Perceived social support and treatment adherence in Chileans with Type 2 diabetes.

This study aimed to determine if greater perceived social support was directly associated with better Type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatment adherence and if better T2D treatment adherence was related to lower HbA1c levels in Chilean adults with T2D. For this purpose, 200 adults were recruited from the Chilean Diabetic Association. Participants were asked to complete self-report instruments and provide a capillary blood sample to measure HbA1c. Structural equation model analyses were performed to determine direct associations. The study's results indicate that greater perceived social support was associated with healthier dietary habits, regular foot care, more frequent physical activity, and lower medication intake. Likewise, blood sugar testing and physical activity were related to HbA1c. These findings provide evidence of how perceived social support relates to T2D treatment adherence behaviors in Latino patients from South America and could be used for interventions to enhance social support from patients' families, partners, and friends.

Disentangling between-person and within-person associations of physical symptoms of depression with self-perceived health and life satisfaction: A longitudinal study in Chilean adults.

Depression is a major health problem in Chile. Evidence suggests that physical symptoms of depression (PSD) negatively impact self-perceived health and life satisfaction. The aim of this study was to determine the between-person and within-person associations of PSD with self-perceived health and life satisfaction in Chilean adults. The sample consisted of 1424 participants (64.54% female; Mage = 46.77, SD = 14.88) with data in five waves of the Social Longitudinal Study of Chile. Variables were measured through self-report questionnaires. Hypotheses were tested using multilevel analysis. At the within-person level, physical slowing, fatigue, and sleep problems were associated with poorer self-perceived health and lower life satisfaction. At the between-person level, physical slowing and fatigue were associated with poorer perceived health and lower life satisfaction. PSD are associated with self-perceived health and life satisfaction in Chilean adults longitudinally. The study highlights the importance of monitoring PSD changes in Chilean adults.

Cardiometabolic comorbidities in Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors: prevalence and impact on health-related quality of life and supportive care needs.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to characterize the prevalence of cardiometabolic comorbidities (i.e., diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease) among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors and examine the impact of cardiometabolic comorbidities on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), unmet supportive care needs, patient-provider communication self-efficacy, satisfaction with cancer care, and increases in healthy behaviors. METHODS: Hispanics/Latinos diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer (N = 288) were assessed within 15 months of primary treatment completion. RESULTS: One-quarter (24.7%) of survivors were diagnosed with diabetes and one-fifth (20.8%) were diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease. Survivors with at least one cardiometabolic comoribidity were older (t(278) = -.3.622, p < .001) and more likely to have a household income of less than $25,000 (X2 = 8.369, p = .004). When adjusting for sociodemographic and medical covariates, survivors with cardiometabolic comorbidities demonstrated worse overall HRQoL (B = -4.792, p = .050), emotional (B = -1.479, p = .018) and physical (B = -2.228, p = .005) wellbeing, a higher odds of unmet psychological (OR = 2.095, p = .027) and sexuality (OR = 2.898, p = .004) needs, and greater patient-provider communication self-efficacy (B = .179, p = .045). There were no differences in healthy behavior changes or satisfaction with cancer care. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiometabolic comorbidities may be highly prevalent among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors and increase the risk of worse HRQoL and unmet supportive care needs. Targeted interventions are needed to optimize health among Hispanic/Latino cancer survivors with cardiometabolic comorbidities.

Bay Leaves Extracts as Active Additive for Food Protective Coatings.

