Relation between Strawberry Fruit Redness and Bioactivity: Deciphering the Role of Anthocyanins as Health Promoting Compounds.

The red colour of most berries is often associated to fruit healthiness, since it has been linked to enrichment in anthocyanins (polyphenol with antioxidative properties). However, recent studies suggest that anthocyanins could not be the major contributors to bioactivity leading to uncertainty about their role as important molecules in the generation of health-promoting properties. To shed light on this issue, spectrophotometric and HPLC techniques were used for characterizing the content of phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins, in fruits of red (Fragaria x ananassa, cv. Fortuna) and white strawberry (Fragaria vesca spp. XXVIII) species (distinguishing receptacle from achene). In addition, the effect of these extracts on the reduction of intracellular ROS was tested, as well as on the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the quantification of cell oxidation markers. The results showed that white receptacle extracts (deprived of anthocyanins) were able to protect cells from oxidative damage to a greater extent than red fruits. This could be due per se to their high antioxidant capacity, greater than that shown in red fruits, or to the ability of antioxidants to modulate the activity of antioxidant enzymes, thus questioning the positive effect of anthocyanins on the wholesomeness of strawberry fruits. The results shed light on the relevance of anthocyanins in the prevention of health-associated oxidative damage.

Strawberry and Achenes Hydroalcoholic Extracts and Their Digested Fractions Efficiently Counteract the AAPH-Induced Oxidative Damage in HepG2 Cells.

Strawberry fruits are highly appreciated by consumers worldwide due to their bright red color, typical aroma, and juicy texture. While the biological activity of the complete fruit has been widely studied, the potential beneficial effects of the achenes (commonly named seeds) remain unknown. In addition, when raw fruit and achenes are consumed, the digestion process could alter the release and absorption of their phytochemical compounds, compromising their bioactivity. In the present work, we evaluated the protective effects against oxidative damage of nondigested and digested extracts from strawberry fruit and achenes in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells. For that purpose, cells were treated with different concentration of the extracts prior to incubation with the stressor agent, AAPH (2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride). Subsequently, intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the percentage of live, dead, and apoptotic cells were determined. Our results demonstrated that all the evaluated fractions were able to counteract the AAPH-induced damage, suggesting that the achenes also present biological activity. The positive effects of both the raw fruit and achenes were maintained after the in vitro digestion process.

Discapacidad intelectual en niños y adolescentes: influencia en la familia y la salud familiar. Revisión sistemática / Intellectual disability in children and teenagers: Influence on family and family health. Systematic review

Objetivo: Analizar la influencia en la unidad familiar de la existencia de un hijo en edad infantil o adolescente, con discapacidad intelectual. Método: Revisión sistemática de la literatura, siguiendo las recomendaciones de la declaración PRISMA, en PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO y Psicodoc. Se localizaron artículos originales, publicados en los últimos 5 años, en español, inglés, portugués, italiano o francés, con resumen y texto completo y calidad metodológica satisfactoria o buena. Dos investigadores independientes consensuaron decisiones. Resultados: Generalmente el cuidado se presta en la familia, asumiendo las madres la mayor responsabilidad, presentando menor bienestar que los padres. El apoyo del cónyuge mejora su calidad de vida. El subsistema fraternal puede afectarse en la calidez de la relación, el estatus/poder y los problemas comportamentales. La salud familiar puede afectarse en todas sus dimensiones: clima y funcionamiento familiar por las mayores demandas y modificaciones en la organización y distribución de roles; resistencia y afrontamiento familiares por el aumento de gastos y disminución de recursos; la integridad familiar puede reforzarse al fortalecerse los lazos familiares. El apoyo emocional favorece la calidad de vida familiar. Conclusiones: Estas familias pueden necesitar atención diferenciada por su mayor demanda de cuidados, disminución de recursos o problemas de salud familiar. Las enfermeras, desde un enfoque de atención centrado en la familia, pueden identificarlas y ayudarlas a normalizar su situación, fomentando la salud familiar y el bienestar de sus miembros (AU)

Objective: To examine the influence of a child or adolescent with intellectual disabilities on the family unit. Method: A systematic review of the literature, following the recommendations of the PRISMA statement, was carried out on the PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Psicodoc databases. Original articles were found, published in the last 5 years, in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian or French, with summary and full text and satisfactory or good methodological quality. Two independent researchers agreed on their decisions. Results: In general, care is provided in the family, mothers assume the greater responsibility, and their wellbeing is lower than that of fathers. Having the support of the husband improves their quality of life. The fraternal subsystem can be affected, with regard to the warmth and the status/power of the relationship, and behavioural problems. Family health may be affected in all its dimensions: family functioning and atmosphere due to increased demands and changes in the organisation and distribution of roles; family resilience and family coping, due to rising costs and dwindling resources; family integrity could be strengthened by strengthened family ties. Quality of family life is enhanced by emotional support. Conclusions: These families may need individualised attention due to the increased demand for care, diminishing resources or other family health problems. Nurses using a family-centred care approach can identify these families and help them to normalise their situation by promoting their family health and the well-being of its members (AU)

Bioaccessibility and potential bioavailability of phenolic compounds from achenes as a new target for strawberry breeding programs.

