Protein Oxidation in Foods: Mechanisms, Consequences, and Antioxidant Solutions

Protein oxidation in foods remains a topic of the utmost scientific interest [...

Estudio sobre la actividad física en adolescentes a través del uso de wearables

En este estudio se pretende valorar el grado de sedentarismo de un grupo de adolescentes a través de la implementación de unas pulseras digitales (también conocidas como wearables) que registran valores como números de pasos y horas de sueño diarios. La investigación se dividió en un estudio piloto con un grupo de alumnos/as de la Universidad de la Laguna, en el que se comprobaron posibles limitaciones y problemas del método planificado, y un estudio principal con un grupo de alumnos/as de 4º de la Educación Secundaria del I.E.S. Canarias Cabrera Pinto. En ambos casos se entregó un dispositivo por participante durante una semana y cada uno de ellos se encargó de registrar los datos obtenidos a través del dispositivo y de la aplicación móvil con la que se sincronizaban los datos con los teléfonos smartphone. Los resultados fueron comparados con los valores difundidos por la Organización Mundial de la Salud de tiempo de actividad física diaria recomendada para la salud y se encontraron valores medios bastante positivos, siendo tan sólo una pequeña parte de los/las participantes los situados por debajo de los valores mínimos. También se evaluó, dentro de la semana durante la cual fueron aplicados los wearables, cuál era el nivel de actividad física dentro del horario lectivo, tomando además el tiempo de desplazamiento de casa al centro. Dentro del horario lectivo se recogieron datos acerca de los pasos dados durante la jornada completa, durante los recreos y durante las clases de Educación Física. En estos apartados encontramos valores un tanto dispares, situándose la media en valores bastante positivos al compararlos proporcionalmente con la media diaria total.ABSTRACT. This study aims to assess the degree of sedentary lifestyle of a group of adolescents through the implementation of digital wristbands (also known as wearables) that record values such as number of steps and daily hours of sleep. The investigation was divided into a pilot study with a group of students from the University of La Laguna, in which possible limitations and problems of the planned method were verified, and a main study with a group of students of 4th grade of the Secondary Education of the IES Canarias Cabrera Pinto. In both cases, one device was delivered per participant for a week and each of them was responsible for recording the data obtained through the device and the mobile application with which the data was synchronized with the smartphone. The results were compared with the values disseminated by the World Health Organization of daily physical activity time recommended for health, and quite positive mean values were found, with only a small part of the participants being below the minimum values. It was also evaluated, within the week during which the wearables were applied, what was the level of physical activity within the school schedule, also taking the time from home to the center. During the school hours data was collected about the steps taken during the entire day, during breaks and during Physical Education classes. In these sections we find somewhat different values, with the average being in quite positive values when comparing them proportionally with the total daily average

Redox chemistry of the molecular interactions between tea catechins and human serum proteins under simulated hyperglycemic conditions

