Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Nurses and Auxiliary Nursing Care Technicians—A Voluntary Online Survey

Pandemics impose an immense psychological burden on healthcare workers due to a combination of workplace stressors and personal fears. Nurses and auxiliary nursing care technicians (ANCTs) are on the front line of this pandemic and form the largest group in healthcare practice. The aim of this study is to determine the symptoms of depression and/or anxiety among nurses and ANCTs during the periods known as the first wave (March–June) and second wave (September– November) of theCOVID-19 pandemic in Spain. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire among nurses and ANCTs practising in Spain. During the first period, 68.3% and 49.6% of the subjects presented anxiety and depression, respectively, decreasing in the second period (49.5% for anxiety and 35.1% for depression). There were statistically significant differences between the different categories and periods (p < 0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively influenced mental health in nurses and ANCTs. Mental health should be monitored and coping strategies promoted to improve the health, productivity and efficiency of these professionals

Factors which influence the lean mass loss in cancer patients

Introducción: el cáncer es una enfermedad de gran importancia sanitaria debido a las consecuencias físicas y funcionales que conlleva. Entre estas consecuencias está la desnutrición, que puede provocar una pérdida de masa magra y con ello una disminución de la calidad de vida, aumento de las estancias hospitalarias, costes sanitarios, etc. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer qué factores influyen en la pérdida de masa magra. Material y métodos: se trata de un estudio transversal en una muestra de 72 pacientes que reciben tratamiento radioterápico con finalidad curativa en un período comprendido entre el 7 de febrero y el 14 de mayo de 2014. Resultados: del total de pacientes se estudiaron 64, de los cuales el 43,7% presentan pérdida de masa magra, siendo el porcentaje de 21,8% los pacientes que pierden 5%, el 17,2% de los pacientes. De entre los factores estudiados que pueden influir en la pérdida de masa magra, solo la presencia de síntomas digestivos poseen significación estadísitca (OR = 3,3 o 6,6, según tomemos como referencia el porcentaje de pérdida). Conclusiones: el objetivo del personal sanitario que trabaja con estos pacientes de evitar las consecuencias que acompañan a la pérdida de masa magra. Por todo esto, es importante actuar antes de la aparición de síntomas digestivos, mediante la prevención de los mismos, o la aplicación precoz de una intervención nutricional individualizada.Introduction: cancer is an important illness in the sanitary field due to phisic and functional consequences involved in it. Among these consequences there is the malnutrition which can cause a loss of lean mass and with it a decrease in the Quality of Life, an increase in hospital stays, social and health costs and so on.The aim of this research is to know which factors can influence in the loss of the lean mass. Material and methods: it is a cross-sectional study in a sample of 72 patients who receive a radiotherapy with curative intent during a period from February 07th and May 14th, 2014. Results: from this pattern Of the total 64 patients were studied, of which 43.7% of the patients presented loss of lean mass, with 21.8% the percentage of patients losing 5%, 17.2% of patients. Among the factors studied that can influence the loss of lean mass, only the presence of digestive symptoms have statistical significance (OR = 3.3 or 6.6, as we take as a reference the percentage loss). Conclusions: the aim of the health staff who are working with these patients is to avoid the consequences that accompanies the loss of lean mass. For all this, it is very important to act before the digestive symptoms, by anticipating to them, or early implementation of an individualized nutritional intervention

Protective effects of fermented goat milk on genomic stability, oxidative stress and inflammatory signalling in testis during anaemia recovery

Oxidative stress is a harmful factor for male reproductive function, and a major cause of infertility. On the other hand, fermented goat milk has positive effects on anemia recovery and mineral metabolism. This study evaluated the effect of feeding rats with fermented milks during anaemia recovery on molecular mechanisms linked to oxidative stress and inflammatory signalling in rats reproductive system. Forty male Wistar rats were placed on a pre-experimental period of 40 days (control group, receiving normal-Fe diet and Fe-deficient group, receiving low-Fe diet). Lately, rats were fed with fermented goat or cow milk-based diets during 30 days. After feeding the fermented milks, Total antioxidant status (TAS) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) increased and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 15-F2t-isoprostanes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) decreased in testis. DNA oxidative damage in testis germ cells was lower with fermented goat milk. Fermented goat milk reduced IL-6 and TNF-α in control animals, increasing INF-γ in control and anaemic rats. NRF2 and PGC-1α protein levels increased in testis after fermented goat milk consumption in control and anaemic rats. Fermented goat milk also increased TAS and decreased oxidative damage, protecting the main testis cell bioconstituents (lipids, proteins, DNA, prostaglandins) from oxidative damage and reduced inflammatory activity, preventing injuries to testis germinal epithelium. Fermented goat milk enhanced lipolysis, fatty acids degradation and immune response, attenuating inflammatory signalling, representing a positive growth advantage for testicular cells.Jorge Moreno-Fernandez was supported by fellowship from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (Spain) and is grateful to the Excellence Ph.D. Program “Nutrición y Ciencias de los Alimentos” from the University of Granada. This study was supported by Andalusian Government, Excellence Research Project No. P11-AGR-7648

