Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of hydroxytyrosol are dependent on the food matrix in humans.

PURPOSE: Several studies have demonstrated the properties of hydroxytyrosol, a phenolic compound present in olive oils and olives with a well-characterized impact on human health. Nevertheless, some knowledge gaps remain on its bioavailability and metabolism; overall concerning to the real rate per cent of absorption and biovailability of dietary hydroxytyrosol and the influence of the dietary food-containing hydroxytyrosol on it. METHODS: A double-blind study was performed including 20 volunteers who ingested 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol through diverse food matrices, to discover the influence on pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of HT metabolites (hydroxytyrosol acetate, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), tyrosol, and homovanillic alcohol) of the distinct matrices by UHPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS. RESULTS: The HT pharmacokinetics after consumption of different food matrices was strongly dependent on the food matrix. In this aspect, the intake of extra virgin olive exhibited significantly higher plasma concentrations after 30 min of oral intake (3.79 ng/mL) relative to the control. Regarding the hydroxytyrosol bioavailability, the intake of extra virgin olive oil, as well as fortified refined olive, flax, and grapeseed oils provided significantly higher urinary contents (0.86, 0.63, 0.55, and 0.33 µg/mg creatinine, respectively) compared with basal urine, whereas hydroxytyrosol metabolites showed no significant changes. No differences were found between men and women. CONCLUSIONS: The metabolic profile of hydroxytyrosol is influenced by the food matrix in which is incorporated, with the oily nature for the final bioavailability being relevant. Extra virgin olive oil was identified as the best matrix for this compound. The results described contribute to the understanding of the relevance of the food matrices for the final absorption of hydroxytyrosol and hence, the achievement of the highest health protection potential.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Homebound Nursing Students.

University students are predisposed to stress, which could be even higher in Nursing students since they are directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic given their health training and area of knowledge. Our purpose was to assess the stress levels of Nursing students before and during lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Murcia (Spain), its influence on taking an online exam and how it was affected by physical exercise. This was an observational and prospective study including Nursing students from the second year of the Nursing Degree from 3 February to 23 April 2020. Three measurements were performed: one before lockdown and two during lockdown. Stress increased substantially during lockdown. Financial, family or emotional problems, as well as physical exercise, also increased. Indeed, at 40 days of lockdown, those students with financial, family or emotional problems, and less physical exercise reported significantly higher stress levels. In addition, those who passed the online exam had lower stress levels compared to those who failed. In conclusion, during lockdown, stress in Nursing students increased. This could be triggered by students' personal problems, and physical exercise may be used as a way to reduce stress. Academic performance was better in those students reporting less stress.

Formación del personal de ayuda a domicilio y el beneficio generado en el usuario / Training for home care service staff and its benefits to users/patients

El servicio de ayuda a domicilio es básico para el mantenimiento de muchas personas en su domicilio. Debido a la existencia de unas necesidades de atención cualificada a las personas dependientes nos planteamos: por un lado, comprobar el nivel de formación de los auxiliares de ayuda a domicilio de la provincia de Almería, saber las actividades que realizan diariamente en los domicilios y, por último, determinar el beneficio en el usuario que aportan con su cuidado. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, observacional, transversal en el que se seleccionaron a través de un muestreo aleatorio simple a un total de 66 personas que trabajaban como auxiliares de ayuda a domicilio (AAD) por toda la provincia de Almería. Los resultados muestran las AAD de nuestra muestra no cumplen los mínimos de formación que vienen reflejados en el BOE, pues más del 84% o no tienen cursos relacionados o los tienen por debajo de las 600 horas. Así, creemos que para que los AAD puedan proporcionar unos cuidados de calidad que reporten un beneficio real en los usuarios, es necesario cualificar y supervisar a dicho personal para que puedan cumplir adecuadamente su trabajo conforme a lo dispuesto en la legislación vigente(AU)

Home care service is essential for the care and maintenance of many people in their homes. Aware of the need for qualified home care assistance to dependent persons, we have considered some important points as to check the level of training of home care aides in the province of Almería in terms of daily household support, on the one hand and on the other, to determine how these dependent people are benefited by home care service. This study aims to describe, observe and present a cross-section of a randomly selected sample of a total of 66 professionals working as home care aides (HCAs) throughout the province of Almeria. Results show that the HCAs in our sample do not meet the minimum training requirement published in the BOE. More than 84% of the sample either have not completed any course related to the job or if they have done so, they have only done below the 600 hours required. Thus, we believe that in order for the HCA to be able to provide quality home care and give real benefit to users, personnel qualification and supervision are necessary for them to adequately do their job and comply with the existing legislation(AU)