Assessing the RP-LC-MS-Based Metabolic Profile of Hass Avocados Marketed in Europe from Different Geographical Origins (Peru, Chile, and Spain) over the Whole Season.

Spain dominates avocado production in Europe, with the Hass variety being the most prominent. Despite this, Spanish production satisfies less than 10% of the overall avocado demand in Europe. Consequently, the European avocado market heavily relies on imports from overseas, primarily sourced from Peru and Chile. Herein, a comprehensive characterization of the metabolic profile of Hass avocado fruits from Spain, Peru, and Chile, available in the European market throughout the year, was carried out. The determination of relevant substances was performed using high- and low-resolution RP-LC-MS. Remarkable quantitative differences regarding phenolic compounds, amino acids, and nucleosides were observed. Principal component analysis revealed a natural clustering of avocados according to geographical origin. Moreover, a specific metabolic pattern was established for each avocado-producing country using supervised partial least squares discriminant analysis. Spanish fruits exhibited high levels of coumaric acid malonyl-hexose II, coumaric acid hexose II, and ferulic acid hexose II, together with considerably low levels of pantothenic acid and uridine. Chilean avocado fruits presented high concentrations of abscisic acid, uridine, ferulic acid, succinic acid, and tryptophan. Fruits from Peru showed high concentrations of dihydroxybenzoic acid hexose, alongside very low levels of p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, coumaric acid malonyl-hexose I, and ferulic acid hexose II.

Hydrogel Applicability for the Industrial Effluent Treatment: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis.

In recent decades, hydrogels, as adsorption materials, have received important attention due to their characteristics and properties, such as mechanical strength, biocompatibility, biodegradability, swellability, and stimuli sensitivity. In the actual framework of sustainable development, it has been imperative to develop practical studies of hydrogels in the treatment of actual industrial effluents. Accordingly, the current work has, as its objective, to make evident hydrogels' applicability in the treatment of actual industrial effluents. For this purpose, a bibliometric analysis and systematic review based on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) method were conducted. The relevant articles were selected from the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Some important findings were that: (1) China is the leading country when it comes to hydrogel application in actual industrial effluents, (2) the motor studies are focalized on the treatment of wastewater by hydrogels, (3) the fixed-bed columns are suitable unit equipment for the treatment of industrial effluents of using hydrogels, and (4) the hydrogels show excellent adsorption capacities of ion and dye contaminants present in industrial effluents. In summary, since the implementation of sustainable development in 2015, the progress of practical hydrogel applications in the treatment of industrial effluent has been receiving more attention, and the selected studies demonstrate the implementation viability of these materials.

Viscosity Factor (VF) Complementary to the Statistical Indicators Associated with the Rheological Behavior of Aqueous Solutions of Polyvinyl Alcohol.

The rheological behavior of aqueous solutions of polyvinyl alcohol at 4, 6, 8 and 10% by weight has been studied and evaluated at temperatures of 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C, using five non-Newtonian fluid models independent of time: Ferrys, Robertson-Stiff, Williamson, Sisko, and Ellis de Haven. The classical method consists in carrying out regression analysis. Using a comparative procedure of determination coefficients and variances, the model that most appropriately adjusts the experimental data to said model is selected. From the statistical point of view, the Sisko and Robertson-Stiff models present better regression parameters; to better specify the choice of the respective rheological model, a new factor has been proposed in the literature, the viscosity factor (VF), which expresses the relationship between apparent and dynamic viscosity. The analysis of this factor for the five models confirms the greater stability of the Ellis de Haven model in terms of the coefficient of variation of the VF. The value of VF fluctuates between 1 and 2 for all ranges of temperature and concentration experienced for vinyl alcohol solutions. As a consequence of the above, for the choice of the non-Newtonian fluid model associated with the rheology of the aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol, it is necessary to analyze the statistical parameters and the VF factor simultaneously.

Characterization of the Polar Profile of Bacon and Fuerte Avocado Fruits by Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry: Distribution of Non-structural Carbohydrates, Quinic Acid, and Chlorogenic Acid between Seed, Mesocarp, and Exocarp at Different Ripening Stages.

