Quantification of Total Phenolic and Carotenoid Content in Blackberries (Rubus Fructicosus L.) Using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) and Multivariate Analysis

A rapid method to quantify the total phenolic content (TPC) and total carotenoid content (TCC) in blackberries using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was carried out aiming to provide reductions in analysis time and cost for the food industry. A total of 106 samples were analysed using the Folin-Ciocalteu method for TPC and a method based on Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrometer for TCC. The average contents found for TPC and TCC were 24.27 mg·g−1 dw and 8.30 µg·g−1 dw, respectively. Modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression was used for obtaining the calibration models of these compounds. The RPD (ratio of the standard deviation of the reference data to the standard error of prediction (SEP)) values from external validation for both TPC and TCC were between 1.5 < RPDp < 2.5 and RER values (ratio of the range in the reference data to SEP) were 5.92 for TPC and 8.63 for TCC. These values showed that both equations were suitable for screening purposes. MPLS loading plots showed a high contribution of sugars, chlorophyll, lipids and cellulose in the modelling of prediction equations

MMP-3 deficiency alleviates endotoxin-induced acute inflammation in the posterior eye segment

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) is known to mediate neuroinflammatory processes by activating microglia, disrupting blood-central nervous system barriers and supporting neutrophil influx into the brain. In addition, the posterior part of the eye, more specifically the retina, the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and the blood-retinal barrier, is affected upon neuroinflammation, but a role for MMP-3 during ocular inflammation remains elusive. We investigated whether MMP-3 contributes to acute inflammation in the eye using the endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) model. Systemic administration of lipopolysaccharide induced an increase in MMP-3 mRNA and protein expression level in the posterior part of the eye. MMP-3 deficiency or knockdown suppressed retinal leukocyte adhesion and leukocyte infiltration into the vitreous cavity in mice subjected to EIU. Moreover, retinal and RPE mRNA levels of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (Icam1), interleukin 6 (Il6), cytokine-inducible nitrogen oxide synthase (Nos2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnf alpha), which are key molecules involved in EIU, were clearly reduced in MMP-3 deficient mice. In addition, loss of MMP-3 repressed the upregulation of the chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 and (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1). These findings suggest a contribution of MMP-3 during EIU, and its potential use as a therapeutic drug target in reducing ocular inflammation

Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation on Sleep Quality in Heart Disease Patients with and without Heart Failure

nsomnia is a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. Previous studies suggested that attending a cardiac rehabilitation program may improve sleep quality in cardiac patients and pointed out the association between heart failure and poor sleep quality. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate sleep quality in patients attending a Multidisciplinary Cardiac Rehabilitation Program (MRCP), and to compare sleep quality between patients with and without heart failure. A prospective observational study was carried out on a consecutive sample of 240 patients attending an 8-week MRCP; 50 patients (20.8%) were included due to heart failure (NYHA stages I–III) and the rest of them after having undergone any revascularization procedure or valvular surgery. Before and after the completion of the MRCP, the quality of sleep was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score. Post-intervention global PSQI scores were statistically significantly lower than those of pre-intervention (p = 0.008), but only 60 patients (25%) registered a clinically significant improvement. When comparing patients with heart failure with those without, no differences in sleep quality were found. This suggests that only a small percentage of patients can achieve clinically significant improvements in sleep quality attending conventional MCRP. Suggestions for future research are given.Partial funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málag

Tracing the retina to analyze the integrity and phagocytic capacity of the retinal pigment epithelium

We have developed a new technique to study the integrity, morphology and functionality of the retinal neurons and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Young and old control albino (Sprague-Dawley) and pigmented (Piebald Virol Glaxo) rats, and dystrophic albino (P23H-1) and pigmented (Royal College of Surgeons) rats received a single intravitreal injection of 3% Fluorogold (FG) and their retinas were analyzed from 5 minutes to 30 days later. Retinas were imaged in vivo with SD-OCT and ex vivo in flat-mounts and in cross-sections. Fifteen minutes and 24 hours after intravitreal administration of FG retinal neurons and the RPE, but no glial cells, were labeled with FG-filled vesicles. The tracer reached the RPE 15 minutes after FG administration, and this labeling remained up to 30 days. Tracing for 15 minutes or 24 hours did not cause oxidative stress. Intraretinal tracing delineated the pathological retinal remodelling occurring in the dystrophic strains. The RPE of the P23H-1 strain was highly altered in aged animals, while the RPE of the RCS strain, which is unable to phagocytose, did not accumulate the tracer even at young ages when the retinal neural circuit is still preserved. In both dystrophic strains, the RPE cells were pleomorphic and polymegathic.This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional “Una manera de hacer Europa” (PI16/00031, PI16/00380, PI19/00071, PI19/00203, SAF2015-67643-P, RD16/0008, RD16/0008/0026 and RD16/0008/0016) and by the Fundación Séneca, Agencia de Ciencia y Tecnología Región de Murcia (19881/GERM/15)

Sympherobius barberi (Banks, 1903) (Neuroptera: Hemerobiidae): morfología, presas y rango de distribución en México y América

