with a tendency to agglomerate, and the particles of method B are stable. The highest %EE was obtained with 0.2 mg·mL -1 (method A) and 1.0 mg·mL -1 (method B) of the extract. The higher loading capacity (%LC) (16-72%) was exhibited by the particles of method A. The best particle yield (62-69%) was observed for method B. The particles with the extract adsorbed showed antioxidant activity (5-60%) at 25°C; however, in the particles with the extract encapsulated, the activity increased after subjecting to acidic conditions at 40°C due to the breakdown of the particles. The results obtained will allow choosing the appropriate conditions for the synthesis of chitosan particles loaded with chia extracts with specific characteristics (%EE, %LC, size, and type) according to their future applications. The particles could be used in food and pharmaceutical industries and even in edible films for food packaging., Competing Interests: All authors declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Gema Morales-Olán et al.)

Amaranth has been proposed as an exceptional alternative for food security and climate change mitigation. Information about the distribution, abundance, or specificity of miRNAs in amaranth species is scare. Here, small RNAs from seedlings under control, drought, heat, and cold stress conditions of the Amaranthus hypocondriacus variety "Gabriela" were sequenced and miRNA loci identified in the amaranth genome using the ShortStack software. Fifty-three genuine miRNA clustersthirty-nine belonging to conserved families, and fourteen novel, were identified. Identification of their target genes suggests that conserved amaranth miRNAs are involved in growth and developmental processes, as well as stress responses. MiR0005, an amaranth-specific miRNA, exhibited an unusual high level of expression, akin to that of conserved miRNAs. Overall, our results broaden our knowledge regarding the distribution, abundance and expression of miRNAs in amaranth, providing the basis for future research on miRNAs and their functions in this important species., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Severe acute pancreatitis complicated by infection is associated with high mortality. Invasive treatment is indicated in the presence of infected (suspected) pancreatic and/or peripancreatic necrosis (IPN) in the absence of response to intensive medical support. Step-up approach (SUA) has been demonstrated to lower complication rate compared to upfront open surgery. However, this approach has not been associated with lower mortality, and no factors have been studied that could help to identify the high risk patients. In this study, we aimed to analyse those factors associated with mortality following the invasive treatment of IPN, focusing on the role of surgical necrosectomy. A retrospective and observational study based on a multicentre prospective database was conducted. The database was coordinated by the Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, Spain and the Spanish Association of Pancreatology. Demographics, clinical data, and laboratory and imaging findings were collected. Atlanta 2012 criteria were considered to classify acute necrotizing pancreatitis and for the definition of IPN. Step-up approach was used in all centres with the intention of avoiding surgery whenever possible. Surgical necrosectomy was performed by open approach. From January 2013 to October 2014, a total of 1655 patients with the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis were included in our database. 1081 were recruited for the final analysis. Out of them, 205 (19%) were classified into acute necrotizing pancreatitis. 77 (8.3%) patients underwent invasive treatment of INP and were included in our study. Overall mortality was 29.9%. Upfront endoscopic or percutaneous drainage was performed in 60 (77.9%) patients and mortality was 26.6%. Out of 60, 22 (36.6%) patients subsequently received rescue surgery; mortality in rescue surgery group was 18.3%. Upfront surgery was carried out in 17 (22.1%) patients; mortality in this group was 41%. At univariate analysis, surgical necrosectomy, extrapancreatic infection, immunosuppression and de-novo haemodialysis were associated with mortality. At multivariate analysis, only surgical necrosectomy was significantly associated with mortality (p = 0.002 OR 3.89). Surgical approach for IPN is associated with high mortality rate. However, these data should be interpreted with caution, since we are not able to assess whether this occurs due to the need of surgery as the only resort when the other approaches are not feasible or fail.

Background: Epidemic outbreaks have significant impact on psychological well-being, increasing psychiatric morbidity among the population. We aimed to describe the early psychological impact of COVID-19 and its contributing factors in a large Spanish sample, globally and according to mental status (never mental disorder NMD, past mental disorder PMD, current mental disorder CMD)., Methods: An online questionnaire was conducted between 19 and 26 March, five days after the official declaration of alarm and the lockdown order. Data included sociodemographic and clinical information and the DASS-21 and IES questionnaires. We analysed 21 207 responses using the appropriate descriptive and univariate tests as well as binary logistic regression to identify psychological risk and protective factors., Results: We found a statistically significant gradient in the psychological impact experienced in five domains according to mental status, with the NMD group being the least affected and the CMD group being the most affected. In the three groups, the depressive response was the most prevalent (NMD = 40.9%, PMD = 51.9%, CMD = 74.4%, F  = 1011.459, P  < 0.001). Risk factors were female sex and classification as a case in any psychological domain. Protective factors were younger age and ability to enjoy free time. Variables related to COVID-19 had almost no impact except for having COVID-19 symptoms, which was a risk factor for anxiety in all three groups., Conclusions: Our results can help develop coping strategies addressing modifiable risk and protective factors for each mental status for early implementation in future outbreaks., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors completed the ICMJE Unified Competing Interest form (available upon request from the corresponding author), and declare no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2020 by the Journal of Global Health. All rights reserved.)

Tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) is a widely consumed fruit all around the world. The industrial exploitation of tomato generates a lot of waste. Most of the utilization of tomato seeds waste is focused on animal feeding, as well as a food ingredient aimed to increase the protein content, and raw material for some organic bioactive component extraction. The aim of this work was to evaluate the techno-functional properties of tomato seed meal (TSM) and its nutraceutical properties after applying defatting processing (TSMD), and to evaluate the nutraceutical properties after a fermentation processing (TSMDF) by Lactobacillus sp. The results showed that, at alkaline conditions (pH 8-9), the techno-functional properties for TSM and TSMD improved. In comparison with TSM, TSMD showed higher water holding capacity (WHC ≈32%), higher oil holding capacity (OHC ≈13%), higher protein solubility (49-58%), more than 10 times foaming activity (FA), more than 50 times foam stability (Fst), as well as an improved emulsifying activity (EA) and emulsion stability (Est) wich were better at pH 9. Regarding the nutraceutical properties, after 48 h of fermentation (TSMDF), the antioxidant activity was doubled and a significant increase in the iron chelating activity was also observed. During the same fermentation time, the highest angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (ACEI) was achieved (IC50 73.6 μg/mL), more than 10 times higher than TSMD, which leads to suggest that this fermented medium may be a powerful antihypertensive. Therefore, the strategy proposed in this study could be an option for the exploitation of tomato wastes.

Objectives: To compare the main characteristics of two inception cohorts (Italian [ITC] and Spanish [SPC]) cohorts of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) at the time of diagnosis and at one year of follow-up., Methods: Demographic, clinical and immunological characteristics, and treatments at SLE diagnosis and at 12 months of follow-up of ITC and SPC were compared., Results: One hundred and sixty-four patients in the ITC and 231 patients in the SPC were compared. the patients from ITC were younger at SLE diagnosis (41.1±15.0 years vs. 46.4±15.6 years; p<0.001) and had a higher prevalence of arthritis (62.8% vs. 45.5%; p=0.001), serositis (25.6% vs. 16.0%; p=0.026), neurological involvement (7.9% vs. 1.7%; p=0.006), and immunological abnormalities (anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, antiphospholipid antibodies) (93.9% vs. 77.8%; p<0.001). Conversely, photosensitivity (29.5% in ITC vs. 45.9% in SPC; p=0.001) and oral ulcers (12.4% vs. 30.3%; p<0.001) were more frequent at onset of SLE in the Spanish patients. At the first 12 months of follow-up, these differences were maintained. At SLE onset, more Italian patients received glucocorticoids (85.4% vs. 50.2%; p<0.001) and immunosuppressive agents. At 12 months of follow-up, more Spanish patients were treated with antimalarials (75.6% in ITC vs. 90.0% in SPC; p<0.001). Conversely, the use of glucocorticoids was lower in SPC (89.0% in ITC vs. 57.1% in SPC; p<0.001)., Conclusions: These cohorts presented different profiles in terms of pattern of organ/system involvement and disease treatment, possibly as a consequence of patient selection or different disease management approaches between Italy and Spain.