Ethanolic extracts of bay leaves were obtained using the Soxhlet method (extraction yield of 22.3 ± 1.2%) and further analyzed through different methods, thus determining the chemical composition with gas chromatography, phenolic content with the Folin-Ciocalteu technique (11.8 ± 0.4% wt.) and antioxidant power with the radical 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) method (75.06%). Furthermore, its effect on the growth of two bacteria, Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus, and on two yeasts, Candida glabrata and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was determined, showing a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.65 mg/mL on the growth of B. cereus. Finally, edible films were prepared using different polymers (carboxymethyl cellulose, gum Arabic, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and polyvinyl alcohol) containing 0, 5, 10, or 15% wt. of bay leaf extract as troubleshooting for perishable fruits, specifically for cultivated strawberry. The prepared composites presented reduced water vapor permeabilities (up to 4.3 × 10-7 g·Pa-1·m-1·h-1), high specific transparencies (≈30%/mm), as well as the effective blocking of ultraviolet radiation (>99.9%). In vivo tests showed that the most suitable treatment for strawberry protection was the impregnation with a composite comprising polyvinyl alcohol and a 15% wt. bay leaf extract, resulting in a noteworthy reduction in mass loss (22% after 6 days). It can be asserted that food packaging with the designed composites would be an effective alternative for the reduction in postharvest losses.

[Health-related quality of life in Chileans from vulnerable communes]. / Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en chilenos de comunas vulnerables.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting social and health crisis impacted the well-being of the population. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) could be affected, mainly in conditions of social vulnerability. The objective was to analyze the HRQoL and the psychometric properties of the EQ-5D instrument in adult Chilean population from vulnerable communes of the Metropolitan Region. METHOD: Cross-sectional study carried out during quarantine period April to June 2021. Five hundred adults residing in Chilean communes were selected and completed a structured questionnaire by video-call, including the EQ-5D instrument. Descriptive analyzes and confirmatory factor analyzes of the traditional reflective model were performed. RESULTS: The age of the sample was 36.36±12.41 years, the majority reported having a secondary education level and being employed. Regarding the EQ-5D instrument, the most affected dimensions were pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. The global health status was 73.0±19.71 points. The model showed an adequate fit: χ2=6.992, p=0.221, CFI=0.996, TLI=0.993, RMSEA=0.028 (90% CI: 0.000-0.073) and SRMR=0.067. In addition, the items of the scale were good indicators of the construct of interest. CONCLUSIONS: In a pandemic context, the population was mostly affected by pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. The EQ-5D instrument is a useful tool to estimate CRSV in the Chilean population in the context of pandemic. In addition, the psychometric evidence supports the dimensionality of the construct and the potential utility of decomposing its analysis.

The Protein Matrix of Plastocyanin Supports Long-Distance Charge Transport with Photosystem I and the Copper Ion Regulates Its Spatial Span and Conductance.

Charge exchange is the fundamental process that sustains cellular respiration and photosynthesis by shuttling electrons in a cascade of electron transfer (ET) steps between redox cofactors. While intraprotein charge exchange is well characterized in protein complexes bearing multiple redox sites, interprotein processes are less understood due to the lack of suitable experimental approaches and the dynamic nature of the interactions. Proteins constrained between electrodes are known to support electron transport (ETp) through the protein matrix even without redox cofactors, as the charges housed by the redox sites in ET are furnished by the electrodes. However, it is unknown whether protein ETp mechanisms apply to the interprotein medium present under physiological conditions. We study interprotein charge exchange between plant photosystem I (PSI) and its soluble redox partner plastocyanin (Pc) and address the role of the Pc copper center. Using electrochemical scanning tunneling spectroscopy (ECSTS) current-distance and blinking measurements, we quantify the spatial span of charge exchange between individual Pc/PSI pairs and ETp through transient Pc/PSI complexes. Pc devoid of the redox center (Pcapo) can exchange charge with PSI at longer distances than with the copper ion (Pcholo). Conductance bursts associated with Pcapo/PSI complex formation are higher than in Pcholo/PSI. Thus, copper ions are not required for long-distance Pc/PSI ETp but regulate its spatial span and conductance. Our results suggest that the redox center that carries the charge in Pc is not necessary to exchange it in interprotein ET through the aqueous solution and question the canonical view of tight complex binding between redox protein partners.

Fermentation Patterns, Methane Production and Microbial Population under In Vitro Conditions from Two Unconventional Feed Resources Incorporated in Ruminant Diets.

