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Aim: The aim of this study is to apply untargeted proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and chemometric analysis to obtain the cacao pod husk (CPH) fingerprint and evaluate the effect of dehydration in the CPH metabolome. Methods: Phosphate buffer extracts (pH 6.5) were obtained and measured using a one-dimension (1D) 1H NMR spectrometry. The 1D 1H NMR spectra were recorded without spinning and using the presaturation (PRESAT) pulse sequence to suppress the residual H2O signal. The 3-(trimethylsilyl) propionic-2,2,3,3-d4 acid sodium salt (TSP) was used as an internal reference. Analysis of processed data, applying an orthogonal projection on latent structure-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) model was used to highlight significant differences between the three dehydration treatments. Signal assignment of CPH metabolites was carried out based on the coupling constant, software simulation prediction, published data comparison, and metabolomics databases. Results: A total of 25 compounds were detected by 1H NMR, methylxanthines, sugars, some amino acids, fatty acids, and organic acids were found among the identified compounds. The fingerprint spectra of the three dehydration methods were clustered separately discriminating the metabolome profile of each of the dehydration treatments, finding that metabolome remarkably differed in theanine, myristic acid, fumaric acid, and aspartic acid composition. Conclusions: An untargeted metabolomics to obtain the fingerprint of CPH was successfully established. A 1H NMR spectra with a detailed signal assignment aided to identify 25 metabolites present in CPH fresh and dried by different methods. The results complement the information about CPH composition and how it is affected by the temperature used during the dehydration process. The multivariate analysis points out that freeze drying (FD) preserves the metabolites better than microwave drying (MWD) or hot air drying (HAD). FD and MWD are similar in composition maintaining most of the compounds after drying.

Abstract Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystemic syndrome specific to pregnancy. Although PE is the leading cause of death from complications associated with pregnancy, its aetiology is still unknown. In PE, lipid metabolism is altered. When lipids are damaged, both the mother and the foetus may be at risk. Lipoproteins contain apolipoproteins, triacylglycerols, free and esterified cholesterol, and phospholipids, all of which are susceptible to oxidative stress when high levels of oxygen and nitrogen free radicals are present. Lipoperoxidation can occur in three stages: mild, moderate, and severe. In severe lipid damage, highly toxic products such as malondialdehyde (MDA) can be generated; under these conditions, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) proteins can be oxidized (oxLDL). oxLDL is a biomolecule that can affect the production of nitric oxide (NO), the main vasodilator derived from the endothelium. oxLDL can interfere with the transduction of the signals responsible for triggering the activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), causing reduced vasodilation and endothelial dysfunction, which are the main characteristics of preeclampsia. The objective of the review was to analyse the information the current information about exists about the impact generated by the oxidation of LDL and HDL lipoproteins in neonates of women with preeclampsia and how these alterations can predispose the neonate to develop diseases in adulthood. PE can cause foetal loss, intrauterine growth restriction, or developmental complications. Neonates of mothers with PE have a high risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, mental retardation, sensory deficiencies and an increased risk of developing metabolic diseases. PE not only affects the foetus, generating complications during pregnancy but also predisposes them to chronic diseases in adulthood.

We characterized long-term changes in cardiac structure and function in a high-fat diet/streptozotocin mouse model of aging and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and examined how the intersection of both conditions alters plasma metabolomics. We also evaluated the possible roles played by oxidative stress, arginase activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines. C57BL/6 male mice (13-month-old) were used. Control animals (n = 13) were fed regular chow for 10 months (aged group). T2D animals (n = 25) were provided a single injection of streptozotocin and fed a high fat diet for 10 months. In select endpoints, young animals were used for comparison. To monitor changes in left ventricular (LV) structure and function, echocardiography was used. At the terminal study (23 months), blood was collected and hearts processed for biochemical or histological analysis. Echo yielded diminished diastolic function with aging and T2D. LV fractional shortening and ejection fraction decreased with T2D by 16 months peaking at 23 months. Western blots noted increases in fibronectin and type I collagen with aging/T2D and greater levels with T2D in α-smooth muscle actin. Increases in plasma and/or myocardial protein carbonyls, arginase activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines occurred with aging and T2D. Untargeted metabolomics and cheminformatics revealed differences in the plasma metabolome of T2D vs. aged mice while select classes of lipid metabolites linked to insulin resistance, were dysregulated. We thus, document changes in LV structure and function with aging that in select endpoints, are accentuated with T2D and link them to increases in OS, arginase activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Abstract We examined in a rat model of Gulf War illness (GWI), the potential of (−)-epicatechin (Epi) to reverse skeletal muscle (SkM) atrophy and dysfunction, decrease mediators of inflammation and normalize metabolic perturbations. Male Wistar rats (n = 15) were provided orally with pyridostigmine bromide (PB) 1.3 mg/kg/day, permethrin (PM) 0.13 mg/kg/day (skin), DEET 40 mg/kg/day (skin) and were physically restrained for 5 min/day for 3 weeks. A one-week period ensued to fully develop the GWI-like profile followed by 2 weeks of either Epi treatment at 1 mg/kg/day by gavage (n = 8) or water (n = 7) for controls. A normal, control group (n = 15) was given vehicle and not restrained. At 6 weeks, animals were subjected to treadmill and limb strength testing followed by euthanasia. SkM and blood sampling was used for histological, biochemical and plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine and metabolomics assessments. GWI animals developed an intoxication profile characterized SkM atrophy and loss of function accompanied by increases in modulators of muscle atrophy, degradation markers and plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Treatment of GWI animals with Epi yielded either a significant partial or full normalization of the above stated indicators relative to normal controls. Plasma metabolomics revealed that metabolites linked to inflammation and SkM waste pathways were dysregulated in the GWI group whereas Epi, attenuated such changes. In conclusion, in a rat model of GWI, Epi partially reverses detrimental changes in SkM structure including modulators of atrophy, inflammation and select plasma metabolites yielding improved function.

