Multiscale design of a dairy beverage model composed of Candida utilis single cell protein supplemented with oleic acid.

One of the main challenges in the food industry is to design strategies for the successful incorporation of natural sources of bioactive compounds. Recently, yogurts and other fermented dairy beverages have been proposed as ideal carriers of such bioactive compounds such as fatty acids and antioxidants that could improve consumers' health. However, the incorporation of new ingredients causes functional and structural modifications that may affect the consumers' preferences. In this work, a dairy beverage model supplemented with oleic acid has been designed by partial substitution of milk by Candida utilis single-cell protein extract. The changes in the structural properties of this new beverage were evaluated by following the fermentation process, pH, aggregate size, microstructure, and changes in rheological properties. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to analyze the interaction between its main components. Our data revealed that samples with a percentage of milk substitution of 30% showed a higher viscosity as compared with the other percentages and less viscosity than the control (no substitution). These samples were then selected for fortification by incorporating oleic acid microcapsules. A concentration of 1.5 g/100 g was shown to be the optimal quantity of microcapsules for oleic acid supplementation. Molecular dynamic simulations revealed glutathione as an important component of the micro-gel structure. The present study forms the basis for novel studies where Candida utilis single-cell protein and microencapsulated essential oils could be used to design innovative bioproducts.

Estimating the global cancer incidence and mortality in 2018: GLOBOCAN sources and methods.

Estimates of the worldwide incidence and mortality from 36 cancers and for all cancers combined for the year 2018 are now available in the GLOBOCAN 2018 database, compiled and disseminated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This paper reviews the sources and methods used in compiling the cancer statistics in 185 countries. The validity of the national estimates depends upon the representativeness of the source information, and to take into account possible sources of bias, uncertainty intervals are now provided for the estimated sex- and site-specific all-ages number of new cancer cases and cancer deaths. We briefly describe the key results globally and by world region. There were an estimated 18.1 million (95% UI: 17.5-18.7 million) new cases of cancer (17 million excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) and 9.6 million (95% UI: 9.3-9.8 million) deaths from cancer (9.5 million excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) worldwide in 2018.

[Transcultural adaptation to the Spanish language of the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) in older adults]. / Adaptacion transcultural al castellano del sistema de evaluacion del equilibrio (BESTest) en adultos mayores.

INTRODUCTION: The risk of falls in older adults increases because of the decrease in strength, flexibility, balance and sensory changes affecting functionality and quality of life. For this reason, an integral system of evaluation of equilibrium is necessary, for preventive purposes or for early therapeutic interventions. AIM: To present the results of the transcultural translation and adaptation process of the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) to Spanish language. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The original version of the BESTest was translated into Spanish, following the process of retro-traduction and cultural adaptation considering the semantic, idiomatic, conceptual and experiential equivalences. Subsequently the version was reviewed by a panel of experts qualifying clarity, coherence, relevance and sufficiency. The pilot test included 32 adults between 50 and 80 years old. RESULTS: It was possible to carry out the complete translation of the instrument, the instructions for the subject and for the evaluator. Most items of the test reached the maximum score of 4.0 (100%), nine items achieved an average score of 3.9 (99%), one item got an average score of 3.8 (95%) and two items achieved an average score of 3.7 (92.5%). CONCLUSIONS: With this study the Spanish speakers community has a pertinent sufficient, coherent and clear instrument in order to identify the control postural system altered to focus treatment and to get better functional outcomes from balance evaluation in older adults.

TITLE: Adaptacion transcultural al castellano del sistema de evaluacion del equilibrio (BESTest) en adultos mayores.Introduccion. El riesgo de caidas en adultos mayores se incrementa a consecuencia de la disminucion de la fuerza, la flexibilidad, el equilibrio y los cambios sensoriales, que afectan a la funcionalidad y la calidad de vida. Por tal razon se hace necesario un sistema integral de evaluacion del equilibrio con fines preventivos o para intervenciones terapeuticas tempranas. Objetivo. Presentar los resultados del proceso de traduccion y adaptacion transcultural del sistema de evaluacion del equilibrio (BESTest) al castellano. Sujetos y metodos. Se tradujo al castellano la version original del BESTest, siguiendo el proceso de retrotraduccion y adaptacion cultural y teniendo en cuenta las equivalencias semanticas, idiomaticas, conceptual y experiencial. Posteriormente, la version fue revisada por un panel de expertos que califico la claridad, la coherencia, la pertinencia y la suficiencia. En la prueba piloto participaron 32 adultos de 50-80 años. Resultados. Se realizo la traduccion completa del instrumento y de las instrucciones para el sujeto y para el evaluador. La mayoria de items de la prueba alcanzaron la puntuacion maxima de 4 (100%), nueve items lograron una calificacion media de 3,9 (99%); un item, una calificacion media de 3,8 (95%), y dos items, una calificacion media de 3,7 (92,5%). Conclusiones. Con este estudio, la comunidad de habla hispana cuenta con un instrumento pertinente, suficiente, coherente y claro para identificar el sistema del equilibrio afectado, enfocar el tratamiento y obtener mejores resultados funcionales a partir de la evaluacion del equilibrio en adultos mayores.

