Determinación de metales y elementos traza en algas: evaluación nutricional y toxicológica

Desde la antigüedad, las algas han sido usadas como alimento, en especial en países asiáticos, dónde constituyen un importante alimento. No obstante, como resultado de la globalización, movimientos migratorios y las nuevas tendencias en alimentación, el consumo de algas es mayor en los países occidentales. El perfil nutricional de las algas les confiere una gran importancia dado que aportan grandes cantidades de fibras solubles, minerales, polifenoles, micronutrientes y otros componentes específicos. Además, Canarias cuenta con una gran diversidad de algas, muchas de ellas comestibles como la lechuga de mar o el sargaso y otras potencialmente comestibles. Por ese motivo, el objetivo principal de esta tesis es la determinación de macroelementos (Na, K, Ca, Mg) , elementos traza (I, Mn, Mo, Fe, Zn, Co, Cu, Cr, V, Li, Sr, Ni, B, Ba) y metales tóxicos (Al, Cd, Pb, Hg) en diferentes especies de algas de Canarias y comerciales, con el objeto de evaluar el perfil nutricional y el riesgo toxicológico

Production of stabilized quercetin aqueous suspensions bysupercritical fluid extraction of emulsions

Producción CientíficaQuercetin is a flavonoid with highly promising bioactivity against a variety of diseases, due to its strong antioxidant, antiviral and antihistaminic effect, but these applications are limited by the low solubility of quercetin in gastrointestinal fluids and the correspondingly low bioavailability. The objective of this work is to produce encapsulated quercetin particles in sub-micrometric scale, in order to increase their low bioavailability. These particles were produced by extraction of organic solvent from oil in water emulsions by Supercritical Fluid Extraction of Emulsions (SFEE). Due to the rapid extraction of organic solvent by this method, the disperse organic phase becomes rapidly supersaturated, causing the precipitation of quercetin particles in sub-micrometric scale, encapsulated by the surfactant material. Two different biopolymers (Pluronic L64 ® poloxamers and soy bean lecithin) were used as carriers and surfactant materials. In experiments with Pluronic, needle quercetin particles were obtained after SFEE treatment, with particle sizes around 1 μm and poor encapsulation efficiency. In case of soy lecithin, quercetin-loaded multivesicular liposomes were obtained, with a mean particle size around 100 nm and around 70% encapsulation efficiency of quercetin, without presence of segregated quercetin crystalsJunta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación – Ref. VA225U14

Dietary Intake of Metals from Fresh Cage-Reared Hens’ Eggs in Tenerife, Canary Islands

The concentrations of 20 metals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, V, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mo, Co, B, Ba, Sr, Ni, Si, Al, Pb, and Cd) in cage-reared hens’ eggs have been determined in this study using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). There were significant differences in the metal content depending on the edible part of the egg, with the yolk having the greater concentrations of metals. The daily consumption of eggs (24.3 g/person/day for children and 31.2 g/person/day for adults) contributes to the intake of trace metals, notably Fe (3.8% children, 3.2% women, and 6.5% men) and Zn (4.5% children, 6.6% women, and 4.9% men). In addition, the consumption of eggs does not imply a high contribution of toxic metals

La colaboración: componente esencial para evaluar el aprendizaje en la Carrera Ciencias de la Información

La investigación presenta resultados acerca del enfoque colaborativo para evaluar el aprendizaje en la carrera de Licenciatura en Ciencias de la Información. Parte de determinar el uso de métodos colaborativos en las actividades evaluativas que se realizan. El objetivo general del estudio es diagnosticar el estado de la evaluación colaborativa del aprendizaje en la carrera Ciencias de la Información. Durante su desarrollo se estudió una muestra significativa de estudiantes y del claustro de la carrera. Los métodos utilizados están enmarcados tanto en el plano teórico como empírico, de estos últimos, tuvieron un papel determinante el análisis documental y las entrevistas. Entre los principales resultados obtenidos se encuentra que la evaluación colaborativa del aprendizaje en la carrera Ciencias de la Información se valora como un campo en desarrollo. Este criterio fue avalado por la preparación del claustro, la fortaleza del trabajo metodológico orientado al tema, la constatación en la práctica docente de actividades evaluativas con matiz colaborativo y las opiniones positivas de los estudiantes en torno a las relaciones establecidas en el ámbito de la evaluación del aprendizaje con respecto a la colaboración

