Handicrafts in Galicia: sociohistorical evolution of profession and consumer habits

[Resumen] En el presente estudio se expone un acercamiento a la situación de la artesanía en la actualidad y su posible futuro en Galicia. A partir de la revisión de datos secundarios se presenta una síntesis histórica de la profesión, centrándose en la artesanía contemporánea y su relación con los cambios en los hábitos de consumo de la sociedad, a través de los cuales se proyectará su porvenir. Posteriormente, por medio de entrevistas en profundidad y grupos de discusión se hará un análisis por bloques temáticos del trabajo de los artesanos, la visión de la gerente de Artesanía de Galicia y la posición de los consumidores ante la artesanía. Se completará el análisis con un esquema DAFO-CAME. Como resultado, se observa que los valores éticos y ecológicos de la sociedad actual impactan positivamente en la profesión artesanal si bien ésta sigue dependiendo del apoyo del sistema público.[Resumo] No presente estudo exponse un achegamento a situación da artesanía na actualidade e o seu posible futuro en Galicia. A partir da revisión de datos secundarios preséntase unha síntesis histórica da profesión, centrándose na artesanía contemporánea e a súa relación cos cambios nos hábitos de consumo da sociedade, a través dos cales se proxectará o seu futuro. Posteriormente, por medio de entrevistas en profundidade e grupos de discusión faráse un análisis por bloques temáticos do traballo dos artesáns, a visión da xerente de Artesanía de Galicia e a posición dos consumidores ante a artesanía. Complementarase a análise con un esquema DAFO-CAME. Como resultado, obsérvase que os valores éticos e ecolóxicos da sociedade actual impactan positivamente na profesión artesanal se ben esta segue dependendo do apoio do sistema público.[Abstract] This study presents an approach to the situation of handicrafts today and its possible future in Galicia. From the revision of secondary data, a historical synthesis of the profession is presented, focusing on contemporary craftsmanship and its relationship with changes in society´s consumption habits, through which its future will be projected. Consecutively, through indepth interviews and discussion groups, an analysis by thematic blocks of the artisan´s work, the vision of the Artesanía de Galicia handicraft manager and the consumer´s position towards the handicrafts will be analyzed. The analysis will be completed with a DAFO-CAME scheme. As a result, it is observed that the ethical and ecological values of today´s society have a positive impact on the artisanal profession although it still depends on the support of the public system.Traballo fin de mestrado (UDC.SOC). Socioloxía aplicada: investigación social e de mercados. Curso 2019/202

Pectin - Extraction, Purification, Characterization and Applications

Fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods are particularly important as they are source of dietary carbohydrates, and therefore much of the energy in the adult diet. Plant food also contains a wide range of dietary components rich in bioactive phytochemicals and is essential to the human body that may provide desirable health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Pectin is one of the nonstarch polysaccharides (NSPs), which constitutes the major fraction of the plant cell wall in association and/or substituted with other polysaccharides, and they cover a great variety of biological functions and chemical structures. Generally, pectin is isolated from by-products of agro-foods using extraction technologies with the emergence of novel and effective techniques that inclined toward a cleaner process. Pectin is widely used both in food sector (as gelling, thickening, and stabilizer agent) and in pharmaceutical industries (bioactive components) including biomedical application (drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing) as innovative applications

Pectin - Extraction, Purification, Characterization and Applications

Fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods are particularly important as they are source of dietary carbohydrates, and therefore much of the energy in the adult diet. Plant food also contains a wide range of dietary components rich in bioactive phytochemicals and is essential to the human body that may provide desirable health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Pectin is one of the nonstarch polysaccharides (NSPs), which constitutes the major fraction of the plant cell wall in association and/or substituted with other polysaccharides, and they cover a great variety of biological functions and chemical structures. Generally, pectin is isolated from by-products of agro-foods using extraction technologies with the emergence of novel and effective techniques that inclined toward a cleaner process. Pectin is widely used both in food sector (as gelling, thickening, and stabilizer agent) and in pharmaceutical industries (bioactive components) including biomedical application (drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing) as innovative applications