Adaptación transcultural al castellano del sistema de evaluación del equilibrio (BESTest) en adultos mayores / Transcultural adaptation to the Spanish language of the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) in older adults

Introducción. El riesgo de caídas en adultos mayores se incrementa a consecuencia de la disminución de la fuerza, la flexibilidad, el equilibrio y los cambios sensoriales, que afectan a la funcionalidad y la calidad de vida. Por tal razón se hace necesario un sistema integral de evaluación del equilibrio con fines preventivos o para intervenciones terapéuticas tempranas. Objetivo. Presentar los resultados del proceso de traducción y adaptación transcultural del sistema de evaluación del equilibrio (BESTest) al castellano. Sujetos y métodos. Se tradujo al castellano la versión original del BESTest, siguiendo el proceso de retrotraducción y adaptación cultural y teniendo en cuenta las equivalencias semánticas, idiomáticas, conceptual y experiencial. Posteriormente, la versión fue revisada por un panel de expertos que calificó la claridad, la coherencia, la pertinencia y la suficiencia. En la prueba piloto participaron 32 adultos de 50-80 años. Resultados. Se realizó la traducción completa del instrumento y de las instrucciones para el sujeto y para el evaluador. La mayoría de ítems de la prueba alcanzaron la puntuación máxima de 4 (100%), nueve ítems lograron una calificación media de 3,9 (99%); un ítem, una calificación media de 3,8 (95%), y dos ítems, una calificación media de 3,7 (92,5%). Conclusiones. Con este estudio, la comunidad de habla hispana cuenta con un instrumento pertinente, suficiente, coherente y claro para identificar el sistema del equilibrio afectado, enfocar el tratamiento y obtener mejores resultados funcionales a partir de la evaluación del equilibrio en adultos mayores

Introduction. The risk of falls in older adults increases because of the decrease in strength, flexibility, balance and sensory changes affecting functionality and quality of life. For this reason, an integral system of evaluation of equilibrium is necessary, for preventive purposes or for early therapeutic interventions. Aim. To present the results of the transcultural translation and adaptation process of the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest) to Spanish language. Subjects and methods. The original version of the BESTest was translated into Spanish, following the process of retrotraduction and cultural adaptation considering the semantic, idiomatic, conceptual and experiential equivalences. Subsequently the version was reviewed by a panel of experts qualifying clarity, coherence, relevance and sufficiency. The pilot test included 32 adults between 50 and 80 years old. Results. It was possible to carry out the complete translation of the instrument, the instructions for the subject and for the evaluator. Most items of the test reached the maximum score of 4.0 (100%), nine items achieved an average score of 3.9 (99%), one item got an average score of 3.8 (95%) and two items achieved an average score of 3.7 (92.5%). Conclusions. With this study the Spanish speakers community has a pertinent sufficient, coherent and clear instrument in order to identify the control postural system altered to focus treatment and to get better functional outcomes from balance evaluation in older adults

Cancer Incidence in Five Continents: Inclusion criteria, highlights from Volume X and the global status of cancer registration.

Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5), a longstanding collaboration between the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the International Association of Cancer Registries, serves as a unique source of cancer incidence data from high-quality population-based cancer registries around the world. The recent publication of Volume X comprises cancer incidence data from 290 registries covering 424 populations in 68 countries for the registration period 2003-2007. In this article, we assess the status of population-based cancer registries worldwide, describe the techniques used in CI5 to evaluate their quality and highlight the notable variation in the incidence rates of selected cancers contained within Volume X of CI5. We also discuss the Global Initiative for Cancer Registry Development as an international partnership that aims to reduce the disparities in availability of cancer incidence data for cancer control action, particularly in economically transitioning countries, already experiencing a rapid rise in the number of cancer patients annually.

Human papillomavirus genotypes in genital warts in Latin America: a cross-sectional study in Bogota, Colombia.