Background/Objective: Evidence from basic and clinical studies suggests that unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) might be relevant mediators of the development of complications in acute pancreatitis (AP). Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze outcomes in patients with AP from regions in Spain with different patterns of dietary fat intake. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed with data from 1,655 patients with AP from a Spanish prospective cohort study and regional nutritional data from a Spanish cross-sectional study. Nutritional data considered in the study concern the total lipid consumption, detailing total saturated fatty acids, UFAs and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) consumption derived from regional data and not from the patient prospective cohort. Two multivariable analysis models were used: (1) a model with the Charlson comorbidity index, sex, alcoholic etiology, and recurrent AP; (2) a model that included these variables plus obesity. Results: In multivariable analysis, patients from regions with high UFA intake had a significantly increased frequency of local complications, persistent organ failure (POF), mortality, and moderate-to-severe disease in the model without obesity and a higher frequency of POF in the model with obesity. Patients from regions with high MUFA intake had significantly more local complications and moderate-to-severe disease; this significance remained for moderate-to-severe disease when obesity was added to the model. Conclusions: Differences in dietary fat patterns could be associated with different outcomes in AP, and dietary fat patterns may be a pre-morbid factor that determines the severity of AP. UFAs, and particulary MUFAs, may influence the pathogenesis of the severity of AP., (Copyright © 2020 García-Rayado, Varela-Moreiras, Lanas, Ferrández, Balza-Lareu, Cervera, Bodenlle-Bello, Argüelles-Arias, Latorre, Udaondo-Cascante, Soria-de-la-Cruz, Lariño-Noia, García-Figueiras, Gil-García-Ollauri, Ituarte-Uriarte, Rosales-Alexander, Soriano, Rodríguez-Peláez, Mesa-Álvarez, Oblitas, Menso, Bertoletti, Rodríguez-Prada, Guzmán-Suárez, Closa and de-Madaria.)

Currently, the valorization of agroindustrial waste is of great interest. Moringa oleifera is a multipurpose tree whose softwood residues could be used as raw material for low-cost cellulase production. The aim of this study was to isolate, identify, and characterize microorganisms with cellulolytic activity in different carbon sources. We isolated and purified 42 microorganisms from M. oleifera biomass. Fungi presenting the largest hydrolytic halos in carboxymethylcellulose as a substrate were molecularly identified as Penicillium funiculosum (FG1), Fusarium verticillioides (FG3) and Cladosporium cladosporioides (FC2). The ability of these fungal strains to break down cellulose was assessed in a submerged fermentation using either amorphous CMC or crystalline form (Avicel). P. funiculosum and C. cladosporioides displayed similar endoglucanase (606U/l) and exoglucanase (205U/l) activities in the Avicel-containing medium, whereas F. verticillioides showed the highest level of β-glucosidase activity (664U/l) in the carboxymethylcellulose medium. In addition, the effect of three culture media (A, B, and C) on cellulase production was evaluated in P. funiculosum using moringa straw as a carbon source. The results showed a volumetric productivity improvement of cellulases that was 2.77-, 8.26-, and 2.30-fold higher for endoglucanase, exoglucanase and β-glucosidase, respectively when medium C containing moringa straw was used as a carbon source. The enzymatic extracts produced by these fungi have biotechnological potential especially for second-generation bioethanol production (2G) from moringa straw. This is the first report on the use of M. oleifera biomass to induce the production of various cellulases in P. funiculosum., (Copyright © 2019 Asociación Argentina de Microbiología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Background: There are few studies that relate eating and nutritional habits to the severity of the disease and demographic profile in patients with schizophrenia., Objective: To describe eating and nutritional habits and their relationship with the severity of the disease in patients with schizophrenia., Method: Cross-sectional descriptive study., Sample: 31 patients with schizophrenia (ICD-10) under outpatient treatment., Inclusion Criteria: age 18-65 years, clinically stable and, written informed consent., Assessment: Demographic, clinical characteristics (CGI-SCH, length of illness, BMI, abdominal perimeter), ad hoc questionnaire (eating, nutritional, and physical activity)., Results: Mean age 43.13(SD=7.85) years, males 61.3%. Mean severity of illness was 3.94(SD=1.06), mean duration of the illness 18.42(SD=8.27) years. 74.2% used to eat weekly fat meat and 64.5% less than 3-4 servings of fish, 77.4% less than 3 servings of fruit per day, and 51.6% drink less than 1l of water. 83.9% used to drink coffee daily, 2.81(SD=2.02) cups per day. Patients showed lower levels of Vitamin A, D, E, K1, C, folic acid, and magnesium. 93.5% did not fulfill the WHO recommendations on physical activity. Only retinol (r=-0.602, p=0.039) and vitamin K1 (r=-0.693, p=0.012) in women were related to the severity of illness., Conclusions: Outpatients with schizophrenia do not follow WHO recommendations on healthy diets, neither physical activity. Both clinical severity of the illness and marital status and cohabitation were associated with poor eating habits and nutrients deficit. These data should be taken into account by the nursing staff when implementing specific care in routine clinical practice., (Copyright © 2019 SEP y SEPB. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Hypertension is a worldwide health problem. It is the main cardiovascular risk factor and affects about 31% of the world's adult population. The drugs used to control hypertension may cause side effects; for this reason, there are many investigations focused on searching for alternatives to control or prevent this disease through diet. For example, many peptides have demonstrated antihypertensive effects. The insertion of bioactive peptides is a biotechnological implement used to improve the nutraceutical properties of proteins. This work reviews the current data on the insertion of antihypertensive peptides (AHPs) into food proteins, the systems used to produce the AHPs, the advantages and disadvantages between them, the parameters to produce them at major scales, and their potential applications in pharmacy and functional foods.

