Structural properties of various sodium thiogermanate glasses through DFT-based molecular dynamics simulations

We present a study of the structural properties of (x)Na$_2$S-(1-x)GeS$_2$ glasses through DFT-based molecular dynamics simulations, at different sodium concentrations ($0<x<0.5$). We computed the radial pair correlation functions as well as the total and partial structure factors. We also analyzed the evolution of the corner- and edge-sharing intertetrahedral links with the sodium concentration and show that the sodium ions exclusively destroy the former. With the increase of the sodium concentration the ``standard'' FSDP disappears and a new pre-peak appears in the structure factor which can be traced back in the Na-Na partial structure factor. This self organization of the sodium ions is coherent with Na-rich zones that we find at high modifier concentration.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures; to be published in Phys. Rev.

Seguimiento de las guías españolas para el manejo del asma por el médico de atención primaria: un estudio observacional ambispectivo

Objetivo Evaluar el grado de seguimiento de las recomendaciones de las versiones de la Guía española para el manejo del asma (GEMA 2009 y 2015) y su repercusión en el control de la enfermedad. Material y métodos Estudio observacional y ambispectivo realizado entre septiembre del 2015 y abril del 2016, en el que participaron 314 médicos de atención primaria y 2.864 pacientes. Resultados Utilizando datos retrospectivos, 81 de los 314 médicos (25, 8% [IC del 95%, 21, 3 a 30, 9]) comunicaron seguir las recomendaciones de la GEMA 2009. Al inicio del estudio, 88 de los 314 médicos (28, 0% [IC del 95%, 23, 4 a 33, 2]) seguían las recomendaciones de la GEMA 2015. El tener un asma mal controlada (OR 0, 19, IC del 95%, 0, 13 a 0, 28) y presentar un asma persistente grave al inicio del estudio (OR 0, 20, IC del 95%, 0, 12 a 0, 34) se asociaron negativamente con tener un asma bien controlada al final del seguimiento. Por el contrario, el seguimiento de las recomendaciones de la GEMA 2015 se asoció de manera positiva con una mayor posibilidad de que el paciente tuviera un asma bien controlada al final del periodo de seguimiento (OR 1, 70, IC del 95%, 1, 40 a 2, 06). Conclusiones El escaso seguimiento de las guías clínicas para el manejo del asma constituye un problema común entre los médicos de atención primaria. Un seguimiento de estas guías se asocia con un control mejor del asma. Existe la necesidad de actuaciones que puedan mejorar el seguimiento por parte de los médicos de atención primaria de las guías para el manejo del asma. Objective: To assess the degree of compliance with the recommendations of the 2009 and 2015 versions of the Spanish guidelines for managing asthma (Guía Española para el Manejo del Asma [GEMA]) and the effect of this compliance on controlling the disease. Material and methods: We conducted an observational ambispective study between September 2015 and April 2016 in which 314 primary care physicians and 2864 patients participated. Results: Using retrospective data, we found that 81 of the 314 physicians (25.8%; 95% CI 21.3–30.9) stated that they complied with the GEMA2009 recommendations. At the start of the study, 88 of the 314 physicians (28.0%; 95% CI 23.4–33.2) complied with the GEMA2015 recommendations. Poorly controlled asthma (OR, 0.19; 95% CI 0.13–0.28) and persistent severe asthma at the start of the study (OR, 0.20; 95% CI 0.12–0.34) were negatively associated with having well-controlled asthma by the end of the follow-up. In contrast, compliance with the GEMA2015 recommendations was positively associated with a greater likelihood that the patient would have well-controlled asthma by the end of the follow-up (OR, 1.70; 95% CI 1.40–2.06). Conclusions: Low compliance with the clinical guidelines for managing asthma is a common problem among primary care physicians. Compliance with these guidelines is associated with better asthma control. Actions need to be taken to improve primary care physician compliance with the asthma management guidelines

The effect of emulsifying protein and addition of condensed tannins on n-3 PUFA enriched emulsions for functional foods

