Blood cell in vitro cytokine production in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation in a healthy population : effects of age, sex, and smoking

Immune system functionality has been commonly assessed by a whole-blood or isolated-cell stimulation assay. The aim of this study was to determine whether cytokine production in whole-blood-stimulated samples is influenced by age, sex, and smoking. A descriptive cross-sectional study in 253 healthy participants aged 18−55 years was conducted. Whole blood samples were stimulated for 24 h with LPS and concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were determined in the culture media. Among parameters considered, statistical regression analysis indicated that smoking (change in R2 = 0.064, p 0.001) and sex (change in R2 = 0.070, p 0.001) were the main predictors for IL-10 production, with higher values for women and non-smokers. Age was also found to be a significant predictor (change in R2 = 0.021, p 0.001), with higher values for younger ages. Age (change in R2 = 0.089, p = 0.013) and smoking (change in R2 = 0.037, p = 0.002) were found to be negative predictors for IL-6 production. Regarding TNF-α-stimulated production, age (change in R2 = 0.029, p = 0.009) and smoking (change in R2 = 0.022, p = 0.022) were found to be negative predictors. Furthermore, sex (change in R2 = 0.016, p = 0.045) was found to be a significant predictor, with lower values for women. In conclusion, sex, age, and smoking were found to be independent determinants of stimulated cytokine production. While female sex is associated with higher IL-10 and lower TNF-α production, aging and smoking are associated with lower IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α production

Hypertension prevalence in active working population in the Balearic Islands: gender and age socioeconomic inequalities and differences

Introducción: La clase social a partir de la ocupación constituye uno de los determinantes sociales de la salud más importantes. Muchos estudios confirman la influencia de las condiciones del trabajo sobre la salud de los individuos así como la prevalencia de determinados factores de riesgo cardiovascular como la hipertensión arterial. Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de hipertensión arterial en población laboral activa y analizar si las diferencias por clase social varían según edad y sexo. Material y método: Estudio transversal sobre una muestra de 1.910 trabajadores de entre 20 y 65 años de las Islas Baleares. Las variables de estudio fueron: clase social, medidas antropométricas, perfil lipídico, glucosa y presión arterial. Resultados: En general el grupo formado por las clases sociales más favorecidas tenía menor prevalencia de hipertensión arterial que el grupo formado por las clases sociales más desfavorecidas. En cuanto al sexo, según el análisis estratificado por clase social, los hombres pertenecientes a las clases sociales más favorecidas presentan una prevalencia de hipertensión arterial similar a la de los hombres de clases sociales más desfavorecidas. Las mujeres de clase social favorecida, en cambio, presentan menos hipertensión que las pertenecientes a las clases sociales más desfavorecidas. En relación a la edad, se obtiene que a mayor edad aumenta la prevalencia de hipertensión arterial. Conclusiones: Las desigualdades por clase social en la prevalencia de hipertensión arterial fueron mayores entre las mujeres que entre los hombres. La edad juega un papel crucial en la prevalencia de hipertensión arterial en cualquier estrato social.Background: Social class determined from occupation is one of the most important social determinants of health. Many studies confirm the influence of working conditions on the health of individuals and the acquisition of cardiovascular risk factors such as arterial hypertension. Aims: To determine the prevalence of hypertension in active working population and to analyze whether social class differences change with age and gender. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study in a sample of 1,910 workers aged 20-65 years in the Balearic Islands. The following study variables were collected: social class, anthropometric measurements, lipid profile, glucose and blood pressure. Results: Participants belonging to higher social classes presented, in general, lower prevalence of hypertension than participants belonging to lower social classes. When participants in the study were stratified by gender and social class, men belonging to the highest social classes showed similar prevalence of hypertension than men located in the lower social classes. However, women belonging to the higher social classes presented lower prevalence of hypertension than those belonging to the lower social classes. Regarding the effect of age, it was found that hypertension prevalence increases with aging. Conclusions: Social class inequalities in the prevalence of hypertension were higher among women than among men. Age plays an essential role in the prevalence of hypertension in any social class

Analysis of the psychometric properties of the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC‑13) in patients with cardiovascular risk factors: a study of the method efects associated with negatively worded items