Breast cancer, due to its high incidence and mortality, is a public health problem worldwide. Current chemotherapy uses non-specific cytotoxic drugs, which inhibit tumor growth but cause significant adverse effects. (−)-Epicatechin (EC) is part of a large family of biomolecules called flavonoids. It is widely distributed in the plant kingdom; it can be found in green tea, grapes, and cocoa. Several studies in animals and humans have shown that EC induces beneficial effects in the skeletal muscle and the cardiovascular system, reducing risk factors such as arterial hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, damage to skeletal muscle structure, and mitochondrial malfunction by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, with no adverse effects reported. Recently, we reported that EC had an antitumor effect in a murine triple-negative mammary gland tumor model, decreasing tumoral size and volume and increasing survival by 44%. This work aimed to characterize the effects of flavanol EC on proliferation, migration, and metastasis markers of triple-negative murine breast (4T1) cancer cells in culture. We found proliferation diminished and Bax/Bcl2 ratio increased. When the migration of culture cells was evaluated, we observed a significant reduction in migration. Also, the relative expression of the genes associated with metastasis, Cdh1, Mtss1, Pten, Bmrs, Fat1, and Smad4, was increased. In conclusion, these results contribute to understanding molecular mechanisms activated by EC that can inhibit metastatic-associated proliferation, migration, and invasion of murine breast cancer cells.

Introduction: Spain is the European leader in overweight (O-W), partly to the social and environmental changes of the last decades. The objective of the work was to study the modifiable risk factors that lead to O-W. Material and methods: A self-designed questionnaire with factors related to childhood obesity was produced, and was administered to the parents of adolescents who were attending first year of high school in four centres in Health Area V in Murcia. Weight, height, abdominal circumference and Waist-Height Index (WHI) of the students were measured, and classified as overweight-obesity. A reduction technique was applied, generating factors that grouped the items according to subject, as well as a multivalent technique to assess the dependency relationship between the variables, and the SB-OI. Results: Of the 421 students included, 28% and 35% had excess weight and abdominal obesity, respectively. The factor analysis grouped the items into 4 factors: diet, physical activity, technologies, and environment, with a subsection about body perception. The structural equation model presented an R2 of 0.440. The highest relationship was obtained with the environment factor (t 2.89), and perception (t 14.61), followed by the use of technologies. A direct relationship was also revealed regarding diet and physical activity, although not significant. Conclusions: Family perception and the social-school environment have an important influence on the development of the O-W. Health education interventions involving parents and teachers are probably the smartest and most cost-effective strategies. Resumen: Introducción: España se sitúa a la cabeza europea en exceso de peso (EP) debido en parte a los cambios sociales y ambientales de las últimas décadas. El objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar los factores de riesgo modificables que condicionan el EP. Material y métodos: Se autodiseñó una encuesta con los factores relacionados con la obesidad infantil y se administró a los padres de adolescentes que cursaban primero de secundaria en cuatro centros del Área V de Salud de Murcia. Se objetivó peso, talla, perímetro abdominal e Índice Cintura-Talla (ICT) de los alumnos y se clasificaron en sobrepeso-obesidad. Se aplicó técnica de reducción de dimensiones, generando factores que agruparon los ítems según materia y se realizó técnica multivalente para valorar la relación de dependencia entre las variables y el exceso de peso. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 421 alumnos, 28% y 35% con exceso de peso y obesidad abdominal, respectivamente El análisis factorial agrupó los ítems en 4 factores: alimentación, actividad física, tecnologías y entorno, existiendo un subapartado de percepción corporal. El modelo de ecuaciones estructurales presentó un R2 de 0.440. Se obtuvo la mayor relación con el factor entorno (t 2.89), y percepción (t 14.61), seguido del uso de tecnologías. Además reveló una relación directa respecto a la alimentación y la actividad física, aunque no significativa. Conclusiones: La percepción familiar y el ambiente social-escolar influyen de forma importante en el desarrollo del EP. Las intervenciones de educación para la salud con inclusión de padres y profesores probablemente sean las estrategias más inteligentes y rentables.