The monsoon season in South Korea has great influences on biogeochemical and hydrological processes in the entire country, but is specifically of concern in the Soyang lake watershed, the main drinking water reservoir for the 20-million-people metropolis Seoul. Therefore, water quality and nitrate concentration control in Lake Soyang is of high public priority. The Haean catchment is the most prominent agriculture-dominated sub-catchment of the Soyang lake watershed. It is a complex terrain influenced by extreme rain events and non-point nitrate sources. In this investigation we used input-output calculations and a stable isotope approach to quantify and determinate the origin of nitrate inputs into the rivers that later flow into the lake. During pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons in 2013 and 2014 we measured daily rainfall and river water discharge within the Haean catchment and collected rain, river water and groundwater samples in order to analyze nitrate concentrations and nitrate nitrogen and oxygen isotope abundances. Furthermore, we collected nitrogen fertilizers as applied in the catchment. Heavy monsoon events, as in 2013, were the most pronounced drivers of nitrate leaching being responsible for >80% of the nitrate output in the river runoff. On the other hand, an almost missing summer monsoon in 2014 drove the nitrate runoff in a different manner, being responsible for only 0.4% of the total nitrate nitrogen river discharge in the previous year. Results of nitrate nitrogen and oxygen isotope abundance analyses suggest soil microbial nitrification as the most important contributor to the nitrate in the river runoff. In addition, nitrate from groundwater partially affected by microbial denitrification contributed to the nitrate in the runoff due to river-aquifer exchange fluxes during the monsoon season. Direct leaching of nitrate from mineral fertilizers and atmospheric nitrate deposition were obviously only minor contributors to the nitrate in the runoff., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The insertion of peptides is a biotechnology tool widely used to improve the nutraceutical properties of proteins. Because the effect of these insertions in protein stability and function is difficult to predict, it should be determined experimentally. In this study, we created two variants of amarantin acidic subunit and analyzed them along with other four proteins reported previously. We measured their response against two destabilizing agents: temperature and urea. The six proteins presented the insertion of antihypertensive peptides (VYVYVYVY or RIPP) in the variable regions of the protein. We observed that their effect strongly depended on the site of the insertion. The insertion in the variable region I stabilized the protein both thermally and chemically, but it affected the inhibitory activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme in vitro. In contrast, insertions in other three regions were severely destabilizing, producing molten globules. Our findings reveal that the insertion of bioactive peptides in variable regions of a protein can increase or decrease the protein's thermal and chemical stability and that these conformational changes may also alter its final activity.

Background: Ultrasound imaging is often used by physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals but the reliability of image acquisition with different ultrasound machines is unknown. The objective was to compare the intra-rater, inter-rater and intermachine reliability of thickness measurements of the plantar fascia (PF), Achilles tendon (AT), patellar tendon (PT) and elbow common extensor tendon (ECET) with musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging (MSUS)., Methods: Tendon thickness was measured in four anatomical structures (14 participants, 28 images per tendon) by two sonographers and with two different ultrasound machines. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman plots were calculated. The standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimum detectable difference (MDD) were calculated., Results: Inter-rater reliability was excellent for AT (ICC=0.98; 95% CI= 0.96-0.99) and very good for PT (ICC=0.85; 95% CI = 0.67-0.93) and ECET (ICC=0.81; 95% CI= 0.72-0.94). Reliability for PF was moderate, with an ICC of 0.63 (CI 95%= 0.20-0.83). Bland-Altman plot for inter-machine reliability showed a mean difference of 1 m for PF measurements and a mean difference of 4 m and 20 m for AT and PT. The relative SEMs were below 7% and the MDCs were below 0.7 mm., Conclusion: The MSUS reliability in measuring thickness of the four tendons is confirmed by the homogeneous readings intra sonographers, between operators and between different machines. Level of evidence: Tendon thickness can be measured reliably on different ultrasound devices, which is an important step forward in the use of this technique in daily clinical practice and research., Level of Evidence: III., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The Authors have no financial or personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence their work.

