Starch Granule and Crystalline Structures with Relation to Enzyme Digestibility

Porous starch produced by enzyme hydrolysis has attracted much attention for its adsorption and delivery properties. Porous starch has been successfully prepared from A-type starch, but not from B-type and C-type starches, which is partly attributed to the surface and crystalline structure. The present study aimed to characterize the role of the crystalline structure and the structure-function relationship impacting the susceptibility of starch with different crystalline polymorphs to amylase digestion. The starches were subjected to chemical modification (acid hydrolysis or surface gelatinization), physical modification (heat-moisture treatment, HMT, or high-pressure processing, HPP) or their combinations prior to amylase digestion, and the physiochemical properties of the resultant starches were characterized. Both acid hydrolysis and surface gelatinization removed densely packed crystallites to improve amylase binding and the digestion degree, resulting in the formation of a porous structure in potato starch. Combined acid hydrolysis and HMT reduced the amylase digestion degree of all three starches by increasing their thermal stability and crystallinity from hydrolyzed starch chains that reorganized into more thermally stable structures. The strong electrostatic interaction of sodium sulfate with water molecules decreased the gelatinization degree during HPP, and generally decreased the α-amylase digestion degree compared to HPP in water for all three starches. However, the competition for the water in the starch crystallites and the restricted association of gelatinized starch from reduced free water in sodium sulfate allowed the formation a porous structure in corn and potato starches and their partial transition to a C-like polymorph. The results demonstrate that the combination of chemical or physical modification and alpha-amylase digestion was capable of producing porous starch from B-type starches. This study will help develop porous starch with new properties for applications in food, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries

Effects of Chemical and Enzymatic Modifications on Starch and Naringenin Complexation

Naringenin is a flavanone naturally present in grapefruit and tomato skin, which has been demonstrated to have health benefits. However, because of the low water solubility and bioavailability, naringenin applications are limited. Starch inclusion complexes have been shown to improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water soluble bioactive compounds. The present study aimed to prepare and characterize complexes of naringenin with starches, including potato starch and high amylose corn starch (Hylon VII), which were chemically (acetylation or hydroxypropylation) and enzymatically modified (debranched or debrahced/β-amylase treated). Soluble and insoluble complexes were recovered, and their physicochemical properties were characterized. The treatments did not affect overall recovery, but the introduction of acetyl and hydroxypropyl groups significantly increased the recovery of soluble complexes. Overall, acetylated starches exhibited greater complexation yields than hydroxypropylated counterparts; Hylon VII complexes comprised greater naringenin contents than potato starch complexes. The naringenin content generally was greater in insoluble complexes than in soluble complexes and increased when β-amylase treatment was incorporated. The X-ray diffraction patterns of both complexes revealed a mixture of amorphous and crystalline structure. FT-IR results confirmed the occurrence of molecular interaction between starch and naringenin in both complexes. Melting properties were significantly influenced by the type and degree of substitution. The present results demonstrate that the complexation of starch with naringenin can be improved by a combination of chemical and enzymatic modifications

Starch Granule and Crystalline Structures with Relation to Enzyme Digestibility

Porous starch produced by enzyme hydrolysis has attracted much attention for its adsorption and delivery properties. Porous starch has been successfully prepared from A-type starch, but not from B-type and C-type starches, which is partly attributed to the surface and crystalline structure. The present study aimed to characterize the role of the crystalline structure and the structure-function relationship impacting the susceptibility of starch with different crystalline polymorphs to amylase digestion. The starches were subjected to chemical modification (acid hydrolysis or surface gelatinization), physical modification (heat-moisture treatment, HMT, or high-pressure processing, HPP) or their combinations prior to amylase digestion, and the physiochemical properties of the resultant starches were characterized. Both acid hydrolysis and surface gelatinization removed densely packed crystallites to improve amylase binding and the digestion degree, resulting in the formation of a porous structure in potato starch. Combined acid hydrolysis and HMT reduced the amylase digestion degree of all three starches by increasing their thermal stability and crystallinity from hydrolyzed starch chains that reorganized into more thermally stable structures. The strong electrostatic interaction of sodium sulfate with water molecules decreased the gelatinization degree during HPP, and generally decreased the α-amylase digestion degree compared to HPP in water for all three starches. However, the competition for the water in the starch crystallites and the restricted association of gelatinized starch from reduced free water in sodium sulfate allowed the formation a porous structure in corn and potato starches and their partial transition to a C-like polymorph. The results demonstrate that the combination of chemical or physical modification and alpha-amylase digestion was capable of producing porous starch from B-type starches. This study will help develop porous starch with new properties for applications in food, pharmaceutical and agricultural industries

