Effects of phenylcapsaicin on aerobic capacity and physiological parameters in active young males: a randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial

Objective: Phenylcapsaicin (PC) is a new capsaicin analog which has exhibited a higher bioavailability. This sudy assessed the effects of a low dose (LD) of 0.625 mg and a high dose (HD) of 2.5 mg of PC on aerobic capacity, substrate oxidation, energy metabolism and exercise physiological variables in young males. Materials and methods: Seventeen active males (age = 24.7 ± 6.0 years) enrolled to this randomized, triple-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Participants attended the laboratory on 4 sessions separated by 72–96 h. A submaximal exercise test [to determine maximal fat oxidation (MFO) and the intensity at MFO (FATmax)] followed by a maximal incremental test (to determine VO2max) were performed in a preliminary session. The subsequent sessions only differed in the supplement ingested [LD, HD or placebo (PLA)] and consisted of a steady-state test (60 min at FATmax) followed by a maximal incremental test. Energy metabolism, substrate oxidation, heart rate, general (gRPE) and quadriceps (RPEquad) rate of perceived exertion, skin temperature and thermal perception were tested. Results: Clavicle thermal perception was lower in HD compared to PLA and LD (p = 0.04) across time. HD reduced maximum heart rate in comparison to PLA and LD (p = 0.03). LD reported higher general RPE (RPEg) values during the steadystate test compared to PLA and HD across time (p = 0.02). HD and LD elicited higher peak of fat oxidation during the steady-state test compared with PLA (p =0.05). Intra-test analyses revealed significant differences for fat oxidation (FATox) in favor of HD and LD compared to PLA (p = 0.002 and 0.002, respectively), and for carbohydrate oxidation (CHOox) (p = 0.05) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) (p = 0.03) for PLA. In the incremental test, only general RPE at 60% of the maximal intensity (W) differed favoring HD (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Therefore, PC may contribute to increase aerobic capacity through the improvement of fat oxidation, maximum heart rate and perceptual responses during exercise

Validación de la escala de engagement y efectos de la gamificación en el e-Commerce español

En este artículo presentamos la Escala de Engagement de Usuario (UES) como un instrumento válido y fiable para medir el engagement en el e-commerce español. Una vez confirmada su robustez, pretendemos comprobar si los elementos de Gamificación que se incluyen en la actualidad en sitios web de e-commerce influyen en el engagement del usuario. Se desarrollará un marco teórico sobre la escala del engagement y la Gamificación proponiendo un modelo de investigación. La UES será validada mediante el análisis exploratorio y confirmatorio, viéndose reducidos los factores que la componen. La influencia de la Gamificación sobre el engagement será comprobada mediante el empleo de modelos de ecuaciones estructurales.In this paper we present the User Engagement Scale (UES) as a valid and reliable instrument to measure engagement in Spanish e-commerce. Once confirmed its robustness, we try to verify if the elements of Gamification that are currently included in e-commerce websites influence the engagement of the user. A theoretical framework will be developed on the scale of engagement and Gamification proposing a research model. The UES will be validated through the exploratory and confirmatory analysis, reducing the factors that compose it. The influence of Gamification on engagement will be verified by the use of structural equation models

Transcriptomic studies of the effect of nod gene-inducing molecules in rhizobia: Different weapons, one purpose

Simultaneous quantification of transcripts of the whole bacterial genome allows the analysis of the global transcriptional response under changing conditions. RNA-seq and microarrays are the most used techniques to measure these transcriptomic changes, and both complement each other in transcriptome profiling. In this review, we exhaustively compiled the symbiosis-related transcriptomic reports (microarrays and RNA sequencing) carried out hitherto in rhizobia. This review is specially focused on transcriptomic changes that takes place when five rhizobial species, Bradyrhizobium japonicum (=diazoefficiens) USDA 110, Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae 3841, Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899, Sinorhizobium (=Ensifer) meliloti 1021 and S. fredii HH103, recognize inducing flavonoids, plant-exuded phenolic compounds that activate the biosynthesis and export of Nod factors (NF) in all analysed rhizobia. Interestingly, our global transcriptomic comparison also indicates that each rhizobial species possesses its own arsenal of molecular weapons accompanying the set of NF in order to establish a successful interaction with host legumes.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BIO2016-78409-R, AGL2016-77163-

A transcriptomic analysis of the effect of genistein on Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 reveals novel rhizobial genes putatively involved in symbiosis

Sinorhizobium fredii HH103 is a rhizobial soybean symbiont that exhibits an extremely broad host-range. Flavonoids exuded by legume roots induce the expression of rhizobial symbiotic genes and activate the bacterial protein NodD, which binds to regulatory DNA sequences called nod boxes (NB). NB drive the expression of genes involved in the production of molecular signals (Nod factors) as well as the transcription of ttsI, whose encoded product binds to tts boxes (TB), inducing the secretion of proteins (effectors) through the type 3 secretion system (T3SS). In this work, a S. fredii HH103 global gene expression analysis in the presence of the flavonoid genistein was carried out, revealing a complex regulatory network. Three groups of genes differentially expressed were identified: i) genes controlled by NB, ii) genes regulated by TB, and iii) genes not preceded by a NB or a TB. Interestingly, we have found differentially expressed genes not previously studied in rhizobia, being some of them not related to Nod factors or the T3SS. Future characterization of these putative symbiotic-related genes could shed light on the understanding of the complex molecular dialogue established between rhizobia and legumes.España, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad BIO2011-30229-C01España, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad AGL2012-38831Junta de Andalucía, P11-CVI-7050Junta de Andalucía P11-CVI-750