Antitumor activity of copper(II) complexes with Schiff bases derived from N′-tosylbenzene-1,2-diamine

The electrochemical oxidation of anodic metal copper in a solution of the ligands N-[(5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)methylidine]-N′-tosylbenzene-1,2-diamine [H2L1] and N-[(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)methylidine]-N′-tosylbenzene-1,2-diamine, [H2L2] afforded homoleptic [CuL] compounds or solvate [CuLS] complexes. The addition to the electrochemical cell of coligands (L') such as 2,2′-bipyridine (2-bpy), 4,4′-bipyridine(4-bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) allowed the synthesis, in one step, of heteroleptic [CuLL'] compounds, namely [CuL1(H2O)] (1), [CuL1(2,2′-bpy)]⋅CH3CN (2), [CuL1(phen)]·H2O (3), [Cu2L12(4,4′-bpy)] (4), [CuL2(CH3OH)] (5), [CuL2(2,2′-bpy)] (6), [CuL2(phen)] (7) and [Cu2L22(4,4′-bpy)] (8). The crystal structures of both ligands, H2L1, H2L2, and those of the complexes (2), (4), (5), (6) and (7) have been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. Coordination polyhedron around metal atom is square planar for [CuL2(CH3OH)] (5) and [Cu2L12(4,4′-bpy)] (4) and square pyramid for the other complexes with additional chelating ligands. The cytotoxic activity of this new series of copper(II) complexes against the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line and U87-MG and U373-MG glioblastoma cell lines has been investigated. Most of the test compounds showed higher activity than cisplatin in the three cell lines. Among this series, compound [CuL1(phen)] (3) displayed the highest activity with IC50 equal to 1.77 μM on SH-SY5Y whereas compound [Cu2L12(4.4′-bpy)] (4) resulted the most potent compounds on U87 MG and U373 MG glioblastoma cell lines. Studies on the cytotoxic activity of these derivatives suggest that these compounds induce cell death by a mechanism other than apoptosis.Xunta de GaliciaFinanciado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade de Vigo/CISU

Cuatro nuevos registros de hongos micorrizógenos arbusculares (Glomeromycota) asociados con Agave karwinskii y A. angustifolia (Agavaceae) de Oaxaca, México