Resumen: Introducción: España se sitúa a la cabeza europea en exceso de peso (EP) debido en parte a los cambios sociales y ambientales de las últimas décadas. El objetivo del trabajo fue estudiar los factores de riesgo modificables que condicionan el EP. Material y métodos: Se autodiseñó una encuesta con los factores relacionados con la obesidad infantil, y se administró a los padres de adolescentes que cursaban primero de secundaria en 4 centros del Área V de Salud de Murcia. Se objetivó el peso, talla, perímetro abdominal e índice cintura-talla (ICT) de los alumnos, y se clasificaron en sobrepeso-obesidad. Se aplicó la técnica de reducción de dimensiones, generando factores que agruparon los ítems según materia, y se realizó una técnica multivalente para valorar la relación de dependencia entre las variables y el EP. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 421 alumnos, el 28 y el 35% con EP y obesidad abdominal, respectivamente. El análisis factorial agrupó los ítems en 4 factores: alimentación, actividad física, tecnologías y entorno, existiendo un subapartado de percepción corporal. El modelo de ecuaciones estructurales presentó un R2 de 0,440. Se obtuvo la mayor relación con el factor entorno (t 2,89) y percepción (t 14,61), seguido del uso de tecnologías. Además, reveló una relación directa respecto a la alimentación y la actividad física, aunque no significativa. Conclusiones: La percepción familiar y el ambiente social-escolar influyen de forma importante en el desarrollo del EP. Las intervenciones de educación para la salud con inclusión de padres y profesores probablemente sean las estrategias más inteligentes y rentables. Abstract: Introduction: Spain is the European leader in over weight (O-W), partly to the social and environmental changes of the last decades. The objective of the work was to study the modifiable risk factors that lead to O-W. Material and methods: A self-designed questionnaire with factors related to childhood obesity was produced, and was administered to the parents of adolescents who were attending first year of high school in four centres in Health Area V in Murcia. Weight, height, abdominal circumference and Waist-Height Index (WHI) of the students were measured, and classified as overweight-obesity. A reduction technique was applied, generating factors that grouped the items according to subject, as well as a multivalent technique to assess the dependency relationship between the variables, and the SB-OI. Results: Of the 421 students included, 28 and 35% had excess weight and abdominal obesity, respectively. The factor analysis grouped the items into 4 factors: diet, physical activity, technologies, and environment, with a subsection about body perception. The structural equation model presented an R2 of 0.440. The highest relationship was obtained with the environment factor (t 2.89), and perception (t 14.61), followed by the use of technologies. A direct relationship was also revealed regarding diet and physical activity, although not significant. Conclusions: Family perception and the social-school environment have an important influence on the development of the O-W. Health education interventions involving parents and teachers are probably the smartest and most cost-effective strategies.

Cultural tourism is considered one of the most respectful segments both with the heritage preservation of the visited destination and from an environmental point of view. Not only because it is not a type of mass tourism, but also because these tourists want to know the heritage of the destination and its culture, gastronomy and way of life. The main objective of this paper is to identify the aspects that influence the tourist the most when choosing a destination from the point of view of their motivations and the services and cultural offer of the destination. The empirical study took place in the city of Málaga because it is an attractive destination for many different segments of tourists, has a great services and cultural offer and an important heritage legacy. PLS-PM models have been used since they allow to confirm the intensity and sign of the stated hypotheses. There are four latent factors included in the model: Tourist Destination, Cultural Offer, City Services and Tourist Motivations.

