A new manual wheelchair propulsion system with self-locking capability on ramps

A wheelchair user faces many difficulties in their everyday attempts to use ramps, especially those of some length. The present work describes the design and build of a propulsion system for manual wheelchairs for use in ascending or descending long ramps. The design is characterized by a self-locking mechanism that activates automatically to brake the chair when the user stops pushing. The system consists of a planetary transmission with a self-locking capacity coupled to a push rim with which the user moves the system. Different transmission ratios are proposed, adapted to the slope and to the user’s physical capacity (measured as the power the user can apply over ample time periods). The design is shown to be viable in terms of resistance, and approximate dimensions are established for the height and width of the propulsion system. Also, a prototype was built in order to test the self-locking system on ramps

Barley and yeast β-glucans as new emulsifier agents for the development of aqueous natural antifungal formulations

Producción CientíficaBarley and yeast β-glucans were selected, together with lecithin, to encapsulate resveratrol by emulsification-evaporation method to develop new and safer antifungal formulations. Different emulsification techniques were used: high-shear, high pressure and high pressure and temperature emulsification. Morphology, crystallinity, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea of the different formulations were evaluated. No significant differences between each emulsification procedure in particle size (below 90 nm) and in encapsulation efficiency (70–100%) were observed; only barley β-glucan emulsions showed lower efficiency due to the formation of a gel that retained most of the active compound. A great influence of the emulsification method and the encapsulating material on the crystallinity of the particles was observed. The highest antifungal activity (up to 53% growth inhibition) was obtained by the formulations with yeast β-glucans, indicating an enhanced absorption of encapsulated resveratrol through the cell wall of the fungus at the presence of (1–3, 1–6)-β-glucans.Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación – Ref. VA040U16

Effectiveness of the application of massage therapy and kinesitherapy by parents on premature neonates: a research protocol

Aim: The study aims to analyse the efficacy of massage therapy and kinesitherapy applied by parents of premature infants admitted to hospital. Background: Premature newborns suffer early somatic deprivation that has adverse effects on their growth and development and that also has a negative impact on the emotional state of their parents. Massage therapy and kinesitherapy is beneficial in alleviating somatic deficit and facilitates the bond between parents and newborns. Design: A quasi-experimental community intervention trial will be conducted in a neonatology unit. Methods: This study will compare the benefits of a 15-min massage protocol applied by parents with the usual medical and nursing care given by neonatal units for premature babies. The evaluation of neuromotor development will take place through the Spanish Premie-Neuro scale. The determination of weight, size, and head circumference will be based on the unit's usual procedures. Discussion: If the implementation of a massage therapy and kinesitherapy protocol is effective in promoting the growth and development of hospitalized premature infants, the results of this study could give an impetus for the inclusion of somatic stimulation in the usual nursing care given for preterm infants. Impact: Prematurity and its associated morbidity pose a major global public health problem. Somatic and kinaesthetic stimulation has beneficial effects on anthropometric and neuromotor development in preterm infants. The results will have a positive impact on premature neonates and their families, both during the hospitalization, and a positive socio-economic effect throughout their lives (education, work, disability).SIWe thank the Neonatal Care Unit of the León University Hospital for taking part in this project, as well as all the nurses who participated for their efforts and dedication in collecting data. We are especially grateful to the premature newborns and their family members who kindly contributed to this study with their participation

Plan de Mantenimiento de un cuarto frio para la empresa Tecniservicios H2000.

El presente documento está basado en la elaboración de un plan de mantenimiento preventivo para el cuarto frio móvil de la empresa Tecniservicios H2000. Esta investigación contempla el diagnóstico del sistema de la unidad, con el propósito de diseñar una propuesta que sirva de base para un plan de mantenimiento preventivo y garantizar de esta manera un servicio de calidad

Development of barley and yeast β-glucan aerogels for drug delivery by supercritical fluids

Polysaccharide aerogels are a good alternative as carriers for drug delivery, since they allow high loading of the active compounds in matrices that are non-toxic, biocompatible and from a renewable feedstock. In this work, barley and yeast β-glucans aerogels were produced by gelation in aqueous solution, followed by solvent exchange and drying with supercritical CO2. First, viscoelastic properties and melting profile of the hydrogels were determined. Then, the obtained aerogels were analyzed regarding morphology, mechanical properties and behavior in physiological fluid. Both in the hydrogels and in the aerogels, big differences were observed between barley and yeast β-glucans due to their different chain structure and gelation behavior. Finally, impregnation of acetylsalicylic acid was performed at the same time as the drying of the alcogels with supercritical CO2. The release profile of the drug in PBS was analyzed in order to determine the mechanism governing the release from the β-glucan matrix.Authors acknowledge Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) through project CTQ2013-44143-R and project PIP 063/ 147181 from Fundación General of the University of Valladolid for fi- nancial support. M. Salgado thanks to Ministerio de Educación, Ciencia y Deporte (MECD) for her FPU and mobility grants. S. Rodríguez-Rojo acknowledges to MINECO and UVa for her Juan de la Cierva fellowship (JCI-2012-14992). The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement number REGPOT-CT2012- 316331-POLARIS and from the project “Novel smart and biomimetic materials for innovative regenerative medicine approaches” RL1 − ABMR − NORTE-01-0124-FEDER-000016) co-financed by North Portugal Regional Operational Programme (ON.2–O Novo Norte), under the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ex Vivo and In Vivo Anti-inflammatory Evaluations of Modulated Flavanones Solutions

Abstract: Interest has developed in natural molecules due to their clinically proven effects on skin deseases. Flavanones display several biological activities, and recently have been the focus of studies due to their anti-inflammatory effect. To improve their pharmacological profile four flavanones (A, B, C and D), were synthesized by structural modification of one natural flavanone 1 (semi-systematic name: (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-6-prenylflavanone) extracted from Eysenhardtia platycarpa. The hydroalcoholic flavanone solutions (FS) were assayed to investigated their anti-inflammatory effect on two in vivo cutaneous inflammation models. Materials and methods: the topical anti-inflammatory effect of FS were evaluated against models of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) induced mouse ear edema and arachidonic acid (AA) in rat ear edema. Results: The vinylogous cyclized derivative (flavanone D) caused edema inhibition in the TPA- induced models with an inhibition of 96.27 ± 1.93 %; equally effective and potent in inhibiting the mouse ear edema as Indometacine had been. In addition, the AA-induced increase in ear thickness was reduced the most by the topical application of modulated ether (flavanone B). Conclusions: The in vivo and histology results suggest that flavanones B and D are effective as a topical anti-inflammatory agents in inflammatory processes. Thus, this new compounds represents a promising agent for the management of skin diseases with an inflammatory component

Effect of the Addition of [C3C1im][NTf2] in Pine Seed Germination and in Soil Microbial Activity

The 18th International Electronic Conference on Synthetic Organic Chemistry session Ionic LiquidsDespite the increasing number of papers about the study of the properties of the ionic liquids (ILs), the knowledge of their ecotoxicity and biodegradability are not still well established. In this work the effect of the addition of five different concentrations of aqueous solutions (10%, 1%, 0.1%, 0.01% and 0% (control) in weight) of the IL [C3C1im][NTf2] on the seed germination of six species of pine and on the microbial activity of a soil under P. radiata was determined. This IL was selected taking into account that his thermophysical properties make it a good candidate to being used as lubricant. Seed germination test of species of Eucalyptus globulus, Pinus halepensis, Pinus nigra, Pinus pinaster, Pinus sylvestris and Pinus radiata were carried out. The reason to select these species was their wide geographical distribution and their great economic, social and ecological interest. Five replies with 25 seeds per Petri dish were incubated for every species and treatments, in total 3750 seeds were incubated (6 species x 5 treatments x 5 replicates x .25 seeds) Germinated seeds were monitoring every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Germination had been completed in all the species 45 days of incubation. On the other hand, calorimetric experiments were performed using a microcalorimeter 2277 Thermal Activity Monitor (TAM) Thermometric AB. Measurements were carried out in hermetically sealed 5 ml stainless steel ampoules. Soil samples of 1 g size at water-holding capacity were treated with 0.2 ml of aqueous glucose solution to activate the microbial metabolism.Additionally, a comparison between the effects of this IL in the seed germination and soil microbial activity and the corresponding to two well-known salts, sodium chloride and potassium nitrate, in the same conditions was stablishedThis study was financed by the project EM2013/031 (Xunta de Galicia, Spain

Potential use of frass from edible insect Tenebrio molitor for proteases production by solid-state fermentation