Iron Deficiency and Neuroendocrine Regulators of Basal Metabolism, Body Composition and Energy Expenditure in Rats

Although dietary iron is a determinant of iron status in animals, body fat mass has been reported to have an inverse association with iron status in human studies. The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between Fe homeostasis, body composition, energy expenditure and neuroendocrine regulators for severe Fe-deficiency anaemia. Forty male Wistar albino rats recently weaned were divided at random into two groups: the control group was fed the basal diet, AIN-93G diet (normal-Fe) and the anaemic group received a low-Fe diet for 40 days. Neuroendocrine parameters that regulate basal metabolism and appetite (thyroid hormones, ghrelin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon, insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone), body composition, respiratory volumes, energy expenditure, haematological and biochemical were assessed. Total body fat was lower, whereas lean mass, free and total water were higher in the anemic group. O2 consumption, CO2 production, energy expenditure (EE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were lower in the Fe-deficient animals. Triiodothyronine and thyroxine hormones decreased, while thyroid-stimulating hormone increased in the anemic group. Circulating levels of ghrelin were lower in the anemic group, while GIP, glucagon, insulin, corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels were higher. Fe-deficiency impairs weight gain in the rats, with marked reductions in lean mass and body fat, indicating lower energy stores.This study was supported by the Excellence Project (P11-AGR-7648) from the Regional Government of Andalusia

Fermented Goat Milk Consumption Enhances Brain Molecular Functions during Iron Deficiency Anemia Recovery

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most prevalent nutritional deficiencies worldwide. Iron plays critical roles in nervous system development and cognition. Despite the known detrimental consequences of IDA on cognition, available studies do not provide molecular mechanisms elucidating the role of iron in brain functions during iron deficiency and recovery with dairy components. In this study, 100 male Wistar rats were placed on a pre-experimental period of 40 days and randomly divided in two groups: a control group receiving a normal-Fe diet, (45 mg/kg), and an Fe-deficient group receiving a low-Fe diet (5 mg/kg). At day 40, 10 rats per group were sacrificed to anemia control, and 80 rats were divided into eight experimental groups fed with fermented goat or cow milk-based diets, with normal Fe content or Fe overload (450 mg/kg) for 30 days. IDA decreased most of the parameters related to brain molecular functions, namely dopamine, irisin, MAO-A, oxytocin, -endorphin, and alpha-MSH, while it increased synaptophysin. These alterations result in an impairment of brain molecular functions. In general, during anemia recovery, fermented goat milk diet consumption increased dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, synaptophysin, and alpha-MSH, and decreased MAO-A and MAO-B, suggesting a potential neuroprotective effect in brain functions, which could enhance brain molecular functions.This study was supported by the Excellence Research Project (P11-AGR-7648) from the Regional Government of Andalusi

