Microwave radiation induces modifications in the protein fractions of tef flours and modulates their derived techno-functional properties.

The impact of microwave (MW) treatments on the structure, solubility, and techno-functional properties of the proteins in starchy matrices is still poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of MW intensity by applying 1, 2, and 6 min of radiation on two tef flour varieties moistened at 15 % and 25 %. The fractionation method recovered ∼83 % of the total protein content in untreated flours. The interaction between treatment time and moisture content (MC) significantly influenced the extraction of protein fractions. Samples treated at 25 %MC showed significant reductions in albumins (up to -74 %), globulins (up to -79 %), and prolamins (up to -32 %). The SDS-extractable proteins of both tef flours presented similar molecular weights (12-100 kDa). SDS-PAGE analysis revealed decreased band intensity in MW-treated samples compared to untreated flours, and confocal analysis showed changes in the native state of proteins in treated samples. Shorter treatments at low MC significantly improved the emulsifying stability of tef flours, particularly in brown tef flour, with an enhancement of up to 203 %. The hydration properties significantly increased in flours treated at 25 %MC for 6 min. Pearson correlation analysis demonstrated the influence of treatment time and MC on protein recovery and functional properties of tef flours.

Valorisation of Buckwheat By-Product as a Health-Promoting Ingredient Rich in Fibre for the Formulation of Gluten-Free Bread.

Bread is a widely consumed food that has often been used as a vehicle for functional ingredients such as dietary fibre. Fibre-rich breads have beneficial physiological effects on health, helping to combat chronic pathologies such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain types of colon cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the technological and nutritional effects of the inclusion of buckwheat hull particles (BH) at two addition levels (3 and 6%) and two particle sizes (fine, D50: 62.7 µm; coarse, D50: 307 µm) in a gluten-free (GF) bread formulation. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in the dough elastic modulus (G') was observed for all doughs containing BH, from 712 Pa for a rice-based dough to 1027-3738 Pa for those containing BH. Compared to rice-based breads, those containing BH showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in total dietary fibre content (from three to five times) and in antioxidant capacity (from 78 to 290 mg TE/100 g dw. in the ORAC test). Breads containing fine BH at a level of 3% had similar sensory properties to the rice-based bread, demonstrating that it is possible to improve the TDF content while maintaining the sensory quality of the GF bread.

Lipase Inactivation Kinetics of Tef Flour with Microwave Radiation and Impact on the Rheological Properties of the Gels Made from Treated Flour.

In recent years, many efforts are being made to produce tef-based food for its nutritive and health-promoting advantages. Tef grain is always whole milled because of its tiny grain size and whole flours contain bran (pericarp, aleurone, and germ) where major non-starch lipids could be deposited along with the lipid-degrading enzymes: lipase and lipoxygenase. As lipoxygenase shows little activity in low moisture, the inactivation of lipase is the common objective for most heat treatments to extend the shelf life of flours. In this study, tef flour lipase inactivation kinetics via hydrothermal treatments assisted using microwaves (MW) were studied. The effects of tef flour moisture level (12%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) and MW treatment time (1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 min) on flour lipase activity (LA) and free fatty acid (FFA) content were evaluated. The effects of MW treatment on flour pasting characteristics and the rheological properties of gels prepared from the treated flours were also explored. The inactivation process followed a first-order kinetic response and the apparent rate constant of thermal inactivation increased exponentially with the moisture content of the flour (M) according to the equation 0.048·exp (0.073·M) (R2 = 0.97). The LA of the flours decreased up to 90% under the studied conditions. MW treatment also significantly reduced (up to 20%) the FFA level in the flours. The rheological study confirmed the presence of significant modifications induced by the treatment, as a lateral effect of the flour stabilization process.

Changes on Techno-Functional, Thermal, Rheological, and Microstructural Properties of Tef Flours Induced by Microwave Radiation-Development of New Improved Gluten-Free Ingredients.

Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] flour is a gluten-free cereal rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, which offers a promising alternative for new food development. This study investigated the effect of microwave radiation (MW) on the techno-functional, thermal, rheological and microstructural properties of tef flours. White and brown tef grains were milled and microwaved at different moisture contents (MC) (15%, 20% and 25%) for a total irradiation time of 480 s. The morphological structure of tef flours was affected by MW treatment, and its particle size and hydration properties increased after the treatment. Lower peak, breakdown, and setback viscosities, up to 45%, 96%, and 67% below those of the control (untreated) samples, and higher pasting temperature, up to 8 °C in the 25% MC samples, were observed. From FTIR analysis a disruption of short-range molecular order was concluded, while DSC confirmed an increased stability of starch crystallites. Rheological analysis of the gels made from the treated samples revealed that MW had a structuring and stabilizing effect on all samples, leading to higher viscoelastic moduli, G' and G″, and the maximum stress the gels withstood before breaking their structure, τmax. The MC of the flours during the MWT drove the modification of the techno-functional properties of the tef flours and the gel rheological and thermal characteristics. These results suggest that MW-treated tef flours are potential ingredients for improving the technological, nutritional and sensory quality of food products.

