274 research outputs found

    Neuroprotective Effects of Bioavailable Polyphenol-Derived Metabolites against Oxidative Stress-Induced Cytotoxicity in Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cells

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    Oxidative stress is involved in cell death in neurodegenerative diseases. Dietary polyphenols can exert health benefits, but their direct effects on neuronal cells are debatable because most phenolics are metabolized and do not reach the brain as they occur in the dietary sources. Herein, we evaluate the effects of a panel of bioavailable polyphenols and derived metabolites at physiologically relevant conditions against H2O2-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Among the 19 metabolites tested, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and urolithins prevented neuronal apoptosis via attenuation of ROS levels, increased REDOX activity, and decreased oxidative stress-induced apoptosis by preventing the caspase-3 activation via the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in SH-SY5Y cells. This suggests that dietary sources containing the polyphenol precursors of these molecules such as cocoa, berries, walnuts, and tea could be potential functional foods to reduce oxidative stress associated with the onset and progress of neurodegenerative diseases.This work was funded by Projects CICYT AGL2011-22447, AGL2015-64124-R (MINECO, Spain), 201370E068 (CSIC, Spain), and BACCHUS (FP7-KBBE-2012-6-single stage, European Commission Grant Agreement 312090). A.G.-S. and M.A.N.-S. are holders of a “Juan de la Cierva” contract and an FPI grant, respectively, from MINECO.Peer reviewe

    Active Teaching Methodologies Improve Cognitive Performance and Attention-Concentration in University Students

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    The scientific literature shows a beneficial association between active methodologies and cognitive variables in university students. The purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between active methodologies in Physical Education and attention and concentration in a group of university students A total of forty-four undergraduate students from Pontifical University of Comillas of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, participated in the present investigation (age: 20.48 +/- 1.37 years; height: 170.77 +/- 9.11 cm; weight: 68.84 +/- 8.29 kg; body mass index: 23.51 +/- 1.54). A D2 attention test was used to analyse their selective attention and concentration. Active methodologies were used to improve the students' physical fitness, reflected in their VO2max, which was evaluated using an incremental cycloergometer test. A correlation analysis performed between the active methodologies used to improve physical fitness measures and the D2 test revealed a negative moderate correlation between HRmax and TR, TA and TR- (r = -0.30, p = 0.04; r = -0.38, p = 0.01; and r = -0.35, p = 0.02, respectively), and a positive moderate correlation between HRmax and C (r = -0.32, p = 0.03). Finally, a negative moderate correlation was found between VT and C (r = -0.48, p = 0.001). This correlation analysis was reinforced by the results of a regression analysis. In summary, the present research revealed that university students with better aerobic fitness, achieved through active methodologies and reflected in VT and higher HRmax, obtained better values in TA, TR and C. University students should be encouraged to engage in regular physical activity through active methodologies that tend to increase physical fitness

    On the use of British standard 7910 option 1 failure assessment diagram to non-metallic materials

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    This paper provides a structural integrity assessment methodology for the analysis of non-metallic materials. The approach uses the British standard 7910 option 1 failure assessment diagram, originally proposed for the fracture-plastic collapse assessment of metallic materials. The methodology has been applied to 60 fracture specimens, combining 12 different materials and covering polymers, composites, and rocks. The results obtained validate the proposed assessment methodology and demonstrate its safety for the materials analysed here.The authors of this work would like to express their gratitude to the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness for the financial support of the Project MAT2014-58443-P: “Análisis del comportamiento en fractura de componentes estructurales con defectos en condiciones debajo confinamiento tensional”, on the results of which this paper is based