IntroductionThe mother's colostrum carries immunological components, such as cytokines and immunoglobulins (Igs), derived from the maternal circulation with bacteriostatic properties.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of oropharyngeal administration of colostrum (OPAC) vs. placebo in the first 4 days of life in premature newborns ≤32 weeks of gestation on serum Ig concentration, neonatal morbidity, and total days of hospitalization.HypothesisThe OPAC increases serum Igs and decreases morbidity and total days of hospitalization.Materials and MethodsA double-blind randomized controlled trial was carried out. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two groups, namely, group 1: placebo (P) (n = 50) and group 2: colostrum (C) (n = 46). A blood sample was obtained at baseline and 7 and 28 days of life to quantify immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and IgM. Results: The C group showed an increase in serum IgA on day 28 expressed as median and [interquartile range]; C: 25 [12–35] vs. P: 11 [8–18], p < 0.001. There were no significant differences in neonatal morbidity. Newborns in the colostrum group showed the completed enteral feeding earlier (days), C: 13.9 ± 7 vs. P: 17.4 ± 8.4, p < 0.04; they reached the birth weight earlier, C: 10.9 ± 2.8 vs. P: 12.9 ± 4, p < 0.01, and had less days of hospitalization, C: 60.2 ± 33.8 vs. P: 77.2 ± 47.3, p < 0.04. Neonatal mortality was lower in the colostrum group than the placebo group 0% vs. 12%, respectively, without a statistical difference (p = 0.06).ConclusionIn premature newborns ≤32 weeks of gestation, the OPAC within 4 days after birth increases serum IgA concentration at day 28 compared to placebo. Similarly, OPAC decreased the days to complete enteral feeding and reach the birth weight and total days of hospitalization.Clinical Trial Registration[https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03578341], identifier: [NCT03578341].

It has been demonstrated that different organoboron compounds interact with some well-known molecular targets, including serine proteases, transcription factors, receptors, and other important molecules. Several approaches to finding the possible beneficial effects of boronic compounds include various in silico tools. This work aimed to find the most probable targets for five aromatic boronic acid derivatives. In silico servers, SuperPred, PASS-Targets, and Polypharmacology browser 2 (PPB2) suggested that the analyzed compounds have anticancer properties. Based on these results, the antiproliferative effect was evaluated using an in vitro model of triple-negative breast cancer (4T1 cells in culture). It was demonstrated that phenanthren-9-yl boronic acid and 6-hydroxynaphthalen-2-yl boronic acid have cytotoxic properties at sub-micromolar concentrations. In conclusion, using in silico approaches and in vitro analysis, we found two boronic acid derivatives with potential anticancer activity.

Introducción: el acoso escolar tiene consecuencias adversas en la vida de agresores y agredidos. Hay creciente interés en observar si está presente en ámbitos universitarios. Objetivo: identificar si existe acoso escolar en estudiantes del programa de psicología de una universidad pública en la ciudad de Santa Marta, al norte de Colombia. Metodología: investigación no experimental, descriptiva transversal, considerando muestra de estudiantes de ambos sexos matriculados de segundo a noveno semestre. Resultados: participaron 195 estudiantes. El maltrato verbal fue el tipo de acoso escolar que más se presentó, sin diferencias por sexos. Igualmente, se pudo observar que en ambos géneros, la dimensión del maltrato físico fue la menos presente, seguido del maltrato psicológico. Igual presencia de acoso escolar se observó en todos los semestres. Conclusiones: se observó presencia de acoso escolar entre estudiantes de psicología de una universidad colombiana, la dimensión más presente fue maltrato verbal. Rev. cienc.biomed. 2014;5(2):281-286.

Introducción: el juego patológico (JPA) es una condición clínica emergente con consecuencias desfavorables en el contexto académico. Es importante conocer el desempeño psicométrico de una escala breve para la identificación de posibles casos en el contexto universitario. Objetivo: explorar el desempeño psicométrico del Cuestionario Breve para Juego Patológico (CBJP) en estudiantes universitarios de una universidad del Caribe colombiano. Método: se llevó a cabo un estudio de validación sin un criterio de referencia sobre el desempeño de los cuatro ítem de CBJP. Un grupo de 1.349 estudiantes de distintos programas académicos, media para la edad de 20.6 años (DE=3.4) y 50.7% hombres, completaron el CBJP y la escala breve de Zung para ansiedad. Se calcularon coeficientes de confiabilidad (Kuder-Richardson -equivalente al alfa de Cronbach- y omega de McDonald) y de validez (divergente, nomológica y constructo). Resultados: CBJP mostró Kuder-Richardson de 0.761 y omega de McDonald de 0.769, buena validez divergente (correlación de Pearson (r) de 0.038 con las puntuaciones en la escala breve de Zung para ansiedad), aceptable validez nomológica (los hombres mostraron media de 0.50 (DE=1.01) y para las mujeres de 0.11 (DE=0.45), t=9.324; gl=946.250; p