Epidemiological studies on benign lesions related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection are scarce in Latin America. We enrolled 342 consecutive patients with lesions suspected of being genital warts (GW). All patients underwent confirmatory biopsy and GP5+/GP6+/- Reverse Line Blot HPV testing on frozen tissue. In 261 (81%) cases, the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology and HPV was detected in 90.6% of men and 87.7% of women. HPV 6 was by far the most common type in both women (62%) and men (56%), followed by HPV 11 (∼20%). Co-infection with these two types occurred in 7% and 12% of women and men, respectively. HPV16 ranked third in prevalence, with 16% of patients testing positive. Twenty-five percent of cases tested positive for multiple HPV genotypes. Although HPV 6 and HPV 11 were the main types detected and no differences between men and women were observed, we found HPV 11 contributed more to GW aetiology compared with previous reports, showing a variability of HPV type distribution in GW across populations. This information is valuable baseline data in Latin America for future estimations of the burden of GW in men and women and shows the potential benefit obtainable by prophylactic vaccination against HPV types 6 and 11.

[Developing a combined predictor measure for early detection of psychosis proneness]. / Construcción de una medida predictora compuesta para la detección temprana del riesgo de psicosis.

INTRODUCTION: This study falls within research on neurocognitive risk markers of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and its usefulness for early prevention strategies. METHOD: Two samples of 60 adults and 65 children and adolescents, with some schizophrenia high-risk individuals among them, were studied with the aim of harmonizing different strategies for early detection. One of the most practical aspects of this study was the design of a combined and straightforward measure (different in adults and adolescents) of vulnerability to schizophrenia spectrum disorders (schizotaxia), in contrast to the high availability of neuropsychological measures. For that purpose, several psychometric analyses were made exploring schizotypy prodromes, as well as neurocognitive functions (prefrontal, attentional, working memory and general cognitive functioning tasks) or external markers of these disorders. RESULTS: In keeping with previous research, our results indicate that the more accurate measure of schizotaxia or vulnerability to schizophrenia combines, on the one hand, negative symptoms of schizotypy and, on the other hand, neuropsychological deficits in cognitive frontal functions such as memory, attention and executive functions. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the findings suggest that it must be possible to identify normal subjects vulnerable to squizophrenia spectrum disorders, adults o adolescents, because some of them show early neurocognitive deficits and schizotipic symptoms similar to those observed in clinical samples. Actas Esp Psiquiatr 2003;31(5):244-251

A patch-clamp study on the physiology of aluminum toxicity and aluminum tolerance in maize. Identification and characterization of Al(3+)-induced anion channels.

The presence of Al(3+) in the rhizosphere induces citrate efflux from the root apex of the Al-tolerant maize (Zea mays) hybrid South American 3, consequently chelating and reducing the activity of toxic Al(3+) at the root surface. Because citrate is released from root apical cells as the deprotonated anion, we used the patch-clamp technique in protoplasts isolated from the terminal 5 mm of the root to study the plasma membrane ion transporters that could be involved in Al-tolerance and Al-toxicity responses. Acidification of the extracellular environment stimulated inward K(+) currents while inhibiting outward K(+) currents. Addition of extracellular Al(3+) inhibited the remaining K(+) outward currents, blocked the K(+) inward current, and caused the activation of an inward Cl(-) current (anion efflux). Studies with excised membrane patches revealed the existence of Al-dependent anion channels, which were highly selective for anions over cations. Our success in activating this channel with extracellular Al(3+) in membrane patches excised prior to any Al(3+) exposure indicates that the machinery required for Al(3+) activation of this channel, and consequently the whole root Al(3+) response, is localized to the root-cell plasma membrane. This Al(3+)-activated anion channel may also be permeable to organic acids, thus mediating the Al-tolerance response (i.e. Al-induced organic acid exudation) observed in intact maize root apices.

Cation permeability and selectivity of a root plasma membrane calcium channel.

Calcium channels in the plasma membrane of root cells fulfill both nutritional and signaling roles. The permeability of these channels to different cations determines the magnitude of their cation conductances, their effects on cell membrane potential and their contribution to cation toxicities. The selectivity of the rca channel, a Ca2+-permeable channel from the plasma membrane of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) roots, was studied following its incorporation into planar lipid bilayers. The permeation of K+, Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ through the pore of the rca channel was modeled. It was assumed that cations permeated in single file through a pore with three energy barriers and two ion-binding sites. Differences in permeation between divalent and monovalent cations were attributed largely to the affinity of the ion binding sites. The model suggested that significant negative surface charge was present in the vestibules to the pore and that the pore could accommodate two cations simultaneously, which repelled each other strongly. The pore structure of the rca channel appeared to differ from that of L-type calcium channels from animal cell membranes since its ion binding sites had a lower affinity for divalent cations. The model adequately accounted for the diverse permeation phenomena observed for the rca channel. It described the apparent submillimolar Km for the relationship between unitary conductance and Ca2+ activity, the differences in selectivity sequences obtained from measurements of conductance and permeability ratios, the changes in relative cation permeabilities with solution ionic composition, and the complex effects of Ca2+ on K+ and Na+ currents through the channel. Having established the adequacy of the model, it was used to predict the unitary currents that would be observed under the ionic conditions employed in patch-clamp experiments and to demonstrate the high selectivity of the rca channel for Ca2+ influx under physiological conditions.