The self-assembly in thin films of polyphosphazene block copolymers [N = P(O2C12H8)]n-b-[N = PMePh]m (O2C12H8 = 2,2'-dioxy-1,1'-biphenyl; : n = 50, m = 35; : n = 20, m = 70, and : n = 245, m = 60), having different volume fractions of the rigid [N = P(O2C12H8)]n block, has been studied. BCP spontaneously self-assembled into well-defined round-shaped macroporous films, observing also, as a minor morphology, spherical vesicles in regions where the film was not formed. A detailed study by SEM, TEM and AFM of the structure of the vesicles, the morphology of the pores (inverted mushroom-shaped), and the behaviour of the copolymers with shorter () and longer () [N = P(O2C12H8)]n rigid blocks provided sufficient experimental evidence to propose a vesicle-to-pore morphological evolution as the most likely mechanism to explain the pore formation during the self-assembly of . Moreover, by changing the volume fraction of the rigid block and the speed of solvent evaporation, it was possible to vary the pore morphology (and their diameter) from isolated regular groups to 3D interconnected pore networks.

The preparation of long-term-stable giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs, diameter ≥ 1000 nm) and large vesicles (diameter ≥ 500 nm) by self-assembly in THF of the crystalline-b-coil polyphosphazene block copolymers [N=P(OCH2CF3)2 ]n-b-[N=PMePh]m (4 a: n=30, m=20; 4 b: n=90, m=20; 4 c: n=200, m=85), which combine crystalline [N=P(OCH2CF3)2] and amorphous [N=PMePh] blocks, both of which are flexible, is reported. SEM, TEM, and wide-angle X-ray scattering experiments demonstrated that the stability of these GUVs is induced by crystallization of the [N=P(OCH2CF3)2] blocks at the capsule wall of the GUVS, with the [N=PMePh] blocks at the corona. Higher degrees of crystallinity of the capsule wall are found in the bigger vesicles, which suggests that the crystallinity of the [N=P(OCH2CF3)2] block facilitates the formation of large vesicles. The GUVs are responsive to strong acids (HOTf) and, after selective protonation of the [N=PMePh] block, they undergo a morphological evolution to smaller spherical micelles in which the core and corona roles have been inverted. This morphological evolution is totally reversible by neutralization with a base (NEt3), which regenerates the original GUVs. The monitoring of this process by dynamic light scattering allowed a mechanism to to be proposed for this reversible morphological evolution in which the block copolymer 4 a and its protonated form 4 a(+) are intermediates. This opens a route to the design of reversibly responsive polymeric systems in organic solvents. This is the first reversibly responsive vesicle system to operate in organic media., (© 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

New advances into the chirality effect in the self-assembly of block copolymers (BCPs) have been achieved by tuning the helicity of the chiral-core-forming blocks. The chiral BCPs {[N=P(R)-O2C20H12](200-x)[N=P(OC5H4N)2](x)}-b-[N=PMePh]50 ((R)-O2C20H12 = (R)-1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-dioxy, OC5H4N = 4-pyridinoxy (OPy); x = 10, 30, 60, 100 for 3 a-d, respectively), in which the [N=P(OPy)2] units are randomly distributed within the chiral block, have been synthesised. The chiroptical properties of the BCPs ([α]D vs. T and CD) demonstrated that the helicity of the BCP chains may be simply controlled by the relative proportion of the chiral and achiral (i.e., [N=P(R)-O2C20H12] and [N=P(OPy)2], respectively) units. Thus, although 3 a only contained only 5% [N=P(OPy)2] units and exhibited a preferential helical sense, 3 d with 50% of this unit adopted non-preferred helical conformations. This gradual variation of the helicity allowed us to examine the chirality effect on the self-assembly of chiral and helical BCPs (i.e., 3 a-c) and chiral but non-helical BCPs (i.e., 3 d). The very significant influence of the helicity on the self-assembly of these materials resulted in a variety of morphologies that extend from helical nanostructures to pearl-necklace aggregates and nanospheres (i.e., 3 b and 3 d, respectively). We also demonstrate that the presence of pyridine moieties in BCPs 3 a-d allows specific decoration with gold nanoparticles., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, for this reason, they are a public health problem. In Colombia, cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality, having a death rate of 152 deaths per 100,000 population. There are 80% of these cardiovascular events that are considered avoidable., Objective: The objective of the study is to determine the prevalence of the cardiovascular risk and its associated factors among the institution's workers in order to design and implement interventions in the work environment which may achieve a decrease in such risk., Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was designed to determine the cardiovascular risk and its associated factors among workers of a high complexity health care institution. A self-applied survey will be conducted considering sociodemographic aspects, physical activity, diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, level of perceived stress, and personal and family history. In a second appointment, a physical examination will be made, as well as anthropometric measurements and blood pressure determination. Also, blood samples for evaluating total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood sugar will be taken. A ten-year global risk for cardiovascular disease will be determined using the Framingham score. A descriptive analysis of the population's characteristics and a stratified analysis by sex, age, and occupation will be made. Bivariate and multivariate analysis will be made using logistic regression models to evaluate the association between cardiovascular risk and the independent variables. The research protocol was approved by the Scientific and Technical Committee and the Ethics Committee on Research of the Fundación Cardiovascular de Colombia., Results: The protocol has already received funding and the enrollment phase will begin in the coming months., Conclusions: The results of this study will give the foundation for the design, implementation, and evaluation of a program based on promoting healthy lifestyles, such as performing regular physical activity and healthy food intake in order to avoid and/or control the cardiovascular risk in the workers of a high complexity health care institution.