This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Application of Emulsion-Based Systems to Foods: Current and Future Trends.This paper examines the effect of the type of the emulsifying protein (EP) (sodium caseinate (SC) and whey protein isolate (WPI)) on both oil-in-water liquid-like emulsions (Es) and the corresponding cold gelled emulsions (GEs), and also the effect of addition of carob extract rich in condensed tannins (T). The systems, intended as functional food ingredients, were studied in various different respects, including rheological behaviour, in vitro gastrointestinal digestion with determination of the release of non-extractable proanthocyanidins (NEPA) from T, antioxidant activity and lipolysis. EP significantly affects the rheological behaviour of both Es and GEs. T incorporation produced a structural reinforcement of GEs, especially in the case of SC. The digests from Es displayed a higher antioxidant activity than those from GEs. T lipase inhibition was observed only in the formulations with WPI. Our results highlight the importance, in the design of functional foods, of analyzing different variables when incorporating a bioactive compound into a food or emulsion in order to select the better combination for the desired objective, owing to the complex interplay of the various components.This research was supported under projects AGL2014-53207-C2-1-R and AGL2014-53207-C2-2-R and PID2019-103872RB-I00 of the Plan Nacional de Investigación Cientifica, Desarrollo e Innovación Tecnologica (I + D + i), Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad and Intramural project CSIC: 202070E177. The authors wish to express their thanks for Adrian Macho-González’s predoctoral fellowship award from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (FPU15/02759).Peer reviewe

Impact of conducting a genetic study on the management of familial hypercholesterolemia

[Background] Clinically diagnosed familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) may require a genetic test (GT) to confirm diagnosis. GT availability/accessibility is resource-dependent and usually restricted to specialized clinics. While GT has a diagnostic value, it has not yet defined its impact on long-term management and prognosis of FH.[Objective] The aim was to identify the clinical characteristics associated with the request for a GT in suspected heterozygous FH.[Methods] Retrospective study including adult patients with clinically suspected to be FH. Positive GT (GT+) was defined as having a pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant. Patients were stratified based on whether they had a genetic study conducted, and among those with a genetic study, according to those who did or did not have a GT+.[Results] From 4854 patients included, 3090 were performed a GT (GT+: 2113). Median follow-up: 6.2 years. A younger age, FH-related physical signs, premature coronary disease, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) and lower body mass index and triglycerides, associated higher odds of being conducted a genetic study. These patients had higher baseline LDLc (252 mg/dL vs. 211 mg/dL among clinically diagnosed patients) and experienced larger reductions over the follow-up (157.7 mg/dL vs. 113.5 mg/dL, respectively). A similar pattern was observed among patients with GT+ (vs. negative GT). LDLc target attainment was low but increased to 66–95% when a triple combination with statin/ezetimibe/proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9-inhibitor was used. Cardiovascular events occurred in 3.2% and 3.1% of patients who conducted/not conducted a genetic study. Patients conducted a genetic analysis and those with GT+ tended to present the events earlier.[Conclusions] Genetic study, vs. having a clinical-only diagnosis, impacts the management of FH. Cardiovascular prognosis was similar in both groups, perhaps as a result of the more intensive management of patients with a genetic study.We want to particularly acknowledge the patients and the Biobank of the Aragon Health System (PT17/0015/0039) integrated in the Spanish National Biobanks Network for their collaboration. AJV-V acknowledges support from the Program “Beatriz Galindo” from the Ministry of Universities, Spain, and University of Seville, Spain.Peer reviewe

Effects of Fiber Purified Extract of Carob Fruit on Fat Digestion and Postprandial Lipemia in Healthy Rats

Increased postprandial lipemia is a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor. Carob fruit extract (CFE) contains condensed tannins, and their intake has been inversely related to CVD. The objective was to evaluate the in vitro pancreatic lipase activity in the presence of CFE and the in vivo effect of CFE on postprandial lipemia of healthy Wistar rats in acute and subchronic digestibility studies and to relate it with changes in fat digestion and absorption. CFE significantly reduced pancreatic lipase activity. A peak delay and a dose-dependent decrease in plasma triglyceride and cholesterol areas under the curve were observed, effects that increased after the subchronic treatment. The levels of nondigested, nonabsorbed triglycerides of the remaining intestinal lumen fat were significantly higher in the maximum dose of CFE administrated versus the control (P < 0.05). This study demonstrates for the first time the hypolipemic properties of CFE from the first administration, modifying postprandial lipemia by reducing the extents of fat digestion and absorption.Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and SportsDepto. de Farmacología, Farmacognosia y BotánicaFac. de FarmaciaTRUEpu