In this study, four experimental treatments were evaluated: (T1) alfalfa hay + concentrate, (50:50%, DM); (T2) alfalfa hay + Leucaena leucocephala + concentrate, (30:20:50%, DM); (T3) alfalfa hay + prickly pear + concentrate, (30:20:50%, DM); and (T4) alfalfa hay + Leucaena leucocephala + prickly pear + concentrate, (30:10:10:50%, DM). NH3-N concentrations in T2 and T4 decreased when replaced with alfalfa hay in 20 and 10%, respectively. Treatments did not affect the concentration of total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) between T3 and T4 (p > 0.05), while the concentrations among T1 and T2 were different (p < 0.05). T2 showed a reduction of 25.5% in the methane production when compared to T1 (p < 0.05). The lowest concentrations of protozoa were observed in T2 and T4, which contained Leucaena leucocephala (T2) and Leucaena leucocephala + prickly pear (T4) (p < 0.05). The highest concentration of total methanogens was recorded in T1 and was different in T2, T3, and T4 (p < 0.05). Leucaena leucocephala, at an inclusion percentage of 20%, decreased the methane when compared to T1, whereas prickly pear increased methane production in relation to T1.

Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome and Child Sleep Problems in ADHD, Anxiety and Depression.

The main objective of this study was to analyse the relationship and differential contribution of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome (CDS) and sleep problems in children in different psychopathological measures. A total of 1133 participants (612 fathers/mothers and 521 children aged 7-13 years in Years 3-6 of Primary Education) completed the scales on CDS, sleep problems, depression (DEP), anxiety (ANX) and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Similar and significant correlations were identified in the measures of CDS and sleep problems between fathers and mothers, obtaining a high coefficient between the two parents. However, weak correlations were found between fathers/mothers and children. The scores of CDS and the sleep disturbance scale for children (SDSC) significantly predicted the internalising measures and ADHD, especially between SDSC and DEP. It was confirmed that sleep problems had a greater presence in the group of children with the highest ADHD scores, and especially in CDS and ADHD jointly. To conclude, the data indicate the importance of sleep problems in understanding CDS and its relationship with other psychopathological measures, especially ADHD, although to a greater extent with internalising symptoms, especially DEP.

Effect of Fucoxanthin on Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity, and Insulin Secretion.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fucoxanthin on metabolic syndrome (MetS), insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 28 patients diagnosed with MetS. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 12 mg of fucoxanthin or placebo once a day for 12 weeks. Before and after the intervention, the components of MetS, insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index), first phase of insulin secretion (Stumvoll index), and total insulin secretion were evaluated during a 2-h oral glucose tolerance test. After fucoxanthin administration, significant differences were observed in body weight (BW) (80.6 ± 11.2 vs. 79.16 ± 12.3 kg, P < .01), body mass index (BMI) (31.1 ± 3.6 vs. 30.3 ± 3.7 kg/m2, P < .01), waist circumference (WC) (101.2 ± 9.1 vs. 98.9 ± 9.3 cm, P < .01), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (126.1 ± 10.3 vs. 120.8 ± 9.7 mmHg, P < .01), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (81.5 ± 6.5 vs. 78.6 ± 6.3 mmHg, P < .01), triglycerides (TG) (2.2 ± 0.7 vs. 2.1 ± 0.7 mmol/L, P < .01), Stumvoll index (2403 ± 621 vs. 2907 ± 732, P < .05), and total insulin secretion (0.84 ± 0.31 vs. 1.02 ± 0.32, P < .05). In conclusion, fucoxanthin administration leads to a decrease in BW, BMI, WC, SBP, DBP, TG, as well as increase in the first phase of insulin secretion and total insulin secretion in patients with MetS. Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT03613740.

[Relation between weight stigma and emotional eating: an approach from structural equation modeling]. / Relación entre estigma de peso y alimentación emocional: una aproximación desde el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales.

