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1.
Nutrients ; 14(24)2022 Dec 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36558398

ABSTRACT

(1) Background: Pakistani women are among one of Catalonia's most affected groups by obesity and cardiovascular disease. The design of health education strategies for them has become a compelling need. This paper aims to enlighten the elaboration and evaluation procedure of culturally and linguistically tailored nutrition education materials for Pakistani women participating in the PakCat Program, which aims to evaluate the efficacy of a nutrition education strategy allowing the participants to become ambassadors of healthy eating habits for their community. (2) Methods: In this Randomised Control Trial (RCT), 137 Pakistani women (70 from the intervention and 67 from the control group) took part. We conducted 10 sessions for the intervention group and 3 sessions for the control group in the form of small groups. The sessions were conducted in Urdu and Punjabi, and the material was translated into Urdu, Catalan, Spanish and English. For some sessions, we elaborated on new materials and for others, we adapted them from the existing nutrition material in aspects of language and culture. We evaluated the nutritional material from the observation carried out by the dietician who developed the sessions, participants' feedback at the end of the sessions and a satisfaction questionnaire. (3) Results: We summarised the elaborated material in form of two multilingual nutritional guidelines about portion size and heart-healthy foods. We also registered several materials generated for the PakCat program such as an infographic about myths and beliefs related to food, a booklet to read and interpret the food labels, a recipe book for healthy snacks, and an infographic of 10 tips for healthy eating. We also organised a PhotoVoice exhibition of 70 healthy plates elaborated by the intervention group participants. The participants highly appreciated the material in terms of visualization, cultural and linguistic adequacy, and level of comprehension through all three evaluation methods. (4) Conclusions: The design of culturally and linguistically tailored nutrition education material for Pakistani women living in Catalonia is attainable and effective to meet their specific needs. The healthy dietary recommendation can be adapted to them preserving their traditional dietary pattern, and they acquire the confidence to start following a healthy diet.


Subject(s)
Diet, Healthy , Health Education , Female , Humans , Pakistan , Spain , Health Education/methods , Habits
2.
Plants (Basel) ; 11(9)2022 Apr 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35567121

ABSTRACT

The introduction of allelopathic cover crops for green manuring or mulching is a regular practice in Integrated Weed Management. In this context, the alternative use of the abundant phytotoxic residues of allelopathic plants from the agroecosystem, e.g., the foliage of Eucalyptus, Acacia, or Cytisus species, is promising. Previous studies identified the phytotoxic compounds potentially involved in the effectiveness of some plant residues when added to the soil for weed control. The low quantities of allelochemicals present in the tissues and the weak phytotoxicity of each of them in their natural concentrations did not explain the significant levels of weed control observed at field scale. Here, to study hypothetical synergistic interactions among the volatile (VOCs) and water-soluble compounds released to the soil matrix, complex mixtures of VOCs, phenolics, or both, mimicking the chemical profiles of Cytisus scoparius were prepared and then tested in vitro on the germination and early growth of two weeds. The effects were calibrated against the VOCs naturally emitted by the fresh plant material and aqueous extract, acting together or not, and with or without soil. The presence of the aqueous extract significantly increased the phytotoxicity of VOCs on Amaranthus retroflexus root growth compared to the volatiles emitted alone. In addition, the soil factor enhanced synergistic interactions among VOCs and water-soluble compounds, resulting in a 54% decrease in total germination and an 80% inhibition of root and shoot growth. Multi-level synergistic chemical interactions should explain the bioherbicidal effectiveness of allelopathic residues applied as a soil amendment.

3.
Plants (Basel) ; 9(2)2020 Feb 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32041239

ABSTRACT

In our previous studies, the phytotoxicity of Ulex europaeus (gorse) and Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom) was demonstrated in vitro and argued to be caused by the release of volatile and water-soluble compounds from fresh plant foliage. In light of these positive results, there was a need to test the effects ex vitro. In this work, gorse and Scotch broom were used as soil amendments in pot experiments in a glasshouse by incorporating slashed plant material into the soil at a ratio of 1% w/w on a dry mass basis. The phytotoxic effects on the emergence and early growth of maize and five accompanying weed species were analyzed, as were the effect on soil fertility and soil community-level physiological profiles. Thirty days after incorporation, significant decreases in weed density of 32.2% and 59.5% were found for gorse and Scotch broom soil amendments, respectively. Gorse soil amendment was notably effective impairing the establishment of Amaranthus retroflexus and diminishing the plant height of Digitaria sanguinalis and Portulaca oleracea. Scotch broom soil amendment was capable of significantly inhibiting the emergence of D. sanguinalis, Convolvulus arvensis, P. oleracea, and A. retroflexus, with a notable reduction of weed biomass. No undesirable side effects on maize crop or soil quality, including microbial activity, were detected. Our results suggest that the incorporation of gorse and Scotch broom foliage is promising for pre-emergent weed control in maize; however, field trials that support and expand these glasshouse results are essential.