Impact of microwave radiation on in vitro starch digestibility, structural and thermal properties of rice flour. From dry to wet treatments.

Microwave radiation (MW) is an environment-friendly technology used to physically modify flours. Rice flour was MW-treated at different moisture content (MC) (3 %, 8 %, 13 %, 15 %, 20 % and 30 %). In vitro starch digestibility was determined and related to the changes caused by MW treatment to flours' structure and thermal properties, which were influenced by MC. A reduction of 49 % and 65 % in the gelatinization enthalpy of samples treated at 20 % and 30 % MC denoted a partial gelatinization. A loss of granular crystallinity in treated samples was confirmed by XR-diffraction and FTIR, particularly at 15 %, 20 % and 30 % MC. MW promoted the formation of random-coil, α-helix and ß-turn protein structure, and the disappearance of LF-ß-sheet. Morphological differences were found between samples treated at 8 % MC (loss of polygonal structure, protein layer covering granules' surface and small holes) and 30 % MC (rounded and aggregated granules, covered with exudate amylose). In vitro starch digestibility revealed that samples treated at 20 % and 30 % MC showed 40 % and 47 % higher rapidly digestible starch, 48 % and 70 % lower slowly digestible starch and 90 % lower resistant starch than the untreated flour. Flour MC in MW-treatment allowed the modulation of structural and thermal characteristics of rice flour and consequently its starch hydrolysis rate.

Vida comunitaria percibida por jóvenes de una región en transición agrícola-industrial / Community life perceived by young people in a region in agricultural-industrial transition

Resumen Desde la lógica de la modernidad capitalista, distintas formas de reproducción de la vida son pensadas como comunidades atrasadas que hay que modernizar. Ciertas regiones de México, como El Bajío (Centronorte-Occidente), representan territorios en transición con una importante actividad industrial creciente, con uno de los mayores aumentos del producto interno bruto (PIB) y efectos importantes en las relaciones comunitarias. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la percepción de las juventudes sobre las dinámicas en sus relaciones laborales, comunitarias y de género en el contexto de la transición agrícola-industrial de sus localidades, debido a la inserción del Parque Tecnoindustrial Castro del Río (de aquí en adelante PTCR). Se realizó un estudio mixto concurrente, a lo largo de tres meses, mediante la aplicación de un cuestionario, grupos de discusión y entrevistas semiestructuradas. Entre los principales hallazgos: (1) se detectó un cambio de paradigma en cuanto a la perspectiva del trabajo en los jóvenes de menor edad, aunque persiste la memoria de formas productivas comunitarias previas; así como percepciones importantes sobre derechos laborales y agencia en lo que respecta al trabajo formal y asalariado; (2) se identificó una relevancia notoria de las fiestas patronales y los escasos espacios comunes como sitios significativos de interacción, colaboración comunitaria y sentido del lugar, y (3) se percibieron tensiones en las relaciones de género, debido a la inserción de la mujer en el ámbito laboral industrial y a expresiones diversas de autonomía que se contraponen a las creencias y expectativas sexistas por parte de los hombres de mayor edad.

Abstract From a capitalist point of view, pre-industrial communities are a rich source of cheap labour and resources, which could be put to profitable use if industrialised. This is normally presented politically as bringing the modern world's quality of life improvements to impoverished and struggling communities, or more crudely as modernising "backward" modes of societies. Certain regions of Mexico, such as El Bajío (Central North-West of Mexico) represent territories in transition from an agricultural to industrial economy; with an important growing automotive sector among others; one of the largest increases in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and important effects on community relations. The Bajío represents a region characterized by a significant number of sources of employment in the industry, tax incentives from the State, low wages and the absence of strikes. The Castro del Río Tecnoindustrial Park (PTCR) was built more than a decade ago, during the boom of the automotive industry in the region, and, as indicated by its official website, it houses 72 companies from 6 different countries, has a "young and abundant workforce: more than 700 thousand inhabitants in a radius of 20 kilometres", and a "Public Training Institute for technicians through the CONALEP Castro del Río campus, located within the park". Most of the communities affected by this technological development have incipient urban development, with limited access to basic services such as drainage or drinking water, no or limited common spaces for social interaction, recreation and sports, and little or no health, education and cultural equipment. The inhabitants of these communities work in the fields, construction, or as labourers in the PTCR companies. The aim of this study was to examine the perception of youth about the labor, community and gender relational dynamics in the context of the agricultural-industrial transition of their localities, due to the insertion of the PTCR. A concurrent mixed study was carried out over three months by applying a questionnaire, discussion groups and semi-structured interviews. Among the main findings, the following stand out: 1) A paradigm shift was detected in terms of the perspective of work in young people, although the memory of previous community productive forms persists; Likewise, important perceptions about labor rights and agency are detected in relation to formal and salaried work and an awareness of the notorious forms of labor abuse in factories; 2) A relevance of the management holidays and common spaces was identified, which in some communities are scarce, as significant spaces for interaction, collaboration community and sense of place; 3) Tensions are perceived in gender relations due to the entry of women in to the industrial work environment and diverse expressions of their autonomy that are opposed to sexist beliefs and expectations on the part of older men. Young women's career, work, and recreational expectations are viewed as negative and undesirable. The reported study made it possible to visualise the perceptions of youth about the relationships affected by the agricultural-industrial transition of their communities. Some limitations identified are related to the short time available to the team to carry out the study, the unsafe conditions in the area derived from organised crime. It is relevant to continue this study and delve into the aspects analysed. It is viewed as a prospective investigation to return to the communities and carry out a new study to analyse the three types of relationships and the role played by ICTs, the increasingly widespread pro-gender equality discourse, as well as the changes that appear in perspectives 3 years after the first study.