Background and Aims: The agaves are a natural resource appreciated by about people from Oaxaca as food source and for the mescal production; however, there is scarce information the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated to them. The objective of this study is to contribute to the taxonomic knowledge of the AMF in Mexico with four new records; in particular, in mescal agaves of the semi-arid region of Oaxaca.Methods: In nine sites of the Central Valleys and the Southern Highlands of Oaxaca, rhizosphere soil was collected from three plants of Agave karwinskii and A. angustifolia to isolate the spores of AMF, and to make permanent preparations with polyvinyl lacto glicerol (PVLG) and reagent of Melzer. Morphological characters of the spores were used for taxonomic identification. The soil texture, the active pH (1:2.5 soil-water), the percentage of organic matter, the available phosphorus and the extractable bases Ca++, Mg++, K+ and Na+ were determined.Key results: Four species of Glomeromycota are cited for the first time from Mexico: Acaulospora minuta, A. papillosa, A. reducta and, Paraglomus bolivianum, all associated with the rhizosphere of Agave karwinskii and, the last two species, also with that of A. angustifolia. The AMF were registered in soils of thick texture, rich in calcium and poor in available phosphorus. The taxonomic descriptions and illustrations of the four species are presented.Conclusions: With these four new records, Acaulospora minuta, A. papillosa, A. reducta and P. bolivianum, 148 species of AMF are known from Mexico. Oaxaca is a state of high floristic diversity and a center of diversification of plants, among them agaves; however, the AMF have been barely studied and their taxonomic diversity is probably important.  Antecedentes y Objetivos: Los agaves son un recurso natural apreciado por la gente de Oaxaca como fuente de alimento y para la producción de mezcal; sin embargo, hay escasa información de los hongos micorrizógenos arbusculares (HMA) asociados a ellos. El objetivo de este estudio es contribuir al conocimiento taxonómico de los HMA en México con cuatro nuevos registros; en particular, en agaves mezcaleros de la región semiárida de Oaxaca.Métodos: En nueve sitios de los Valles Centrales y de la Sierra Sur de Oaxaca se recolectó suelo rizosférico de tres plantas de Agave karwinskii y de A. angustifolia para aislar las esporas de HMA y realizar preparaciones permanentes con alcohol polivinílico en lactoglicerol (PVLG) y reactivo de Melzer. Con base en caracteres morfológicos de las esporas se realizó la identificación taxonómica. Asimismo, se determinó el ambiente edáfico como la textura, el pH activo (1:2.5 suelo-agua), el porcentaje de materia orgánica, el fósforo disponible y las bases extraíbles Ca++, Mg++, K+ y Na+.Resultados clave: Cuatro especies de Glomeromycota se citan por primera vez para México: Acaulospora minuta, A. papillosa, A. reducta y Paraglomus bolivianum, todas asociadas con la rizósfera de Agave karwinskii y las últimas dos especies también con la de A. angustifolia. Los HMA se registraron en suelos de textura gruesa, ricos en calcio y pobres en fósforo disponible. Las descripciones taxonómicas e ilustraciones de las cuatro especies son presentadas.Conclusiones: Con estos cuatro nuevos registros, Acaulospora minuta, A. papillosa, A. reducta y P. bolivianum, se contabilizan 148 especies de HMA en México. Oaxaca es un estado de alta diversidad florística y centro de diversificación de plantas, entre ellos los agaves; sin embargo, los HMA han sido escasamente estudiados y probablemente su diversidad taxonómica sea importante

Cuatro nuevos registros de hongos micorrizógenos arbusculares (Glomeromycota) asociados con Agave karwinskii y A. angustifolia (Agavaceae) de Oaxaca, México

Background and Aims: The agaves are a natural resource appreciated by about people from Oaxaca as food source and for the mescal production; however, there is scarce information the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) associated to them. The objective of this study is to contribute to the taxonomic knowledge of the AMF in Mexico with four new records; in particular, in mescal agaves of the semi-arid region of Oaxaca.Methods: In nine sites of the Central Valleys and the Southern Highlands of Oaxaca, rhizosphere soil was collected from three plants of Agave karwinskii and A. angustifolia to isolate the spores of AMF, and to make permanent preparations with polyvinyl lacto glicerol (PVLG) and reagent of Melzer. Morphological characters of the spores were used for taxonomic identification. The soil texture, the active pH (1:2.5 soil-water), the percentage of organic matter, the available phosphorus and the extractable bases Ca++, Mg++, K+ and Na+ were determined.Key results: Four species of Glomeromycota are cited for the first time from Mexico: Acaulospora minuta, A. papillosa, A. reducta and, Paraglomus bolivianum, all associated with the rhizosphere of Agave karwinskii and, the last two species, also with that of A. angustifolia. The AMF were registered in soils of thick texture, rich in calcium and poor in available phosphorus. The taxonomic descriptions and illustrations of the four species are presented.Conclusions: With these four new records, Acaulospora minuta, A. papillosa, A. reducta and P. bolivianum, 148 species of AMF are known from Mexico. Oaxaca is a state of high floristic diversity and a center of diversification of plants, among them agaves; however, the AMF have been barely studied and their taxonomic diversity is probably important.  Antecedentes y Objetivos: Los agaves son un recurso natural apreciado por la gente de Oaxaca como fuente de alimento y para la producción de mezcal; sin embargo, hay escasa información de los hongos micorrizógenos arbusculares (HMA) asociados a ellos. El objetivo de este estudio es contribuir al conocimiento taxonómico de los HMA en México con cuatro nuevos registros; en particular, en agaves mezcaleros de la región semiárida de Oaxaca.Métodos: En nueve sitios de los Valles Centrales y de la Sierra Sur de Oaxaca se recolectó suelo rizosférico de tres plantas de Agave karwinskii y de A. angustifolia para aislar las esporas de HMA y realizar preparaciones permanentes con alcohol polivinílico en lactoglicerol (PVLG) y reactivo de Melzer. Con base en caracteres morfológicos de las esporas se realizó la identificación taxonómica. Asimismo, se determinó el ambiente edáfico como la textura, el pH activo (1:2.5 suelo-agua), el porcentaje de materia orgánica, el fósforo disponible y las bases extraíbles Ca++, Mg++, K+ y Na+.Resultados clave: Cuatro especies de Glomeromycota se citan por primera vez para México: Acaulospora minuta, A. papillosa, A. reducta y Paraglomus bolivianum, todas asociadas con la rizósfera de Agave karwinskii y las últimas dos especies también con la de A. angustifolia. Los HMA se registraron en suelos de textura gruesa, ricos en calcio y pobres en fósforo disponible. Las descripciones taxonómicas e ilustraciones de las cuatro especies son presentadas.Conclusiones: Con estos cuatro nuevos registros, Acaulospora minuta, A. papillosa, A. reducta y P. bolivianum, se contabilizan 148 especies de HMA en México. Oaxaca es un estado de alta diversidad florística y centro de diversificación de plantas, entre ellos los agaves; sin embargo, los HMA han sido escasamente estudiados y probablemente su diversidad taxonómica sea importante