Production of water soluble quercetin formulations by pressurized ethyl acetate-in-water emulsion technique using natural origin surfactants

Producción CientíficaQuercetin is a strong antioxidant flavonoid with several bioactive properties such as anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic activities, becoming an interesting compound to be incorporated into pharmaceutical, cosmetic or food products. However, these applications are limited by the low bioavailability of this flavonoid. Quercetin is poorly soluble in aqueous media, such as gastrointestinal fluids, being also degraded by gut flora. Thus, it is necessary the development of quercetin's formulations capable of improving its water solubility resulting in increased bioavailability and thus higher biological activity of this compound. The aim of the present work was the formulation of quercetin using three distinct natural origin surfactants, namely OSA-starch, Lecithin and b-glucan, by precipitation from a pressurized ethyl acetatein- water emulsion. Formulations of quercetin with encapsulation efficiencies up to near 76% and a micellar particle size in the range of nanometers were obtained using lecithin. An improved antioxidant activity (3-fold higher per unit mass of quercetin) was also observed in these formulations, demonstrating that lecithin is a good emulsifier for the encapsulation of quercetin. Furthermore, the addition of glycerol as co-solvent increased the colloidal stability of the suspension and the encapsulation efficiency of the flavonoid.Junta de Castilla y León (programa de apoyo a proyectos de investigación – Ref. VA225U14)Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad (Proyecto JCI-2012-14992)

Dietary Exposure to Toxic Metals (Cd, Pb and Hg) from Cereals Marketed in Madeira and the Azores

ABSTRACT: Cereals and cereal-based foods continue to be basic foods in all diets. Despite being known for their high nutritional value; they can also contain contaminants (hazards) such as toxic metals. This study assesses the Cd, Pb and Hg dietary exposure from cereals and derivatives marketed in Madeira and the Azores and characterizes the risks by evaluating the Cd and Hg intake contributions to the tolerable intakes and by estimating the Margin of Exposure (MOE) in the case of Pb. In Madeira, metals follow the descending order of Cd > Pb > Hg. Cd stands out as having the highest levels (0.307 mg Cd/kg in oats; 0.237 mg/kg in rye). High levels of Pb (0.347 mg/kg) were also detected in rye. Regarding total mercury, rice stands out (0.0013 mg/kg) followed by wheat (0.001 mg/kg). While all cereals and derivatives except maize consumed in Madeira exceed the maximum value of Cd allowed by the EU, 50.0% of the rye and 25.0% of the corn flour samples exceeded the European Pb limit. The daily consumption of 100 g of oats, rye flour and rye represent high contributions to the TWI of Cd (93.2 – 120%). The MOE values of Pb from the consumption of rye (100 g/day) are 1,294 (nephrotoxic effects) and 3,082 (cardiotoxic effects). In the Azores, corn flour (0.72 mg Pb/kg) stands out with 85.7% of the samples exceeding the maximum Pb EU limit and MOE values of 626 (nephrotoxic effects) and 1,490 (cardiotoxic effects). Regular daily consumption of corn flour makes a low (< 10%) contribution to the Cd TDI. In conclusion, the Pb exposure from the consumption of cereals and derivatives could have toxic effects such as nephrotoxicity or cardiotoxicity in adults. The results highlight the need to set up monitoring and surveillance programs for the safety of cereals and their derivatives in Madeira and the Azores in terms of lead and cadmium.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Differences in macroelements, trace elements and toxic metals between wild and captive-reared greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) from the Mediterranean Sea

Despite its legislative regulation and control, the quality and safety of aquatic products is somewhat questioned due to the potential bioaccumulation of pollutants. The elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V and Zn) were determined in the liver and muscle of wild and captive-reared Seriola dumerili with the aim of studying possible differences between origins, and sex-related variations. Additionally, the dietary intake of these elements derived from its consumption was also evaluated. Most of the elements and metals analyzed were accumulated to a higher extent in the liver of wild specimens whereas lower differences were observed in the muscle. Overall, the elements and metal composition of wild females strongly differed from that of captive-reared specimens probably related to the mobilization of nutrients for the spawning season in wild mature females, which were greater than their captive-reared counterparts