La carbonilación es una modificación irreversible de proteínas oxidadas que ha sido directamente relacionada con una serie de alteraciones de la salud incluida la diabetes tipo 2. Los antioxidantes dietéticos han sido propuestos para contrarrestar el estrés oxidativo que ocurre bajo condiciones de hiperglucemia. Una comprensión de la naturaleza y de las consecuencias de las interacciones moleculares entre los fitoquímicos y proteínas plasmáticas humanas es de sumo interés científico. Tres catequinas del té: epicatechin (CE), galato (CGE) y-3-galato de epigalocatequina (EGCG) fueron probados por (1) su afinidad para unirse a la albúmina sérica humana (ASH) y hemoglobina humana (HH) y (2) su capacidad para inhibir el triptófano (TRP), agotamiento y por la formación de Carbonilos proteicos y pentosidine específicos en las mencionadas proteínas. Ambas proteínas (20 mg mL-1) pudieron reaccionar con concentraciones plasmáticas postprandial de las catequinas (CE: 0,7 μM, CGE: 1,8 μM, y EGCG: 0,7 μM) bajo condiciones simuladas de hiperglucemia (12 mM/0,2 mM de glucosa Fe3 /37 °C/10 días). Las tres catequinas fueron capaces de inhibir la oxidación del PRT y la proteína carbonilación en ambas proteínas plasmáticas. Algunas propiedades de anti-glicación estaban unidas a sus afinidades vinculantes. Las interacciones moleculares reportadas en el presente estudio pueden explicar los supuestos efectos beneficiosos de las catequinas del té contra el deterioro redox vinculados a condiciones de hiperglucemia.Carbonylation is an irreversible modification in oxidized proteins that has been directly related to a number of health disorders including Type 2 diabetes. Dietary antioxidants have been proposed to counteract the oxidative stress occurring under hyperglycemic conditions. An understanding of the nature and consequences of the molecular interactions between phytochemicals and human plasma proteins is of utmost scientific interest. Three tea catechins namely epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) were tested for (i) their affinity to bind to human serum albumin (HSA) and human hemoglobin (HH) and (ii) their ability to inhibit tryptophan (Trp) depletion and for the formation of specific protein carbonyls and pentosidine in the aforementioned proteins. Both proteins (20 mg mL−1) were allowed to react with postprandial plasmatic concentrations of the catechins (EC: 0.7 μM, EGC: 1.8 μM, and EGCG: 0.7 μM) under simulated hyperglycemic conditions (12 mM glucose/0.2 mM Fe3+/37 °C/10 days). The three catechins were able to inhibit Trp oxidation and protein carbonylation in both plasma proteins. Some anti-glycation properties were linked to their binding affinities. The molecular interactions reported in the present study may explain the alleged beneficial effects of tea catechins against the redox impairment linked to hyperglycemic conditions.peerReviewe

How did the duration of Spain’s furlough schemes affect their efficacy?

This article assesses how effective Spain’s furlough schemes were from the start of the COVID-19 crisis in allowing the workers affected to return to work. On average between 2020 and 2021, the absolute probability of workers resuming their activity was high, although the shorter the furlough scheme, the higher the probability: almost 65% for workers who were furloughed for just one quarter, compared with slightly more than 26% for those who were furloughed for three quarters. When compared with workers of identical characteristics who were not furloughed but lost their jobs and became economically inactive or unemployed, the gap is positive, but it also narrows over time. In consequence, the results show that the furlough schemes – especially the shorter ones – were highly effective in the period analysed. However, the longer the furlough schemes lasted, the less effective they tended to be, especially for certain groups, such as younger workers, those with temporary contracts and workers in certain service activities

Freezing of meat and aquatic food : Underlying mechanisms and implications on protein oxidation

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Institute of Food Technologists®Over the recent decades,protein oxidation in muscle foods has gained increasing research interests as it is known that protein oxidation can affect eating quality and nutritional value of meat and aquatic products. Protein oxidation occurs during freezing/thawing and frozen storage of muscle foods, leading to irreversible physicochemical changes and impaired quality traits. Controlling oxidative damage to muscle foods during such technological processes requires a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of freezing-induced protein oxidation. This review focus on key physicochemical factors in freezing/thawing and frozen storage of muscle foods, such as formation of ice crystals, freeze concentrating and macromolecular crowding effect, instability of proteins at the ice–water interface, freezer burn, lipid oxidation, and so on. Possible relationships between these physicochemical factors and protein oxidation are thoroughly discussed. In addition, the occurrence of protein oxidation, the impact on eating quality and nutrition, and controlling methods are also briefly reviewed. This review will shed light on the complicated mechanism of protein oxidation in frozen muscle foods.Peer reviewe

Estudio de factibilidad para la creación del ¨¨ restaurante de la U¨¨ en el campus de la universidad de Pamplona

