Viajes antropológicos en el pasado y el futuro. La paz ecológica de Francisco Jiménez Bautista

In this article we intend to analyze the uniqueness of the anthropological proposal presented by Francisco Jiménez Bautista of the concept of Ecological Peace/Gaia Peace in contrast with the other anthropological perspectives. The objective is to corroborate the differences in the traditional way of understanding peace and anthropology that in his writing becomes an Anthropology of/for peace, which in Francisco Jiménez Bautista is characterized in a manner, which finds no similarities in other authors. We conclude that his perspective is different compared to the many pacifist hopes of the past and to the many pessimistic anthropologies of the present.En este artículo pretendemos estudiar y analizar la originalidad de la propuesta antropológica de Francisco Jiménez Bautista del concepto de Paz ecológica/Paz gaia frente a otras perspectivas de Investigación para la paz y antropológicas. El objetivo de este artículo es constatar las diferencias a la manera tradicional de entender la paz y la Antropología que en Francisco Jiménez se convierte en una Antropología de/para la paz destacándose como pionero en este tipo de estudios. Concluimos que la perspectiva que presentamos de vuelve diferente y construye muchas esperanzas para el futuro en comparación con las antropologías pesimistas del presente, que no abordan los problemas de la sociedad

Beneficial effect of ivabradine against cardiovascular diseases.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF) are major worldwide threat to health and well-being. Important progress in the treatment of CAD and HF have contributed to a decline in mortality around the world. A considerable number of epidemiological studies reported a strong independent association between elevated heart rate and major cardiovascular risk factors including atherosclerosis, ventricular arrhythmias, and left ventricular dysfunction. Ivabradine (IVA) is a pure heart rate-lowering agent with well-documented anti-anginal and anti-ischemic properties comparable to well-established anti-anginal agents, such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. The heart rate reduction with IVA is beneficial in patients with CAD, chronic stable angina pectoris, and chronic HF, with an acceptable tolerance and safety profile. The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of this drug make it an important agent in the management of patients with CAD and HF. The aim of this short review is to explore recent results with IVA, a new medication that lowers heart rate by selectively inhibiting the If current, and to describe others future potential applications

The Frontier in European History

Many European citizens do not have a clear idea about European identity. But a European Dream (in many ways parallel to the American Dream) has raised hopes and offered opportunities for democratic and peaceful development. As F.J. Turner emphasized the importance of the frontier in shaping American character, we can also see the importance of the frontier in shaping the European mindset. In terms of topological mapping, a frontier is often also a war‑front. Outside Europe as well, borders such as the Great Wall of China have defined territory as a defended area. However, boundaries have seen not only war. Many cross‑border regions have in fact seen dialogue, communication, commerce, change, travel, and mutual inspiration. European identity was strengthened and defined through ancient reasoning concerning frontiers. According to Braudel, the Mediterranean cannot be understood independently from what is exterior to it. The first European identity was strengthened and defined on the frontier and the values of Europe are best perceived along its borders. The light shines strongest in the point of its source, but it is more appreciated to the point of its limit, where darkness and brightness compete for space – and even for life. European peripheries may be seen as a problem, yet they are the bastions of Europe and today, like yesterday, they have frequently prevented the institutional collapse of the center of Europe. Sometimes, an institutional breakdown begins at the peripheries and then, like an avalanche, sweeps the center away

Assessment of body composition and nutritional risks in young ballet dancers – the bioelectrical impedance analysis

AbstractBackgroundYoung ballet dancers are at risk of health issues associated with altered nutritional status and of relative energy deficiency in sport compared to the general population.AimTo evaluate the nutritional status and body composition in ballet dancers.Materials and methodsThe study group consisted of 40 young ballet dancers (mean age 19.97 years). Height and weight were measured and body mass index was calculated in all subjects (mean BMI value 19.79 kg/m2, SD: 2.051). Body composition was estimated using the bioelectrical impedance method.ResultsThe dancers' fat-free mass was 47.33 kg (SD: 5.064) and, on the average, body fat represented the 15.92% (SD: 16.91) of their body weight.ConclusionsBallet dancers, who usually show significantly lower BMI values compared to the general population, also displayed body fat values under the suggested range. Some screening for altered nutritional status should be performed. In addition, education programs should be recommended in young ballet dancers, in order to inform about energy and nutrition requirements for health and training and to prevent malnutrition-related problems

The potential benefits of legacy mentoring for newly qualified nurses

Editoria

Assessment of body composition in oncologic patients: Experimental survey on the role of bioimpedentiometric analysis

Abstract Overall survival of oncologic patients is strongly influenced by the incidence of malnutrition, with subsequent loss of muscle mass until sarcopenia. In this respect, the assessment of body composition has a pivotal role in order to manage the clinical consequences of muscle loss. Aim: This study focuses on the body composition assessment in oncologic patients, following a diet plan in order to detect and contrast neoplastic cachexia. Materials and Method: 35 oncologic patients were enrolled and divided into two groups: 24 responders (R) and 11 non-responders (NR). Anthropometric data were collected and body composition was assessed through bioimpedentiometry. All patients received an individualized normocaloric diet. Energetic content was assigned on the basis of individual basal metabolic rate estimated by BIA. All patients were revaluated by anthropometry and bioimpedentiometry 3 and 6 months thereafter. Results: Comparing the two male groups R and NR after 6 months, the former maintained almost the same confidence interval, unlike the latter whose interval increased, indicating a light worsening both of body composition and of clinical conditions. Furthermore, in the same male responder group, an improvement of the phase angle (PhA), a positive prognostic factor, was found, with an average weight loss between 2,6 – 3 kg of fat mass (FM). Besides, data show how the R female group maintained the confidence interval unlike the NR female group, whose confidence interval remarkably increased, therefore indicating an important alteration of body composition and subsequently a clinical conditions worsening. Finally, comparing the NR male group with the NR female group after 6 months, a remarkable worsening of body composition (marker of tissue decay and damage) could be noticed in the latter group. Conclusion: After 6 months, NR patients show worse results (both in the body composition and in the clinical conditions) compared to the responders, with particularly worse results in females, probably because of a genetically determined sex-related smaller muscle cells and inferior muscular strength. A multidimensional assessment of oncologic patient is necessary, with a special attention to nutritional evaluation and body composition monitoring, in order to avoid malnutrition and subsequent further clinical worsening