Purpose: The objectives of this study were to analyze the psychometric properties of the Sense of Coherence scale (SOC-13), determine the role of the method efect in the performance of the instrument, and identify the relationship with health perception, quality of life, and sleep quality in patients at cardiovascular risk. Methods: The fnal sample consisted of 293 patients at cardiovascular risk, with a mean age of 61.9 years (SD=8.8), 49.8% of whom were women. The SOC-13, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Medical Outcomes Study-Sleep Scale (MOS-Sleep) were administered. In addition, the participant’s self-perceived health and quality of life were also evaluated. All analyses were carried out with SPSS 26.0 and EQS 6.1 statistical software. Results: The results showed adequate reliability for the SOC-13, with a Cronbach’s alpha of .789. The ft of the structures was not adequate in any of the cases (.26 to .62 for one factor, .26 to.73 for three factors, .20 to .54 for one second-order factor, and .25, .42, and .54 for three frst-order factors). The three structure models showed an improved ft when adding a latent factor resulting from the method efect (.6 to .85 for one factor, .11 to.90 for three factors, and .11 to .96 for one second-order factor). Moreover, positive correlations were found with health perception, perceived quality of life, and perceived sleep quality. Conclusion: The SOC-13 is a suitable instrument for patients with cardiovascular risk in Spain, and it is also an indica‑ tor of health perception, quality of life, and perceived quality of sleep. Control of the method efect improves the ft of the instrument’s structure. As a future direction, it is recommended to conduct new studies in this and other samples and using diferent versions of the SOC. Trial registration: International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN76069254, 08/04/2015 retro‑ spectively registered.This work has been granted from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias of Insti‑ tuto de Salud Carlos III (PI13/01477) of the Spanish Government cofnanced by FEDER-Unión Europea (“Una manera de hacer Europa”) and by Department of Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education Sciences, University of Huelva. The funding sources had not involvement in the study design, in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, in the writing of the article and in the decision to submit it for publication

Caffeine Intake among Undergraduate Students: Sex Differences, Sources, Motivations, and Associations with Smoking Status and Self-Reported Sleep Quality

Due to its stimulatory effects, caffeine is one of the most frequently consumed mood and behavior altering drugs. University students report using caffeine-containing products to enhance mood and performance or for a desire of alertness. The current study investigated caffeine consumption in university undergraduate students, and associations with smoking status, alcohol and cannabis consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, and sleep quality. Motivations for caffeine intake were also ascertained. A total of 886 undergraduates aged 18–25 years from the University of the Balearic Islands participated in a cross-sectional survey. Caffeine was consumed by 91.1% of participants. Caffeine consumers were more likely to be female, smokers, and alcohol and cannabis consumers. Coffee was found to be the main source of caffeine intake in both men and women (48.9% of total caffeine intake). Higher percentages of women consumed coffee (56.4 vs. 42.1%, p = 0.01) and tea (40.3 vs. 19.8%, p < 0.001), whereas a higher percentage of men consumed energy drinks (18.0 vs. 7.4%, p < 0.001). Main motivations for caffeine intake were those related to cognitive enhancement. Caffeine intake was associated with poorer subjective sleep quality (p < 0.001). In conclusion, undergraduate students that were female and smokers reported higher caffeine intakes. Coffee was found as the main caffeine contributor, with higher contributions of tea in women and energy drinks in men. Universities should consider the implementation of health campaigns and educational programs to educate students of the risks of high caffeine consumption together with associated behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption and poor sleep quality to physical health and academic performance

Efficiency and seasonality in the Balearic hospitality industry

Efficiency is one of the most decisive factors in an industry�s productivity and competitiveness. However, Spanish and international economic literature has given little attention to measuring efficiency in some fields of activity, like the lodging industry due to the intangible nature of its services. The aim of this paper is to measure the technical efficiency of a sample of fifty mid-range Balearic tourist accommodation units specializing in the sun and sand market using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and to explain observed differences in the results according to seasonal patterns in tourism activities and other characteristics of the accommodation units.La eficiencia es uno de los factores que incide de forma más decisiva sobre las ganancias de productividad y competitividad de una industria. Sin embargo, en algunos segmentos de actividad, como el de la hostelería, la medición de la eficiencia ha sido escasamente tratada por la literatura económica aplicada, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, debido, en gran medida, al carácter intangible de las actividades de servicios. En este contexto, el presente trabajo tiene como objetivo medir la eficiencia técnica de una muestra de cincuenta establecimientos de alojamiento turístico de las Islas Baleares, a partir de la aplicación del analisis envolvente de datos (DEA) y explicar las diferencias observadas en los resultados de acuerdo al patrón estacional de la actividad turisitica y a otras características de los establecimientos de alojamiento considerados

Effects of Habitual Caffeine Intake, Physical Activity Levels, and Sedentary Behavior on the Inflammatory Status in a Healthy Population

Low-grade chronic inflammation is associated with many chronic diseases and pathological conditions. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of regular caffeine intake, physical activity levels, and sedentary behavior on the inflammatory status in healthy participants. In total, 112 men and 132 women aged 18 to 55 years and belonging to the staff and student population of the University of the Balearic Islands volunteered to participate in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers were measured. Weight, height, and body composition (bioelectrical impedance) were determined. Caffeine intake, physical activity levels and sitting time, and diet quality were determined using questionnaires. Statistical regression analysis showed that caffeine intake was a negative predictor of C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.001). Body fat percentage was positively associated with CRP (p < 0.001) and inversely associated with adiponectin (p = 0.032) and interleukin (IL)-10 levels (p = 0.001). Visceral fat was the main predictor for IL-6 (p < 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (p < 0.001). Sitting time was found to be the main, inverse, predictor for IL-10 (p < 0.001), and a positive predictor for TNF-α (p < 0.001). In conclusion, regular caffeine consumption induced very limited anti-inflammatory effects. Sedentary behavior and body fat accumulation induced significant pro-inflammatory effects

