Opinions and beliefs held by Spanish teenagers regarding tobacco and alcohol consumption: A descriptive study

Background: Preventive strategies are the most effective approach for dealing with issues of substance abuse, particularly in teenagers. Such strategies adapt well to this target population. Our objective was to reveal the opinions and beliefs held by teenagers about tobacco and alcohol as types of drugs, and their effects on health. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants completed a self-administered questionnaire based on the World Health Organization “Health Behaviour of School-aged Children” study. Our sample included 1,005 schoolchildren aged between 11 and 13 years, resident in the province of Co´rdoba in Spain. Descriptive and univariate analyses were performed using a chi-squared test. Results: Of respondents, 25% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.2–27.6%) and 61% (95% CI: 58.0–64.1%), respectively, did not consider tobacco or alcohol to be drugs. No relationship was found between tobacco and alcohol use, and the belief that these are drugs (p = 0.477 and p = 0.217, respectively). A total 98.2% of adolescents surveyed (95% CI: 97.3–99.1%) believed that tobacco causes physical damage, mainly to the lungs, heart, and to the developing fetus. Additionally, 92.4% (95% CI: 90.6–94.0%) believed that alcohol is detrimental to health and identified the liver as the organ most frequently damaged by alcohol consumption. The media was identified as the main source of information about these substances by 78.0% of respondents (95% CI: 75.4–80.6%). Conclusions: Teenagers possess an acceptable level of knowledge and information about the negative effects of tobacco and alcohol on health; however, many of them do not consider these substances to be drug

Caracterización química del aceite de girasol oxidado mediante UV y ozono con diferentes grados de oxidación y estudio de su acción antimicrobiana

Oxidation by the action of ozone takes place at high rates and involves the reaction of ozone molecules with fatty acid double bonds followed by the formation of stable oxidation products with biological activity. In the present work, a comparative study on sunflower oil oxidized by ultraviolet (UV) light and ozone was carried out. This study involved the chemical characterization of sunflower oil oxidized by UV irradiation and ozonation, in addition to assessing the germicidal activity of oxidized oils obtained under various conditions. The results indicated that under the conditions studied, the increase in the dose of UV irradiation did not produce significant changes in the level of oxidation of the oil. Ozonation promoted the formation of oxygenated compounds at higher rates, increasing in concentration as the applied dosage of ozone increased. The germicidal activity of the oils behaved similarly, with considerably higher activity found in the ozonized oils.La oxidación por acción del ozono tiene lugar a tasas muy altas e implica la reacción de las moléculas de ozono con los dobles enlaces de los ácidos grasos, seguida de la formación de productos de oxidación estables con actividad biológica. En el presente trabajo se realizó un estudio comparativo del aceite de girasol oxidado por luz UV y por ozono. Este estudio consistió en la caracterización química del aceite de girasol oxidado por irradiación UV y por ozonización. En segundo lugar, se evaluó la influencia en la actividad germicida potencial del producto final obtenido en varias condiciones de ozonización. Los resultados indicaron que, en las condiciones estudiadas, el aumento de la dosis de irradiación UV no produjo cambios significativos en el nivel de oxidación del aceite. La ozonización promovió la formación de compuestos oxigenados en mayor proporción, aumentando su concentración a medida que aumentaba la dosis de ozono aplicada. La actividad germicida de los aceites se comportó de forma similar, encontrándose una actividad considerablemente mayor en los aceites ozonizados

Resultados preliminares de respuesta en un test de campo abierto en peces a alta y baja densidad

publishedTomo I . Sección: Sistemas Ganaderos-Economía y Gestión. Sesión: Conejos, abejas, peces y cerdos. Ponencia nº 2

Caracterización de diferentes aceites de girasol ozonizados I. Cambios químicos durante la ozonización