El desarrollo del proyecto Estudio de factibilidad para el montaje de un restaurante en el campus universitario de la Universidad de Pamplona, ha permitido determinar varios aspectos interesantes en el mercado de la alimentación y la nutrición, entre ellos posiblemente el mas destacable se refiere a la inconformidad de los estudiantes por la alimentación que se esta recibiendo, lo anterior permite presentar un estudio y hacer una propuesta de solución a esta situación. En la región existen las condiciones ideales para el establecimiento de este tipo de empresas ya que esta es una zona eminentemente agrícola, favorecida con la variedad de climas y con una demanda insatisfecha en lo referente al segmento estudiantil que alcanza el 60% de los estudiantes que adquieren la alimentación, además la zona cuanta con los recursos en su infraestructura permitiendo el desarrollo de las actividades de la empresa de manera satisfactoria y solvente. Posiblemente uno de los aspecto mas destacables dentro de la iniciativa de creación del restaurante es su viabilidad económica, lo cual muestra una rentabilidad global para los primeros 5 años de operación de 338%, y resistencia a condiciones adversas considerando 32 semanas de pleno funcionamiento y 14 semanas a un 10% de la demanda pretendida, además este proyecto presenta beneficios sociales en aspectos relacionados con la generación de empleo y la dinamización de la economía dados los volúmenes de alimentos que son necesarios y los diferentes bienes y servicios necesarios para prestar el servicio.El desarrollo del proyecto Estudio de factibilidad para el montaje de un restaurante en el campus universitario de la Universidad de Pamplona, ha permitido determinar varios aspectos interesantes en el mercado de la alimentación y la nutrición, entre ellos posiblemente el mas destacable se refiere a la inconformidad de los estudiantes por la alimentación que se esta recibiendo, lo anterior permite presentar un estudio y hacer una propuesta de solución a esta situación. En la región existen las condiciones ideales para el establecimiento de este tipo de empresas ya que esta es una zona eminentemente agrícola, favorecida con la variedad de climas y con una demanda insatisfecha en lo referente al segmento estudiantil que alcanza el 60% de los estudiantes que adquieren la alimentación, además la zona cuanta con los recursos en su infraestructura permitiendo el desarrollo de las actividades de la empresa de manera satisfactoria y solvente. Posiblemente uno de los aspecto mas destacables dentro de la iniciativa de creación del restaurante es su viabilidad económica, lo cual muestra una rentabilidad global para los primeros 5 años de operación de 338%, y resistencia a condiciones adversas considerando 32 semanas de pleno funcionamiento y 14 semanas a un 10% de la demanda pretendida, además este proyecto presenta beneficios sociales en aspectos relacionados con la generación de empleo y la dinamización de la economía dados los volúmenes de alimentos que son necesarios y los diferentes bienes y servicios necesarios para prestar el servicio

Meat lipids, NaCl and carnitine : do they unveil the conundrum of the association between red and processed meat intake and cardiovascular diseases? : Invited review

The assessment of the actual contribution of red or processed meat to increasing the risk of suffering cardiovascular diseases (CVD) requires identification of specific harmful components and their underlying pathological mechanisms. In regards to CVD, meat lipids and their oxidation products have been recurrently studied due to their implications on lipid metabolism, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and risk of suffering vascular events such as stroke. The impact of excess NaCl intake on increasing blood pressure is well-established and processed meat products have been recognized as a major contributor to dietary sodium in developed countries. Recent evidence has also suggested carnitine from red meat, as a precursor for trimethylamine-N-oxide, which has been shown to cause atherosclerosis, may increase the risk of suffering CVD in experimental animals. The present review aims to provide an updated overview, including evidence, controversies and unresolved questions on both the epidemiology and mechanisms relating red and processed meat consumption to CVD

Effectiveness of Sprayed Bioactive Fruit Extracts in Counteracting Protein Oxidation in Lamb Cutlets Subjected to a High-Oxygen MAP

