Lauroylated, Acetylated, and Succinylated Agave tequilana Fructans Fractions: Structural Characterization, Prebiotic, Antibacterial Activity and Their Effect on Lactobacillus paracasei under Gastrointestinal Conditions.

The effect of chemical modification of fractions of native agave fructans (NAF), high performance (HPAF), and a high degree of polymerization (HDPAF) by lauroylation, acetylation, and succinylation reactions on their prebiotic activity, antibacterial properties were evaluated and survival of L. paracasei in a simulated gastrointestinal system. The characterization of the reactions was confirmed by NMR and FTIR. The lauroylated and succinylated fructan fractions showed higher antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus than the unmodified ones. Analyses with L. paracasei showed that the acetylated fructan fractions had a greater prebiotic effect, and simulated gastrointestinal tests demonstrated that the acetylated and succinylated fractions favored the survival of L. paracasei during the gastrointestinal phase. The effect of modifying the agave fructans fractions on the evaluated properties depended on the structure, size, and polarity of each incorporated functional group, as well as the degree of polymerization and substitution of each fraction. These results show that the chemical modification of the fructan fractions analyzed improves their functional properties, offering an alternative in the food and pharmaceutical industry.

Antimicrobial efficiency of chlorine dioxide and its potential use as anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent: mechanisms of action and interactions with gut microbiota.

Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is a disinfectant gas with strong antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Applied on hard, non-porous surfaces as an aqueous solution or gas, the ClO2 exerts antimicrobial activity through its interaction and destabilization of cell membrane proteins, as well as through DNA/RNA oxidation, triggering cell death. As for viruses, the ClO2 promotes protein denaturalization mechanisms, preventing the union between the human cells and the viral envelope. Currently, ClO2 has been pointed out as a potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 clinical treatment for use in humans with the ability to oxidize the cysteine residues in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, inhibiting the subsequent binding with the Angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 receptor, located in the alveolar cells. Orally administered ClO2 reaches the gut tract and exacerbates the symptoms of COVID-19, generating a dysbiosis with gut inflammation and diarrhea as side effects, and once absorbed, produces toxic effects including methemoglobinemia and hemoglobinuria, which can trigger respiratory diseases. These effects are dose-dependent and may not be entirely consistent between individuals since the gut microbiota composition is highly heterogeneous. However, to support the use of ClO2 as an anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent, further studies focused on its effectiveness and safety both in healthy and immunocompromised individuals, are needed.

Nutraceutical potential, and antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Quararibea funebris flowers.

The flowers of Quararibea funebris tree are an important component of tejate, a traditional Mexican beverage. The flowers exhibited a high concentration of total polyphenolic compounds, total carotenoids, and vitamin C. UPLC analysis revealed the presence of salicylic acid, kaemferol-3-O-glucoside, trans-cinnamic acid, rutin, scopoletin, l-phenylalanine, 4-coumaric acid and quercetin-3-glucoside, among others metabolites. The flowers exhibited volatile compounds as isolongifolene, α-cedrene, 2,5,5-trimethyl-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-2,4a-ethanonaphthalene, while that linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and linolenic acid were the major fatty acids present in the oil extract. Magnesium, potassium, and calcium were the minerals most abundant in the flowers. In addition the methanolic extract of the flowers exhibited antimicrobial properties against the tested pathogenic microbial strains. In conclusion, these results showed that the Q. funebris flowers not only have an aromatic and flavoring power for the Tejate beverage, but also contains compounds with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and nutraceutical potential, which helps to explain its therapeutic uses.

Active Compounds in Zingiber officinale as Possible Redox Inhibitors of 5-Lipoxygenase Using an In Silico Approach.

