Influence of the use of milk replacers and pH on the texture profiles of raw and cooked meat of suckling kids

The aim of this work was to study the texture profile of fresh and cooked longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle from suckling kids raised with natural milk or milk replacers. Suckling Male kids from eight goat breeds (Florida, FL; Cabra del Guadarrama, GU; Majorera, MA; Palmera, PL; Payoya, PY; Retinta, RE; Tinerfeña, TI; Verata, VE), all of single parturition, were raised with milk replacers (MR) or with natural milk from the dams (NM). The meat pH, Warner-Bratzler shear force, texture profile analysis and chemical composition were determined. Kids were clustered based on their pH by k-means clustering. The effect of the rearing system on the textural profile was strongly modulated by breed. The values of Warner-Bratzler shear force and hardness found in these breeds under both rearing systems were very low. Hence, the toughness of very light suckling kids should not be a determining factor in choosing a breed or rearing system. Nevertheless, the use of milk replacers increased the presence of meat with high pH, which modified the textural parameters, decreasing the shear force but increasing cohesiveness and adhesiveness. Consequently, depending on the commercial strategy of the farm, the election of the breed and rearing system must be considered together

Activity/inactivity circadian rhythm shows high similarities between young obesity-induced rats and old rats

The objective of the present study was to compare differences between elderly rats and young obesity-induced rats in their activity/inactivity circadian rhythm. The investigation was motivated by the differences reported previously for the circadian rhythms of both obese and elderly humans (and other animals), and those of healthy, young or mature individuals. Three groups of rats were formed: a young control group which was fed a standard chow for rodents; a young obesity-induced group which was fed a high-fat diet for four months; and an elderly control group with rats aged 2.5 years that was fed a standard chow for rodents. Activity/inactivity data were registered through actimetry using infrared actimeter systems in each cage to detect activity. Data were logged on a computer and chronobiological analysis were performed. The results showed diurnal activity (sleep time), nocturnal activity (awake time), amplitude, acrophase, and interdaily stability to be similar between the young obesity-induced group and the elderly control group, but different in the young control group. We have concluded that obesity leads to a chronodisruption status in the body similar to the circadian rhythm degradation observed in the elderly

DEVELOPING TECHNICAL ENGLISH SKILLS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDENTS

Traditionally, Spanish schools of civil engineering provide their students a class on “Technical English” in order to develop their language skills. However, this class does not cover all the skills that the student would need in the labor market and mainly focuses in the reading and writing skills, and in a lower degree in the speaking and listening ones. This paper proposes a series of innovative and informal training activities, such as cine-forum on technical civil engineering topics and role playing on real professional situations, that allow Spanish civil engineering students to develop English skills, that can rarely be worked in the classroom (i.e. speaking, negotiating and conversing), which encourage debate, participation, and foster their self-confidence to speak about technical-English topics in public. Although the students’ level of English is much lower than expected, they all agree on the importance of technical English for their future career. The results also show the students’ lack in skills that are difficult to train in regular classes (speaking and talking). Consequently, this situation would require to provide complementary activities like the ones suggested in this project in order to develop these skills and increase the students’ demand for engineering classes taught in English