Strawberry is a major natural source of bioactive compounds. Botanically, strawberry is an aggregate fruit consisting of a fleshy floral receptacle that bears a cluster of real dry fruits (achenes). Existing knowledge on the phenolic composition of achenes and its contribution to that of the whole fruit is limited. Also, the gastric and intestinal bioavailability of phenols is poorly known. In this work, a combination of spectrophotometric and HPLC-DAD methods was used to analyse the phenolic composition of whole fruits and achenes before and after in vitro digestion. Five different phenol families were identified. Also, achenes were found to contribute a sizeable fraction of phenolic acids and hydrolysable tannins in the whole fruit. Because the mere presence of phenolic compounds in a food matrix does not ensure their ready absorption and bioavailability, polyphenol potential bioavailability could be an effective selection criterion for strawberry breeding programs aimed at improving dietary healthiness.

Intellectual disability in children and teenagers: Influence on family and family health. Systematic review. / Discapacidad intelectual en niños y adolescentes: influencia en la familia y la salud familiar. Revisión sistemática.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of a child or adolescent with intellectual disabilities on the family unit. METHOD: A systematic review of the literature, following the recommendations of the PRISMA statement, was carried out on the PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Psicodoc databases. Original articles were found, published in the last 5 years, in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian or French, with summary and full text and satisfactory or good methodological quality. Two independent researchers agreed on their decisions. RESULTS: In general, care is provided in the family, mothers assume the greater responsibility, and their wellbeing is lower than that of fathers. Having the support of the husband improves their quality of life. The fraternal subsystem can be affected, with regard to the warmth and the status/power of the relationship, and behavioural problems. Family health may be affected in all its dimensions: family functioning and atmosphere due to increased demands and changes in the organisation and distribution of roles; family resilience and family coping, due to rising costs and dwindling resources; family integrity could be strengthened by strengthened family ties. Quality of family life is enhanced by emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: These families may need individualised attention due to the increased demand for care, diminishing resources or other family health problems. Nurses using a family-centred care approach can identify these families and help them to normalise their situation by promoting their family health and the well-being of its members.

Strawberry Achenes Are an Important Source of Bioactive Compounds for Human Health.

Strawberries are highly appreciated for their taste, nutritional value and antioxidant compounds, mainly phenolics. Fruit antioxidants derive from achenes and flesh, but achene contribution to the total fruit antioxidant capacity and to the bioaccessibility after intake is still unknown. In this work, the content of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, anthocyanins and antioxidant capacity (TEAC, FRAP and DPPH) of achenes and flesh were compared in non-digested as well as in gastric and intestinal extracts after in vitro digestion. Results showed that, despite strawberry achenes represent a small fraction of the fruit, their contribution to total fruit antioxidant content was more than 41% and accounted for 81% of antioxidant capacity (TEAC). Achenes have higher quantity and different quality of antioxidants in non-digested and digested extracts. Antioxidant release was higher in the in vitro gastric digested extracts, but digestion conditions did not only affect quantity but quality, resulting in differences in antioxidant capacity and highlighting the importance of simulating physiological-like extraction conditions for assessing fruit antioxidant properties on human health. These results give new insights into the use of strawberry achenes as a source of bioactive compounds to be considered in strawberry breeding programs for improving human health.

Developmental stages of cultivated strawberry flowers in relation to chilling sensitivity.

Environmental factors affecting flower development may limit the yields of fruiting crops worldwide. In temperate regions, chilling temperatures during flower development can compromise fruit production, but their negative effects vary depending on the differing susceptibilities of each developmental stage. The cultivated strawberry (Fragaria× ananassa Duch.) is widely grown worldwide but financial returns are influenced by sudden shifts to chilling temperatures occurring during the cropping cycle. Despite this important limitation, knowledge of F.× ananassa flower development is lacking, in contrast to the diploid wild-type strawberry (F. vesca). In this study we describe steps in floral development of cultivated strawberry and define their vulnerability to chilling temperatures. To achieve this, flower buds from strawberry plants of cv. 'Camarosa' were labelled and monitored from bud initiation until anthesis. Description of morphological and functional changes during flower development was based on histological sections and scanning electron microscopy. To determine the impact of low temperatures at different developmental stages, plants carrying buds of different sizes were chilled at 2 °C for 24 h. Several parameters related to male and female gametophyte development were later evaluated in flowers as they approached anthesis. Fragaria× ananassa flower development was divided into 16 stages according to landmark events. These stages were similar to those documented for F. vesca but three new additional intermediate stages were described. Timing of developmental processes was achieved by correlating developmental staging with specific bud sizes and days before anthesis. Time to reach anthesis from early bud stages was 17-18 days. During this period, we detected four critical periods vulnerable to low temperatures. These were mostly related to male gametophyte development but also to injury to female organs at late developmental stages. These results provide the essential groundwork on floral biology of cultivated strawberry that is a prerequisite for successful comparative studies of cold tolerance among genotypes during flower formation.