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) converts arachidonic acid to lipidic inflammatory mediators such as leukotrienes (LTs). In diseases such as asthma, LTs contribute to a physiopathology that could be reverted by blocking 5-LOX. Natural products with anti-inflammatory potential such as ginger have been used as nutraceuticals since ancient times. 6-Gingerol and 6-shogaol are the most abundant compounds in the ginger rhizome; they possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chemopreventive properties. In the present study, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol structures were analyzed and compared with two commercial 5-LOX inhibitors (zileuton and atreleuton) and with other inhibitor candidates (3f, NDGA, CP 209, caffeic acid, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE)). The pharmacokinetics and toxicological properties of 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, and the other compounds were evaluated. Targeted molecular coupling was performed to identify the optimal catalytic pocket for 5-LOX inhibition. The results showed that 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol follow all of the recommended pharmacokinetic parameters. These compounds could be inhibitors of 5-LOX because they present specific interactions with the residues involved in molecular inhibition. The current study demonstrated the potential of 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol as anti-inflammatory agents that inhibit 5-LOX, as they present a high level of performance in the toxicological analysis and could be catabolized by the cytochrome p450 enzymatic complex; however, 6-gingerol was superior in safety compared to 6-shogaol.

Dietary encapsulated Bifidobacterium animalis and Agave fructans improve growth performance, health parameters, and immune response in broiler chickens.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Bifidobacterium animalis, Agave fructans, and symbiotic of both encapsulated on growth performance, feed efficiency, blood parameters, and immune status in broiler chickens, and to compare these with diets including antibiotic growth promoters and without additives. METHODS: A comparative experimental study was carried out with 135 male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Each trial was divided into 5 equal groups. Control group (CON) received a standard diet without growth promoter; GPA, a standard diet with colistin sulfate and zinc bacitracin (0.25 g/kg of feed); PRE, a standard diet with 1% Agave fructans; PRO, a standard diet with Bifidobacterium animalis (11.14±0.70 log CFU/g); SYM, a standard diet with B. animalis and Agave fructans. RESULTS: A significant decrease in food consumption was found for the GPA, PRE, and SYM, compared to the CON group. The results show a better feed conversion index in PRE and GPA with respect to the CON group with the highest conversion index. Interestingly, the weight of the gastrointestinal tract shows a statistically significant difference between GPA and PRE groups. Moreover, the length of the gastrointestinal tract of the GPA group was less than the PRE group. In the total leukocyte count, there was a statistically significant increase in the GPA group compared to the CON, PRE, and PRO groups, and the heterophiles-lymphocytes index was lower in PRO. Regarding the cytokines, interleukin 10 (IL-10) decreased in PRO compared to CON and PRE, while IL-1ß increased in the SYM group. CONCLUSION: Alternative treatments were shown to achieve similar productive results as growth-promoting antibiotics and showed improvement over diet without additives; however, they have immunomodulatory properties and improved the development of the gastrointestinal tract compared to the treatment of growth-promoting antibiotics.

Cocoa Nanoparticles to Improve the Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Whey Protein-Based Films to Extend the Shelf Life of Muffins.

A novel nanocomposite whey protein-based film with nanoemulsified cocoa liquor (CL) was prepared using one-stage microfluidization to evaluate the emulsion properties and the effect of CL on the film properties by response surface methodology (RSM). The results indicated that the number of cycles by microfluidization had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the particle size and polydispersity of the nanoemulsion, with a polyphenol retention of approximately 83%. CL decreased the solubility (<21.87%) and water vapor permeability (WVP) (<1.57 g mm h-1 m-2 kPa-1) of the film. FTIR analysis indicated that CL modified the secondary protein structure of the whey protein and decreased the mechanical properties of the film. These results demonstrate that applying the film as a coating is feasible and effective to improve the shelf life of bakery products with a high moisture content. This nanocomposite film is easy to produce and has potential applications in the food industry.

Effective microencapsulation of Enterococcus faecium in biopolymeric matrices using spray drying.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of whey protein concentrate (WPC), native agave fructans (NAF), and their mixture (WPC-NAF, 1:1 w/w) as wall materials and evaluate the physicochemical properties and stability of encapsulated Enterococcus faecium during the spray drying, storage, and passage through the simulated gastrointestinal tests. The encapsulated microorganisms with WPC-NAF by spray drying showed greater viability (9.26 log CFU/g) and a higher microencapsulation yield (88.43%). They also had a smaller reduction in the cell count (0.61 log cycles), while the microcapsules produced with NAF had the greatest reduction in viability during the simulated gastrointestinal tests. Similarly, probiotics encapsulated with WPC-NAF revealed a higher survival rate (> 8 log CFU/g) when stored at a water activity of 0.328. The thermal analysis showed that the addition of NAF to the WPC produced a slight shift in the Tg towards temperatures higher than that shown by NAF. Therefore, this study provides evidence that the spray drying process was appropriate to encapsulate the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium and that the mixture WPC-NAF protected it from adverse drying conditions and improved the viability of Enterococcus faecium during storage and simulated gastrointestinal tests, demonstrating that the combination of NAF and WPC as encapsulating material is adequate in the production of more stable microcapsules with potential application in various foods.Key Points• E. faecium was successfully encapsulated in WPC and NAF.• WPC-NAF offered protection to E. faecium in the gastrointestinal tests and during storage.• Aw around 0.328 positively influenced the viability of the microorganism during storage. Graphical abstract.