Novel, eco-saving and low-cost food sources are a global priority, such as edible insects. This work sets a valorization pathway for frass and Tenebrio molitor adult insects using solid-state fermentation (SSF) to obtain fungal proteases, which are highly used in food, beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Initial screening experiments demonstrated that Aspergillus uvarum MUM 08.01 was the most efficient proteases producer. Small-scale SSF with frass resulted in high proteases activity (65 U g-1), which increased 52% when BSG was mixed with frass (1:1, w/w). The proteases activity attained in this study using only frass or mixed with BSG was superior compared to other activities observed when using agroindustry by-products (such as rapeseed, sunflower, soybean, among others) and other species of Aspergillus genus. The optimal conditions from full factorial design using frass:BSG mixture resulted in 152 U g-1 of proteases activity, which is in full accordance with the value predicted by the model. SSF scale-up with 50 g of frass:BSG increased proteases activity up to 202.2 U g-1. This study presents an innovative utilization of insects’ by-products in the field of enzymes production, in full accordance with the circular economy guidelines.Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2021-122176OA-I00Xunta de Galicia | Ref. CO-0067- 21Ministerio de Universidades | Ref. BG20-00156Xunta de Galicia | Ref. 04_IN606D_2023_2542150Xunta de Galicia | Ref. GPC-ED431B 2021/23Universidade de Vigo/CISU

Grieving for Job Loss and Its Relation to the Employability of Older Jobseekers

Introduction: Loss of employment is an experience that is lived and interpreted differently depending on a series of individual variables, including the psychological resources available to the affected person as well as their perception of their degree of employability. Losing one’s job can be one of the most painful and traumatic events a person has to withstand. Following a dismissal, the worker needs to overcome a period of emotional adaptation to the loss. But that period of grieving can also condition the job searching process of the individual and can be influenced by different variables, highlighting the age and work experience. The objective of this study is to analyse the relationship between intensity and type of affliction due to the loss of employment in older workers and their level of employability.Methods: We carried out a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 140 unemployed participants, from 19 to 65 years of age—users of Job Orientation in the Public Employment Service of Andalusia (Spain). Of the total participants, 66 were unemployed and over 45 years of age. They all took the Labour Insertion Potential Assessment Test and the Texas Revised Inventory of Grief, adapted for job loss.Results: Significant differences are shown in the grieving process due to loss of employment between both groups, with the older unemployed living the process more intensely. In relation to the employability potential, differences are found between both groups in terms of availability, perceived difficulties and fears. Interrelationships between total grieving intensity and the importance that older jobseekers give to work are also indicated.Conclusion: Loss of employment and the psychological and health consequences of this situation are identified with those that arise in the grieving process. Older workers present a series of features that determine that their job loss grieving process is more intense and lasts longer than that of other younger workers, regardless of whether the job loss was recent or not. On the other hand, it is shown that the intensity of grieving for job loss is related to the decrease of certain variables that are part of the concept of employability

Characterization of all life stages of Tenebrio molitor: Envisioning innovative applications for this edible insect

The human food security is unavoidably dependent on exploring novel nutritional sources, such as edible insects. However, insects farming needs to improve their rearing practices, such as extracting value from all growing stages, from larvae until adults. In this work, a full characterization of larvae, pupae and adults of Tenebrio molitor was carried out. Higher protein and ash contents were observed in pupae, while higher lipids (mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFA) were observed in larvae, decreasing until reaching the adult stage. Chitin content was 6-fold higher in adults than larvae and pupae. Also, it was possible to quantify the chitin resorting to computed 3D tomography, achieving similar values as the traditional and chemically based method. Lower mineral content was found in larvae, while high iron, zinc and copper levels were found in beetles. Phenolic compounds content was similar among larvae, pupae and beetles. FTIR analysis was a valuable, easy, and fast method to assess the nutritional composition of T. molitor, detecting vibrations characteristic of protein, lipids and chitin fractions. This study provides a full characterization of all life stages of T. molitor, highlighting the possible valorisation chains that can be adopted to obtain highly nutritive and/or functional compoundsAgencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. EQC2018—004965-PAgencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2020‐115879RB‐I00Agencia Estatal de Investigación | Ref. PID2021–122176OA-I00Xunta de Galicia | Ref. GPC-ED431B 2021/23Universidade de Vigo/CISU