(-)-Epicatechin (EC) is a flavanol that has shown numerous biological effects such as: decrease risk of cardiovascular dysfunction, metabolism regulation, skeletal muscle (SkM) performance improvement and SkM cells differentiation induction, among others. The described EC acceptor/receptor molecules do not explain the EC's effect on SkM. We hypothesize that the pregnane X receptor (PXR) can fulfill those characteristics, based on structural similitude between EC and steroidal backbone and that PXR activation leads to similar effects as those induced by EC. In order to demonstrate our hypothesis, we: 1) analyzed the possible EC and mouse PXR interaction through in silico strategies, 2) developed an EC's affinity column to isolate PXR, 3) evaluated, in mouse myoblast (C2C12 cells) the inhibition of EC-induced PXR's nucleus translocation by ketoconazole, a specific blocker of PXR and 4) analyzed the effect of EC as an activator of mouse PXR, evaluating the expression modulation of cytochrome 3a11 (Cyp3a11) gen and myogenin protein. (-)-Epicatechin interacts and activates PXR, promoting this protein translocation to the nucleus, increasing the expression of Cyp3a11, and promoting C2C12 cell differentiation through increasing myogenin expression. These results can be the base of further studies to analyze the possible participation of PXR in the skeletal muscle effects shown by EC.

The current study aims to describe mortality by suicide in relation to variables such as age, gender, marital status, method, time, day, evolutionary stage, and occupation of individuals in the cities of Santa Marta and Bucaramanga during the period 2010-2014. A total of 208 suicides were analyzed. 89 cases were reported in Santa Marta, Magdalena, and 119 cases, in Bucaramanga, Santander. In the same way, it is highlighted that 84% of cases occurred in men and 16%, in women. A retrospective descriptive analysis of the data provided by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences was done. Besides, Pearson’s X test was used to determine the association between gender and method used, day and time of death. Among the main results -and in relation to completed suicides-, there is a higher proportion of men (84%), compared to women (16%). In addition, the behavior of suicide frequencies per year shows a stable pattern of 22.1% for the 2010 and 2011. Then, it begins to decline slightly, reaching 16.3% of deaths due to suicidal behavior in 2014. Among the main conclusions, it was found that there is not a statistically signiicant association between gender and the method used to commit suicide. Regarding the day and hour, it was concluded that weekends and Thursdays are the days when the frequency of suicides increases, especially during the irst 12 hours of day. Finally, it is highlighted that 41% of the suicide victims were single and 45% did not perform professional tasks

Treating addiction and withdrawal syndrome remains a research area of great interest since it is a persistent public health problem. Opiates account for the majority of addiction and withdrawal problems (at least 56% of reported people who consume drugs). Development of opiate addiction results mainly from activation of the mu-opioid receptor (MOR), and this entity is identified as a major target for the treatment of addiction and withdrawal syndrome. Based on our in silico analysis and calculations of binding energy, conformations adopted by catechins and contacts reached by ligand conformations could explain why opiates are capable of activating both β-arrestin and G-protein biased pathways, and therefore help to explain the phenomenon of tolerance, we can conclude that the family of catechins explored seem to be excellent modulators of the MOR.

Objetivo: Identificar cómo las inteligencias, emociones y el cronotipo explican el desempeño académico en universitarios. Método: Estudio de tipo cuantitativo, exploratorio, con una muestra de 493 sujetos universitarios (edad M=22.06±4,59); 32%, hombres y 68%, mujeres. Resultados: Se encontró asociación entre el desempeño académico y la edad [X2=7.386(2), p= .02]; el desempeño académico y el afecto positivo [X2=6.623(2), p= .03]; calidad de sueño y síntomas depresivos (R2= .211), síntomas depresivos e ideación suicida (R2= .408); cronotipo y síntomas depresivos e ideación suicida (R2= .113; R2= .106, respectivamente). Mediante regresión multivariada, se identificó que solo el 1,1% de la varianza del desempeño académico es explicada por la edad [F=6.512(1), p= .01]. Discusión y Conclusiones: Se concluyó que las variables emocionales, las inteligencias múltiples, la ideación suicida y el cronotipo no explican el desempeño académico en estudiantes universitarios. Se sugiere que el desempeño académico, en tanto dependiente de factores como inteligencias, emoción y cronotipo, no puede ser explicado convenientemente.

The effects of testosterone on cardiovascular homeostasis are still not well understood. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of testosterone in the absence or presence of inhibition of Aromatase (4-hydroxyandrostenedione) and/or 5α reductase (Finasteride) enzymatic activities on the myocardial remodeling 30 days after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in gonadectomized rats. Results showed that testosterone administration to ORX rats resulted in decreased myocardial damaged area, inflammatory infiltrates and reduced MMP-3 and 13 expressions. Interestingly, Finasteride administration resulted in a greater decrease in scar tissue, inflammatory infiltrates, along with a significant decrease in MMP-3 and 13 expressions. In contrast, 4-hydroxyandrostenedione administrations increased all parameters. Our results suggest that testosterone does not have a direct effect since simultaneous inhibition of aromatase and 5α-reductase did not induce significant changes in I/R induced myocardial injury.