We describe a new and very versatile method to place chosen chemical functionalities at the edge of the pores of macroporous materials. The method is based on the synthesis and self-assembly of inorganic block copolymers (BCPs) having chiral rigid segments bearing controllable quantities of randomly distributed functional groups. The synthesis of a series of optically active block copolyphosphazenes (PP) with the general formula [N=P(R-O2C20H12)(0.9)(FG)(0.2)]n-b-[N=PMePh]m (FG=-OC5H4N (6), -NC4H8S (7), and -NC4H8O (8)), was accomplished by the sequential living cationic polycondensation of N-silylphosphoranimines, using the mono-end-capped initiator [Ph3P=N=PCl3][Cl] (3). The self-assembly of the phosphazene BCPs 6-8 led to chiral porous films. The functionality present on those polymers affected their self-assembly behaviour resulting in the formation of pores of different diameters (D(n)=111 (6), 53 (7) and 77 nm (8)). The specific functionalisation of the pores was proven by decorating the films with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Thus, the BCPs 6 and 7, having pyridine and thiomorpholine groups, respectively, were treated with HAuCl4, followed by reduction with NaBH4, yielding a new type of block copolyphosphazenes, which self-assembled into chiral porous films specifically decorated with AuNPs at the edge of the pores., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A series of optically active helical polyphosphazene block copolymers of general formula R-[N=P(O2C20H12)]n-b-[N=PMePh]m (R-7 a-c) was synthesized and characterized. The polymers were prepared by sequential living cationic polycondensation of N-silylphosphoranimines using the mono-end-capped initiator [Ph3 P=N=PCl3][PCl6] (5) and exhibit a low polydispersity index (ca. 1.3). The temperature dependence of the specific optical activity ([α]D) of R-7 a,b relative to that for the homopolymers R-[N=P(O2C20H12)]n (R-8 a) and the R/S analogues (R/S-7 a,b), revealed that the binaphthoxy-phosphazene segments induce a preferential helical conformation in the [N=PMePh] blocks through a "sergeant-and-soldiers" mechanism, an effect that is unprecedented in polyphosphazenes. The self-assembly of drop-cast thin films of the chiral block copolymer R-7 b (bearing a long chiral and rigid R-[N=P(O2C20H12)] segment) evidenced a transfer of helicity mechanism, leading to the formation of twisted morphologies (twisted "pearl necklace"), not observed in the nonchiral R/S-7 b. The chiral R-7 a and the nonchiral R/S-7 a, self-assemble by a nondirected morphology reconstruction process into regular-shaped macroporous films with chiral-rich areas close to edge of the pore. This is the first nontemplate self-assembly route to chiral macroporous polymeric films with pore size larger than 50 nm. The solvent annealing (THF) of these films leads to the formation of regular spherical nanostructures (ca. 50 nm), a rare example of nanospheres exclusively formed by synthetic helical polymers., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The photocatalytic elimination of microorganisms from indoor air in realistic conditions and the feasibility of simultaneous elimination of chemical contaminants have been studied at laboratory scale. Transparent polymeric monoliths have been coated with sol-gel TiO(2) films and used as photocatalyst to treat real indoor air in a laboratory-scale single-step annular photocatalytic reactor. The analytical techniques used to characterize the air quality and analyze the results of the photocatalytic tests were: colony counting, microscopy and PCR with subsequent sequencing for microbial quantification and identification; automated thermal desorption coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection for chemical analysis. The first experiments performed proved that photocatalysis based on UVA-irradiated TiO(2) for the reduction of the concentration of bacteria in the air could compete with the conventional photolytic treatment with UVC radiation, more expensive and hazardous. Simultaneously to the disinfection, the concentration of volatile organic compounds was greatly