Effects of commonly prescribed drugs on cognition and mild cognitive impairment in healthy elderly people.

BACKGROUND: Chronic drug intake has been associated with negative and positive cognitive effects in elderly people, although subjacent conditions may be confounding factors. AIM: To study the effects on cognitive performance of commonly prescribed medications in a cohort of cognitively normal older adults. METHODS: Medication intake was recorded during two years in 1087 individuals 70-85 years old, without neurological or psychiatric conditions. The influence of every drug, drug family and therapeutic group on six cognitive scores and on the conversion to mild cognitive impairment over two years was ascertained by cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses controlling for demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: Small effects of several drugs on information processing were found in cross-sectional analyses but only confirmed for a positive effect of vitamin D in case-control analyses. Longitudinal analyses showed no drug effects on the cognitive slopes. Several hypotensive drugs reduced, whereas bromazepam and glucose lowering drugs increased, the conversion rate to mild cognitive impairment with very small effects (R2=0.3-1%). CONCLUSIONS: Cognitively healthy elderly individuals show minimal negative effects on information processing associated with chronic intake of some drugs probably related to the subjacent condition. Some drugs slightly affect the rate of conversion to mild cognitive impairment. Positive effects of vitamin D, chondroitin, atorvastatin and antihypertensive drugs, and negative effects of antidepressants and benzodiazepines, should be further explored in studies with longer follow-up.

Microwave radiation and protein addition modulate hydration, pasting and gel rheological characteristics of rice and potato starches.

This study evaluated for first time the effect of Microwave (MW) radiation on systems based on potato and rice starches supplemented with 5% of calcium caseinate (CA) or soy protein isolate (SPI). The goal of this treatment was the physical modification of these starch-based systems to provide ingredients of new functionalities. The hydration and pasting properties as well as gel viscoelastic features were evaluated. Dynamic oscillatory rheological tests were used. The effect of MW treatment (MWT) depended on the starch botanical origin and was significantly affected by protein presence and type. MWT of starch + protein blends revealed the most notable changes when SPI was added. Adding it to rice starch decreased swelling power (-45%), altered viscometric profiles and reinforced gel structure with important increases in both viscoelastic moduli (+160%-G' and +58%-G''). In blends with potato starch, MWT increased water absorption capacity (+115%) and decreased water solubility index (-82%). MWT of protein-potato blends promoted gel stability, decreased their pasting profiles and resulted in enhanced viscoelastic moduli (+483-G' and 243%-G''). MWT combined with protein addition allows designing starch-based foods with tailored properties.

Conocimientos y actitudes hacia la mercadotecnia en salud en países de Iberoamérica / Knowledge of and attitudes to health marketing in Ibero-American countries