Adherence of systematic reviews to Cochrane RoB2 guidance was frequently poor : A meta epidemiological study

Objectives To assess whether the use of the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized trials (RoB2) in systematic reviews (SRs) adheres to RoB2 guidance. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library from 2019 to May 2021 to identify SRs using RoB2. We analyzed methods and results sections to see whether risk of bias was assessed at outcome measure level and applied to primary outcomes of the SR as per RoB2 guidance. The relation between SR characteristics and adequacy of RoB2 use was examined by logistic regression analysis. Results Two hundred-eight SRs were included. We could assess adherence in 137 SRs as 12 declared using RoB2 but actually used RoB1 and 59 did not report the number of primary outcomes. The tool usage was adherent in 69.3% SRs. Considering SRs with multiple primary outcomes, adherence dropped to 28.8%. We found a positive association between RoB2 guidance adherence and the methodological quality of the reviews assessed by AMSTAR2 (p-for-trend 0.007). Multivariable regression analysis suggested journal impact factor [first quartile vs. other quartiles] was associated with RoB2 adherence (OR 0.34; 95% CI: 0.16-0.72). Conclusions Many SRs did not adhere to RoB2 guidance as they applied the tool at the study level rather than at the outcome measure level. Lack of adherence was more likely among low and very low quality reviews

Rainfall Field Reconstruction by Opportunistic Use of the Rain-Induced Attenuation on Microwave Satellite Signals: The July 2021 Extreme Rain Event in Germany as a Case Study

This paper presents a practical application of an opportunistic technique for the estimation of rainfall intensity and accumulated precipitation. The proposed technique is based upon signal strength measurements made by commercial-grade interactive satellite terminals. By applying some processing, the rain-induced attenuation on the microwave downlink from the satellite is first evaluated; then the rain attenuation is eventually mapped into a rainfall rate estimate via a tropospheric model. This methodology has been applied to a test area of 30×30 km2 around the city of Dortmund (North Rhine-Westphalia, upper basin of Ermscher river), for the heavy rain event that devastated western Germany in July, 2021. A rainfall map on this area is obtained from the measurements collected by a set of satellite terminals deployed in the region, and successfully compared with a map obtained with a conventional weather radar

Comparison of extraction methods for selected carotenoids from macroalgae and the assessment of their seasonal/spatial variation

peer-reviewedNatural bioactives are an excellent source of carotenoids for the production of nutraceuticals, functional foods and food additives. The extraction efficiencies of solid-liquid extraction (SLE), supercritical CO2, supercritical CO2 with ethanol as co-solvent for the recovery of the carotenoids, xanthophyll and fucoxanthin, from two brown macroalgae Fucus serratus and Laminaria digitata were explored. The extraction efficiency was measured using both purity and yield of target compounds. Solid liquid extraction. (hexane/acetone (70:30) at 50 degrees C for 24 h produced the greatest yield of carotenoid rich extracts from F. serratus. Optimal conditions in terms of carotenoid yield using supercritical CO2 were 50 degrees C, 300 Atm with an extraction time of 60 min. SCO2 yielded a higher purity of fucoxanthin while SLE resulted in a higher purity of xanthophyll. Seasonal/spatial variation based on the purity and yield was also investigated to provide valuable information on optimal harvest time for these compounds. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.ACCEPTEDpeer-reviewe

Pink‐ and orange‐pigmented Planctomycetes produce saproxanthin‐type carotenoids including a rare C45 carotenoid

Planctomycetes, are ubiquitous and environmentally important Gram-negative aquatic bacteria with key roles in global carbon and nitrogen cycles. Many planctomycetal species have a pink or orange colour and have been suggested to produce carotenoids. Potential applications as food colorants or anti-oxidants have been proposed. Hitherto, the planctomycetal metabolism is largely unexplored and the strain pigmentation has not been identified. For a holistic view on the complex planctomycetal physiology we analyzed carotenoid profiles of the pink-pigmented strain Rhodopirellula rubra LF2T and of the orange strain Rubinisphaera brasiliensis Gr7. During LC-MS/MS analysis of culture extracts we were able to identify three saproxanthin-type carotenoids including a rare C45 carotenoid. These compounds, saproxanthin, dehydroflexixanthin and 2’-isopentenyldehydrosaproxanthin, derive from the common carotenoid precursor lycopene and are characterized by related end groups, namely a 3-hydroxylated β-carotene-like cyclohexene ring as one end group and simple hydration on the other end of the molecule. Based on the observed molecule structure we present putative pathways for their biosynthesis. Results support Planctomycetes as a promising, yet mostly untapped source of carotenoids