reduced, which adds value to this technology for real applications. The fungal colony number was not apparently modified., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Amaranth seeds are considered as an excellent complementary source of food protein due to their balanced amino acid composition. Amarantin acidic subunit has the potential as a functional and nutraceutical protein, and it is structurally a good candidate for modification. The aim of this work was to improve its functionality, then the primary structure was modified into the third variable region of 11S globulins, by inserting antihypertensive peptides: four Val-Tyr in tandem and Arg-Ile-Pro-Pro in the C-terminal region. Modified protein was expressed in Escherichia coli Origami (DE3) and was purified. The culture conditions, including the culture media, temperature, agitation speed and air flow were tested in order to obtain an increased expression levels of the modified protein. A 2(3) factorial design was used for evaluate the effect of environmental conditions on modified protein production. The results indicated that the yield of modified protein could be increased by up 3-fold in bioreactor as compared with flask. In addition, the temperature, the agitation speed and the oxygen were significant factors on the expression of the antihypertensive protein. The maximum production was 99 mg protein-L(-1). The hydrolyzed protein showed a high inhibitory activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme (IC50=0.047 mg mL(-1))., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Amarantin is the predominant seed storage protein from amaranth. It shows a high content of essential amino acids, making this protein important from a nutritional viewpoint. The protein has two disulfide linked subunits: acidic and basic. Acidic subunit has the potential as a functional and nutraceutical protein, and it is structurally a good candidate for modification. In order to improve its functionality, the primary structure was modified in the third variable region of globulins 11S, by inserting four Val-Tyr antihypertensive peptides in tandem. The designed plasmid was expressed in Escherichia coli Origami (DE3) and then the expressed protein was purified. Mass spectrometry analysis was used to corroborate the identity of the protein by peptide mass fingerprinting; also, the modified peptide was fragmented and sequenced by mass spectrometry, corroborating thus the inserted residues. The hydrolyzed protein showed a high inhibitory activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme (IC(50) 0.064 mg ml(-1)); it was nearly eightfold more active than the nonmodified protein. In spite that the nonmodified subunit is less active, its activity is comparable with other hydrolyzed proteins reported as high active inhibitors. The expressed and purified subunit after its engineered modification, may be useful for preventing hypertension and for other medical purposes., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Naccobus aberrans is a major pest of the potato crop in the Andean regions of Argentina, Bolivia, and Perú. It is endemic in northwest Argentina and is also found in lowlands. The resistance of eleven Andean potato landraces and three accessions of the wild tuber-bearing species Solanum acaule, S. infundibuliforme, and S. megistacrolobum were evaluated against a population of N. aberrans from Coctaca, Jujuy province, while Solanum tuberosum ssp. tuberosum 'Spunta', 'Kennebec', and 'Frital INTA' were evaluated against a population from the southeast of Buenos Aires province. The presence, the number of galls, and the number of individuals were recorded. In addition, a reproduction factor was calculated and races were determined. Results showed that the N. aberrans population from Coctaca corresponded to race 2 and the population from the lowlands belonged to the sugar beet group. Landrace Azul, one genotype of S. megistacrolobum, and two genotypes of S. acaule showed resistance towards the race from Coctaca while no infection was recorded in potato cultivars with the Naccobus race from the lowland area.