Vegetable oils are usually rich in unsaturated fatty acids which are susceptible to oxidation. The oxidation of vegetable oils has been one of the most widely studied fields within lipid chemistry, because it alters their properties and nutritive value, inducing the formation of harmful compounds and off-flavors. Moreover, oxidized vegetable oils display altered physical and chemical properties which are conferred by the newer oxy-genated compounds they contain. This is the case of ozonized oils. Ozone is a powerful oxidizing agent that mainly acts on olefinic compounds which generate ozonides and other peroxidic species that can decompose into carbonilic fragments. The action of the oxidant and the later reactions depend on the chemical environment of the reaction as well as the carbonyl termination products resulting from peroxide cleavage. In recent years, sunflower oils with different fatty acid compositions have been developed by breeding and mutagenesis. They displayed higher contents of oleic, stearic or palmitic acids, which mainly alters their triacylglycerol composi-tion. Therefore, four different sunflower oils, common, high oleic, high stearic-high oleic and high palmitic-high oleic, were oxidized with ozone and the progress of the reaction was monitored by measuring the level of oil peroxygenation and the changes in the oils’ fatty acid compositions. The peroxidated species formed during ozonation were studied by FT-IR spectroscopy. The main conclusions of this work were that ozonation caused linear oxidation rates that were similar in all the oils assayed. The addition of water accelerated oxidation, which tended to occur in linoleic polyunsaturated fatty acid The FT-IR pointed to the presence of ozonide-derived peroxides as the major oxygenated species.Los aceites vegetales son generalmente ricos en ácidos grasos insaturados susceptibles de oxidación. La oxi-dación de aceites vegetales ha sido un campo de estudio intensivo dentro de la química de lípidos ya que este proceso altera sus propiedades y valor nutritivo, induciendo la formación de compuestos perjudiciales y olores y sabores indeseados. Además, los aceites vegetales oxidados muestran propiedades físicas alteradas conferidas por los nuevos compuestos oxigenados que contienen. Este es el caso de los aceites ozonizados. El ozono es un agente oxidante enérgico que actúa sobre los compuestos olefínicos generando ozónidos y otras especies peroxídicas que se descomponen en fragmentos carbonílicos. La acción del oxidante y las reacciones posteriores dependen del entorno químico de la reacción además de los productos carbonílicos de terminación resultante de la rotura de los peróxidos. El aceite de girasol común es rico en oleico y linoleico, susceptibles de ataque oxida-tivo por parte del ozono. En los últimos años, aceites de girasol con composiciones diferentes de ácidos grasos se han desarrollado por selección y mutagénesis. Estos aceites muestran altos contenidos en oleico, esteárico o palmítico, los cuales alteran de manera importante su composición de triglicéridos. Este trabajo es el primero de una serie de dos en los cuales se estudian los cambios físico-químicos que dichos aceites de girasol experimentan durante la ozonización. Así, se oxidaron con ozono cuatro aceites de girasol diferentes, girasol común, alto oleico, alto esteárico-alto oleico y alto palmítico-alto oleico. Se monitorizaron las cantidades absorbidas de ozono, los niveles de peroxidación y los ácidos grasos que experimentaron oxidación. Las especies formadas en el proceso se estudiaron mediante espectroscopía FT-IR. El modo en que la composición de ácidos grasos del aceite afectó a las cinéticas de oxidación y los productos resultantes se comentaron a la vista de los resultados.Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) ICOOPCOOPB2015

Efectividad del consejo médico a pacientes alcohólicos y bebedores excesivos atendidos en consultas de atención primaria