Adverse drug reactions associated with amitriptyline - protocol for a systematic multiple-indication review and meta-analysis

Background: Unwanted anticholinergic effects are both underestimated and frequently overlooked. Failure to identify adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can lead to prescribing cascades and the unnecessary use of over-thecounter products. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to explore and quantify the frequency and severity of ADRs associated with amitriptyline vs. placebo in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults with any indication, as well as healthy individuals. Methods: A systematic search in six electronic databases, forward/backward searches, manual searches, and searches for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) approval studies, will be performed. Placebo-controlled RCTs evaluating amitriptyline in any dosage, regardless of indication and without restrictions on the time and language of publication, will be included, as will healthy individuals. Studies of topical amitriptyline, combination therapies, or including <100 participants, will be excluded. Two investigators will screen the studies independently, assess methodological quality, and extract data on design, population, intervention, and outcomes ((non-)anticholinergic ADRs, e.g., symptoms, test results, and adverse drug events (ADEs) such as falls). The primary outcome will be the frequency of anticholinergic ADRs as a binary outcome (absolute number of patients with/without anticholinergic ADRs) in amitriptyline vs. placebo groups. Anticholinergic ADRs will be defined by an experienced clinical pharmacologist, based on literature and data from Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. Secondary outcomes will be frequency and severity of (non-)anticholinergic ADRs and ADEs. The information will be synthesized in meta-analyses and narratives. We intend to assess heterogeneity using metaregression (for indication, outcome, and time points) and I2 statistics. Binary outcomes will be expressed as odds ratios, and continuous outcomes as standardized mean differences. Effect measures will be provided using 95% confidence intervals. We plan sensitivity analyses to assess methodological quality, outcome reporting etc., and subgroup analyses on age, dosage, and duration of treatment. Discussion: We will quantify the frequency of anticholinergic and other ADRs/ADEs in adults taking amitriptyline for any indication by comparing rates for amitriptyline vs. placebo, hence, preventing bias from disease symptoms and nocebo effects. As no standardized instrument exists to measure it, our overall estimate of anticholinergic ADRs may have limitations

Positive Mental Health in Mexican Adolescents: Differences by Sex

La evidencia empírica acerca de las diferencias de la salud mental positiva respecto al sexo, son escasas, incluso controversiales. El objetivo es analizar la salud mental positiva entre hombres y mujeres. La muestra está compuesta por 533 participantes de la Ciudad de Toluca, Estado de México. Todos estudiantes de nivel medio superior, hombres (44.4%) y mujeres (55.6%), entre 14 y 20 años. Se aplicó la escala de salud mental positiva (Lluch, 1999). Los resultados mostraron que el 38.3% de la muestra se encuentra en un nivel alto y el 16.1% en muy alto nivel de salud mental positiva. Del análisis descriptivo, la dimensión satisfacción personal puntuó por arriba de la media teórica. Se confirma parcialmente la hipótesis, porque se obtuvieron diferencias significativas en cuatro de las seis dimensiones, en satisfacción personal, actitud prosocial y habilidad de relaciones interpersonales, con puntuaciones más altas para las mujeres y en autocontrol en el grupo de los hombres. Se sugiere continuar con el análisis de la salud mental positiva.El producto forma parte del proyecto titulado" Salud mental positiva en niños y adolescentes. Estudios de Validación". Con clave 3541/2013CHT Alumna de Doctorado en Ciencias de la Salud con Beca CONACY

Definición de los principales actores y sus roles para los cursos de EaD en la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas de la UNPSJB

Actualmente se está estudiando a los principales actores que desempeñan un papel preponderante en los cursos de EaD en relación a las habilidades que deben desarrollar para interactuar a través de la plataforma MOODLE (Modular Object Oriented Distance Learning Enviroment, Plataforma modular para aprendizaje a distancia orientada a objetos), que fue adoptada por la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas como resultado del proyecto que antecede a este. Los actores considerados en educación a distancia son: el profesor redactor de contenidos, el tutor, el diseñador gráfico, el docente especialista en didáctica y el alumno (MENA 1996). Estos actores están presentes en los cursos sobre la plataforma adoptada por la Facultad. Tiene roles específicos y es necesario que reciban capacitación para lograr desempañarse en sus funciones y aprovechar todas las ventajas que ofrece la plataforma.Eje: Tecnología Informática Aplicada en Educación.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Effect of the genetic line and oleic acid-enriched mixed diets on the subcutaneous fatty acid composition and sensory characteristics of dry-cured shoulders from Iberian pig