    Habitat selection and diet of Western Capercaillie

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    P. 260-272Ecological features and conservation requirements of populations at the latitudinal limits of a species’ geographical range frequently differ from those in other parts of the range. Identifying such differences is key to implementing effective conservation strategies for threatened range-edge populations especially, in the context of rapid global warming, at the lower-latitude range edge. We studied habitat selection and diet of the endangered Cantabrian Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus cantabricus in a recently discovered population at the southernmost edge of the sub-species’ range. This is the only Western Capercaillie population in the Mediterranean biogeographical region. We combined non-systematic surveys based on questionnaires, reports and field sampling with data from radiotracking to assess habitat selection. Diet was surveyed by micro-histological methods from droppings collected in the new population, which inhabits Pyrenean Oak Quercus pyrenaica forests and Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris plantations, and in two Cantabrian populations inhabiting Eurosiberian forests. Capercaillie preferred large (> 500 ha) and medium-sized (100–500 ha) Pyrenean Oak forest fragments and large Scots Pine plantations. Forest fragments smaller than 100 ha and non-forested habitats were always avoided. Diet differed markedly between Mediterranean and Eurosiberian populations. Bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus is common in the diet of most Capercaillie populations but was scarce in the study area and so was rare in the diet of the new population. Instead, Rockrose Halimium lasianthum was described for the first time as a major food resource for the Capercaillie and was consumed in autumn and winter. Pine needles were also heavily consumed in winter. We document for the first time the strong preference of Capercaillie for Pyrenean Oak forests and a moderately high consumption of the leaves, buds and acorns of this tree species throughout the year. Habitat selection and diet of this Mediterranean population differ from those of the core Cantabrian and other populations. Our results suggest a wider environmental tolerance (phenotypic plasticity) in the species than previously recognized. We advocate specific protection for this unique range-edge Capercaillie population and its Pyrenean Oak forest habitatS

    Uso de la opción 1 del diagrama de fallo propuesto por la British Standard 7910 en materiales poliméricos y compuestos

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    En este artículo se establece una metodología para realizar evaluaciones de integridad estructural de materiales poliméricos y compuestos. El planteamiento se basa en el uso de la Opción 1 del Diagrama de Fallo (FAD) recogido en la British Standard 7910, originalmente propuesto para el análisis de la fractura -colapso plástico de materiales metálicos. La metodología se ha aplicado a 33 probetas de fractura, combinando 7 materiales diferentes, integrando polímeros y materiales compuestos. Los resultados obtenidos validan la metodología de evaluación propuesta y demuestran que es segura para los materiales analizados

    Deo optimo maximo, uni Trinoque. Totius Trinitatis Templo ... Aeterni Verbi Adverbio, Angelico Doctori D. Thomae Aquinati ... hac Orcelitana Universitate, colectos flosculos ...

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    Cartel anunciador de la disertaciónCopia digital. Madrid : Ministerio de Educación, Cultura y Deporte. Subdirección General de Coordinación Bibliotecaria, 2016Fecha en tít. : 1780Texto enmarcado en grab. calc.Grab. calc. de águila bicéfala:"D. Joachimus Rodriguez de Munera, Inventor. Alagarda d. et sculp. Oriolae. P.C. Tip.

    Systemic lupus erythematosus in northwestern Spain: a 20-year epidemiologic study

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    To further investigate the epidemiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in southern Europe, we assessed the incidence, prevalence, clinical spectrum of the disease, flares, and survival of patients diagnosed with SLE in the Lugo region of northwestern Spain. Between January 1987 and December 2006, 150 Lugo residents were diagnosed as having SLE according to the 1982 American College of Rheumatology criteria for the classification of SLE. Women outnumbered men (127 [84.7%] vs. 23 [15.3%]). The mean age at the time of disease diagnosis was 46.1 ± 19.6 years. The mean follow-up from the time of disease diagnosis was 7.8 ± 4.5 years. The age- and sex-adjusted annual incidence rate over the 20-year study period was 3.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.0-4.2) per 100,000 population aged 15 years and older. The overall annual incidence rate over the 20-year study period in women (5.9/100,000 population aged ≥15 yr; 95% CI, 4.9-7.0) was higher than in men (1.1/100,000 population aged ≥15 yr; 95% CI, 0.7-1.7) (p < 0.001). By December 31, 2006, the overall age-adjusted SLE prevalence in the Lugo region for patients who fulfilled at least 4 of 1982 American College of Rheumatology criteria was 17.5 per 100,000 population aged 15 years and older (95% CI, 12.6-24.1). Prevalence in women (29.2/100,000 population aged ≥15 yr; 95% CI, 20.0-40.7) was higher than in men (5.8/100,000 population aged ≥15 yr; 95% CI, 2.0-12.0). The most frequent clinical manifestation was arthritis. As reported in population-based studies on SLE patients of European descent, renal disease was observed in only 27.3% of the patients. The rate of flares was 0.084/year. A younger age and the presence of nephritis at the time of disease diagnosis were associated with the development of flares during the follow-up of Lugo patients. Compared with the general population the probability of survival in patients with SLE was significantly reduced (p = 0.04). In conclusion, the present study establishes a baseline estimate of the incidence and clinical spectrum of SLE in northwestern Spain. According to our results, the incidence of SLE in northwestern Spain is slightly higher than that reported in most European regions. Patients with SLE from northwestern Spain have a later average age onset and a lower frequency of nephritis than in the African-American population. However, our data show a reduced probability of survival in Spanish patients with SLE