The visualization on video it is a good tool to improve the educational practice

Los profesores de Universidad en muchas ocasiones comienzan su carrera docente sin tener una preparación adecuada para el desarrollo de su profesión. Se tienen que enfrentar a un alumnado numeroso y diverso en conocimientos. Utilizan unas técnicas docentes que casi siempre son las que han visto en sus propios profesores y están perdidos en un mundo nuevo que se les puede hacer muy difícil sino reciben ayuda. En este sentido, la Universidad de Granada puso hace dos años en marcha un proceso de mentorización de profesores que se iniciaban en la docencia por profesores veteranos que ya tenían al menos 20 años de experiencia docente. Una de las técnicas para la mejora de la práctica docente es la grabación en video de clases impartidas por los profesores principiantes. Durante el curso académico se graban clases en varias ocasiones dejando un plazo mínimo de un mes entre cada una. Los videos los visualizan por separado, profesores noveles y mentores, para hacer una crítica que después ponen en común en la observación conjunta. Se responde a unos cuestionarios que repasan los aspectos posturales, de lenguaje, de metodología, de evaluación, de integración, de respuesta etc. Los resultados evaluados por los profesores principiantes y mentores se comentan para obtener unas conclusiones y así actuar para corregir los fallos detectados. Por la experiencia que hemos tenido la visualización en video es una buena herramienta para mejorar la práctica docente.The University teachers in many occasions begin their educational career without having a preparation adapted for the development of their profession. They have to face to numerous students with diverse previous knowledge. The University teachers use educational technologies that almost always are those that they have seen in their own teachers and are lost in a new world that can make them very difficult if they do not receive help. In this sense, the University of Granada started two years ago a process of tutoring of new teachers who were introduced in teaching by veteran teachers who already had at least 20 years of educational experience. One of the technologies for the improvement of the educational practice is the video recording of classes given by the teacher beginners. During the academic year, classes are recorded in several occasions leaving a minimal time of one month between each other. The videos were visualized separately by new and senior teachers, to do a critique that later they discussed in a joint observation. It was answered also to a few questionnaires that revise the postural aspects, language, methodology, evaluation, integration, response, etc. The results evaluated by beginners and veterans are commented to obtain a few conclusions used to correct detected failures. For the experience that we have had, the visualization on video it is a good tool to improve the educational practice

Development of a game as a learning and Evaluation method

El empleo de recursos multimedia fomenta la curiosidad científica y apoya y refuerza el proceso de aprendizaje y evaluación. Necesitamos fomentar la capacidad del alumno para trabajar en equipo y compartir conocimientos y su participación en el desarrollo de la práctica docente. En este sentido un grupo de profesores de la Universidad de Granada estamos diseñando un programa de software libre, basado en un juego didáctico, el trivial, que sirva de herramienta multimedia para el aprendizaje y la evaluación del alumno. El sistema permite al profesor definir la composición de los equipos y las partidas que éstos pueden jugar. Este proyecto está financiado por la Unidad de Innovación Docente de la Universidad de Granada y está de acuerdo con la política de utilización de software libre de la UGR. Asimismo, de acuerdo con dicha política, estamos valorando liberar el software desarrollado.The use of multimedia tools improves scientific curiosity, provides support and reinforces the process of learning and evaluation at the classroom. It is very important to estimulate some student’s skills as their capacity to working in group, their ability of to share knowledgement as well as their participation through the process of the teaching-learning process. According to the above mentioned issues, a team of proffesors at the University of Granada are developping a free software based tool. The software, inspired in the popular game “Trivial PursuitTM” would help as a multimedia tool for the learning and evaluation of the student. The system allows the teacher to define team composition and the games to be played

Multifactorial Etiology of Anemia in Celiac Disease and Effect of Gluten-Free Diet: A Comprehensive Review

Celiac disease (CD) is a multisystemic disorder with di erent clinical expressions, from malabsorption with diarrhea, anemia, and nutritional compromise to extraintestinal manifestations. Anemia might be the only clinical expression of the disease, and iron deficiency anemia is considered one of the most frequent extraintestinal clinical manifestations of CD. Therefore, CD should be suspected in the presence of anemia without a known etiology. Assessment of tissue anti-transglutaminase and anti-endomysial antibodies are indicated in these cases and, if positive, digestive endoscopy and intestinal biopsy should be performed. Anemia in CD has a multifactorial pathogenesis and, although it is frequently a consequence of iron deficiency, it can be caused by deficiencies of folate or vitamin B12, or by blood loss or by its association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or other associated diseases. The association between CD and IBD should be considered during anemia treatment in patients with IBD, because the similarity of symptoms could delay the diagnosis. Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in CD and may be responsible for anemia and peripheral myeloneuropathy. Folate deficiency is a well-known cause of anemia in adults, but there is little information in children with CD; it is still unknown if anemia is a symptom of the most typical CD in adult patients either by predisposition due to the fact of age or because biochemical and clinical manifestations take longer to appear

The university stage does not favor the healthy life style in women students from Granada