A Mediterranean-Diet-Based Nutritional Intervention for Children with Prediabetes in a Rural Town: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Prediabetes is a pathological condition in which the blood glucose concentration is higher than normal concentrations but lower than those considered necessary for a type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis. Various authors have indicated that the Mediterranean Diet is one of the dietary patterns with the most healthy outcomes, reducing high levels of HbA1c, triglycerides, BMI, and other anthropometric parameters. The main objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of the nutritional intervention for children with prediabetes, including the effectiveness of this nutritional education regarding anthropometric parameters. A randomized pilot trial with two groups, an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG), using intervention in dietary habits with nutritional reinforcement was carried out on 29 children with prediabetes from a rural area. The nutritional intervention was analyzed through astrophotometric and glycemic measurements and validated surveys. Results: The results indicated improvement in eating habits, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, anthropometric measurements, mainly body mass index and perimeters, and analytical parameters, with a significant decrease in glycated hemoglobin in the EG compared to the CG (p < 0.001). Although the results showed that both groups’ anthropometric parameters improved, a more significant decrease was observed in the experimental group compared to the control

Valoración del nivel de actividad física y aptitud física en una muestra de universitarios: Comparativa tras la pandemia de covid-19

The transition from secondary education to university education has become a critical moment for the lifestyle of young people, especially for the practice of physical activity. Therefore, the main objective of the present study was to assess the levels of physical activity in university students, by correlating the results of the IPAQ-SF and the different physical fitness variables (Eurofit). The sample consisted of 194 students of the Primary Education Degree, with a mean age of 21.37 ± 2.66 years. The main results obtained reflect the direct relationship between the practice of physical activity in general, and vigorous physical activity in particular, and optimal physical fitness of university students, linked above all to the strength component. As for the comparison between pre-pandemic (18/19) and post-pandemic (21/22) university students, the increase in physical activity after the pandemic did not show substantial differences in the physical fitness components. In conclusion, these results should lead us to reflect on the influence of an active lifestyle on physical fitness, which has an impact on overall health status and quality of life.El tránsito de la educación secundaria a la enseñanza universitaria se ha convertido en un momento crítico para el estilo de vida de los jóvenes, especialmente para la práctica de actividad física. Por ello, el principal objetivo del presente estudio fue valorar los niveles de actividad física en universitarios, mediante la correlación entre los resultados del IPAQ-SF y las distintas variables de condición física (Eurofit). La muestra estuvo conformada por 194 estudiantes del Grado de Educación Primaria, con una edad media de 21,37 ± 2,66 años. Los principales resultados obtenidos reflejan la relación directa entre la práctica de actividad física en general, y la actividad física vigorosa en particular y una óptima aptitud física de los estudiantes universitarios, vinculada sobre todo con el componente fuerza. En cuanto a la comparación entre los universitarios del curso prepandémico (18/19) y el curso pospandémico (21/22), el aumento de la actividad física tras la pandemia no reportó diferencias sustanciales en los componentes de la condición física. A modo de conclusión, estos resultados deben conducirnos a una reflexión sobre la influencia de un estilo de vida activo en la aptitud física, la cual tiene repercusión en el estado de salud general y la calidad de vida

Ellas por ellos

La equidad de género es un asunto que nos involucra a todas y todos, pues los efectos de las relaciones de desigualdad, que inciden en la sana evolución de las mujeres, alcanzan también a los hombres, cuya masculinidad, construida bajo los cánones de una cultura patriarcal, les ha vetado el acceso a las emociones y el goce de placeres asignados en exclusiva al mundo de lo privado, al femenino. El Consejo Nacional para Prevenir la Discriminación ha convocado a una pléyade de voces masculinas para que incursionen en el mundo femenino con este libro inspirado en la edición española Ellas. Catorce hombres dan la cara… Dieciséis hombres aceptaron el reto emocional, intelectual y profesional de aportar su visión de Ellas –nombradas así, genéricamente, sin más calificativos–, con la única premisa de escribir a partir de aquello que despierte en su imaginario masculino el simple hecho de pronunciar ese vocablo. … Ellas son aquí mujeres de carne y hueso, actrices, modelos, futbolistas, vendedoras, activistas, amantes y políticas, musas y ejemplos de vida, mundos interpretados desde lo que se sabe y lo que se intuye, acciones y pasiones estocadas indefectiblemente por la inspección masculina, la visión de género, el machismo y la misoginia, miradas injustas que revelan, también, el mundo de Ellos. … Ellas... por ellos es la oportunidad de mirar el imaginario de los Otros. Es atreverse a correr la cortina y aprender de la desnudez de las almas y conciencias masculinas. Es abrazar la frescura de un despertar de los hombres a una nueva era de comprensión y tolerancia, de respeto a lo diferente, de inclusión e integralidad. Valorar lo aquí expuesto por Ellos será para Ellas, definitivamente, un aliento para seguir construyendo una sociedad en igualdad, sin discriminación ni violencia

Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

PhDAY 2020 -FOO (Facultad de Óptica y Optometría)

Por cuarto año consecutivo los doctorandos de la Facultad de Óptica y Optometría de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid cuentan con un congreso propio organizado por y para ellos, el 4º PhDAY- FOO. Se trata de un congreso gratuito abierto en la que estos jóvenes científicos podrán presentar sus investigaciones al resto de sus compañeros predoctorales y a toda la comunidad universitaria que quiera disfrutar de este evento. Apunta en tu agenda: el 15 de octubre de 2020. En esta ocasión será un Congreso On-line para evitar que la incertidumbre asociada a la pandemia Covid-19 pudiera condicionar su celebración