Introduction: Introduction: dietary intake has been shown to be one of the main factors influencing weight gain, and weight stigma contributes to increased emotional eating. However, the factors that mediate this relationship have been less studied. Objective: the aim of this study was to identify the relationship between weight stigma and emotional eating, and whether this relationship is mediated by internalizing weight bias and psychological distress. Methods: a non-probabilistic sample of 332 people from the general population (192 women and 140 men) answered self-report psychological instruments and provided anthropometric measurements. Results: through structural equation analysis (SEM), direct relationships were identified, among which the relationship between weight stigma and emotional eating stands out (ß = 0.422, p < 0.001), in addition to the indirect relationship between these variables mediated by internalized weight bias and psychological distress (ßindirect = 0.016, p = < 0.05). The model had good indicators of goodness of fit and explained 85 % of the variance. Conclusion: the results show the importance of including psychological and behavioral variables in the treatment of emotional eating in people with overweight and obesity, as well as addressing these issues from public policies to reduce the associated stigma that still prevails in society.

Introducción: Introducción: se ha demostrado que la ingesta alimentaria es uno de los principales factores que influyen en el incremento del peso y que el estigma de peso contribuye a una mayor alimentación emocional. Sin embargo, los factores que median esta relación han sido menos estudiados. Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la relación que existe entre estigma de peso y alimentación emocional, y si esta relación está mediada por la internalización del sesgo de peso y el malestar psicológico. Métodos: una muestra no probabilística de 332 personas de población general (192 mujeres y 140 hombres) respondió instrumentos psicológicos de autorreporte y proporcionó medidas antropométricas. Resultados: por medio de un análisis de ecuaciones estructurales (SEM), se identificaron relaciones directas, entre las que destaca la relación del estigma de peso y alimentación emocional (ß = 0,422, p < 0,001), además de la relación indirecta entre estas variables mediante la internalización del sesgo de peso y malestar psicológico (ßindirecto = 0,016, p = < 0,05). El modelo tuvo buenos indicadores de bondad de ajuste y explicó un 85 % de la varianza. Conclusión: los resultados muestran la importancia de incluir variables psicológicas y conductuales en el tratamiento de la alimentación emocional en personas con sobrepeso y obesidad, así como de abordar estos temas desde políticas públicas para disminuir el estigma asociado que aún impera en la sociedad.

Problemas de salud mental en universitarios durante la pandemia por COVID-19: ¿qué tipo de ayuda buscan? / Mental health problems in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: What kind of help do they seek?

Introducción: La pandemia por COVID-19 ha tenido un impacto negativo en el bienestar psicológico de la población, siendo los jóvenes un grupo especialmente vulnerable. Objetivo: El presente estudio se propuso examinar los niveles de búsqueda de ayuda (formal e informal) para problemas en salud mental y sus variables asociadas en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios de la Región de La Araucanía, en el contexto de la pandemia por COVID-19. Método: A través de un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia, se reclutó a 500 estudiantes de entre 18 y 29 años. Se describió y comparó su nivel de búsqueda de ayuda, así como variables que podrían obstaculizarla o facilitarla, según género. Adicionalmente, se estimaron modelos de regresión lineal múltiple diferenciados por género, con la búsqueda de ayuda informal como variable criterio. Resultados: Se evidenció una renuencia general a buscar ayuda (formal e informal) tanto en hombres como mujeres, una mayor experimentación de malestar psicológico y mayor conocimiento sobre salud mental en mujeres. Finalmente, se observaron diferencias en los predictores de la búsqueda de ayuda informal entre hombres y mujeres, siendo el apoyo social y las emociones negativas en pandemia los únicos comunes entre géneros. Conclusión: Se discuten los bajos niveles de búsqueda de ayuda evidenciados, y las diferencias observadas en variables asociadas, en función de la brecha de género en salud mental.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the psychological well-being of the population, with young people being a particularly vulnerable group. Aim: The present study examines help-seeking intention for mental health problems and associated variables among male and female university students in La Araucanía Region during the COVI-19 pandemic. Method: A sample of 500 students aged 18 to 29 was recruited through non-probabilistic convenience sampling. Help-seeking levels and facilitating or hindering variables were compared by gender. Multiple linear regression models were estimated separately by gender to predict the criterion variable of informal help-seeking. Results: The results indicate that both men and women are reluctant to seek help (formal and informal). Women reported higher levels of psychological distress and greater knowledge about mental health than men. Differences in predictors of informal help-seeking between men and women are evidenced, with social support and negative emotions in pandemic being the only common predictors between genders. Conclusion: The low levels of help-seeking evidenced, and the differences observed in associated variables based on the gender gap in mental health, are discussed.