Introducción: la aplicación de la mercadotecnia en la esfera de la salud en Iberoamérica, tanto en el cambio de comportamientos como en los servicios y la realización de investigaciones para la proyección y evaluación de estrategias, programas, proyectos y campañas, ha permitido también el enriquecimiento teórico y disponer de resultados para extraer enseñanzas, compartir experiencias exitosas desde la academia y los servicios. Objetivo: caracterizar los conocimientos de mercadotecnia y actitudes para su aplicación en salud en países miembros de la Red Iberoamericana de Mercadotecnia en Salud. Métodos: estudio observacional descriptivo realizado entre 2014-2015. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos (revisión bibliográfica), analítico sintético y empírico (cuestionario de autorregistro). La encuesta se llevó a cabo en seis países (Colombia, Cuba, México, Nicaragua, Perú y Portugal) en la que participaron 908 profesionales en servicios públicos y privados; docentes, investigadores, administrativos y estudiantes de maestrías; mujeres y hombres con edades que varían desde los 25 hasta más de 50 años; egresados de medicina, odontología, enfermería, psicología, biología, nutrición, tecnología, entre otras disciplinas; especialistas, másteres y doctores en ciencias. Resultados: es insuficiente el conocimiento de la mercadotecnia, sin embargo, existe un gran interés en adquirirlo. Se manifestó una actitud positiva hacia su empleo en la salud y los beneficios que podría aportar. Conclusiones: a pesar de las limitaciones debidas a la falta de uniformidad en los datos obtenidos y a la requerida profundización en el tema, los resultados permiten conocer qué opinión se tiene sobre la mercadotecnia en la actividad sanitaria, las brechas para su mayor utilización y las causas que impiden obtener de ella los mayores beneficios(AU)

Introduction: the use of marketing in the health field in Ibero-America, both in the behavior change and in service and conduction of research for design and evaluation of strategies, programs, projects and campaigns, has allowed the theoretical enrichment and the availability of results from which one may learn and share successful experiences from the academy and services. Objectives: observational and descriptive study conducted from 2010-2011. It used theoretical (literature review), analytical-synthetic and empirical (self-register questionnaire), A survey was made in six countries (Clombia,Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru and Portugal) in which were involved 908 public and private service professionals, educators, researchers, managers, Master's degree course students and 25 to over 50 years-old men and women graduated in medicine, odontology, nursing, psychology, biology, nutrition, technology, among other disciplines\; specialists; Masters' degree holders, and PhD. Results: there is no enough knowledge about marketing; however, there is great deal of interest in acquire it. A positive attitude was shown in terms of using marketing in health sector and the benefits that might provide. Conclusions: despite the restrictions imposed by lack of uniformity in the gathered data and of the required depth in the topic, the final results allow us to know the opinions about the use of marketing in health care activity, the existing gaps for greater utilization and the causes that hinder to obtain greater benefits from it(AU)

Orientación Religiosa, Identidad Grupal y Religiosidad como Predictores del Fundamentalismo Religioso / Religious Orientation, Group Identity and Religiosity as Predictors of Religious Fundamentalism

Resumen: El fundamentalismo religioso es clave para entender situaciones de discriminación y violencia que se viven alrededor del mundo, conocer qué es lo que se encuentra detrás de esta característica psicosocial de las personas, puede ayudar a entender y prevenir este tipo de comportamientos nocivos. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer el papel que desempeñan las variables de orientación religiosa, identidad grupal y religiosidad como predictores del fundamentalismo religioso. La muestra estuvo integrada por 533 personas residentes del Distrito Federal y del estado de Guanajuato, pertenecientes a alguna de las cuatro principales ideologías religiosas presentes en México, Católicos (160), Testigos de Jehová (142), Cristianos Evangélicos (115) y no religiosos (116), 50.3% de los cuales fueron mujeres. Los resultados, obtenidos mediante el análisis de regresión, revelan que los tres tipos de orientación religiosa: Orientación Religiosa Intrínseca (ORI), Orientación Religiosa Extrínseca Social (ORES) y Orientación Religiosa Extrínseca Individual (OREI), así como la Identidad Grupal Negativa (IGN) y la Religiosidad son buenos predictores de los componentes del fundamentalismo religioso.

Abstract: Religious fundamentalism is key to understanding existing discrimination and violence worldwide. Knowing what is behind this psychosocial characteristic can help understand and prevent this type of harmful behavior. The aim of this study was to determine how religious orientation (RO), group identity (Gl), and religiosity predict religious fundamentalism. The sample consisted of 533 residents of México City and the state of Guanajuato (50.3% women; Mean age = 36), that belonged to one of four major Mexican religious ideologies: Catholic (n = 160), Jehova's Witnesses (n = 142), Evangelical Christian (n = 115) and non-religious (n = 116). Four psychological scales were used: 1) Fundamentalism Scale, which consists of two subscales: Orthodoxy and Conservatism; 2) the Religious Orientation Scale, which consists of three subscales: Intrinsic Religious Orientation (IRO), Extrinsic Personal (EPRO), and Extrinsic Social (ORES); 3) Group Identity Scale, which consists of twosubscales: Positive Group Identity (PGI) and Negative Group Identity (NGI); and 4) Religiosity Scale. The regression results revealed that IRO, Religiosity, NGI and ORES were positively related to Orthodoxy. ORI, IGN and Religiosity were positively related to Conservatism. EPRO was negatively related to Conservatism. The results indícate that Religious Orientation, Religiosity, and Group Identity are strong significant predictors of religious fundamentalism.