Effectiveness of physical activity prescription by primary care nurses using health assets: A randomized controlled trial

[eng] Aim To evaluate the effectiveness of a 12‐month multifactorial intervention by primary care nurses using health assets in increasing adherence to physical activity prescription (150 min/week) in patients with two or more cardiovascular risk factors. Background Physical activity promotion is a priority and helps to decrease mortality risk due to cardiovascular diseases. However, adherence to the habitual physical activity prescription in primary healthcare settings is low. Design Multicentre, single‐blind, parallel randomized (in two different branches) clinical trial. Methods In total, 263 participants from 20 primary healthcare centres in Mallorca completed the randomized controlled trial study (intervention group N = 128, control group N = 135). The intervention consisted in four visits and included a motivational interview and an individualized prescription of physical activity using health assets. Primary outcome measure was the number of participants performing at least 150 min of weekly physical activity. Secondary outcomes included physical activity level and physical fitness, Sense of Coherence, cardiovascular risk, sociodemographic data, trans‐theoretical stage of change, sleep quality, and depression. Results Adherence to the recommendation of at least 150 min of physical activity was higher in the intervention than in the control group (χ2 = 3.951, p = .047). However, this higher adherence did not suppose higher physical activity levels because no differences between groups were found in the total physical activity performed after intervention (t=−0.915, p = .361). At the end of the intervention participants randomized to the intervention group spent more time walking than participants in the control group (t = 2.260, p = .025). Conclusion The multifactorial intervention performed by primary care nurses induced a higher adherence to the 150‐min of weekly physical activity recommendation. Impact Adherence to the usual physical activity prescription in primary care is low. Physical activity prescription performed by primary care nurses and based on health assets and motivational interview can help to increase physical activity levels of patients. The main finding of the present study was that prescription using this approach was shown to be effective, leading to a higher adherence in the intervention group. This intervention is feasible in the nurse's primary healthcare setting, thus it could be implemented as the main tool when exercise is prescribed. Trial Registration International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number: ISRCTN76069254

Effects of habitual caffeine intake, physical activity levels, and sedentary behavior on the inflammatory status in a healthy population

[eng] Low-grade chronic inflammation is associated with many chronic diseases and pathological conditions. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of regular caffeine intake, physical activity levels, and sedentary behavior on the inflammatory status in healthy participants. In total, 112 men and 132 women aged 18 to 55 years and belonging to the staff and student population of the University of the Balearic Islands volunteered to participate in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Plasma concentrations of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers were measured. Weight, height, and body composition (bioelectrical impedance) were determined. Caffeine intake, physical activity levels and sitting time, and diet quality were determined using questionnaires. Statistical regression analysis showed that caffeine intake was a negative predictor of C-reactive protein (CRP) (p = 0.001). Body fat percentage was positively associated with CRP (p < 0.001) and inversely associated with adiponectin (p = 0.032) and interleukin (IL)-10 levels (p = 0.001). Visceral fat was the main predictor for IL-6 (p < 0.001) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (p < 0.001). Sitting time was found to be the main, inverse, predictor for IL-10 (p < 0.001), and a positive predictor for TNF-α (p < 0.001). In conclusion, regular caffeine consumption induced very limited anti-inflammatory effects. Sedentary behavior and body fat accumulation induced significant pro-inflammatory effects

Effects of caffeine and 5-caffeoylquinic acid on blood cell in vitro cytokine production in response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation

Previous in vitro studies the have suggested anti-inflammatory properties of caffeine. Coffee is also rich in phenolic acids with several potential health benefits (chlorogenic acids), mainly 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA). The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of caffeine and 5-CQA, using concentrations comparable to typical human consumption, on LPS-induced cytokine production in whole blood in vitro cultures. Whole blood samples (n = 10) were stimulated for 24 h with LPS in the presence of caffeine or 5-CQA. The concentrations of various cytokines, malondialdehyde (MDA) and adenosine-3&prime;,5&prime;-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) were determined in the culture media. Significant effects of caffeine were found only for the stimulated production of TNF-&alpha; (p = 0.014) and cAMP (p = 0.001). However, only the highest caffeine concentration (50 &mu;M) induced lower TNF-&alpha; (p = 0.016) and higher cAMP (p = 0.006) levels in comparison to the control. The 5-CQA only influenced the stimulated production of IL-6 (p = 0.002), with lower values for the highest 5-CQA concentrations (2 &mu;M: p = 0.012; 20 &mu;M: p &lt; 0.001). Neither caffeine (p = 0.227) nor 5-CQA (p = 0.259) influenced MDA concentrations. In conclusion, both caffeine and 5-CQA exerted limited in vitro anti-inflammatory effects. For caffeine, these effects were attained with high physiological concentrations. However, for 5-CQA, supraphysiological concentrations were needed