Calidad de vida en portadores de enfermedad falciforme

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease attending a blood reference center, and to assess the quality of life of their relatives. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that included 100 patients with sickle cell disease, which were divided into three subgroups according to age: 5 to 7 (n=18), 8 to 12 (n=32), and 13 to 18 years-old (n=50), and their parents. The Control Group included 50 healthy children and adolescents from a public local school, also divided into the same three age subgroups and their caregivers. The Pediatric Quality of life Inventory (PedsQL), version 4.0, was applied in both groups. The generic questionnaire Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was applied to the relatives. The answers were linearly transformed into a score and compared by non-parametric tests. RESULTS: The PedsQL scores of patients were significantly lower than those obtained in the Control Group (p<0.0001) in all studied areas (physical, emotional, social skills, and school activities). Similarly, SF-36 scores applied to the patients' parents were lower than those obtained in the Control Group in all studied aspects (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Sickle cell disease affects the quality of life of children, adolescents, and their families. Patients sense restrictions in the emotional, social, family and physical aspects, among others.OBJETIVO: Evaluar la calidad de vida relacionada a la salud en niños y adolescentes con enfermedad falciforme asistidas en un servicio de hemoterapia de referencia y medir la calidad de vida relacionada a la salud de los respectivos familiares. MÉTODOS: Estudio transversal y seccional en 100 pacientes portadores de enfermedad falciforme, divididos en tres subgrupos conforme a la franja de edad: de 5 a 7 (n=18), de 8 a 12 (n=32) y de 13 a 18 (n=50) años con sus respectivos padres. El Grupo Control fue compuesto por 50 niños y adolescentes sanos de una escuela pública local, también divididos en los mismos tres subgrupos de edad y sus respectivos cuidadores. Se aplicó el cuestionario genérico «Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory» (PedsQL), versión 4.0, a ambos grupos. A los familiares se aplicó el cuestionario genérico Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Las respuestas obtenidas fueron linealmente transformadas en un escore y comparadas con la ayuda de pruebas no paramétricas. RESULTADOS: Los escores de los pacientes en el PedsQL fueron inferiores a aquellos del Grupo Control (p<0,0001) en los aspectos estudiados (capacidades física, emocional, social y actividad escolar). Del mismo modo, los escores del SF-36 aplicados a los padres de los pacientes fueron más bajos que los de padres del Grupo Control en todos los aspectos estudiados (p<0,0001). CONCLUSIONES: La enfermedad falciforme compromete la calidad de vida de los niños, de los adolescentes y de sus respectivas familias. Los pacientes perciben restricciones en los aspectos emocional, social, familiar y físico, entre otros.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde de crianças e adolescentes com doença falciforme assistidas em um hemocentro de referência e mensurar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde dos respectivos familiares. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal e seccional com 100 pacientes portadores de doença falciforme, divididos em três subgrupos conforme a faixa etária: de 5 a 7 (n=18), de 8 a 12 (n=32) e de 13 a 18 anos (n=50) e com seus respectivos pais. O Grupo Controle foi composto por 50 crianças e adolescentes saudáveis de uma escola pública local, também divididos nos três subgrupos de idade e seus respectivos cuidadores. Foi aplicado o questionário genérico Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), versão 4.0, em ambos os grupos. Aos familiares foi aplicado o questionário genérico Medical Outcomes Study 36 - Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). As respostas obtidas foram linearmente transformadas em um escore e comparadas com o auxílio de testes não paramétricos. RESULTADOS: Os escores dos pacientes no PedsQL foram inferiores àqueles do Grupo Controle (p<0,0001) nos aspectos estudados (capacidades física, emocional, social e atividade escolar). Da mesma forma, os escores do SF-36 aplicados aos pais dos pacientes foram mais baixos que os de pais do Grupo Controle em todos os aspectos estudados (p<0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: A doença falciforme compromete a qualidade de vida das crianças, dos adolescentes e de suas respectivas famílias. Os pacientes percebem restrições nos aspectos emocional, social, familiar e físico, dentre outros.UNIFESPUNIFESP-EPM Departamento de PediatriaUNIFESP, EPM Depto. de PediatriaSciEL