ObjetivoComprobar la efectividad del consejo médico antialcohólico que se da en las consultas de atención primaria.DiseñoEstudio cuasi-experimental de tipo «antes-después», abierto, multicéntrico.EmplazamientoCatorce consultas médicas de atención primaria (7 rurales y 7 urbanas) de la provincia de Córdoba (España).ParticipantesUn total de 306 pacientes de ambos sexos, captados mediante búsqueda de casos, que presentaban un consumo de alcohol ≥ 35 (varones) y 21 (mujeres) U a la semana, y/o síndrome de dependencia alcohólica (SDA) (MALTS-O ≥ 11).IntervencionesA todos se les ofreció consejo médico breve antialcohólico y se les hizo un seguimiento para valoración de su estado a los 3 meses, 1 y 2 años.Mediciones principalesLa variable de respuesta fue la suma del consumo autorreferido, más valores normales de GGT, y la confirmación del familiar. El análisis del estudio fue por «intención de tratar».ResultadosDe los 306 pacientes incluidos, en un 95,1% de los casos se trataba de varones y un 78,4% presentaba SDA. Al cabo de 2 años, el 38,89% (IC del 95%, 32,2-44,3%) había alcanzado el objetivo terapéutico: un 23,85% se encontraba en abstinencia total y el 15,0% presentaba un consumo moderado de alcohol, por debajo del límite de riesgo. El comienzo del consumo excesivo antes de los 16 años (odds ratio [OR], 3,0885), vivir en un barrio marginal (OR, 3,2103), consumir tabaco (OR, 1,7187) y un test de CAGE positivo (OR, 1,9949) se asociaron al fracaso de la intervención (p < 0,05).ConclusionesSe demuestra la alta efectividad del consejo antialcohólico impartido por el médico de familia en condiciones habituales de consulta, tanto en bebedores excesivos como en aquellos con SDA.AimTo determine the effectiveness of medical counseling for alcohol abuse, when it is provided in primary care centers.DesignQuasi-experimental, open, multicenter before-after study.Setting14 primary care physician's practices (7 rural, 7 urban) in the province of Córdoba (Spain).Participants306 patients of both sexes, recruited with a case-finding strategy, who consumed ≥35 (men) or ≥21 (women) IU per week, or who had alcohol dependence syndrome (ADS) (MALTS score O≥11).InterventionsAll patients were offered brief counseling to reduce drinking, and all were followed to evaluate their status 3 months, 1 year and 2 years later.Main measuresThe response variable was selfreported alcohol consumption together with normal GGT values or confirmation of alcohol consumption by a relative. The results were subjected to intention-to-treat analysis.ResultsOf the 306 patients included in the study, 95.1% were men and 78.4% had ADS. After 2 years 38.89% (95% CI, 32.2%-44.3%) had attained their treatment goal: 23.85% were in complete abstinence, and 15.0% consumed moderate amounts of alcohol below the limit considered to indicate risk. Starting excessive consumption at less than 16 years of age (odds ratio [OR], 3.0885), living in a slum (OR, 3.2103), smoking (OR, 1.7187), and a positive CAGE test (OR, 1.9949) were associated with failure of the intervention (P<.05).ConclusionsCounseling provided by the family doctor was highly effective under the usual conditions of general practice, both for patients with excessive alcohol consumption and for patients with con ADS

Impacto de los cambios realizados en la etapa de multiplicación celular durante la obtención de la Sustancia Sensibilizante de Eritrocitos utilizada en el diagnóstico serológico de la Leptospirosis

Introducción: En Cuba desde 1981 se tiene implementada la hemoaglutinación indirecta como técnica diagnostica de Leptospirosis de forma alternativa en ausencia de otras que pueden ser más costosas pero efectivas en los diferentes estadios de la enfermedad. Para el desarrollo de la técnica se hace necesaria la sustancia sensibilizante de eritrocitos (SSE), asumiendo su producción el Instituto Finlay en el año 2009, a partir de una tecnología obsoleta en la etapa de multiplicación celular. Objetivo. El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar cambios en esta etapa para obtener la SSE con los medios de cultivos disponibles en la planta de producción para el óptimo rendimiento del producto, sin afectar la actividad biológica como parámetro fundamental de calidad. Métodos. Fueron formados 8 grupos experimentales teniendo en cuenta: cepa productora (cepa LABIOFAM y cepa Finlay) medio de cultivo (MK y EMJH) y condiciones de cultivos (estático o agitado). Resultados y conclusión. Se obtuvo como resultado que la mejor variante fue en la que se utilizó la cepa de LABIOFAM, crecimiento en medio MEJH y agitado, con una disminución considerable en el tiempo de obtención de la SSE mediante esta nueva tecnología, con un título consistente con las exigencias de calidad. Permitiendo así comenzar los diferentes diseños de estudios de estabilidad y registro del producto.Introduction: In Cuba since 1981 has implemented the indirect hemagglutination as an alternative technique of Leptospirosis diagnosed, in the absence of others that may be more costly but effective at different stages of the disease. For the development of the technique requires the Erythrocytes Sensitize Substance (ESS), assuming the production Finlay Institute in 2009, from obsolete technology in the process of cell multiplication. Objective: The aim of this study was to make changes at this stage to obtain the ESS with the culture media available at the plant for optimum product performance, without affecting the biological activity as the basic parameter of quality. Methods: Eight experimental groups were formed according to multifactorial design, taking into account: production strain (LABIOFAM or Finlay strain of L. biflexa Patoc I), culture medium (MK and MEJH) and culture conditions (static or agitated). Results and conclusion: We obtained as a result that the best variant was the combination (LABIOFAM strain, growth in MEJH and agitated), with a considerable decrease in the time of the ESS obtaining by means of this new technology, with a consistent title with the demands of quality. This work allowed to use the best variant to begin the different designs of stability studies of the product

Association of objectively measured physical activity with body components in European adolescents