Uso de compuestos nutracéuticos en nuevas formulaciones de piensos acuícolas

Trabajo presentado en las X Jornadas de Acuicultura en el Litoral Suratlántico: Nuevos retos y perspectivas para la sostenibilidad de la acuicultura, celebrado entre el 22 y 23 de noviembre de 2023 en Huelva.[EN] Different strategies have been followed to improve the aquaculture of main European farmed fish, such as genetic selection, refinements in culture conditions or enhanced feed formulation and management. However, more knowledge is required to exploit fish phenotypic plasticity to obtain those that better match aquaculture or market conditions. The overall objective of this mini-review is to identify the latest productive traits recently performed, mainly in commercial carnivorous species, and underlying biological processes that would be susceptible to improve the competitivity of aquaculture sector through nutritional issues. Thus, this work is framed within the concepts of Circular Economy and Blue Growth, where it is intended to point out the use of natural compounds extracted from seaweeds, microalgae and by-products of the industry for their inclusion in aquafeeds, allowing a more efficient use of more sustainable vegetable protein sources, and also to evaluate if these nutraceutical compounds counteract detrimental effects observed by nutritional interventions or environmentally challenged.[ES] La producción acuícola ha seguido diferentes estrategias para su optimización a lo largo de las últimas décadas, como el desarrollo de la selección genética, la mejora de las condiciones de cultivo, o el avance en la formulación y gestión de los piensos. Sin embargo, se requiere más conocimiento para explotar la plasticidad fenotípica de los peces para obtener aquellos que se ajusten mejor a las condiciones de la acuicultura o del mercado. El objetivo general de esta mini-revisión es identificar los últimos avances realizados recientemente, principalmente en especies carnívoras comerciales, y los procesos biológicos subyacentes que serían susceptibles de mejorar la competitividad del sector acuícola a través de intervenciones nutricionales. Así, este trabajo se enmarca dentro de los conceptos de Economía Circular y Crecimiento Azul, donde se pretende señalar el uso de compuestos naturales extraídos de algas, microalgas y subproductos de la industria para su inclusión en alimentos acuícolas, permitiendo un uso más eficiente de fuentes de proteínas vegetales más sostenibles, y también evaluar si estos compuestos nutracéuticos son capaces de contrarrestar los efectos perjudiciales observados por las formulaciones inadecuadas o desafiados por factores ambientales estresantes.This work was supported by the Projects “FEDER-UCA18-107182”, “FisioBream-II Call for Young Researchers CEI⋅MAR 2019”, “ALGAE4FISH-CEI·MAR Empresa 2018”, “VALINVA-CEI·MAR Empresa 2019”, “SeriBlue-CEI·MAR Empresa 2020”, and co-financed by the spin-off LifeBioencapsulation S.L. (Almería) and Biotechnology Biopolym S.A. (Granada)

Extensive neuroadaptive changes in cortical gene-transcript expressions of the glutamate system in response to repeated intermittent MDMA administration in adolescent rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many studies have focused on the implication of the serotonin and dopamine systems in neuroadaptive responses to the recreational drug 3,4-methylenedioxy-metamphetamine (MDMA). Less attention has been given to the major excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate known to be implicated in schizophrenia and drug addiction. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of repeated intermittent MDMA administration upon gene-transcript expression of the glutamate transporters (EAAT1, EAAT2-1, EAAT2-2), the glutamate receptor subunits of AMPA (GluR1, GluR2, GluR3), the glutamate receptor subunits of NMDA (NR1, NR2A and NR2B), as well as metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1, mGluR2, mGluR3, mGluR5) in six different brain regions. Adolescent male Sprague Dawley rats received MDMA at the doses of 3 × 1 and 3 × 5 mg/kg/day, or 3× vehicle 3 hours apart, every 7^thday for 4 weeks. The gene-transcript levels were assessed using real-time PCR validated with a range of housekeeping genes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The findings showed pronounced enhancements in gene-transcript expression of GluR2, mGluR1, mGluR5, NR1, NR2A, NR2B, EAAT1, and EAAT2-2 in the cortex at bregma +1.6. In the caudate putamen, mRNA levels of GluR3, NR2A, and NR2B receptor subunits were significantly increased. In contrast, the gene-transcript expression of GluR1 was reduced in the hippocampus. In the hypothalamus, there was a significant increase of GluR1, GluR3, mGluR1, and mGluR3 gene-transcript expressions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Repeated intermittent MDMA administration induces neuroadaptive changes in gene-transcript expressions of glutamatergic NMDA and AMPA receptor subunits, metabotropic receptors and transporters in regions of the brain regulating reward-related associative learning, cognition, and memory and neuro-endocrine functions.</p