Aims: To evaluate the effects of (-)-epicatechin (Epi) in the progression of kidney damage. Material and methods: We assessed the effects of Epi [0.01–20 mg/kg of body weight/day] during 14 days, in a 5/6 nephrectomy model in mice. Key findings: Nephrectomy-induced systolic arterial hypertension was significantly reduced in a dose dependent manner with Epi treatment. Increased serum creatinine and urea were reduced almost to normal values. The concentration of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), used as subrogate of endothelial dysfunction, decreased in nephrectomyzed animals, Epi treatment increased BH4 levels almost reaching normal values. The expression of angiotensin II receptor (AT1-R) and NADPH oxidase-4 (NOX-4) and 3-nitrotyrosine levels increased with nephrectomy and were reduced with Epi treatment. Renal tissue morphology in the remaining tissue was conserved with Epi treatment in a dose dependent manner. Significance.: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor associated with a mortality rate 10 to 20 times higher than that of the general population. High blood pressure, endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress are important factors determining kidney damage progression. Findings of this study indicate that Epi is able to counteract the deleterious effects of subtotal nephrectomy and the structural and functional changes in the remnant kidney tissue, decreasing the progression of CKD. These results warrant the possibility of implement clinical trials to limit the progression of CKD in humans.

The role of the energy industry has always been central for one reason or another, being environmentalism the main motive in the last two decades. Therefore, attention and research have been directed in this sense. However, human resources—or human capital—have remained understudied, especially concerning the salaries received. Thus, this study is disruptive as it explored the factors that influence employee remuneration in the energy subsector, using Spain as a case study. For this, the PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling) path modelling methodology was used, executing a traditional PLS analysis, bootstrapping and, finally, IPMA (Importance-Performance Analysis). Solid and significant relationships were found among labour conditions, human capital, market and wages, with the relationships between human capital and wages and between human capital and labour conditions being especially relevant. Besides, through IPMA, a series of considerations was made regarding the individual indicators according to their relative importance and performance. Consequently, this paper significantly contributes to the extant literature by analysing the composition of wages in the energy sector, which might allow taking valuable management decisions. Nevertheless, the main limitation of this study lies in the availability of data for Spain and, specifically, for workers in the energy supplying industries.

Salvia amarissima Ortega was evaluated to determinate its antihyperglycemic and lipid profile properties. Petroleum ether extract of fresh aerial parts of S. amarissima (PEfAPSa) and a secondary fraction (F6Sa) were evaluated to determine their antihyperglycemic activity in streptozo-cin-induced diabetic (STID) mice, in oral tolerance tests of sucrose, starch, and glucose (OSTT, OStTT, and OGTT, respectively), in terms of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). In acute assays at doses of 50 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), PEfAPSa and F6Sa showed a reduction in hyperglycemia in STID mice, at the first and fifth hour after of treatment, respectively, and were comparable with acarbose. In the sub-chronic test, PEfAPSa and F6Sa showed a reduction of glycemia since the first week, and the effect was greater than that of the acarbose control group. In relation to HbA1c, the treatments prevented the increase in HbA1c. In the case of TG and HDL, PEfAPSa and F6Sa showed a reduction in TG and an HDL increase from the second week. OSTT and OStTT showed that PEfAPSa and F6Sa significantly lowered the postprandial peak at 1 h after loading but only in sucrose or starch such as acarbose. The results suggest that S. amarissima activity may be mediated by the inhibition of disaccharide hydrolysis, which may be associated with an α-glucosidase inhibitory effect.

Desde hace varias décadas, las entrevistas en los procesos de selección de estudiantes para las escuelas de medicina han sido repetidamente objeto de discusión. No obstante, se ha investigado muy poco sobre la utilidad de la entrevista clásica en la admisión de los futuros médicos1,2.

Background: Obesity and the metabolic syndrome affect a considerable segment of the population worldwide, including health professionals. In fact, several studies have reported that physicians tend to have more cardiovascular risk factors than their patients. The present cross-sectional study assessed whether the Health Sciences students had a healthier lifestyle, thus could have a more preventive attitude towards chronic diseases than the general population. Materials and methods: Students of the medical-biological areas were surveyed by answering a questionnaire about familiar cardiovascular risk factors, personal smoking, alcohol drinking, dietary and exercise habits. Blood pressure was also measured, along with weight, height, and abdominal circumference. Results: 23.4% of the participants were overweight and 10% obese. Parental obesity was the most frequent risk factor, followed by social drinking and smoking. We found high consumption of animal derived foods, breakfast-like cereals, pastries, white bread and sweetened beverages; while low intake of fruit and vegetables were reported. More than half the sample reported to practice very little or no exercise at all. Discussion and conclusions: We found similar or even higher rates of risk factors than the average population, that may eventually lead to the development of chronic cardiometabolic diseases. Thus we can infer that biomedical education is inefficient in inducing healthy lifestyles among biomedical students, which could have impact in their future practice as they will most probable become obese health-professionals, thus fail to effectively treat their own patients.