Predictors of Changes in Alcohol Craving Levels during a Virtual Reality Cue Exposure Treatment among Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Determining the predictive variables associated with levels of alcohol craving can ease the identification of patients who can benefit from treatments. This study aimed to describe changes (improvement or no change/deterioration) in alcohol craving levels and explore the predictors of these changes from admission to discharge in outpatients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) undergoing treatment-as-usual (TAU), or treatment-as-usual supplemented with virtual reality cue-exposure therapy (TAU + VR-CET). METHOD: A prospective cohort study was conducted amongst 42 outpatients with AUD (n = 15 TAU + VR-CET and n = 27 TAU) from a clinical setting. Changes in the levels of alcohol craving between admission and discharge were assessed with the Multidimensional Alcohol Craving Scale. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, education, and socioeconomic and civil status), cognitive-affective behavioral patterns (AUD severity, abstinence duration, psychiatric comorbidity, state anxiety, attentional bias, and substance use), and type of treatment (TAU + VR-CET and only TAU) were also evaluated. RESULTS: The TAU + VR-CET group showed greater changes of improvement in the levels of alcohol craving than the TAU group (χ2 = 10.996; p = 0.001). Intragroup changes in alcohol craving from pre to post-treatment were significant in the TAU + VR-CET group (χ2 = 13.818; p = 0.003) but not within the TAU group (χ2 = 2.349; p = 0.503). The odds of an improvement in any of the craving levels between pre- and post-test was 18.18 (1/0.055) times higher in the TAU + VR-CET group with respect to the TAU group. The use of illicit drugs in the month prior to the test increased the odds of having a positive change by 18.18 (1/0.055) with respect to not having consumed. CONCLUSIONS: Including VR-CET in TAU programs may provide benefits in the treatment of AUDs mainly among patients with intense alcohol craving and individuals having used illicit substances prior to treatment.

Identification of a nursery area for the critically endangered hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) amid intense fisheries in the southern Gulf of Mexico.

Since the 1980s, there has been growing concern in the Mexican Atlantic regarding high catches of neonate and juvenile sharks in small-scale fisheries. Fishery-dependent data from 1993 to 1994 and 2007 to 2017 and fishers' ecological knowledge from 2017 were used to identify nursery areas for scalloped hammerhead, Sphyrna lewini, in the southern Gulf of Mexico. Catch records and fishing areas of neonates, YOYs, juveniles and adults of S. lewini (N = 1885) were obtained from calcareous and terrigenous regions in the western Yucatan Peninsula. The results suggest that a nursery for scalloped hammerhead is found in the terrigenous region, characterized by relatively shallow and turbid waters due to rivers' discharges. Neonates and YOYs (96% and 86% of their total records, respectively) were commonly found there over the years in May-August in multiple fishing areas identified by fishers, although mainly between isobaths 10-30 m. The enforcement of management measures is necessary because the nursery is located in a region with intense fishing effort.

Influencia del llenado del certificado de defunción en la confiabilidad de las estadísticas de mortalidad / Influence of the filling of the death certificate on the reliability of mortality statistics