Background: Physical activity (PA) is suggested to contribute to fat loss not only through increasing energy expenditure “per se” but also increasing muscle mass; therefore, it would be interesting to better understand the specific associations of PA with the different body’s components such as fat mass and muscle mass. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between objectively measured PA and indices of fat mass and muscle components independently of each other giving, at the same time, gender-specific information in a wide cohort of European adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study in a school setting was conducted in 2200 (1016 males) adolescents (14.7 ±1.2 years). Weight, height, skinfold thickness, bioimpedance and PA (accelerometry) were measured. Indices of fat mass (body mass index, % fat mass, sum of skinfolds) and muscular component (assessed as fat-free mass) were calculated. Multiple regression analyses were performed adjusting for several confounders including fat-free mass and fat mass when possible. Results: Vigorous PA was positively associated with height (p?<?0.05) in males, whilst, vigorous PA, moderate-vigorous PA and average PA were negatively associated with all the indices of fat mass (all p?<?0.01) in both genders, except for average PA in relation with body mass index in females. Regarding muscular components, vigorous PA showed positive associations with fat-free mass and muscle mass (all p?<?0.05) in both genders. Average PA was positively associated with fat-free mass (both p?<?0.05) in males and females. Conclusion: The present study suggests that PA, especially vigorous PA, is negatively associated with indices of fat mass and positively associated with markers of muscle mass, after adjusting for several confounders (including indices of fat mass and muscle mass when possible). Future studies should focus not only on the classical relationship between PA and fat mass, but also on PA and muscular components, analyzing the independent role of both with the different PA intensities

ANGPTL-4 is associated with obesity and lipid profile in children and adolescents

Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL-4) regulates lipidic metabolism and a_ects energy homeostasis. However, its function in children with obesity remains unknown. We investigated plasma ANGPTL-4 levels in children and its relationship with body mass index (BMI) and di_erent lipidic parameters such as free fatty acids (FFA). Plasma ANGPTL-4 levels were analyzed in two di_erent cohorts. In the first cohort (n = 150, age 3-17 years), which included children with normal weight or obesity, we performed a cross-sectional study. In the second cohort, which included only children with obesity (n = 20, age 5-18 years) followed up for two years after an intervention for weight loss, in which we performed a longitudinal study measuring ANGPTL-4 before and after BMI-loss. In the cross-sectional study, circulating ANGPTL-4 levels were lower in children with obesity than in those with normal weight. Moreover, ANGPTL-4 presented a negative correlation with BMI, waist circumference, weight, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA index), triglycerides, and leptin, and a positive correlation with FFA and vitamin-D. In the longitudinal study, the percent change in plasma ANGPTL-4 was correlated with the percent change in FFA, total-cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. This study reveals a significant association of ANGPTL-4 with pediatric obesity and plasma lipid profile

Impact of outdoor air pollution on severity and mortality in COVID-19 pneumonia

The relationship between exposure to air pollution and the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and other outcomes is poorly understood. Beyond age and comorbidity, risk factors for adverse outcomes including death have been poorly studied. The main objective of our study was to examine the relationship between exposure to outdoor air pollution and the risk of death in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia using individual-level data. The secondary objective was to investigate the impact of air pollutants on gas exchange and systemic inflammation in this disease. This cohort study included 1548 patients hospitalised for COVID-19 pneumonia between February and May 2020 in one of four hospitals. Local agencies supplied daily data on environmental air pollutants ($PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$, $O_3$, $NO_2$, $NO$ and $NO_X$) and meteorological conditions (temperature and humidity) in the year before hospital admission (from January 2019 to December 2019). Daily exposure to pollution and meteorological conditions by individual postcode of residence was estimated using geospatial Bayesian generalised additive models. The influence of air pollution on pneumonia severity was studied using generalised additive models which included: age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, hospital, average income, air temperature and humidity, and exposure to each pollutant. Additionally, generalised additive models were generated for exploring the effect of air pollution on C-reactive protein (CRP) level and Sp$O_2$/Fi$O_2$ at admission. According to our results, both risk of COVID-19 death and CRP level increased significantly with median exposure to $PM_{10}$, $NO_2$, $NO$ and $NO_X$, while higher exposure to $NO_2$, $NO$ and $NO_X$ was associated with lower Sp$O_2$/Fi$O_2$ ratios. In conclusion, after controlling for socioeconomic, demographic and health-related variables, we found evidence of a significant positive relationship between air pollution and mortality in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 pneumonia. Additionally, inflammation (CRP) and gas exchange (Sp$O_2$/Fi$O_2$) in these patients were significantly related to exposure to air pollution