Anti-hyperglycemic effects of propolis or metformin in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of propolis or metformin versus placebo on glycemic control in pharmacological treatment-naïve patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled in parallel groups clinical trial was performed in 36 pharmacological treatment-naïve patients with T2DM. They received propolis (300 mg), metformin (850 mg), or placebo twice daily before breakfast and dinner for 12 weeks. At the beginning and end of the study, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-h postload glucose (2-h PG) during a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, glycated hemoglobin A1c (A1C) and a metabolic profile were measured. Areas under the curve (AUC) of glucose and insulin, total insulin secretion (insulinogenic index), the first phase of insulin secretion (Stumvoll index), and insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index) were calculated. Statistical analyses: Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests. Results: The propolis and metformin groups exhibited significant reductions in FPG (p=0.009 and p=0.001, respectively), 2-h PG (p=0.034 and p=0.001, respectively) levels, AUC of insulin, Stumvoll index, and an increment in the Matsuda index. The comparison of the changes from baseline to the end showed significant differences between placebo and propolis in FPG (p=0.004) and A1C (p=0.049) levels, while between placebo and metformin were in FPG (p=0.002), 2-h PG (p=0.004) and A1C (p=0.007) levels. Conclusions: The administration of propolis and metformin compared to placebo reduced FPG and A1C levels; in addition, metformin decreased 2-h PG, AUC of glucose and insulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased the insulin sensitivity.

Impacto de la publicidad tradicional y digital en la resiliencia de las mipymes del sur de Tamaulipas durante COVID-19 / Impact of conventional and digital advertising on the resilience of MSMEs in southern Tamaulipas during COVID-19

Resumen La publicidad es una parte de la mercadotecnia que ha demostrado, durante décadas y tal vez siglos, ser efectiva para la productividad de los negocios. En México, la pandemia de COVID-19, desde el mes de abril de 2020 y al menos a mayo de 2021, ha dejado estragos comerciales y empresariales diversos, que se pueden apreciar en la quiebra de algunos negocios y en el nacimiento o desarrollo de otros. La resiliencia de las empresas, capacidad de sobreponerse a las adversidades del entorno, ha sido un tema importante durante la pandemia. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar en qué medida impacta la publicidad, tanto tradicional como digital, en la resiliencia de las empresas. Se realizó una investigación empírica cuantitativa en el mes de mayo de 2021, en la que se aplicó un cuestionario en línea de 30 ítems a una muestra de 302 micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas de la zona sur del estado de Tamaulipas, México. Los resultados mostraron que las empresas encuestadas manifestaron utilizar casi en la misma proporción la publicidad tradicional y digital. Se encontró además una correlación significativa y positiva entre los dos tipos de publicidad y la resiliencia de las empresas, por lo que se puede recomendar a los empresarios definir estrategias encaminadas a utilizar todos los medios publicitarios para anunciarse y así incrementar la posibilidad de tener sostenibilidad empresarial, en particular en tiempos adversos.

Abstract Advertising is a part of marketing that has proved over decades, and perhaps centuries, to be effective for business productivity. The COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, which paused large numbers of economic activities from April 2020 to at least May 2021, has left diverse commercial and business disruptions. These can be seen in the bankruptcy of some businesses and in the birth or development of others. The resilience of enterprises, understood as the capacity to overcome the adversities of the environment has been an important topic during the pandemic. The aim of this work was to determine the extent to which both, conventional and digital advertising impact on the resilience of enterprises. An empirical quantitative investigation was carried out in May 2021, in which a 30-item online questionnaire was administered to a sample of 302 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises located in the southern region of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Results showed that the surveyed companies claimed that they use conventional and virtual advertising in almost the same proportion. In addition, a significant positive correlation was found between the use of the two types of advertising and the resilience of enterprises. Therefore, it is advisable for entrepreneurs to define strategies that lead to the use of all advertising mediums in order to increase the possibility of achieving entrepreneurial sustainability, especially in adverse circumstances.