Fundamento: la calidad, fiabilidad y utilidad de las estadísticas de mortalidad, dependen de la exactitud en la certificación médica de la defunción por parte del médico. Objetivo: identificar la influencia del llenado del certificado de defunción en la confiabilidad de las estadísticas de mortalidad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal sobre la influencia del llenado del certificado de defunción en las estadísticas de mortalidad, en el área de salud Policlínico Universitario Ignacio Agramonte, Camagüey durante el año 2017. Se estudiaron las variables fallecidos por grupos de edades, sexo y causas básicas de muerte consignadas por el médico certificante y por los autores revisores de los certificados de defunción, unidades de salud donde se confeccionaron los certificados y errores detectados. Los 206 fallecidos adultos en el período estudiado constituyeron el universo de estudio y el registro de fallecidos del departamento de estadísticas del policlínico, la fuente secundaria de obtención de los datos. Resultados: la tasa de mortalidad general fue superior a la provincial y nacional, se observó sobremortalidad femenina y las dos primeras causas de muerte fueron los tumores malignos y las enfermedades del corazón. Las enfermedades cerebrovasculares antes de la revisión de las causas básicas de muerte del registro de defunciones, ocuparon el séptimo lugar y después ascendieron al quinto, al demostrarse errores en la consignación de las causas básicas referidas sobre todo a la arterioesclerosis, demencia senil, enfermedad cerebrovascular y enfermedades de las arterias, arteriolas y vasos capilares y su posterior codificación. Conclusiones: es imprescindible que el médico se familiarice con la Clasificación Estadística Internacional de Enfermedades y Problemas Relacionados con la Salud vigente, a fin de hacer más compatible la consignación de la causa básica de muerte y facilitar su correcta codificación (AU)

Background: the quality, reliability and usefulness of mortality statistics, depend on the accuracy of the medical certification of death by the doctor.Objective: to identify the influence of the death certificate filling on the reliability of mortality statistics.Methods:a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on the influence of the death certificate filling in the mortality statistics in the health area attended by the Ignacio Agramonte University Polyclinic, of the municipality of Camagüey during the year 2017. It was studies the variables: deceased by groups of ages, sex and basic causes of death consigned by the certifying doctor and by the authors who reviewed the death certificates, health units where the certificates were made and errors detected. The 206 adult deaths in the studied period constituted the universe of study and the register of deceased persons of the statistics department of the Polyclinic, the secondary source of obtaining the data, which were processed automatically.Results:the general mortality rate was higher than the provincial and national mortality rate, feminine over-mortality was observed and the 2 first causes of death were malignant tumors and heart diseases. Cerebrovascular diseases before the review of the basic causes of death of the registry of deaths, occupied the seventh place and then ascended to the fifth, showing errors in the consignation of the basic causes referred above all to arteriosclerosis, senile dementia, cerebrovascular disease and diseases of the arteries, arterioles and capillaries and their subsequent coding.Conclusions: it is essential that the doctor becomes familiar with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems in force, in order to make the consignment of the basic cause of death more compatible and to facilitate its correct coding (AU)

Influencia del llenado del certificado de defunción en la confiabilidad de las estadísticas de mortalidad / Influence of the filling of the death certificate on the reliability of mortality statistics

RESUMEN Fundamento: la calidad, fiabilidad y utilidad de las estadísticas de mortalidad, dependen de la exactitud en la certificación médica de la defunción por parte del médico. Objetivo: identificar la influencia del llenado del certificado de defunción en la confiabilidad de las estadísticas de mortalidad. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal sobre la influencia del llenado del certificado de defunción en las estadísticas de mortalidad, en el área de salud atendida por el Policlínico Universitario Ignacio Agramonte, del municipio Camagüey durante el año 2017. Se estudiaron las variables fallecidos por grupos de edades, sexo y causas básicas de muerte consignadas por el médico certificante y por los autores revisores de los certificados de defunción, unidades de salud donde se confeccionaron los certificados y errores detectados. Los 206 fallecidos adultos en el período estudiado constituyeron el universo de estudio y el registro de fallecidos del departamento de estadísticas del policlínico, la fuente secundaria de obtención de los datos, los que se procesaron automatizadamente. Resultados: la tasa de mortalidad general fue superior a la provincial y nacional, se observó sobremortalidad femenina y las dos primeras causas de muerte fueron los tumores malignos y las enfermedades del corazón. Las enfermedades cerebrovasculares antes de la revisión de las causas básicas de muerte del registro de defunciones, ocuparon el séptimo lugar y después ascendieron al quinto, al demostrarse errores en la consignación de las causas básicas referidas sobre todo a la arterioesclerosis, demencia senil, enfermedad cerebrovascular y enfermedades de las arterias, arteriolas y vasos capilares y su posterior codificación. Conclusiones: es imprescindible que el médico se familiarice con la Clasificación Estadística Internacional de Enfermedades y Problemas Relacionados con la Salud vigente, a fin de hacer más compatible la consignación de la causa básica de muerte y facilitar su correcta codificación.