Efficacy of heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis vaccine delivered to European badgers (Meles meles) through edible bait

[EN] Badgers (Meles meles) are a major tuberculosis (TB) reservoir in Europe, with the potential to transmit infection to cattle. Here we assessed whether a recently described oral tuberculosis vaccine based on heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis (HIMB), delivered as edible baits, can protect badgers from infection. Eight badgers were given individually five baits, each one consisting of a ball of peanut butter, natural peanut and oat flakes including a dose of the vaccine containing 5 × 107 colony-forming units. In parallel, a control group of seven badgers did not receive the vaccine. One month and a half later a second dose of the vaccine was offered to the vaccinated group. Ninety-four days after the second dose, all badgers were challenged with M. bovis (103 colony-forming units per animal) delivered endobronchially to the right middle lung lobe. Clinical, immunological, pathological and bacteriological variables were measured throughout the whole study to assess the efficacy of the vaccine. Two vaccinated animals showed high bacterial load of M. bovis and worsening of pathological lesions of TB. Conversely, the other six vaccinated animals showed slight improvement in bacterial load and pathology with respect to the control group. These results suggest that delivering the TB vaccine via food bait can partially protect wild badger populations, although vaccination can lead to either protection or tolerization, likely depending on the animal's immune status and general condition at the time of vaccination. Further optimization of the vaccination trial/strategy is needed to reduce the rate of tolerization, such as altering vaccine dose, number of doses, type of bait, use of adjuvants or route of administration.S

Longitudinal relationship of liver injury with inflammation biomarkers in COVID-19 hospitalized patients using a joint modeling approach