Hybrid structured photocatalysts based on sepiolite, an adsorbent, and TiO2 were prepared by extrusion of ceramic dough and conformed as plates. The influence of the photocatalyst configuration was studied either by including TiO2 in the extrusion process (incorporated materials) or by coating the sepiolite plates with a TiO2 film (coated materials). The influence of the OH- surface concentration in the photocatalytic performance was studied by treating the ceramic plates at different temperatures. The samples were characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption, MIP, SEM, XRD, and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and tested in the photocatalytic degradation of trichloroethylene (TCE) as a target VOC molecule. Most of the catalysts presented high photoactivity, but considerable differences were observed when the CO2 selectivity was analyzed. The results demonstrate that there is a significant effect of the catalyst configuration on the selectivity of the process. An intimate contact between the sepiolite fibers and TiO2 particles for incorporated materials with a corncob-like structure favored the migration of nondesirable reaction products such as COCl2 and dichloroacetyl chloride (DCAC) to the adsorbent, reacting with OH- groups of the adsorbent and favoring the TCE mimeralization.

Amarantin acidic subunit has the potential to be employed as a functional and a nutraceutical protein. To evaluate both possibilities this protein was produced in recombinant Escherichia coli Origami (DE3) harboring the expression plasmid pET-AC6His. Three different expression factors were assayed: inductor concentration, temperature and time of the amarantin acidic subunit accumulation. The results indicated that a 0.3 mmol/L concentration of isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside, at 37 degrees C and 6 h after induction were favorable for high expression of amarantin acidic subunit, mostly in the form of inclusion bodies. The protein was purified from soluble fraction by immobilized metal affinity chromatography, up to 30 mg amarantin acidic subunit/L Terrific broth culture were obtained. Sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation analysis of the expressed soluble amarantin acidic subunit revealed that it was assembled in monomers. The expression of the amarantin acidic subunit, together with the one-step purification will facilitate further investigation of this storage protein through site-directed mutagenesis.

Objectives: To identify local ecological factors that might have had an impact on the higher infestation rates by the vector mosquito Aedes aegypti seen in four urban health districts of Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba, and to determine the type of containers with the highest number of larvae., Methods: This is a descriptive study that was carried out in four health areas (Docente, 28 de Enero, 26 de Julio, and 1. degrees de Enero) within Playa, a municipality belonging to Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba. These areas were chosen because of the persistent presence of the dengue vector throughout 2003. All buildings on the selected blocks were inspected between April 2004 and March 2005, and note was taken of existing water deposits (type, number, and location) and of surrounding ecological factors (existence of a patio and shade, the way tanks were covered, the presence of organic matter inside them, and the overall cleanliness of the dwelling). Using filtration, the mosquito larvae and pupae in each deposit were counted. Pupae were typified as to their taxonomic species under a stereoscopic microscope., Results: The types of deposits where larvae and pupae of A. aegypti were most often found in all areas were low tanks and small artificial containers. In three of the study areas the greatest numbers of pupae were found in low tanks (88.6%, 100%, and 56.6%), 90.9% of which were uncovered or only partially covered. On the other hand, in the fourth study area small artificial deposits were the most commonly infested (85.7%). A correlation was noted between the number of deposits in infested houses and the presence of a patio (chi(2) = 29.59; P = 0.0001), partial shade (chi(2) = 4.108; P = 0.0001), shrubbery (chi(2) = 43.59; P = 0.0001) and trees (chi(2) = 101.459; P = 0.0001), as well as poor hygiene (chi(2) = 53.76; P = 0.0001)., Conclusions: Artificial deposits, especially low tanks and small containers, are the most frequent breeding sites for A. aegypti and are therefore risk factors for infestation with this vector species. Uncovered tanks containing organic matter and located in the shade on the outside of homes were found to present the highest risk in this respect.

50 habitats used by Aedes aegypti in the urban environment of Havana City were reported. 66% corresponded to artificial deposits, of which 57.5% were classified as unuseful by the population. 14% were receptacles of domestic use, whereas 8% were natural breeding places. It calls the attention that 12% of the habitats were represented by pits, sewers and drainages that contain the so-called black waters; a factor that should be considered in the epidemiology of dengue in Cuba and that deserves a study of the ecological factors associated with the specie that may influence on this behavior. It is encouraged the community participation as a tool in the control of this dangerous vector.

The cyclopoid copepod Macrocyclops albidus (Jurine) was tested as a potential biological control agent of mosquitoes in laboratory microcosms, in controlled field conditions, and in a 22-mo field experiment using discarded tires. The predator was highly efficient in controlling mosquitoes in all three settings, reaching close to 90% reduction in larval survival under field conditions and exceeding the recommended predation rates for effective mosquito control in laboratory experiments. The predator was most effective on 1-4-d-old larvae. Alternate food and habitat structure significantly influenced the predation rates on mosquito larvae. Once established, the copepod was able to maintain reproducing populations in the field for the duration of the experiments. However, the predator failed to establish populations at four of the experimental field sites. Two of the failures can be attributed to characteristics of the individual tires, such as leaching chemicals, whereas the other two were probably due to site-specific factors. This copepod species is a promising candidate for control of mosquito larvae because it is a widespread and highly effective predator that is capable of establishing and maintaining populations under a wide variety of field conditions. Additionally, M. albidus is relatively easy to culture, maintain, and deliver to the target areas.