ABSTRACT Background: the quality, reliability and usefulness of mortality statistics, depend on the accuracy of the medical certification of death by the doctor. Objective: to identify the influence of the death certificate filling on the reliability of mortality statistics. Methods: a cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on the influence of the death certificate filling in the mortality statistics in the health area attended by the Ignacio Agramonte University Polyclinic, of the municipality of Camagüey during the year 2017. It was studies the variables: deceased by groups of ages, sex and basic causes of death consigned by the certifying doctor and by the authors who reviewed the death certificates, health units where the certificates were made and errors detected. The 206 adult deaths in the studied period constituted the universe of study and the register of deceased persons of the statistics department of the Polyclinic, the secondary source of obtaining the data, which were processed automatically. Results: the general mortality rate was higher than the provincial and national mortality rate, feminine over-mortality was observed and the 2 first causes of death were malignant tumors and heart diseases. Cerebrovascular diseases before the review of the basic causes of death of the registry of deaths, occupied the seventh place and then ascended to the fifth, showing errors in the consignation of the basic causes referred above all to arteriosclerosis, senile dementia, cerebrovascular disease and diseases of the arteries, arterioles and capillaries and their subsequent coding. Conclusions: it is essential that the doctor becomes familiar with the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems in force, in order to make the consignment of the basic cause of death more compatible and to facilitate its correct coding.

Age and gender influence on foveal avascular zone in healthy eyes.

The foveal avascular zone (FAZ) is the capillary-free area in the central macula with high photoreceptor density and metabolic activity. In the present study we measured the superficial and deep macular foveal avascular zone (sFAZ, dFAZ) in the eyes of healthy adults of both sexes of various ages ranging from 10 to 69 years using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in order to evaluate the influence of gender and age on FAZ size. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 240 eyes of 120 healthy subjects, OCT-A was performed by means of a Topcon swept source OCT. sFAZ and dFAZ areas were measured using the IMAGEnet6 software package. Subjects were grouped by age (six groups) and gender. The mean ±â€¯sd age of the subjects was 39.2 ±â€¯17.4 years (50% women, 50% men), ranging from 10 to 69 years. The overall mean sFAZ size in women (0.297 ±â€¯0.110 mm2) was significantly larger (p = 0.002) than in men (0.254 ±â€¯0.098 mm2). Similarly, the overall mean dFAZ in women (0.322 ±â€¯0.111 mm2) was significantly larger (p < 0.001) than in men (0.273 ±â€¯0.099). However, when analyzed by age group, these gender differences appeared only in groups younger than 20 years old and older than 50 years old. Men did not show differences among the six age groups. In women, for both sFAZ and dFAZ, the 20-29 year old group had a smaller FAZ size than the 50-59 year old group. In conclusion for both sFAZ and dFAZ, women have larger areas than men, but this occurs only in the young and old age groups. In men, age does not seem to influence the size of the FAZ, but in women, both sFAZ and dFAZ were significantly smaller in younger than in older ages. These results suggest that retinal changes in retinal structure caused by aging may be different in woman than in men, probably reflecting the more hormonal variations known to exist with age in women.

Microencapsulation of cocoa liquor nanoemulsion with whey protein using spray drying to protection of volatile compounds and antioxidant capacity.

The aim of this study was microencapsulated a nanoemulsion of cocoa liquor with whey protein by spray drying, and evaluate the effect of different inlet drying temperatures on the properties of microcapsules. The nanoemulsion showed a particle size of 202.13 nm, PdI of 0.424, and ζ-potential of -25.20 mV. The inlet drying temperature showed differences in physicochemical properties of microcapsules. Microcapsules presented good thermal stability and protection against the melting of cocoa liquor. Microcapsules obtained showed excellent yields of polyphenolic compounds (78-93%), and high retention of volatile compounds, especially of pyrazines. Greater microencapsulation yield of bioactive compounds and retention of volatile compounds was obtained at higher drying temperature (180 °C). Excellent stability of polyphenols content, antioxidant capacity, and volatile compounds of cocoa liquor were observed during storage of the microcapsules at different temperature conditions, indicating the feasibility of this powder for its incorporation into functional foods.

