Auditoría de la información y del conocimiento para el perfeccionamiento del proceso de investigación / The information and knowledge audit for improvement of the research process

Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo desarrollar una metodología integral de auditoría de la información y del conocimiento para el perfeccionamiento del proceso de investigación del Centro de Aplicaciones de Tecnologías de Avanzada. Se emplearon los métodos análisis-síntesis, histórico-lógico, para constatar las bases teóricas y metodológicas de las diferentes metodologías que integran la auditoría de la información y del conocimiento. Para el análisis del proceso de gestión de conocimiento se utilizó el Modelo de Nonaka y Takeuchi. Se analizaron las necesidades de los recursos y los flujos de información y de conocimiento para alcanzar una adecuada gestión de los procesos de la organización, a partir de la identificación, el inventario y la realización del mapeo de estos para el proceso de investigación del Centro. El estudio tuvo un enfoque cuantitativo, cuyo procedimiento metodológico obtenido se validó mediante el método de expertos, y se obtuvo un alto coeficiente de competencia de los expertos superiores. La metodología empleada permitió conocer el estado actual de la información y del conocimiento, y formular planes de mejora para la gestión de estos recursos en el proceso de investigación del Centro de Aplicaciones de Tecnologías de Avanzada(AU)

The study was aimed at developing a comprehensive information and knowledge audit methodology to improve the research process at the Advanced Technologies Applications Center. Use was made of analytic-synthetic and historical-logical methods to verify the theoretical and methodological bases of the various methodologies that make up the information and knowledge audit. Knowledge management analysis was based on the Nonaka and Takeuchi method. Analysis was performed of the needs for resources and information and knowledge flows to achieve appropriate management of organizational processes, starting from their identification, inventory and mapping within the research process at the Center. The study applied a quantitative approach and the methodological procedure obtained was validated by the experts method, with a high competence coefficient for senior experts. The methodology used made it possible to become acquainted with the current status of information and knowledge, as well as develop improvement plans for the management of those resources in the research process at the Advanced Technologies Applications Center(AU)

Lactobacillus reuteri V3401 Reduces Inflammatory Biomarkers and Modifies the Gastrointestinal Microbiome in Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: The PROSIR Study.

Previous studies have reported that probiotics may improve clinical and inflammatory parameters in patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Lactobacillus (L.) reuteri V3401 has shown promising results on the components of MetS in animal studies. We aimed to evaluate the effects of L. reuteri V3401 together with healthy lifestyle recommendations on adult patients with MetS. METHODS: We carried out a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled, single-center trial in which we included 53 adult patients newly diagnosed with MetS. Patients were block randomly allocated by body mass index (BMI) and sex to receive a capsule containing either the probiotic L. reuteri V3401 (5 × 109 colony-forming units) or a placebo once daily for 12 weeks. Anthropometric variables, biochemical and inflammatory biomarkers, as well as the gastrointestinal microbiome composition were determined. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups in the clinical characteristics of MetS. However, we found that interleukin-6 (IL-6) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) diminished by effect of the treatment with L. reuteri V3401. Analysis of the gastrointestinal microbiome revealed a rise in the proportion of Verrucomicrobia. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of L. reuteri V3401 improved selected inflammatory parameters and modified the gastrointestinal microbiome. Further studies are needed to ascertain additional beneficial effects of other probiotic strains in MetS as well as the mechanisms by which such effects are exerted.

Evaluation of the effect of Lactobacillus reuteri V3401 on biomarkers of inflammation, cardiovascular risk and liver steatosis in obese adults with metabolic syndrome: a randomized clinical trial (PROSIR).

BACKGROUND: Obesity is characterized by increased fat mass and is associated with the development of insulin resistance syndrome (IRS), usually known as metabolic syndrome. The alteration of the intestinal microbiota composition has a role in the development of IRS associated with obesity, and probiotics, which are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host, contribute to restore intestinal microbiota homeostasis and lower peripheral tissue insulin resistance. We aim to evaluate the effects of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) V3401 on the composition of intestinal microbiota, markers of insulin resistance and biomarkers of inflammation, cardiovascular risk, and hepatic steatosis in patients with overweight and obesity exhibiting IRS. METHODS/DESIGN: We describe a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled, and single-centre trial. Sixty participants (aged 18 to 65 years) diagnosed with IRS will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a daily dose of placebo or 5 × 109 colony-forming units of L. reuteri V3401. The study will consist of two intervention periods of 12 weeks separated by a washout period of 6 weeks and preceded by another washout period of 2 weeks. The primary outcome will be the change in plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes will include anthropometric parameters, lipid profile, glucose metabolism, microbiota composition, hepatic steatosis, and inflammatory and cardiovascular biomarkers. Blood and stool samples will be collected at baseline, at the midpoint (only stool samples) and immediately after each intervention period. Luminex technology will be used to measure interleukins. For statistical analysis, a mixed ANOVA model will be employed to calculate changes in the outcome variables. DISCUSSION: This is the first time that L. reuteri V3401 will be evaluated in patients with IRS. Therefore, this study will provide valuable scientific information about the effects of this strain in metabolic syndrome patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial has been retrospectively registered in ClinicalTrials.gov on the 23rd November 2016 (ID: NCT02972567 ), during the recruitment phase.

Study of microbiological quality of controlled atmosphere packaged 'Ambrunés' sweet cherries and subsequent shelf-life.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of different controlled atmospheres, containing 3% O2+10% CO2, 5% O2+10% CO2 and 8% O2+10% CO2, on changes in microbial population of 'Ambrunés' sweet cherries throughout storage during 30days and subsequent shelf-life, as well as to identify the main genera of yeast, mould, lactic acid bacteria, Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteriaceae spp., and coliforms. The results indicated that controlled atmospheres with 5% O2+10% CO2 and 8% O2+10% CO2 were highly effective to control the growth of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, psychrotrophs, Pseudomonas spp., yeasts, and moulds after 15days of storage, showing, in the case of yeasts and moulds, counts that ranged between <1 and 1.75logCFU/g. The genera of yeasts, moulds, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae spp., and coliforms identified were Aureobasidium spp., Penicillium spp., Leuconostoc spp., and Rahnella spp., respectively. In addition, the genera Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were also identified. On the other hand, cherries of Stage 3 ripening presented the highest counts for all microbial groups.

The consumption of a Jerte Valley cherry product in humans enhances mood, and increases 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid but reduces cortisol levels in urine.

PURPOSE: Jerte Valley cherries contain high levels of tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin. These molecules have been shown to be involved in mood regulation. It has been suggested that a complex inter-relationship between brain serotonin, circulating levels of cortisol (the major stress hormone), and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis exists in the regulation of stress responses, where cortisol and serotonin act as markers of mood disturbances. Moreover there is growing evidence that altered HPA activity is associated with various age-related pathologies. The present study evaluated the effect of the ingestion of a Jerte Valley cherry-based product, compared to a placebo product, on urine cortisol and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels, and on mood in young, middle-aged, and elderly participants. METHODS: Cortisol and 5-HIAA acid levels were measured by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The mood state profile was analysed using a visual analogue scale and the state-trait anxiety inventory. RESULTS: Our findings showed that the ingestion of the Jerte Valley cherry product decreased urinary cortisol and increased urinary 5-HIAA levels in all the experimental groups. Moreover, the cherry product was able to lessen anxiety status in the middle-aged and elderly participants, and enhanced subjective mood parameters, particularly family relationships in young participants, and frame of mind and fitness in both middle-aged and elderly subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of the Jerte Valley cherry product may protect against stress and act as a mood enhancer by increasing serotonin availability to the organism, particularly with advancing age.

Micro-encapsulation of refined olive oil: influence of capsule wall components and the addition of antioxidant additives on the shelf life and chemical alteration.

BACKGROUND: Although refined olive oils (ROOs) exhibit lower quality and less stability toward thermal stress than extra-virgin olive oils, these types of oil are gaining importance in the food industry. The inclusion of ROOs in processed food may alter the oxidative stability of the manufactured products, and therefore having technological alternatives to increase oil stability will be an important achievement. For this reason the main goal of this study was to assess the influence of the micro-encapsulation process on the ROO chemical composition and its oxidative stability. Factors such as microcapsule wall constituents and the addition of the antioxidant butyl hydroxytoluene were investigated in order to establish the most appropriate conditions to ensure no alteration of the refined olive oil chemical characteristics. RESULTS: The optimised methodology exhibited high encapsulation yield (>98%), with micro-encapsulation efficiency ranging from 35 to 69% according to the nature of the wall components. The encapsulation process slightly altered the chemical composition of the olive oil and protected the oxidative stability for at least 11 months when protein components were included as wall components. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the presence of proteins constituents in the microcapsule wall material extended the shelf life of the micro-encapsulated olive oil regardless the use of antioxidant additives.

Effect of thermal and high-pressure processing on the nutritional value and quality attributes of a nectarine purée with industrial origin during the refrigerated storage.

The application of hydrostatic high pressure on an industrial line of nectarine (Prunus persica L.) purées was assessed in comparison with the traditional thermal treatment of pasteurization. Changes after thermal processing (85 °C, 5 min) and after high-pressure processing (HPP: 450 or 600 MPa for 5 or 10 min) and during the refrigerated storage (60 d) of an industrially produced nectarine purée were evaluated. Conventional heat pasteurization as well as HPP showed similar microorganisms' inactivation and maintained the microbial stability of purées until the end of the refrigerated storage (60 d). In general, thermally treated purée and HP-treated purée at 600 MPa showed more intense color changes after processing than the other treatment. In addition, thermally treated purée showed more intense color changes during storage than HPP. The highest carotenoids extractability was found in those purées treated at the lowest high-pressure-treatment intensity and holding time (450 MPa/5 min), but at the end of the storage (day 60), no differences in individual or total carotenoid levels were found between the purées. HPP at 600 MPa/10 min showed the highest polyphenols content after the treatment and during the storage. At day 0, significantly higher values were found of total antioxidant activity in purée HP-treated at 450 MPa/10 min than in untreated purée; while at the end of the storage, HP-treated purée at 600 MPa/10 min had the highest antioxidant activity. Hydrostatic high-pressure application in the industrial line of nectarine purée presented some advantages compared to the thermal treatment; however, some of the changes found were lessen during the storage period. In addition, more studies need to be carried out for HP-treatment intensity optimization.

Jerte Valley cherry-enriched diets improve nocturnal rest and increase 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and total antioxidant capacity in the urine of middle-aged and elderly humans.

Tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin, present in Jerte Valley cherries, participate in sleep regulation and exhibit antioxidant properties. The effect of the intake of seven different Jerte Valley cherry cultivars on the sleep-wake cycle, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels, and urinary total antioxidant capacity in middle-aged and elderly participants was evaluated. Volunteers were subjected to actigraphic monitoring to record and display the temporal patterns of their nocturnal activity and rest. 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and total antioxidant capacity were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric assay kits, respectively. The intake of each of the cherry cultivars produced beneficial effects on actual sleep time, total nocturnal activity, assumed sleep, and immobility. Also, there were significant increases in 6-sulfatoxymelatonin levels and total antioxidant capacity in urine after the intake of each cultivar. These findings suggested that the intake of Jerte Valley cherries exerted positive effect on sleep and may be seen as a potential nutraceutical tool to counteract oxidation.

Effect of the commercial ripening stage and postharvest storage on microbial and aroma changes of 'Ambrunés' sweet cherries.

The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of the commercial ripening stage and postharvest storage on microbial and aroma changes of 'Ambrunés' sweet cherries. The microbial counts and volatile profile of sweet cherry batches automatically sanitized and classified in three commercial ripening stages were studied for five postharvest storages. The batches were also evaluated sensorially, and the correlations between volatile compounds and aroma quality were determined. The microbial counts provided evidence that 21 days of cold storage is near the maximum extension of 'Ambrunés' sweet cherry storage in maintaining the minimal microbial quality during their shelf-life period. Relevant changes associated with longer cold storages were found in different aroma constituents with a negative impact on flavor. These changes were more evident in less ripened sweet cherries, including a decrease of (E)-2-hexenal and 1-hexanol and an increase of 2-methyl-propanal and 2-methyl-butanal. These compounds could constitute a good tool to predict flavor quality in 'Ambrunés' sweet cherries during the cold-storage process.

[Genetic and molecular bases of paragangliomas]. / Bases genéticas y moleculares de los paragangliomas.

Paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas are neuroendocrine tumors arising in the extraadrenal and adrenal medulla, respectively. These tumors appear in certain familial syndromes, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia types 1 and 2, Von Hippel Lindau disease, neurofibromatosis type 1 and familial paraganglioma syndromes. The latter syndromes show a strong association with germline mutations of succinate dehydrogenase subunits, such as SDHB, SDHC and SDHD. This enzyme complex is related to tumorigenesis through mechanisms involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and alterations in oxygen sensing function, although none of these factors has been clearly identified as a cause of tumoral development. In the last few years, several studies have been performed of these genes in relation to correct diagnosis of paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma, as well as determination of germline mutations in familial and sporadic cases and its utility in genetic counselling in these patients.

Bases genéticas y molecularesde los paragangliomas / Genetic and molecular bases of paragangliomas

Los paragangliomas y feocromocitomas son tumores neuroendocrinos que se desarrollan en la médula extra adrenaly adrenal, respectivamente. Estos tumores aparecen en determinados síndromes familiares, como la neoplasia endocrina múltiple de tipo 1 y tipo 2, la enfermedad de Von Hippel Lindau, la neurofibromatosis de tipo 1 y síndromes paraganglionares familiares. Estos últimos síndromes muestran una asociación muy fuerte con mutaciones en genes del complejo mitocondrial de la succinato deshidrogenasa, como son SDHB, SDHC y SDHD. Este complejo enzimático se relaciona con la aparición de tumores a través de mecanismos implicados en proliferación celular, apoptosis, y alteración de la función sensora de oxígeno, de los cuales ninguno ha podido atribuirse todavía con certeza como causa del desarrollo tumoral. En los últimos años se han realizado varios estudios sobre estos genes en relación con el diagnóstico adecuado de paraganglioma y feocromocitoma, así como con la determinación de mutaciones germinales en los casos familiares y en los esporádicos, y su utilidad en el consejo genético en este grupo de pacientes (AU)

Paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas are neuroendocrine tumors arising in the extra adrenal and adrenalmedulla, respectively. These tumors appear in certain familial syndromes, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia types 1 and 2, Von Hippel Lindau disease, neurofibromatosis type 1 and familial paraganglioma syndromes. The latter syndromes show a strong association with germline mutations of succinate dehydrogenase subunits, such as SDHB, SDHC and SDHD. This enzyme complex is related to tumorigenesis through mechanisms involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and alterations in oxygen sensing function, although none of these factors has been clearly identified as a cause of tumoral development. In the last few years, several studies have been performed of these genes in relation to correct diagnosis of paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma, as well as determination of germline mutations in familial and sporadic cases and its utility in genetic counselling in these patients (AU)

Influencia de variables sociodemográficas y lateralidad manual sobre el rendimiento perceptivo-motor en la conducción de vehículos / The influence of socio-demographic variables and hand laterality on perceptual-motor skills in vehicle driving

El objetivo de la investigación es estudiar la influencia de determinadasvariables sociodemográficas, (género, edad, nivel educativo) y lateralidadmanual, en las pruebas perceptivo-motoras que se utilizan para la obtención orenovación del carné de conducir en España. La muestra estudiada está formadapor 196 sujetos con lateralidad manual diestra, divididos en dos grupos(D+ y D-), según la mayor o menor consistencia de su lateralidad. Las variablessociodemográficas y el tipo de lateralidad manual se correlacionaron con losresultados obtenidos por los sujetos de la muestra en la batería informatizadaDriver-Test. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto peor rendimiento perceptivomotoren mujeres, sujetos de mayor edad, menor nivel educativo y en personascon lateralidad manual diestra bien consolidada (D+)

The aim of this study was to check the influence of a number of sociodemographicvariables (such as gender, age or educational level) and the righthandednesson the perceptual-motor tests currently used in Spain for gettingand renewing a driving licence. A sample of 196 right-handed subjects wassplit in two groups (D+ and D-) depending on the consistency of their laterality.Both the socio-demographic variables and the type of laterality were correlatedwith the results in the computerized “Driver Test” battery. The resultsshowed on one hand that females performed worse in perceptual-motor skills.On the other hand, a positive correlation was found between perceptual-motorperformance and both education level and consolidated right-handedness(D+), and a negative correlation with age