Los hemeróbidos tienen una distribución cosmopolita y destacan por sus hábitos entomófagos sobre insectos pequeños de cuerpo blando. En México, la especie Sympherobius barberi (Banks, 1903) se registra en Baja California, Estado de México Guanajuato, y Morelos. El interés sobre su potencial uso comercial como agente de control biológico en el país motivó la revisión de esta especie. Tanto en publicaciones científicas como en bases de datos y colecciones biológicas, se documentan los caracteres taxonómicos requeridos para determinar esta especie y se propone sustituir la taxonomía básica basada en patrones de manchas alares. Además, se reporta nueva información sobre presas y plantas hospederas: Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758) en Brassica spp.; Dactylopius confusus (Cockerell, 1893) en varias especies del género Opuntia y Nopalea cochenillifera; Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell, 1896) sobre Opuntia ficus-indica; Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, 1898 en algodón; Planococcus ficus Signoret, 1875 en vid; y larvas de Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) en brócoli.Brown lacewings have a cosmopolitan distribution and stand out for their entomophagous habits on small, soft-bodied prey. In Mexico, the species Sympherobius barberi (Banks, 1903) is recorded from Baja California, Estado de Mexico, Guanajuato, and Morelos. Interest in its potential commercial use as a biological control agent in the country motivated the review of this species. Both in scientific publications and in databases and biological collections, the taxonomic characters required to determine this species are documented, proposing to replace the basic taxonomy based on wing spot patterns. In addition, new information on prey and host plants is recorded: Brevicoryne brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758) in Brassica spp.; Dactylopius confusus (Cockerell, 1893) in various species of Opuntia y Nopalea cochenillifera; Dactylopius opuntiae in Opuntia ficus-indica; Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, 1898 in cotton; Planococcus ficus Signoret, 1875 in grapevine; and larvae of Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) in broccoli

Evaluación de los peligros naturales y antrópicos para el turismo en Playas del Este, Cuba

Coloquio de Geografía del Turismo, Ocio y Recreación de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles. Colmenarejo (Madrid), del 17 al 19 de junio de 2010.Esta investigación forma parte de los resultados del proyecto "El sistema de embalses como forma de regulación y aprovechamiento del agua en la cuenca del río Guanabo, Cuba. Indicadores de sostenibilidad" (Código: A/023914/09), financiado por la Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo y cuyo investigador principal es José Damián Ruiz SinogaPublicad

Proyecto EduPro

El proyecto concretado fue con un fin que es una vía adicional y de escape para el desarrollo de la educación no tan solo a nivel escolar y universitario, sino también para las personas que dictan esta clase que es evidente que deben estar en una constante actualización de las nuevas tendencias y este proyecto tiene el nombre de “EduPro”. EduPro es una plataforma virtual enfocada en el aprendizaje de los maestros. Es por eso por lo que se creó un canal online en donde se podrá encontrar diferentes cursos para potenciar la enseñanza de las personas que dictan clases y presentan dificultades. Los cursos serán diseñados para potenciar la enseñanza y dinamizar la clase con la finalidad de que el estudiante no se sienta inconforme con el método de aprendizaje y problemas comunes en este nuevo tiempo en donde todo es en el formato digital. Este proyecto surgió por el problema del Covid-19 que aún se está viviendo y la proyección que puede verse afectada la población peruana tiende a más de 2 años por las medidas que se deben optar por la esperada vacuna para todas las personas del país, es por ello que las instituciones educativas tuvieron un cierre por el no contacto de las personas y los más afectados fueron los estudiantes al igual forma que los profesores que se habían acostumbrado a las clases presenciales con los métodos de enseñanza tradicionales y sin usar otra vía para dinamizar las clases. Dentro de este contexto sucedieron diversos problemas en el sector de educación, pero EduPro llegó para ayudar a los profesores para dinamizar una clase y que el alumno no sienta esa sensación de estar fuera del salón, pero lo más importante es brindar una calidad de enseñanza a los alumnos y que no se pierda la esencia de la clase presencial incorporando las nuevas plataformas de educativas.The concrete project was with a purpose that is an additional and escape route for the development of education not only at the school and university level, but also for the people who teach these classes that it is evident that you must be in a constant update of new trends and this project has the name "EduPro". EduPro is a virtual platform focused on teacher learning. That is why an online channel was created where you can find different courses to enhance the teaching of people who teach classes and have difficulties. The courses will be designed to enhance teaching and energize the class so that the student does not feel dissatisfied with the learning method and common problems in this new time where everything is in digital format. This project arose due to the problem of Covid-19 that is still being experienced and the projection that the Peruvian population may be affected tends to more than 2 years due to the measures that must be chosen for the expected vaccine for all people in the country, is For this reason, the educational institutions were closed due to the non-contact of the people and the most affected were the students as well as the teachers who are accustomed to face-to-face classes with traditional teaching methods and without using any other means to stimulate the lessons. Within this context, various problems occurred in the education sector, but EduPro came to help teachers to energize a class and that the student does not feel that feeling of being outside the classroom, but the most important thing is to provide a quality of teaching to students and that the essence of the face-to-face class is not lost by incorporating the new educational platforms.Trabajo de investigació