The potential use of modified quinoa protein isolates in cupcakes: physicochemical properties, structure and stability of cupcakes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical, textural, sensory and microbiological stability of cupcakes during storage after the addition of different proportions of quinoa protein isolate modified by heat denaturation (QPI-HD) and freezing-lyophilization (QPI-FL). The cupcakes containing modified quinoa protein exhibited greater firmness and water activity than the control cupcake. The texture profile analysis (TPA) revealed that the cupcakes with modified quinoa protein were statistically different from those with unmodified protein isolate and the control cupcake. Moreover, cupcakes with quinoa protein modified by either heat or freezing had greater acceptance and preference on the part of consumers. In addition to this, these cupcakes showed lesser growth of molds after 10 days of storage; this indicated that the abovementioned additive could extend the shelf life of cupcakes. These results showed that the addition of modified quinoa protein led to cupcakes with better sensory and textural properties and greater stability during storage.

Reproductive characteristics and reproductive tract anatomy of the California butterfly ray Gymnura marmorata (Myliobatiformes: Gymnuridae).

The California butterfly ray Gymnura marmorata is frequently caught by artisanal fisheries in north-western Mexico (Baja California Sur; BCS). The aim of this study was to estimate reproductive characteristics and describe the micro and macroscopic reproductive structures of female and male G. marmorata. Sampling was carried out at two fisheries landing sites located on the west coast BCS, from 2008 to 2012. The largest disc width (WD ) ever recorded for this species was 131.0 cm and females were larger than males. The male sample was composed exclusively of adult specimens, with a median size at 50% maturity (WD50 ) estimated at 44.9 cm WD . For females, size at onset of maturity was estimated at 63.0 cm WD ; WD50 , at 64.7 cm WD ; and size at pregnancy at 80.1 cm WD . Gonadal asymmetry was observed for the first time in this species. Indeed, in males only the left testis was functional (testicular asymmetry), while in females, only the left ovary was functional (ovarian asymmetry).

Strategy-Driven Exploration for Rule-Based Models of Biochemical Systems with PORGY.

This chapter presents PORGY-an interactive visual environment for rule-based modelling of biochemical systems. We model molecules and molecule interactions as port graphs and port graph rewrite rules, respectively. We use rewriting strategies to control which rules to apply, and where and when to apply them. Our main contributions to rule-based modelling of biochemical systems lie in the strategy language and the associated visual and interactive features offered by PORGY. These features facilitate an exploratory approach to test different ways of applying the rules while recording the model evolution, and tracking and plotting parameters. We illustrate PORGY's features with a study of the role of a scaffold protein in RAF/MEK/ERK signalling.

Chemical Lipophilization of Bovine α-Lactalbumin with Saturated Fatty Acyl Residues: Effect on Structure and Functional Properties.

Bovine α-lactalbumin (α-LA) was chemically modified by the covalent attachment of fatty acid residues of different length (lauroyl, palmitoyl, and stearoyl) to modify its functional and antioxidant properties. Structural changes, functional properties, and antioxidant capacity in the pH interval between 3 and 10 were analyzed. Surface properties were improved. The esterification increased the hydrophobic interactions leading to a reduction in the solubility dependent on the incorporation ratio of the fatty acid residues. Improvement in emulsifying, foaming, and antioxidant properties were observed when the length of the fatty acid chains was short and mostly at a basic pH. With these results in mind, experiments could be conducted for the technological applications of these derivatives in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

La mortalidad del adulto y la superación e investigación en la atención primaria de salud / Adult mortality and overcoming and research in primary health care