Propiedades psicométricas del ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI) en una muestra chilena / Psychometric properties of the ENRICHD Social Support Instrument (ESSI) in a Chilean sample

Introducción El apoyo social percibido es una variable relevante en los procesos de salud-enfermedad. Es importante que los instrumentos dirigidos a medir este constructo presenten evidencia de fiabilidad y validez. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las propiedades psicométricas del ESSI en población chilena, y su invarianza de medida entre hombres y mujeres, y entre universitarios y adultos. Método Dos muestras no probabilísticas, una de universitarios (n = 538) y una de adultos (n = 446) fueron enroladas en un estudio transversal. Los datos fueron analizados con análisis factorial confirmatorio multigrupo y análisis de consistencia interna con Omega de McDonald (ω). Resultados La estructura unidimensional de la ESSI fue confirmada en la muestra completa. Asimismo, se demostró invarianza escalar entre hombres y mujeres, e invarianza escalar parcial entre universitarios y adultos. La fiabilidad de los puntajes de la ESSI fue adecuada (ω > .80). Conclusión Los puntajes de la ESSI presentan evidencia de validez factorial y fiabilidad en población chilena. La escala puede ser utilizada para medir apoyo social percibido, aunque es recomendable su uso diferenciado entre universitarios y adultos.

Introduction Perceived social support is a relevant variable in health-disease processes. Measurement of this construct must be reliable and valid; thus, we aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the ESSI in the Chilean population and whether this measure is invariant between men and women and between university students and adults. Method Two non-probabilistic samples (students; n = 538, and adults; n = 446) were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Data were analyzed with a Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis and reliability with McDonald's Omega coefficient (ω). Results A unidimensional structure of the ESSI was confirmed in the entire sample. Likewise, we proved scalar invariance between men and women and partial scalar invariance between university students and adults. The reliability of the ESSI scores was adequate (ω > .80). Conclusion The ESSI scores present evidence of factorial validity and reliability in the Chilean population. The scale can be used to measure perceived social support, although its differentiated use between university students and adults is recommended.

Ellagic Acid Effect on the Components of Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity and Insulin Secretion: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors, usually with a common pathophysiological origin in insulin resistance and abdominal obesity. Considering the reported effects of ellagic acid (EA) on insulin resistance and abdominal obesity, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of EA on the components of MetS, insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion by conducting a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial with 32 volunteers diagnosed with MetS. Sixteen patients were randomly allocated, received 500 mg of EA orally twice a day for 12 weeks, and the other 16 received a placebo. Clinical and laboratory determinations were obtained at baseline and at the end of the study. After EA administration, patients reduced their waist circumference (females: 102.2 ± 4.2 to 99.5 ± 3.2 cm (p < 0.05); males: 99.8 ± 6.7 to 96.0 ± 4.7 cm (p < 0.01)), systolic blood pressure (118.1 ± 10.1 to 113.7 ± 7.8 mmHg (p < 0.01)), diastolic blood pressure (118.1 ± 10.1 to 113.7 ± 7.8 mmHg (p < 0.01)), triglycerides (2.8 ± 1.1 to 2.1 ± 0.7 mmol/L (p < 0.01)), fasting plasma glucose (6.5 ± 0.5 to 5.7 ± 0.6 mmol/L (p < 0.01)), fasting plasma insulin (p < 0.01), and insulin secretion (p < 0.05), with an increase of insulin sensitivity (p < 0.01). In male patients, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased (p < 0.05). In conclusion, EA improved the components of MetS, reduced hyperinsulinemia, and improved insulin sensitivity.

Light- and Redox-Dependent Force Spectroscopy Reveals that the Interaction between Plastocyanin and Plant Photosystem I Is Favored when One Partner Is Ready for Electron Transfer.