An epidemic of collective conversion and dissociation disorder in an indigenous group of Colombia: its relation to cultural change.

We describe a collective episode of psychogenic illness in an indigenous group (Embera) of Colombia, geographically isolated from its native homeland and surrounded by non-indigenous settlers. The condition, which affected three young adult men and six adolescent women, was attributed by them to a spell (maleficio). It was designated as ataques de locura (madness attacks) according to their traditional medical system; and as a conversive disorder with dissociative features by psychiatrists. Different therapeutic approaches, including antipsychotic medication, religious healers and traditional herbal remedies were unsuccessful. Contact with shamans of the same ethnic origin, on the other hand, proved to be an effective way of dealing with the symptoms. We interpret the situation as an expression of psychosocial stress secondary to cultural change. This medical problem bears close resemblance to other specific culture-bound syndromes such as ataques de nervios or possession syndromes and gives clues to ways of dealing with psychogenic expressions of cultural stress.

Characterization of the high-affinity verapamil binding site in a plant plasma membrane Ca2+-selective channel.

Despite biochemical evidence for the existence of high-affinity phenylalkylamine receptors in higher plants, their effects on channel activity have only been demonstrated at relatively high concentrations. We have performed a quantitative single-channel analysis of the changes induced by extracellular verapamil in the rca channel [a wheat root plasma membrane Ca2+-selective channel (Piñeros & Tester, 1995. Planta 195:478-488)]. Concentrations as low as 0.5 microM verapamil induced a blockade of the inward current, with no evident reduction of the single-channel current amplitude. Blockade by verapamil was concentration and voltage dependent. Preliminary analysis suggested the blockade was due to a reduction in the maximum open state probability rather than a change in V0.5. Further analysis of the association and dissociation rate constants revealed a binding site located 56 to 59% down the voltage drop from the extracellular face of the channel, with a Kd(0) of 24 to 26 microM. This results in a Kd at -100 mV of 2 microM. Methoxyverapamil had qualitatively the same effects. This intra-pore binding site can be accessed directly from the extracellular side of the rca channel, but apparently not from the cytosolic side.

Calcium channels in higher plant cells: selectivity, regulation and pharmacology.

Rapid influx of Ca(2+) into the cytosol from extracellular pools or intracellular stores via ion channels can have wide-ranging physiological consequences. In addition, influx of Ca(2+) across the plasma membrane is necessary for the large net accumulation of Ca(2+) essential for cellular integrity. In this paper, the properties of Ca(2+) channels in various plant membranes are reviewed, and compared with new results on the Ca(2+) channel from the plasma membrane of wheat roots (rca channel) described originally by Piñeros and Tester (1995). The rca channel has been studied at the single channel level by incorporation of plasma membrane-enriched vesicles into planar lipid bilayers. It has a high affinity for Ca(2+) permeation (K(m) = 99 µM) and a maximal conductance of 30 pS. It is highly selective for Ca(2+) over Cl(-), but allows the movement both of other divalent cations (with a conductivity sequence: Ba(2+) > Sr(2+) > Ca(2+) >Mg(2+) > Mn(2+)) and of monovalent cations. The affinity for K(+) permeation was 6 mM, and the maximal conductance was 164 pS. The permeability ratio, P(Ca(2+))/P(K(+)) ranged from 17 to 41, decreasing with increasing extracellular Ca(2+). With physiologically reasonable membrane potentials and ionic conditions, the channel will catalyse Ca(2+) influx. At normal resting potentials (negative of about -135 mV) the channel remains largely closed, but activates rapidly upon depolarization. It is insensitive to ABA and Ins 1,4,5-P(3), but the voltage-dependence for activation was shifted to more negative potentials upon addition of cytosolic ATP. The channel was inhibited by a range of trivalent cations (La(3+), Al(3+) and Gd(3+)) and by some organic Ca2+ channel effectors (verapamil, diltiazem, ruthenium red), although it was insensitive to bepridil and 1,4 dihydropyridines [nifedipine and (+) and (-) 202-791], at least in the conditions described here. The properties of this channel are compared with those of other plant and animal Ca(2+) channels, and are shown to be consistent with its proposed physiological role of divalent cation uptake into roots.