Abstract Background: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) represents an attractive therapy for myocardial protection, particularly when ischemic events can be anticipated. Although several hypothetic mechanisms have been proposed, no definite molecular pathways have been elucidated. Objective: We evaluated the effect of brachial circulation cuff occlusion on myocardial ischemic tolerance, necrosis, and nitric oxide (NO) in patients with ischemic heart disease undergoing elective percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Methods: 46 patients were randomly allocated into two groups: control and RIPC before PCI procedures. Electrocardiographic analysis, serum concentrations of troponin I (cTn-I) were measured at baseline and 24 hours after PCI. A blood sample from the atherosclerotic plaque was drawn to determine nitrate and nitrites. Results: RIPC increased the availability of NO in the stented coronary artery. Control patients presented a small but significant increase in cTn-I, whilst it remained unchanged in preconditioned group. The preconditioning maneuver not only preserved but also enhanced the sum of R waves. Conclusions: RIPC induced an intracoronary increase of NO levels associated with a decrease in myocardial damage (measured as no increase in cTn-I) with electrocardiographic increases in the sum of R waves, suggesting an improved myocardium after elective PCI.

En este trabajo se reporta una nueva población de Bulinus truncatus (Audouin, 1827) (Gastropoda, Planorbidae) en la provincia de Almería (Sureste de España). Se trata de una especie que presenta considerable interés tanto zoológico como epidemiológico por su papel como hospedador intermediario de Schistosoma haematobium, responsable de la esquistosomiasis urogenital humana. Los ejemplares fueron determinados a nivel específico mediante PCR doble anidada, con un 100% de homología. Se trata de la población localizada más al Sureste y en condiciones de mayor aridez en la península Ibérica. Se recopilaron los datos de presencia publicados para conocer su distribución en la península. El conocimiento de la distribución de Bulinus truncatus es una pieza clave para evaluar el riesgo de nuevos focos de esquistosomiasis en la península Ibérica.

La Spirulina (Arthrospira), alga filamentosa unicelular, es una cianobacteria que se cultiva en algunos países, como alimento para consumo humano y animal, así como para la obtención de aditivos utilizados en formas farmacéuticas y alimentos. Esta alga es fuente rica en proteínas, vitaminas, aminoácidos, minerales y otros nutrientes, por lo que su principal uso es como suplemento alimenticio. Sin embargo, en los útlimos años se le han atribuído diversas propiedades farmacológicas. Así, se ha comprobado a nivel experimental in vivo e in vitro su efectividad en el tratamiento de algunos tipos de alergias, anemia, cáncer, hepatotoxicidad, enfermedades virales y cardiovasculares, hiperglicemia, hiperlipemia, inmunodeficiencia y procesos inflamatorios, entre otros. Varias de esas actividades se deben a la Spirulina per se o a algunos de sus constituyentes, entre los que destacan el ácido graso poliinsaturado w -3 y w -6, b -caroteno, a -tocoferol, ficocianina, compuestos fenólicos y un complejo aislado recientemente, el Ca-Spirulan (Ca-SP). En el presente artículo se hace una actualización y revisión crítica de los resultados publicados durante los últimos años, en relación a tales propiedades. Se concluye que aunque esta cianobacteria ha sido de las más estudiadas desde el punto de vista químico, farmacológico y toxicológico, es necesario ampliar las investigaciones con el fin de contar con datos más consistentes para su posible aplicación en seres humanos.Update on the pharmacology of Spirulina (Arthrospira), an unconventional food. Spirulina (Arthrospira), a filamentous, unicellular alga, is a cyanobacterium grown in certain countries as food for human and animal consumption. It is also used to derive additives in pharmaceuticals and foods. This alga is a rich source of proteins, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and other nutrients. Its main use, therefore, is as a food supplement. Over the last few years, however, it has been found to have many additional pharmacological properties. Thus, it has been experimentally proven, in vivo and in vitro that it is effective to treat certain allergies, anemia, cancer, hepatotoxicity, viral and cardiovascular diseases, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, immunodeficiency, and inflammatory processes, among others. Several of these activities are attributed to Spirulina itself or to some of its components including fatty acids w -3 or w -6, b -carotene, a -tocopherol, phycocyanin, phenol compounds, and a recently isolated complex, Ca-Spirulan (Ca-SP). This paper aims to update and critically review the results published over the last few years with regards to these properties. The conclusion is that even if this cyanobacterium has been one of the most extensively studied from the chemical, pharmacological and toxicological points of view, it is still necessary to expand the research in order to have more consistent data for its possible use in human beings.