The mechanisms underlying liver disease in patients with COVID-19 are not entirely known. The aim is to investigate, by means of novel statistical techniques, the changes over time in the relationship between inflammation markers and liver damage markers in relation to survival in COVID-19. The study included 221 consecutive patients admitted to the hospital during the first COVID-19 wave in Spain. Generalized additive mixed models were used to investigate the influence of time and inflammation markers on liver damage markers in relation to survival. Joint modeling regression was used to evaluate the temporal correlations between inflammation markers (serum C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6, plasma D-dimer, and blood lymphocyte count) and liver damage markers, after adjusting for age, sex, and therapy. The patients who died showed a significant elevation in serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase levels over time. Conversely, a decrease in serum AST levels was observed in the survivors, who showed a negative correlation between inflammation markers and liver damage markers (CRP with serum AST, alanine transaminase [ALT], and gamma-glutamyl transferase [GGT]; and D-dimer with AST and ALT) after a week of hospitalization. Conversely, most correlations were positive in the patients who died, except lymphocyte count, which was negatively correlated with AST, GGT, and alkaline phosphatase. These correlations were attenuated with age. The patients who died during COVID-19 infection displayed a significant elevation of liver damage markers, which is correlated with inflammation markers over time. These results are consistent with the role of systemic inflammation in liver damage during COVID-19S

Pressurized Extraction as an Opportunity to Recover Antioxidants from Orange Peels: Heat treatment and Nanoemulsion Design for Modulating Oxidative Stress

Orange peel by-products generated in the food industry are an important source of value added compounds that can be potentially reused. In the current research, the effect of oven-drying (50–70 ◦C) and freeze-drying on the bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential from Navelina, Salustriana, and Sanguina peel waste was investigated using pressurized extraction (ASE). Sixty volatile components were identified by ASE-GC-MS. The levels of terpene derivatives (sesquitenenes, alcohols, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, and esters) remained practically unaffected among fresh and freeze-dried orange peels, whereas drying at 70 ◦C caused significative decreases in Navelina, Salustri ana, and Sanguina peels. Hesperidin and narirutin were the main flavonoids quantified by HPLC-MS. Freeze-dried Sanguina peels showed the highest levels of total-polyphenols (113.3 mg GAE·g −1 ), total flavonoids (39.0 mg QE·g −1 ), outstanding values of hesperedin (187.6 µg·g −1 ), phenol acids (16.54 mg·g −1 DW), and the greatest antioxidant values (DPPH•, FRAP, and ABTS•+ assays) in comparison with oven-dried samples and the other varieties. Nanotechnology approaches allowed the formulation of antioxidant-loaded nanoemulsions, stabilized with lecithin, starting from orange peel extracts. Those provided 70–80% of protection against oxidative UV-radiation, also decreasing the ROS levels into the Caco-2 cells. Overall, pressurized extracts from freeze-drying orange peel can be considered a good source of natural antioxidants that could be exploited in food applications for the development of new products of commercial interest

Development and validation of a clinical score to estimate progression to severe or critical state in Covid-19 pneumonia hospitalized patients

The prognosis of a patient with Covid-19 pneumonia is uncertain. Our objective was to establish a predictive model of disease progression to facilitate early decision-making. A retrospective study was performed of patients admitted with Covid-19 pneumonia, classified as severe (admission to the intensive care unit, mechanic invasive ventilation, or death) or non-severe. A predictive model based on clinical, analytical, and radiological parameters was built. The probability of progression to severe disease was estimated by logistic regression analysis. Calibration and discrimination (receiver operating characteristics curves and AUC) were assessed to determine model performance. During the study period 1,152 patients presented with Covid-19 infection, of whom 229 (19.9%) were admitted for pneumonia. During hospitalization, 51 (22.3%) progressed to severe disease, of whom 26 required ICU care (11.4); 17 (7.4%) underwent invasive mechanical ventilation, and 32 (14%) died of any cause. Five predictors determined within 24 hours of admission were identified: Diabetes, Age, Lymphocyte count, SaO2, and pH (DALSH score). The prediction model showed a good clinical performance, including discrimination (AUC 0.87 CI 0.81, 0.92) and calibration (Brier score = 0.11). In total, 0%, 12%, and 50% of patients with severity risk scores ≤5%, 6-25%, and >25% exhibited disease progression, respectively. A simple risk score based on five factors predicts disease progression and facilitates early decision-making according to prognosis.Carlos III Health Institute, Spain, Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (SPAIN) and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER)Instituto de Salud Carlos II