Fundamento: en el Policlínico Universitario Ignacio Agramonte del municipio Camagüey, Cuba, aún no se ha logrado obtener una programación adecuada de los cursos de superación e investigaciones, de ahí se propuso abordar el problema mortalidad del adulto en la población atendida y obtener de esta fuente, las necesidades de superación e investigación. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento de la mortalidad del adulto y su relación con la proyección de los cursos de superación médica e investigaciones.Métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico transversal sobre la mortalidad del adulto en el policlínico en el año 2016, se estudiaron las variables: grupos de edades, sexo, causas básicas de muerte y errores en el llenado de los certificados de defunción. Se creó una base de datos en Microsoft Excel y se hallaron las estadísticas descriptivas en números, porcientos y tasas. Resultados: los fallecidos aumentaron con la edad, existió sobremortalidad femenina, los tumores malignos, las enfermedades cardiovasculares y cerebrovasculares constituyeron las tres primeras causas de muerte. Se detectaron errores en el llenado de los certificados de defunción que no afectaron los lugares ocupados por las causas básicas de muerte, pero originaron confusión en su consignación. Estos resultados constituyeron fuentes de superación e investigación. Conclusiones:las tasas de mortalidad general, por sexos y principales causas de muerte, así como los años de vida perdidos, fueron inferiores a las provinciales, nacionales y a nivel de países en desarrollo. La persistencia de errores en el llenado de los certificados de defunción, sobre todo en la consignación de las causas básicas de muerte, requieren de cursos de superación, así como la proyección de otros sobre la discusión de fallecidos e investigaciones sobre el comportamiento de la mortalidad por causas de muerte y la calidad de la atención médica(AU)

Background: in the University Polyclinic Ignacio Agramonte of the municipality of Camagüey, it has not yet been possible to obtain an adequate programming of the improvement courses and investigations, which is why it was set out to address the problem of adult mortality in the population served and obtain from this source, the needs for improvement and research. Objective: to describe the behavior of adult mortality and its relationship with the projection of medical improvement courses and research. Methods: a cross-sectional analytical study was carried out on adult mortality in the Polyclinic in 2016, in which the variables of age, sex, basic causes of death and errors in filling death certificates were studied. A database was created in Microsoft Excel and the descriptive statistics were found in numbers, percentages and rates. Results: the deceased increased with age; there was female over-mortality; malignant tumors, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases were the three leading causes of death. Errors were detected in the filling of the death certificates that did not affect the places occupied by the basic causes of death, but they caused confusion in their consignment. These results were sources of improvement and research. Conclusions: the general mortality rates, by sex and main causes of death, as well as the years of life potentially lost, were slightly lower than the provincial, national and at the level of developing countries. The persistence of errors in the filling of death certificates, especially in the consignment of the basic causes of death, requires courses of improvement, as well as the projection of others on the discussion of deaths and research on the behavior of mortality for causes of death and the quality of medical care(AU)

La mortalidad del adulto y la superación e investigación en la atención primaria de salud / Adult mortality and overcoming and research in primary health care

RESUMEN Fundamento: en el Policlínico Universitario Ignacio Agramonte del municipio Camagüey, Cuba, aún no se ha logrado obtener una programación adecuada de los cursos de superación e investigaciones, de ahí se propuso abordar el problema mortalidad del adulto en la población atendida y obtener de esta fuente, las necesidades de superación e investigación. Objetivo: describir el comportamiento de la mortalidad del adulto y su relación con la proyección de los cursos de superación médica e investigaciones. Métodos: se realizó un estudio analítico transversal sobre la mortalidad del adulto en el policlínico en el año 2016, se estudiaron las variables: grupos de edades, sexo, causas básicas de muerte y errores en el llenado de los certificados de defunción. Se creó una base de datos en Microsoft Excel y se hallaron las estadísticas descriptivas en números, porcientos y tasas. Resultados: los fallecidos aumentaron con la edad, existió sobremortalidad femenina, los tumores malignos, las enfermedades cardiovasculares y cerebrovasculares constituyeron las tres primeras causas de muerte. Se detectaron errores en el llenado de los certificados de defunción que no afectaron los lugares ocupados por las causas básicas de muerte, pero originaron confusión en su consignación. Estos resultados constituyeron fuentes de superación e investigación. Conclusiones: las tasas de mortalidad general, por sexos y principales causas de muerte, así como los años de vida perdidos, fueron inferiores a las provinciales, nacionales y a nivel de países en desarrollo. La persistencia de errores en el llenado de los certificados de defunción, sobre todo en la consignación de las causas básicas de muerte, requieren de cursos de superación, así como la proyección de otros sobre la discusión de fallecidos e investigaciones sobre el comportamiento de la mortalidad por causas de muerte y la calidad de la atención médica.