High-oxygen packaging atmosphere (High-Ox-MAP) promotes meat protein oxidation and leads to texture deterioration. This study was conceived to assess the extent to which sprayed fruit extracts could inhibit the oxidative damage to proteins in lamb cutlets subjected to High-Ox-MAP (10 days/4 °C) and subsequent roasting (10 min/180 °C). Extracts from oaknut (Quercus ilex subsp. ballota; QI), rose hips (Rosa canina L.; RC), common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna Jacq.; CM) and strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo L.; AU) were characterized for bioactive compounds (phenolic subclasses, tocopherols and ascorbic acid) and in vitro bioactivities. While the four fruits showed relevant antioxidant potential, CM had the highest phenolics and tocopherol content and that was reflected in efficient antiradical activity. The in vitro activity of this fruit to inhibit meat protein oxidation was, however, lower than that displayed by the other fruits. Taking the results altogether, CM was also found to be most efficient in protecting lamb cutlets from lipid oxidation. All fruits were able to inhibit thiols oxidation except RC, which seemed to reduce protein thiols. Among fruits, QI was the most efficient in protecting lamb cutlets against protein carbonylation as a plausible involvement of ellagitannins. The inhibition of protein oxidation by QI was reflected in significantly lower instrumental hardness in cooked lamb cutlets. Spraying lamb cutlets with extracts from QI, RC and CM improved consumers’ purchase intention after chilled storage. This antioxidant strategy seems to be a feasible and efficient solution to the pro-oxidative effects caused by High-Ox-MAP in red meat.EEA Santiago del EsteroFil: Morcuende, David. University of Extremadura. Food Technology. IPROCAR Research Institute; EspañaFil: Vallejo Torres, Christian. Technical State University of Quevedo. Food Engineering School; EcuadorFil: Ventanas, Sonia. University of Extremadura. Food Technology. IPROCAR Research Institute; EspañaFil: Martinez, Sandra L. Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Laboratorio de Calidad de la Carne; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz, Silvana Cecilia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Santiago del Estero; ArgentinaFil: Estévez, Mario. University of Extremadura. Food Technology. IPROCAR Research Institute; Españ

Increased markers of cardiac vagal activity in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2-associated Parkinson's disease.

PurposeCardiac autonomic dysfunction manifests as reduced heart rate variability (HRV) in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD), but no significant reduction has been found in PD patients who carry the LRRK2 mutation. Novel HRV features have not been investigated in these individuals. We aimed to assess cardiac autonomic modulation through standard and novel approaches to HRV analysis in individuals who carry the LRRK2 G2019S mutation.MethodsShort-term electrocardiograms were recorded in 14 LRRK2-associated PD patients, 25 LRRK2-non-manifesting carriers, 32 related non-carriers, 20 idiopathic PD patients, and 27 healthy controls. HRV measures were compared using regression modeling, controlling for age, sex, mean heart rate, and disease duration. Discriminant analysis highlighted the feature combination that best distinguished LRRK2-associated PD from controls.ResultsBeat-to-beat and global HRV measures were significantly increased in LRRK2-associated PD patients compared with controls (e.g., deceleration capacity of heart rate: p = 0.006) and idiopathic PD patients (e.g., 8th standardized moment of the interbeat interval distribution: p = 0.0003), respectively. LRRK2-associated PD patients also showed significantly increased irregularity of heart rate dynamics, as quantified by Rényi entropy, when compared with controls (p = 0.002) and idiopathic PD patients (p = 0.0004). Ordinal pattern statistics permitted the identification of LRRK2-associated PD individuals with 93% sensitivity and 93% specificity. Consistent results were found in a subgroup of LRRK2-non-manifesting carriers when compared with controls.ConclusionsIncreased beat-to-beat HRV in LRRK2 G2019S mutation carriers compared with controls and idiopathic PD patients may indicate augmented cardiac autonomic cholinergic activity, suggesting early impairment of central vagal feedback loops in LRRK2-associated PD