Comportamiento de la actividad de lesiones de caries radicular frente a terapias no invasivas para adultos mayores autovalentes: estudio clínico controlado randomizado

66 p.Introducción: El aumento en la esperanza de vida de la población ha traído consigo nuevas problemáticas en la salud bucal de los adultos mayores. Junto a una mayor conservación de dientes se ha observado un aumento en la prevalencia e incidencia de caries radiculares. Si bien la evidencia indica que los productos con altas dosis de F- (5000 ppm) sirven para la prevención y tratamiento de estas lesiones, no hay estudios que evalúen como es el comportamiento de la actividad de RCLs en el tiempo tras utilizar estas terapias. Objetivos: Evaluar el patrón de inactivación de RCLs frente a terapias no invasivas y auto-administradas en base a dentífricos fluorurados convencionales y de alta concentración de flúor en adultos mayores autovalentes a los 0,1 y 2 años. Metodología: La población total se dividió aleatoriamente en un grupo control (1450 ppm) y un grupo experimental (5000 ppm) de asignación de dentífrico fluorurado. Se realizó una evaluación clínica de presencia y actividad de RCLs en los tiempos 0, 1 y 2 años de uso de la terapia no invasiva asignada. La población final analizada fue de 276 participantes. Los datos se clasificaron en 8 grupos según el patrón de inactivación que presentaban las lesiones. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de los datos, además de un análisis bivariado y una regresión logística ordinal para evaluar la actividad de RCLs en el tiempo. Todo lo anterior en el Software IBM SPSS Statistics versión 2009. Resultados: El grupo más prevalente según patrón de inactivación de RCLs activas al inicio del estudio fue el grupo 3 (A-I-I), es decir, se inactivaron al año y se mantuvieron inactivas a los 2 años con ambos tratamientos. Sin embargo, existe una diferencia significativa en la cantidad de lesiones que se inactivaron con las terapias de 5000 ppm y las de 1450ppm, siendo aproximadamente 3 veces mayor para los dentífricos con altas concentraciones de F-. Conclusión: Se observa que los dentífricos de alta concentración de F- inactivan una mayor cantidad de RCLs al año de tratamiento manteniéndose esta condición hasta los 2 años en comparación a los dentífricos convencionales, los cuales inactivan una baja cantidad de RCLs y no aseguran su inactividad en el tiempo. En estos resultados no se conservan diferencias significativas según las variables sociodemográficas. Palabras claves: Caries radicular, Actividad de caries radicular, Terapia no invasiva, Fluoruros; Dentífricos fluorurados; Adultos mayores

Content of macroelements, trace elements and toxic metals in commercial honeys

Introduction: Honey is the natural product produced by honey bees from the nectar of flowers. This sweet substance is consumed as a sweetener. The composition of honey is influenced by many factors, among which the environment is found. The increase of the environmental pollution and the capacity of bioaccumulation of metals in the honeys makes it necessary to determine the content of metals in this food. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the content of the elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg), essential and non-essential trace elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cr, Mn, Mo, Co, B, Ba, Ni, Sr, V, Li) and toxic metals (Al, Cd, Pb) to evaluate the nutritional contribution and the toxic risk Logic taking into account the recommended and maximum intake values, respectively. Material and methods: A total of 30 samples of commercial honeys acquired in large areas of the island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) have been analyzed through ICP OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry). Results and discussion: K (879 mg/kg wet weight) is the most important element. Whereas, of the trace elements, the level of B (3.56 mg/kg ph) and Mn (3.00 mg/kg p. h) is notable. The Al (2.96 mg/kg ph) is the toxic metal that stands out, followed by Pb (0.04 mg/kg ph) and Cd (0.003 mg/kg ph). The consumption of 25 g/day of these honeys would be a significant contribution of Mn (3.26% men, 4.17% women) as well as a contribution percentage of 2.92% of the TDI of Pb. Conclusion: The consumption of these honeys would not pose a risk to the health of the adults