El presente trabajo centra su atención en la revisión y análisis de las investigaciones realizadas en torno al tema de consumo de sustancias psicoactivas (SPA) y variables psicosociales asociadas. El consumo de SPA es una situación de alta prevalencia, es objeto de atención para los sectores académicos y gubernamentales de todos los países del mundo, debido a sus profundas consecuencias económicas, sociales, sanitarias, entre otras. Aportar medidas de intervención es solo posible en la medida que se conozca la magnitud y dinámicas particulares del fenómeno (en este caso variables psicosociales) que promuevan un reconocimiento de todos los factores involucrados en la problemática para formular estrategias efectivas de control. En la presente revisión, se analizan diferentes investigaciones efectuadas en este tópico con el fin de aportar un producto que condensa información relevante y actualizada, útil para todos los profesionales de la salud que tienen un papel fundamental en el diseño de estrategias preventivas y de intervención.Palabras clave: Consumo de sustancias; estudiantes universitarios; factores psicosociales.Revision study: Correlation between the use of psychoactive substances and psychosocial variables associated to college students AbstractThe SPA consumption is a situation of high prevalence, it is the object of attention for academic and government sectors in all countries of the world, because of its deep economic, social and sanitary consequences among others. Provide intervention measures is only possible to the extent that the magnitude and the particular dynamics of the phenomenon is known (in this case psychosocial variables) which promote a recognition of all the factors involved in the problem to develop effective control strategies. In the present revision, various investigations carried out on this topic are analyzed in order to provide a product that condenses relevant and updated information, useful for all health professionals that have a key role in designing strategies for prevention and intervention.Keywords: Substance; college students; psychosocial factors

Title: Characteristics of emotional intelligence in psychology students and business administration of a public university of Santa Marta, Colombia: a pilot study.ResumenEl presente es un estudio de tipo descriptivo-correlacional y diseño transversal, su objetivo principal fue encontrar las diferencias de género en las características de inteligencia emocional (IE) sobre una muestra de estudiantes universitarios de una institución pública de educación superior de Santa Marta, Colombia, a través de la aplicación del Traid Meta Mood-TMMS-24 de Fernández-Berrocal y Extremera1. El estudio contó con la participación de 32 estudiantes de los cuales 16 pertenecen al programa de psicología y 16 al programa de administración de empresas en edades entre 17 a 30 años, distribuidos en 22 mujeres y 10 hombres. Si bien los resultados apuntan a que no existen diferencias significativas entre el estado de los componentes de IE y el género, se recomienda tomar estos resultados con precaución y realizar otros estudios con una muestra representativa de la totalidad de la población universitaria de la institución, del mismo modo que es conveniente añadir otros instrumentos de medida de IE. (DUAZARY 2012 No. 2, 132 - 139)AbstractThis is a study of descriptivo-correlacional type and transversal design aims to main found gender differences in the characteristics of emotional intelligence (EI) on a sample of college students of a public institution of higher education in Santa Marta, Colombia, through the application of the Traid goal Mood-TMMS-24 Fernández-Berrocal and Extremera1. The study counted with the participation of 32 students of whom 16 belong to the psychology programme and 16 to the program of business administration at ages 17 to 30 years, distributed in 22 women and 10 men. Although the results suggest that there are no significant differences between the status of the components of IE and gender, is recommended replication of a similar study taking into account that as a pilot test the generalization of results is not applicable insofar as the sample statistically represents the population, in the same way that is convenient to add other instruments of measurement of IE.Keywords: Emotional Intelligence; gender; college students. (MeSH).

Abstract This paper aims to explore the research of the seedbed group, examining the imaginary concept students have in relation with the undergraduate training program at the university. Initially, the semantic universe on research seedbeds group is recognized through the technique of free association; after, these ones were evaluated through a structured interview in order to know the reasons why they can be assigned for seedbeds groups. Finally, based on students’ consideration; emotional skills, social and scientific competences were investigated, which every researcher must open in their field of exercise. In this research paper, 72 students from seedbeds group of Colombian public university participated. The results are presented under a descriptive - exploratory model and they include the approach of the complementarities. Resumen El presente artículo de investigación tiene como fin la exploración al interior de los semilleros de investigación, indagando en el imaginario que tienen los estudiantes sobre el programa de formación en el pregrado universitario. Inicialmente, se reconoce el universo semántico sobre semilleros de investigación a través de la técnica de asociación libre; luego, se examinan, por medio de una entrevista estructurada, los motivos para estar adscritos a semilleros; por último, a consideración de los estudiantes, se indagan las habilidades emocionales, competencias sociales y científicas que debe desplegar un investigador en su campo de ejercicio. En este estudio, participaron 72 estudiantes del programa semilleros de una universidad pública de Colombia. Los resultados son presentados bajo un modelo descriptivo-exploratorio e incluyen el enfoque de la complementariedad.