ABSTRACT Background: in the University Polyclinic Ignacio Agramonte of the municipality of Camagüey, it has not yet been possible to obtain an adequate programming of the improvement courses and investigations, which is why it was set out to address the problem of adult mortality in the population served and obtain from this source, the needs for improvement and research. Objective: to describe the behavior of adult mortality and its relationship with the projection of medical improvement courses and research. Methods: a cross-sectional analytical study was carried out on adult mortality in the Polyclinic in 2016, in which the variables of age, sex, basic causes of death and errors in filling death certificates were studied. A database was created in Microsoft Excel and the descriptive statistics were found in numbers, percentages and rates. Results: the deceased increased with age; there was female over-mortality; malignant tumors, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases were the three leading causes of death. Errors were detected in the filling of the death certificates that did not affect the places occupied by the basic causes of death, but they caused confusion in their consignment. These results were sources of improvement and research. Conclusions: the general mortality rates, by sex and main causes of death, as well as the years of life potentially lost, were slightly lower than the provincial, national and at the level of developing countries. The persistence of errors in the filling of death certificates, especially in the consignment of the basic causes of death, requires courses of improvement, as well as the projection of others on the discussion of deaths and research on the behavior of mortality for causes of death and the quality of medical care.

Crecimiento y eficiencia fotoquímica del fotosistema II en plántulas de 2 variedades de Capsicum annuum L. inoculadas con rizobacterias u hongos micorrícicos arbusculares / Growth and photochemical efficiency of photosystem II in seedlings of two varieties of Capsicum annuum L. inoculated with rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Una alternativa para el manejo sustentable en el cultivo de Capsicum annuum L. se ha enfocado en el uso de bacterias promotoras del crecimiento vegetal (BPCV) y hongos micorrícicos arbusculares (HMA). Esta investigación seleccionó BPCV y HMA sobre la base de su efecto en plantas de chile Bell Pepper y jalapeño. Se utilizaron 5 cepas bacterianas aisladas de diferentes localidades del estado de México (P61 [Pseudomonas tolaasii], A46 [P. tolaasii], R44 [Bacillus pumilus], BSP1.1 [Paenibacillus sp.] y OLs-Sf5 [Pseudomonas sp.]) y 3 tratamientos con HMA (H1 [consorcio aislado de la rizosfera de chile en el estado de Puebla], H2 [Rhizophagus intraradices]y H3 [consorcio aislado de la rizosfera de limón del estado de Tabasco]). Además, se incluyó un tratamiento fertilizado (solución Steiner 25%) y un testigo absoluto. Plántulas de chile jalapeño «Caloro¼ y pimiento Bell Pepper «California Wonder¼ fueron inoculadas con HMA en el momento de la siembra y con BPCV 15 días después de emerger, y crecidas bajo condiciones de cámara de ambiente controlado. En chile jalapenño, la mejor cepa bacteriana fue P61 y el mejor tratamiento de HMA fue el H1; en Bell Pepper la mejor cepa fue R44 y los mejores HMA fueron el H3 y el H1. Estos microorganismos incrementaron el crecimiento de plántulas de chile jalapenño y Bell Pepper en comparación con el testigo sin fertilizar. Asimismo, P61 y R44 beneficiaron positivamente la capacidad fotosintética del PSII.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are a biological alternative for the sustainable management of Capsicum annuum L. This research work evaluated the effects of both PGPR and AMF on bell pepper and jalapeno pepper plants. Five bacterial strains isolated from several locations in Estado de Mexico were used: [P61 (Pseudomonas tolaasii), A46 (P. tolaasii), R44 (Bacillus pumilus), BSP1.1 (Paenibacillus sp.), and OLs-Sf5 (Pseudomonas sp.)], and three treatments with AMF [H1 (consortium isolated from pepper crops in the State of Puebla), H2 (Rhizophagus intraradices), and H3 (consortium isolated from the rhizosphere of lemon trees, State of Tabasco)]. In addition, a fertilized treatment (Steiner nutrient solution at 25%) and an unfertilized control were included. Seedlings of "Caloro" jalapeno pepper and "California Wonder" bell pepper were inoculated with AMF at seed sowing, and PGPR were inoculated after 15 days of seedling emergence; seedlings were grown under plant growth chamber conditions. P61 bacterium and H1 AMF consortia were the most effective microorganisms for jalapeno pepper whereas R44 bacterium and AMF H3 and H1 were the most effective for bell peppers, when compared to the unfertilized control. Furthermore, P61 and R44 bacteria showed beneficial effects on PSII efficiency.