Sexual Relationships in Hispanic Countries: a Literature Review

This is a pre-print of an article published in Current Sexual Health Reports. The final authenticated version is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-020-00272-6Purpose of Review: Sexuality is a complex dimension for which culture seems to play an important role, particularly in countries that are more traditional. This review summarizes the knowledge about sexual relationships in Hispanic countries, considering sexual debut, attitudes, behaviors, and satisfaction. Recent Findings: In line with the literature reviewed, the sexual double standard seems to be continuing to influence sexual relationships. Some countries show more open expressions of sexuality based on the level of gender inequality or sexualized context, and within countries, variables such as religious commitment, family characteristics, and access to resources may play important roles in sexuality. Summary: Future research, policies, and interventions should consider these specific characteristics, including these forms of expression of sexuality, in the adjustment of cross-cultural and cross-national strategies

Identifying New Therapeutic Targets via Modulation of Protein Corona Formation by Engineered Nanoparticles

We introduce a promising methodology to identify new therapeutic targets in cancer. Proteins bind to nanoparticles to form a protein corona. We modulate this corona by using surface-engineered nanoparticles, and identify protein composition to provide insight into disease development.Using a family of structurally homologous nanoparticles we have investigated the changes in the protein corona around surface-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from normal and malignant ovarian cell lysates. Proteomics analysis using mass spectrometry identified hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) that is found exclusively on positively charged AuNPs ((+)AuNPs) after incubation with the lysates. We confirmed expression of HDGF in various ovarian cancer cells and validated binding selectivity to (+)AuNPs by Western blot analysis. Silencing of HDGF by siRNA resulted s inhibition in proliferation of ovarian cancer cells.We investigated the modulation of protein corona around surface-functionalized gold nanoparticles as a promising approach to identify new therapeutic targets. The potential of our method for identifying therapeutic targets was demonstrated through silencing of HDGF by siRNA, which inhibited proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. This integrated proteomics, bioinformatics, and nanotechnology strategy demonstrates that protein corona identification can be used to discover novel therapeutic targets in cancer

Развитие навыков технического английского языка для сту дентов-строителей

Traditionally, Spanish schools of civil engineering provide their students a class on “Technical English” in order to develop their language skills. However, this class does not cover all the skills that the student would need in the labor market and mainly focuses in the reading and writing skills, and in a lower degree in the speaking and listening ones. This paper proposes a series of innovative and informal training activities, such as cine-forum on technical civil engineering topics and role playing on real professional situations, that allow Spanish civil engineering students to develop English skills, that can rarely be worked in the classroom (i. e. speaking, negotiating and conversing), which encourage debate, participation, and foster their self-confidence to speak about technical-English topics in public. Although the students’ level of English is much lower than expected, they all agree on the importance of technical English for their future career. The results also show the students’ lack in skills that are difficult to train in regular classes (speaking and talking). Consequently, this situation would require to provide complementary activities like the ones suggested in this project in order to develop these skills and increase the students’ demand for engineering classes taught in English.Традиционно для студентов испанских строительных университетов проводятся курсы технического английского языка для повышения их уровня владения языком. Однако эти курсы ориентированы на чтение и письмо, в меньшей степени — на навыки разговорного языка и не охватывают всех компетенций, требующихся на рынке труда. В этой статье предлагается ряд новых и неформальных учебных методов (использование кинокамер при изучении вопросов гражданского строительства и ролевой игры в реальных профессиональных ситуациях), которые позволяют испанским студентам-строителям развивать навыки английского языка, которые трудно получить в обычном классе, что развивает уверенность, позволяет студентам овладевать навыками ведения переговоров, бесед, участвовать в дискуссиях. Хотя уровень владения английским языком испанских студентов намного ниже, чем ожидалось, все они согласны с важностью овладения техническим английским для дальнейшей карьеры. Результаты опросов также показывают отсутствие у студентов навыков, которые трудно тренировать в обычных классах (речь и разговоры). Таким образом, для развития навыков владения английским языком для студентов‑строителей требуются дополнительные методики, которые предлагаются в этом проекте