Objetivo: La etapa universitaria conlleva una serie de cambios emocionales, fisiológicos y ambientales que van a determinar unas costumbres y hábitos de riesgoque en muchos casos serán mantenidos a lo largo de la vida y repercutirán en su estado de salud. El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar el estilo de vida (consumo de alcohol, tabaco y niveles de actividad física) de mujeres estudiantes de la Universidad de Granada. Metodología: Se trata de un estudio transversal/descriptivo y analítico en el que han participado 55 estudiantes de dos grupos de edad (18-24 y 25-31años). Se aplicó un cuestionario de estilo de vida evaluando el tipo de alcohol y frecuencia de consumo, cantidad de cigarrillos consumidos diariamente y niveles de actividad física (sedentaria, ligera, moderada e intensa). Resultados: El consumo de alcohol es mayor en el grupo de mayor edad, y con preferencia beben cerveza/vino, sin embargo el grupo más joven muestra un patrón de consumo centrado en los fines de semana siendo las bebidas destiladas las consumidas preferentemente. Una tercera parte de la población fuma con un incremento en el número de cigarros conforme aumenta la edad. Existe una correlación positiva entre tabaco y alcohol. El 88.9% del grupo de menor edad y el 52.7% del grupo de mayor edad tienen una actividad física sedentaria-ligera. Conclusión: Se sugiere la necesidad de concienciar a la población femenina universitaria sobre los beneficios del abandono del consumo de alcohol y tabaco y la práctica regular de ejercicio físico. Además, sería aconsejable desarrollar protocolos de intervención educativa en el ámbito universitario potenciando los hábitos de vida saludables.Objective: The university stage involves a series of emotional, physiological and environmental changes that will determine consumer patterns that, in many cases, will be maintained and will affect their health. The aim of this study is to analyze the lifestyle (alcohol and tobacco consumption, and levels of physical activity) of female students at the University of Granada. Several authors have noted that the student population is particularly vulnerable to develop risk customs and habits, since the period of university studies is often the time when students take first responsibility for determining their own styles and customs, which in many cases will be maintained throughout its entire life. Methodology: This is a cross / descriptive and analytical study in which 55 students participated in two age groups (18-24 and 25-31 years). A lifestyle-questionnaire was applied to evaluate the type and frequency of alcohol consumption, number of cigarettes smoked daily and physical activity levels (sedentary, light, moderate and severe). Results: Alcohol consumption is higher in the older group, and preferably drinks beer and wine; however the younger group shows a pattern of consumption centered on the weekends being preferably consumed distilled beverages. A third of the population smokes with an increase in the number of cigarettes as age increases. There is a positive correlation between snuff and alcohol. A direct positive correlation between tobacco and alcohol was observed. The 88.9% of lesser age group and 52.7% of higher age group show a sedentary-low physical activity. Conclusion: The need to sensitize the college female population on the benefits of no-consumption of alcohol and snuff, and regular physical exercise is suggested. It would also be advisable to develop protocols of educational intervention in universities promoting healthy living habits

Lockdown, Emotional Intelligence, Academic Engagement and Burnout in Pharmacy Students during the Quarantine

The recent appearance and rapid spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus meant taking unprecedented measures to control the pandemic, which in Spain forced a state of alarm and a very strict confinement, leading the university system to become virtual online teaching. Taking into account the emotional deficiencies originated during the pandemic, among the most powerful tools to achieve engagement along with the identification, control and management of emotions is emotional intelligence (EI). The present study aims to establish the effect of the current confinement on the teaching-learning process and academic performance and the impact of the application of EI on university students. In total, 47 volunteers of the second course of the Degree in Pharmacy of the University of Granada (Spain) took part in this experience. Two temporary periods were established: at the beginning of the confinement period and after teaching several concepts of emotional intelligence online for two months. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey Inventory (MBI-SS) and the Spanish version of Utrech Work Engagement Scale-Students (UWES-S) were used to evaluate the intervention. In total, 63.5% of the students presented academic burnout during the confinement before the intervention. After the EI workshops and seminars, only 31.1% presented academic burnout. Before the intervention with the emotional intelligence workshops, 44.6% experienced exhaustion, 41.7% cynicism and 60.3% felt it was ineffective in their academic performance. After the emotional intelligence workshops and seminars, 29.1% experienced exhaustion, 30.1% cynicism and 28.8% felt it was ineffective. The scores achieved after the study of EI in physiology classes led to better levels in all the variables studied. Students managed their adaptive processes more adequately and regulated their emotions better, as they felt less academic burnout and more engaged in their academic activities at the end of the study of EI through physiolog