Photosynthesis is a fundamental process that converts photons into chemical energy, driven by large protein complexes at the thylakoid membranes of plants, cyanobacteria, and algae. In plants, water-soluble plastocyanin (Pc) is responsible for shuttling electrons between cytochrome b6f complex and the photosystem I (PSI) complex in the photosynthetic electron transport chain (PETC). For an efficient turnover, a transient complex must form between PSI and Pc in the PETC, which implies a balance between specificity and binding strength. Here, we studied the binding frequency and the unbinding force between suitably oriented plant PSI and Pc under redox control using single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS). The binding frequency (observation of binding-unbinding events) between PSI and Pc depends on their respective redox states. The interaction between PSI and Pc is independent of the redox state of PSI when Pc is reduced, and it is disfavored in the dark (reduced P700) when Pc is oxidized. The frequency of interaction between PSI and Pc is higher when at least one of the partners is in a redox state ready for electron transfer (ET), and the post-ET situation (PSIRed-PcOx) leads to lower binding. In addition, we show that the binding of ET-ready PcRed to PSI can be regulated externally by Mg2+ ions in solution.

Model to Predict Healthcare Behaviors: Comparison of a Chilean and Mexican Sample.

(1) Background: Adherence to treatment and medical check-ups are important for health outcomes, but low adherence to treatment is a common phenomenon. Thus, we aimed to examine the role of cultural beliefs about physicians, perceived mistreatment, and emotions associated with the experience of mistreatment as an antecedent of healthcare behavior among Chilean and Mexican primary care patients using Betancourt's model for the study of health behavior. (2) Methods: This is a multivariate cross-sectional study with a non-probabilistic sample of 326 Mexican and 337 Chilean participants. Multigroup structural equation modeling was used to test the structural relations among the cultural and psychological variables as determinants of healthcare avoidance behavior. (3) Results: The results revealed a pattern of associations that work in the same way for Chilean and Mexican samples. Negative cultural beliefs about physicians have a direct effect on avoidance behaviors in healthcare. In addition, this effect is mediated through psychological factors, such as perception of mistreatment and negative emotions associated with mistreatment. (4) Conclusions: A structural invariance test showed that the perception of mistreatment and negative emotions were less intense for Chileans than Mexicans. In contrast, the association between negative emotions and avoidance behaviors was less intense for Mexicans.

Flash vacuum expansion: an alternative with potential for Ataulfo and Manila mango processing.

Mangoes of the Manila and Ataulfo varieties are characterized by having a pleasant flavor and an attractive color of both the peel and pulp. However, due to their post-harvest physiology, they are highly perishable and very susceptible to physical damage, which greatly limits marketing these fruits. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate technologies that preserve their organoleptic and nutritional properties. There is also an increasing demand of products that are as natural as possible where only physical processes are used in their preparation to reduce the use of chemical compounds. A technology that satisfies these demands is the flash vacuum-expansion (FVE) process. In Ataulfo mango, the FVE process increased soluble solids by approximately 9% and total phenolic content from 100.9 to 122.8 mg GAE/100 g of puree, which led to an increase in antioxidant capacity of the puree, as well as slightly improving color stability. However, further optimization of this method of processing mango is required.

The External Validity of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Versus Inattention in Behavioral, Social Interaction, and Academic Performance Measures.

BACKGROUND: The main objective was to replicate data on the external validity of the Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) dimension, versus ADHD Inattention (IN), with the Spanish version of the Child and Adolescent Behavior Inventory (CABI) SCT subscale [ Cuestionario sobre el Comportamiento de Niños ] (Burns et al., 2015). METHOD: 273 mothers and 255 fathers evaluated their 9 to13 year old children on SCT, IN and other CABI internalizing externalizing, academic impairment and social interaction measures. RESULTS: As hypothesized, the relationship between SCT and externalizing measures, in contrast to IN, was practically nonexistent, whereas both measures were related to internalizing and social interaction measures. Thus, the unique predictive capacity of SCT and IN was significant and similar on internalizing measures, except in the case of shyness, where SCT was better, while IN was better on externalizing measures. CONCLUSIONS: The data largely replicated previous results: SCT, despite its relationship with IN, is capable of predicting a significant proportion of anxiety, depression, and excessive shyness problems and, unlike IN, functions as a protective measure for externalizing problems.