[EN] The aim of this study was to research the effect of the genetic background (Retinto, Torbiscal, and their reciprocal crosses) on the subcutaneous fatty acids and the sensory characteristics of dry-cured shoulders from Iberian pig, and also to investigate whether there is some interaction between genotype and diet composition when pigs are reared indoors, to obtain information to improve the selection strategies for purebred Iberian pig. The genetic background affected both the fatty acid composition (C17:0, C17:1 n-7, C18:3 n-3 and C20:0 were significantly different) and the sensory characteristics (marbling, lean fibrousness, and flavour intensity and persistence were significantly influenced), which indicates that they should be taken into account in the selection strategies for purebred Iberian pig. In a similar way, the genotype x diet composition interaction also should be taken into account when selecting a genetic line or cross to be fed indoors on a particular diet because of its repercussion on the sensory characteristics.The authors gratefully acknowledge INGA FOOD S.A. for their cooperation with the experimental protocol and their technical support. The work was partially funded by the Center for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI) [grant ref. IDI-20140447] and the Institute Nacional de Investigacion y Tecnologia Agraria y Alimentaria (INIA) [grant ref. RTA2012-00054-C02-01], Spain.Carrapiso, AI.; Tejeda, JF.; Noguera, JL.; Ibáñez-Escriche, N.; Gonzalez, E. (2020). Effect of the genetic line and oleic acid-enriched mixed diets on the subcutaneous fatty acid composition and sensory characteristics of dry-cured shoulders from Iberian pig. Meat Science. 159:1-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2019.1079331615

Ergonomía en enfermedad crónica

The Ergonomics as a discipline tries to carry out a series of principles that allow to develop the activities of daily life, in the least burdensome way for people with chronic affections. Being able to participate in their life in a more normalized way leads users to enjoy an improvement in their quality of life. We start from the idea of a model in which it is proposed that the conservation of one's energy is useful for people suffering from a chronic disease or for anyone who wants to perform more with less effort. A pilot study has been carried out, implementing a physical exercise program in a public residence, performing an initial and final functional assessment. The most frequent pathologies, susceptible to intervention from this model are: rizarthrosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue. The model proposes a series of principles such as: taking frequent breaks; prioritize activities; advance planning; establish a slower and more constant rhythm for heavy activities; use the space efficiently; adopt correct postures; use an adapted equipment and do moderate continuous exercise. The results indicate improvements in general, and significant in the physical activity questionnaire; The principles applied are very useful for people without pathology, and very appropriate for people over 65 years.La Ergonomía como disciplina trata de llevar a cabo una serie de principios que permitan desarrollar las actividades de la vida diaria, de la forma menos gravosa para las personas con afecciones crónicas. Poder participar de su vida de una forma más normalizada conduce a que los usuarios disfruten de una mejora en su calidad de vida. Partimos de la idea de un modelo en el que se propone que la conservación de la propia energía es útil para personas que padecen una enfermedad crónica o para cualquier persona que desee rendir más con un esfuerzo menor.Se ha llevado a cabo un estudio piloto, implementando un programa de ejercicio físico en una residencia pública, realizando una valoración funcional inicial y final. Las patologías más frecuentes, susceptibles de intervención desde este modelo son: rizartrosis, artrosis, artritis reumatoide, esclerosis múltiple, fatigas crónicas. El modelo propone una serie de principios como: tomar frecuentes descansos; priorizar actividades; planificación anticipada; establecer un ritmo más lento y constante para actividades pesadas; utilizar el espacio eficientemente; adoptar posturas correctas; utilizar un equipo adaptado y hacer ejercicio moderado continuo.Los resultados indican mejorías en general, y significativa en el cuestionario de actividad física; los principios aplicados son muy útiles para personas sin patología, y muy apropiados para personas mayores de 65 años.  

Definición de los principales actores y sus roles para los cursos de EaD en la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas de la UNPSJB

Actualmente se está estudiando a los principales actores que desempeñan un papel preponderante en los cursos de EaD en relación a las habilidades que deben desarrollar para interactuar a través de la plataforma MOODLE (Modular Object Oriented Distance Learning Enviroment, Plataforma modular para aprendizaje a distancia orientada a objetos), que fue adoptada por la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas como resultado del proyecto que antecede a este. Los actores considerados en educación a distancia son: el profesor redactor de contenidos, el tutor, el diseñador gráfico, el docente especialista en didáctica y el alumno (MENA 1996). Estos actores están presentes en los cursos sobre la plataforma adoptada por la Facultad. Tiene roles específicos y es necesario que reciban capacitación para lograr desempañarse en sus funciones y aprovechar todas las ventajas que ofrece la plataforma.Eje: Tecnología Informática Aplicada en Educación.Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI