Environmental vs psychosocial barriers to active commuting to university: which matters more?

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were (1) to examine the differences in the mode of commuting and barriers to active commuting to university between the sexes (men and women) and in different countries (Chile and Spain); and (2) to analyse the association between the mode of commuting and the perceived barriers for male and female university students in Chile and Spain. STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study took place between April 2017 and May 2018 in Chile and Spain. METHODS: The study population included 2269 university students (53.0% women). The mode of commuting and barriers to active commuting to university were assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations. RESULTS: In both sexes, public and private transport were the main modes of commuting used in Chile and Spain, respectively, followed by active commuting in all participants, except for female students in Spain. Women perceived more environmental and psychosocial barriers compared to men (Chile: P < 0.001; Spain: P = 0.006). Perceived environmental barriers showed higher significant differences between students in Chile and Spain (P < 0.05). Private commuters reported a larger proportion of psychosocial barriers compared to active commuters (Chile: men P = 0.001, women P < 0.001; Spain: men P < 0.001, women P = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that the mode of commuting and the barriers to active commuting to university may be influenced by sex and country.

Parent's sociodemographic factors, physical activity and active commuting are predictors of independent mobility to school.

BACKGROUND: Independent mobility (IM) provides young people with many opportunities to increase their autonomy and physical activity (PA). This study aimed to analyse whether the parent's PA, active commuting to work and sociodemographic factors serve as predictors of IM to school in children and adolescents. METHODS: A total of 684 parents (52.8% mothers) and their offspring (56.4% girls) were included in this study, which was performed in Granada (Spain) and Valparaíso (Chile). The parents self-reported their sociodemographic characteristics, PA and mode of commuting to work. The mode of commuting to and from school and the offspring accompaniment mode were reported. T-test and chi-square test were used to study quantitative and qualitative differences by parental gender, respectively. Binary logistic regression models (odds ratio = OR) and stepwise analysis were performed to study the association between the parents' sociodemographic variables and IM to school. RESULTS: Adolescents showed higher IM to school than children (58.9% vs 40.2%; p < 0.001). No car availability and shorter distance to work were positively associated with higher IM to school in children (OR = 2.22 and 2.29, respectively). Mothers' lower salary/month (OR = 2.75), no car availability (OR = 3.17), and mother passive commuting to work (OR = 2.61) were positively associated with higher IM to school in adolescents. The main predictor of IM to school in children and adolescents was no car availability (OR = 6.53). CONCLUSION: Parental sociodemographic factors, such as salary, distance to work and car availability, were associated more strongly with IM than parental PA and active commuting to work.

Brevetoxin-3 (PbTx-3) on mouse liver slices: a histological study.

Brevetoxin-3 (PbTx-3) is a marine toxin produced by the dinoflagellate Ptychodiscus brevis. Its effects on excitable tissues have been the main subject of studies, but little is known about how it affects non-excitable tissues. To study possible non-neural effects of PbTx-3 (78nM), its effects on hepatic cell structure in vitro were evaluated. PbTx-3 caused hypertrophy and increased vacuolation of hepatocytes, and an increase in basophilia in the perivenous area of the lobules. Ultrastructurally, it was evident that the vacuolation was related to swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum, changes that probably account for the increased basophilic reaction of the cells. The swelling in smooth endoplasmic reticulum, degranulation of rough endoplasmic reticulum, the deformities and lytic cristae in the mitochondria, and the presence of active lysosomes are evidence of the PbTx-3 effects upon liver cells. These responses are probably caused by the liver's detoxification role on the PbTx-3.

Caracterización del consumo de suplementos nutricionales en población físicamente activa de gimnasios del sur de Chile / Characterization of nutritional supplements consumption in physically active population in gyms of southern Chile

El consumo de suplementos nutricionales (SN) se ha investigado generalmente en relación al rendimiento deportivo. Menos información existe en relación a población no deportista pero físicamente activa. Objetivo y metodología: El objetivo fue conocer las características de los consumidores de SN en 412 usuarios (179 mujeres) de gimnasios de cuatro ciudades del sur de Chile. El instrumento utilizado para recolectar datos correspondió a un cuestionario previamente validado (1), estructurado con preguntas cerradas, alternativas y preguntas abiertas en relación al consumo de SN. Para su interpretación se utilizaron estadísticos descriptivos y de comparación (i.e. Chi cuadrado). El nivel de significancia estadística se estableció en p<0,05. Resultados: los resultados revelan que 22% de los usuarios consumen SN. De los hombres consumidores, 37% lo realiza para aumentar masa muscular y 36% para mejorar el rendimiento físico. Entre las mujeres, 32% los consume por motivos relacionados a salud. Los SN más consumidos fueron: proteínas (36%), vitaminas y minerales (11%), creatina (10%), aminoácidos y carbohidratos (8%). En cuanto al perfil del consumidor, está representado por jóvenes de entre 15 a 25 años, dedicados en su mayoría al estudio y al trabajo, con menos de un año de asistencia al gimnasio y una frecuencia de asistencia ≥ 3 sesiones/semana. Conclusión: un relativamente bajo consumo de SN fue observado,en comparación con deportistas, influenciado por la edad,el género y el uso de dieta o alimentación especial. Varones jóvenes (i.e. 15 a 25 años de edad) que trabajan, con una alta frecuencia de asistencia a gimnasios (≥ 3 sesiones/semana) son los principales consumidores de SN...