4.
Molecules ; 24(24)2019 Dec 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31835831

ABSTRACT

New herbicides based on natural products are claimed to address weed resistance and environmental concerns related to synthetic herbicides. In our previous studies, certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by Ulex europaeus and Cytisus scoparius were argued to be responsible for the phytotoxicity of both shrub species. Interactions among VOCs were hypothesized to explain the inconsistency between the effects of the identified pure compounds and those naturally emitted from fresh plant material. In this work, eugenol, verbenone, terpinen-4-ol, α-terpineol, and linalool were assayed as binary mixtures of Amaranthus retroflexus and Digitaria sanguinalis. Powerful synergistic inhibitory effects were revealed for germination and early growth. Only 3.1 ppm of verbenone was enough to inhibit A. retroflexus germination when paired to other VOCs. Eugenol was capable of exacerbating the effects of terpinen-4-ol on A. retroflexus, even though it was innocuous when acting alone at 12.5 ppm. The verbenone and linalool pair produced very significant synergistic effects in terms of D. sanguinalis germination. The synergistic effects were predominantly irreversible for D. sanguinalis, since seeds exposed to paired VOCs were unable to recover their germination capacity after removing the phytotoxins or produced damaged seedlings. Both shrub species have been revealed as sources of natural herbicide molecules, with promising synergistic modes of action that deserve to be studied in depth.


Subject(s)
Cytisus/chemistry , Herbicides/pharmacology , Ulex/chemistry , Volatile Organic Compounds/pharmacology , Acyclic Monoterpenes/chemistry , Acyclic Monoterpenes/pharmacology , Amaranthus/drug effects , Amaranthus/growth & development , Bicyclic Monoterpenes/chemistry , Bicyclic Monoterpenes/pharmacology , Digitaria/drug effects , Digitaria/growth & development , Drug Synergism , Eugenol/chemistry , Eugenol/pharmacology , Germination/drug effects , Herbicides/chemistry , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Volatile Organic Compounds/chemistry
5.
PLoS One ; 13(10): e0205997, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30372468

ABSTRACT

The phytotoxic potential of the legume shrubs Ulex europaeus L. (gorse) and Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link. (Scotch broom) is studied in this work for the first time. On the basis of their richness in active principles, the previous evidence of biological activity, and the abundance of biomass in their native range and invaded areas, a question arose: can U. europaeus and C. scoparius be considered as potential sources of natural herbicides for sustainable agriculture? By means of volatile bioassays, the flowering fresh plant material of both shrub species was shown to produce and emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) able to inhibit the germination and/or early growth of two agricultural weeds: Amaranthus retroflexus and Digitaria sanguinalis. Novel complete VOCs profiles from the volatile extracts of the shrub species were obtained by GC and GC/MS. A total of 20 compounds were identified from U. europaeus flowering biomass, theaspirane and eugenol, among others, being described in gorse for the first instance. The chemical profile of C. scoparius yielded 28 compounds and was rich in oxygenated monoterpenes such as terpinen-4-ol, verbenol, α-terpineol, and verbenone, which were also identified in this species for the first time. Using dose-response bioassays with pure compounds, these VOCs were argued to be involved in the phytotoxicity observed for the plant materials, even at very low concentrations. The phytotoxic effects were predominantly irreversible, particularly for D. sanguinalis, since the seeds exposed to the VOCs produced damaged seedlings, were unable to recover germination capacity after removing the phytotoxin or, when recovered, produced unviable seedlings. Our results extend the interest of the abundant U. europaeus and C. scoparius for the obtention of natural products with bioherbicide potential, or to be used as allelopathic biomass in the development of new sustainable agricultural practices.


Subject(s)
Cytisus/chemistry , Herbicides/toxicity , Pest Control, Biological , Ulex/chemistry , Volatile Organic Compounds/toxicity , Amaranthus/drug effects , Amaranthus/growth & development , Biological Assay , Biomass , Digitaria/drug effects , Digitaria/growth & development , Flowers/chemistry , Germination/drug effects , Plant Weeds/drug effects , Plant Weeds/growth & development , Regression Analysis
6.
J Chem Ecol ; 44(7-8): 658-670, 2018 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30039208

ABSTRACT

In the worldwide search for new strategies in sustainable weed management, the use of allelopathic plants incorporated into the soil as green manure can help control weeds by releasing allelochemicals into the environment. In previous experiments, Eucalyptus globulus leaves incorporated into the soil as green manure were shown to have a notable potential for weed control. But, 'what was exactly happening at chemical level?' and 'which were the compounds potentially responsible for the phytotoxic effects observed during those greenhouse assays?' In the present study, in-vitro phytotoxicity bioassays and chemical analysis of eucalyptus leaves were carried out in order to explore the relationship between the temporal phytotoxic effects and the dynamics of chemical composition. For that, eucalyptus leaves were removed from soil at different sampling times during 30 days and analyzed for phenolic and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by HPLC and HS-SPME/GC-MS, respectively. The phytotoxic potential of the aqueous extract and the volatile fraction was tested on the germination and early growth of Lactuca sativa. Eucalyptus leaves incorporated into the soil as green manure showed a continuous release of different phenolic and volatile compounds during a 30-day period of decomposition. Both fractions had phytotoxic effects during the time assayed; however, the target process of phytotoxicity was different: phenolic compounds being the factor causing germination inhibition and VOCs responsible for growth reduction. The dynamics of release of this cocktail of allelochemicals into the soil environment may be the responsible for the phytotoxicity observed in our previous works.


Subject(s)
Eucalyptus/physiology , Pheromones/metabolism , Plant Leaves/physiology , Allelopathy , Eucalyptus/chemistry , Germination/drug effects , Lactuca/drug effects , Lactuca/growth & development , Phenols/analysis , Phenols/metabolism , Pheromones/analysis , Pheromones/toxicity , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Soil/chemistry , Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis , Volatile Organic Compounds/metabolism , Volatile Organic Compounds/toxicity , Weed Control/methods
7.
PLoS One ; 13(2): e0192872, 2018.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29438430

ABSTRACT

In the worldwide search for new strategies in sustainable weed management, the use of plant species able to produce and release phytotoxic compounds into the environment could be an effective alternative to synthetic herbicides. Eucalyptus globulus Labill. is known to be a source of biologically active compounds responsible for its phytotoxic and allelopathic properties. Our previous results demonstrated the bioherbicide potential of eucalyptus leaves incorporated into the soil as a green manure, probably through the release of phytotoxins into the soil solution. Thus, the aims of this study were to understand the phytotoxicity of the eucalyptus leaves aqueous extract applied in pre- and post-emergence, and to identify and quantify its potentially phytotoxic water-soluble compounds. The effects were tested on the germination and early growth of the model target species Lactuca sativa and Agrostis stolonifera, and on physiological parameters of L. sativa adult plants after watering or spraying application. Dose-response curves and ED50 and ED80 values for eucalyptus aqueous extracts revealed pre-emergence inhibitory effects on both target species, effects being comparable to the herbicide metolachlor. While spraying treatment reduced the aerial and root biomass and increased the dry weight/fresh weight ratio of lettuce adult plants, watering application reduced protein contents and chlorophyll concentrations with respect to control, reflecting different modes of action depending on the site of phytotoxin entry. Via HPLC analyses, a total of 8 phenolic compounds (chlorogenic, two ρ-coumaric derivatives, ellagic, hyperoside, rutin, quercitrin, and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside) and other 5 low weight organic acids (citric, malic, shikimic, succinic and fumaric acids) were obtained from aqueous extract, the latter being identified for the first time in E. globulus. Despite some phytotoxic effects were found on lettuce adult plants, the use of eucalyptus aqueous extract would be discarded in post-emergence, whereas it was promising as a pre-emergence bioherbicide.


Subject(s)
Eucalyptus/chemistry , Herbicides/chemistry , Herbicides/pharmacology , Agrostis/drug effects , Agrostis/growth & development , Agrostis/metabolism , Chlorophyll/metabolism , Chlorophyll A , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Lactuca/drug effects , Lactuca/growth & development , Lactuca/metabolism , Phenols/administration & dosage , Phenols/chemistry , Phenols/pharmacology , Pigments, Biological/metabolism , Plant Extracts/administration & dosage , Plant Extracts/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Leaves/chemistry , Plant Proteins/metabolism , Plant Weeds/drug effects , Plant Weeds/growth & development , Plant Weeds/metabolism , Weed Control/methods
8.
Endocrinol Nutr ; 56(2): 85-91, 2009 Feb.
Article in Spanish | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19627716

ABSTRACT

Subclinical thyroid disease is a biochemical diagnosis and is common during pregnancy. Because of the physiological hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy and the absence of normal ranges for thyroid hormones during this period, subclinical thyroid disease is difficult to interpret during pregnancy. Subclinical hyperthyroidism during pregnancy has few clinical consequences and no treatment is required. In contrast, subclinical hypothyroidism seems to improve with thyroxine treatment. Iodine supplements during pregnancy and lactation, even in iodine-sufficient areas, are also indicated.


Subject(s)
Hyperthyroidism/diagnosis , Hyperthyroidism/drug therapy , Hypothyroidism/diagnosis , Hypothyroidism/drug therapy , Pregnancy Complications/diagnosis , Pregnancy Complications/drug therapy , Adult , Embryonic Development , Female , Fetal Diseases/etiology , Fetal Diseases/prevention & control , Humans , Hyperthyroidism/blood , Hypothyroidism/blood , Iodine/administration & dosage , Iodine/deficiency , Iodine/therapeutic use , Lactation , Nutritional Requirements , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Complications/blood , Puerperal Disorders/drug therapy , Thyroid Hormones/blood , Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/blood , Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/diagnosis , Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/drug therapy , Thyrotropin/blood , Thyroxine/therapeutic use
9.
Endocrinol. nutr. (Ed. impr.) ; 56(2): 85-91, feb. 2009. tab
Article in Spanish | IBECS | ID: ibc-61759

ABSTRACT

La disfunción tiroidea subclínica es de diagnóstico bioquímico y es una entidad frecuente durante la gestación. Los cambios hormonales fisiológicos que acontecen durante la gestación, junto con la falta de valores de referencia de las hormonas tiroideas en este periodo, hacen que la disfunción tiroidea subclínica sea de difícil interpretación. Mientras el hipertiroidismo subclínico en la gestación carece de repercusión clínica y no requiere una actuación específica, el hipotiroidismo subclínico, en ese periodo, parece beneficiarse del tratamiento sustitutivo con tiroxina. Los suplementos de yodo en la gestación y lactación son necesarios incluso en zonas de yodosuficiencia (AU)


Subclinical thyroid disease is a biochemical diagnosis and is common during pregnancy. Because of the physiological hormonal changes that take place during pregnancy and the absence of normal ranges for thyroid hormones during this period, subclinical thyroid disease is difficult to interpret during pregnancy. Subclinical hyperthyroidism during pregnancy has few clinical consequences and no treatment is required. In contrast, subclinical hypothyroidism seems to improve with thyroxine treatment. Iodine supplements during pregnancy and lactation, even in iodine-sufficient areas, are also indicated (AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Pregnancy , Adult , Hyperthyroidism/diagnosis , Hypothyroidism/diagnosis , Pregnancy Complications/diagnosis , Hyperthyroidism/drug therapy , Hypothyroidism/drug therapy , Iodine/therapeutic use , Dietary Supplements , Thyroxine/therapeutic use , Thyroid Hormones
10.
Endocrinol. nutr. (Ed. impr.) ; 54(1): 44-52, ene. 2007. ilus, tab
Article in Es | IBECS | ID: ibc-052499

ABSTRACT

En la práctica clínica son frecuentes los pacientes con disfunción tiroidea subclínica. Es decir, pacientes con concentraciones de tirotropina (TSH) fuera de los valores de referencia pero con concentraciones de tiroxina libre y triyodotironina libre normales. En el presente artículo, se describe qué es la disfunción tiroidea subclínica, se revisa su epidemiología, se recomienda el abordaje más apropiado, se evalúan los riesgos y beneficios del tratamiento y se establece la utilidad de su cribado en ciertos grupos de población. En definitiva, son limitadas las evidencias que sugieren una asociación de la disfunción tiroidea subclínica con ciertos síntomas o con el beneficio o riesgos de su tratamiento. Las consecuencias de la disfunción tiroidea subclínica (TSH: 0,1-0,45 mU/l o 4,5-10 mU/l) son escasas y no se puede recomendar el tratamiento rutinario de estos pacientes. Asimismo, no se puede recomendar el cribado indiscriminado de la población. No obstante, se debe buscar con insistencia en mujeres embarazadas de riesgo, mujeres mayores de 60 años y en ciertos grupos de riesgo (AU)


Patients with serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) outside the reference range and levels of free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine within the reference range are common in clinical practice. In the present article, subclinical thyroid disease is defined and its epidemiology reviewed. Recommendations on appropriate evaluation and the risks and benefits of treatment and consequences of non-treatment are explored. The question of whether population-based screening is warranted is also discussed. Data supporting an association between subclinical thyroid disease and symptoms or adverse clinical outcomes or benefits of treatment are scarce. The consequences of subclinical thyroid disease (serum TSH 0.1-0.45 mU/l or 4.5-10.0 mU/l) are minimal and recommendations against routine treatment of patients with TSH levels in these ranges are provided. There is insufficient evidence to support population-based screening. Nevertheless, pertinacious case finding is appropriate in pregnant women at risk, women older than 60 years, and others at high risk for thyroid dysfunction (AU)


Subject(s)
Humans , Hyperthyroidism , Hypothyroidism , Hyperthyroidism/etiology , Hyperthyroidism/diagnosis , Hyperthyroidism/therapy , Hypothyroidism/etiology , Hypothyroidism/diagnosis , Hypothyroidism/therapy
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