    Mild hypophosphatasia may be twice as prevalent as previously estimated: an effective clinical algorithm to detect undiagnosed cases

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    Objectives: Since the prevalence of hypophosphatasia (HPP), a rare genetic disease, seems to be underestimated in clinical practice, in this study, a new diagnostic algorithm to identify missed cases of HPP was developed and implemented. Methods: Analytical determinations recorded in the Clinical Analysis Unit of the Hospital Universitario Clínico San Cecilio in the period June 2018 – December 2020 were reviewed. A new clinical algorithm to detect HPP-misdiagnosed cases was used including the following steps: confirmation of persistent hypophosphatasemia, exclusion of secondary causes of hypophosphatasemia, determination of serum pyridoxal- 5′-phosphate (PLP) and genetic study of ALPL gene. Results: Twenty-four subjects were selected to participate in the study and genetic testing was carried out in 20 of them following clinical algorithm criteria. Eighty percent of patients was misdiagnosed with HPP following the current standard clinical practice. Extrapolating these results to the current Spanish population means that there could be up to 27,177 cases of undiagnosed HPP in Spain. In addition, we found a substantial proportion of HPP patients affected by other comorbidities, such as autoimmune diseases (∼40 %). Conclusions: This new algorithm was effective in detecting previously undiagnosed cases ofHPP, which appears to be twice as prevalent as previously estimated for the European population. In the near future, our algorithm could be globally applied routinely in clinical practice to minimize the underdiagnosis of HPP. Additionally, some relevant findings, such as the high prevalence of autoimmune diseases in HPP-affected patients, should be investigated to better characterize this disorder.Instituto de Salud Carlos III grants PI21-01069 co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) and by Junta de Andalucía grant PI-0268-2019Operational Programme for Youth Employment of the Junta de Andalucía with Ref: POEJ_04/2022-12Instituto de Salud Carlos III with co-funding by FEDER (CD20/00022)(FI19/00118 and CM21/00221) from Instituto de Salud CarlosPostdoctoral fellowship from the Junta de Andalucía (RH-0141-2020

    Audiovestibular manifestations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

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    Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin affecting up to 1% of the population. Little is known about audiovestibular impairment in patients with AS, especially the presence of cochleovestibular dysfunction in these patients. To investigate audiovestibular manifestations in AS, we studied a series of 50 consecutive patients who fulfilled the modified New York diagnostic criteria for AS and 44 matched controls. Individuals with history of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular complications, peripheral artery disease, renal insufficiency, syphilis, Meniere and other vestibular syndromes, infections involving the inner ear, barotrauma, or in treatment with ototoxic drugs were excluded. Most patients with AS were men (80%). The mean age at the time of study was 52.5 years, and mean age at the onset of symptoms was 34.4 years. Twenty-nine (58%) patients showed abnormal hearing loss in the audiogram compared to only 8 (18%) controls (p < 0.001). Values of audiometric tests (pure-tone average and speech reception threshold) yielded significant differences between patients and controls (p < 0.001). It is noteworthy that the audiogram shape disclosed a predominant pattern of high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss in AS patients (50%) compared to controls (18%) (p = 0.002). Also, AS patients exhibited abnormal vestibular tests more commonly than controls. AS patients had an increased frequency of head-shaking nystagmus (20%) compared to controls (0%) (p < 0.001). Moreover, patients (26%) showed a significantly increased frequency of abnormal caloric test compared to controls (0%) (p < 0.001). Finally, a significantly increased frequency of abnormal clinical test of sensory integration and balance with a predominant vestibular loss pattern was observed in patients (36%) compared to controls (5%) (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the current study demonstrates strong evidence for inner ear compromise in patients with AS
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