Wood inspired biobased nanocomposite films composed of xylans, lignosulfonates and cellulose nanofibers for active food packaging.

The growing concerns on environmental pollution and sustainability have raised the interest on the development of functional biobased materials for different applications, including food packaging, as an alternative to the fossil resources-based counterparts, currently available in the market. In this work, functional wood inspired biopolymeric nanocomposite films were prepared by solvent casting of suspensions containing commercial beechwood xylans, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and lignosulfonates (magnesium or sodium), in a proportion of 2:5:3 wt%, respectively. All films presented good homogeneity, translucency, and thermal stability up to 153 °C. The incorporation of CNF into the xylan/lignosulfonates matrix provided good mechanical properties to the films (Young's modulus between 1.08 and 3.79 GPa and tensile strength between 12.75 and 14.02 MPa). The presence of lignosulfonates imparted the films with antioxidant capacity (DPPH radical scavenging activity from 71.6 to 82.4 %) and UV barrier properties (transmittance ≤19.1 % (200-400 nm)). Moreover, the films obtained are able to successfully delay the browning of packaged fruit stored over 7 days at 4 °C. Overall, the obtained results show the potential of using low-cost and eco-friendly resources for the development of sustainable active food packaging materials.

Currículo opcional: diversidad y desafíos a la formación pregraduada / 'Elective': enhancing heterogeneity and challenges to pregraduate curriculum

Introducción: La unidad curricular opcional proporciona al estudiante la oportunidad de profundizar en un área clínica de libre elección o en una realidad asistencial diferente, promoviendo un currículo personalizado. Sujetos y métodos: Estudio descriptivo de los intercambios clínicos en el período 2012-2017 del último año de licenciatura y comparativa entre nacionales e internacionales. Al finalizar el intercambio, el estudiante responde a un formulario onlineque incluye múltiples variables: demográficas, de proceso y de resultados, cuyo análisis es el objetivo de este estudio. Resultados: Un total de 253 intercambios realizados por 154 estudiantes, siendo un 55% mujeres, con una edad media de 28 años. Más de la mitad (59%) optaron por destinos internacionales, destacando Reino Unido (8,3%) y Brasil (7,5%), y apenas un 11% permaneció en la región. Los centros de destino fueron mayoritariamente hospitales terciarios, desarrollando actividades clínico-observacionales (66%), y hasta un 47% en áreas no abordadas en el currículo oficial. Las especialidades más solicitadas globalmente fueron salud internacional y medicina tropical (15%), anestesia (8,3%) y pediatría (8%). La planificación y los costes son asumidos por el estudiante, con apoyos externos prácticamente inexistentes. La autoevaluación final fue de 4,46 puntos (sobre 5) y el 99% lo recomendaba a sus colegas. Conclusiones: Individualmente, la unidad curricular opcionalpermite al estudiante probar sus competencias y su capacidad de adaptación a otras realidades asistenciales y sociales, confrontándolo con potenciales elecciones profesionales

Introduction: 'Elective' is an opportunity to deepen clinical competences and/or work in a different assistance reality and promotes personal curriculum. Subjects and methods: A descriptive analysis of the elective internships carried from 2012 to 2017 at the last year of course and compare international and national ones. The students complete an online survey regarding the activities which include demographic, development and outcomes variables. Results: 253 clinical internships carried out by 154 medical students with a mean age of 28 years and 55% were women. The majority (59%) chosen to carry out international internship, particularly United Kingdom (8.3%) and Brazil (7.5%), and only 11% stayed in Algarve region. Half of the internships were carried out in tertiary hospitals being observational-practical (66%). Until half of students (47%) chose medical specialties not included in official curriculum being preference areas: international health (15%) and anesthesiology (8.3%). The majority of internships (66%) were observational-practical. The students are responsible for all the necessary arrangements, being external financial support practically no existent). The final internship rank student was 4.46, on a scale of 0-5, and 99% would recommend the experience to their colleagues. Conclusions: The 'elective' aims to promote students ability to adapt a new professional and social realities, test their competences and sometimes confront themselves with their potential future professional choice