Avocado fruit growth and development, unlike that of other fruits, is characterized by the accumulation of oil and C7 sugars (in most fruits, the carbohydrates that prevail are C6). There are five essential carbohydrates which constitute 98% of the total content of soluble sugars in this fruit; these are fructose, glucose, sucrose, d-mannoheptulose, and perseitol, which together with quinic acid and chlorogenic acid have been the analytes under study in this work. After applying an efficient extraction procedure, a novel methodology based on hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was applied to determine the levels of these seven substances in tissues─exocarp, seed, and mesocarp─from avocado fruits of two different varieties scarcely studied, Bacon and Fuerte, at three different ripening stages. Quantitative characterization of the selected tissues was performed, and the inter-tissue distribution of metabolites was described. For both varieties, d-mannoheptulose was the major component in the mesocarp and exocarp, whereas perseitol was predominant in the seed, followed by sucrose and d-mannoheptulose. Sucrose was found to be more abundant in seed tissues, with much lower concentrations in avocado mesocarp and exocarp. Quinic acid showed a predominance in the exocarp, and chlorogenic acid was exclusively determined in exocarp samples.

Analysis of the thermoelectrical performance of samples made of Coir Agricultural Wastes combined with MWCNT.

A biomaterial made of coir and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) is presented which exhibits a relatively high-Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) and thermal insulation properties. Bolometers usually offer acceptable thermal isolation, electrical resistance, and high TCR. Fibers from agricultural waste materials such as coir has a synergistic effect as thermal insulating material and noise reducer. Based on it, powdered coir pills were used as pilot samples, as well as 2 other samples with different dispersions of MWCNTs, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solution. The 3 kinds of samples were thermo-electrically characterized to determine their bolometric performance. Thermal conductivity of k = 0.045 W/m K was obtained by solving the Fourier's law substituting the data into the equation describing heat flux on the sample around room temperature. Results show that adding different concentrations of MWCNT to powdered coir will lead to films with lower electrical resistance, therefore the thermal conductivity increases while thermal resistance decreases. Finally, the bolometric performance shows a maximum peak with a relatively high TCR of - 40.4% at a temperature of 300.3 K, this synthesized material outperforms by almost 1 order of magnitude larger than commercial materials. Results in this work also indicate that it is possible to tune bolometric parameters of this kind of samples and to use them as thermal insulators in the construction industry, when building roofs and walls.

Short vs. Long-Distance Avocado Supply Chains: Life Cycle Assessment Impact Associated to Transport and Effect of Fruit Origin and Supply Conditions Chain on Primary and Secondary Metabolites.

Avocado consumption and trade are increasing worldwide, with North America and Europe being the main importing regions. Spain is the major European avocado producer (90% of the production), yet it only supplies 10% of the market. Consequently, more than 90% of the avocados consumed in Europe are imported from overseas, mainly from Chile and Peru. In this work, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) impact associated with the transport of two avocado supply chains (short (Spanish) and long (Chilean)) and the effect of the fruit origin and distance of both chains on primary and secondary metabolites from harvest to edible ripeness were evaluated using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection (LC-DAD) based metabolite analysis. The LCA transport impact of the fresh supply chain from production centers in Chile (Quillota) and Spain (Malaga), and then the distribution to several cities in Europe, suggested road export from Spain to European capitals to have the lowest impact (0.14 to 0.22 kg CO2 eq/kg of avocado). When export from Chile was considered, the option of oceanic freight to European ports closer to final destinations was clearly a better option (0.21 to 0.26 kg CO2 eq/kg) than via the Algeciras port in Spain followed by road transport to final destinations in European capitals (0.34 to 0.43 kg CO2 eq/kg), although the situation could be somewhat different if the avocados are transported from the destination ports in northern Europe to long-distance capitals in other European countries. Fruit origin had a significant impact on avocado primary and secondary metabolites. The conditions of the supply chain itself (10 d in cold storage in regular conditions vs. 30 d cold storage + controlled atmosphere conditions) largely influence the fate of some metabolites that certainly affect the pool of metabolites at edible ripeness. The long-assumed hypothesis that the longer the supply chain the more negative impact on nutritional and functional compounds might not hold in this case, as long as transport conditions are adequate in terms of temperature, atmosphere conditions, and time considering distance from origin to destination.

Prolonged on-tree maturation vs. cold storage of Hass avocado fruit: Changes in metabolites of bioactive interest at edible ripeness.

When the recipient of the product is relatively distant from the production area, it is necessary to use cold storage and controlled humidity to transport the avocado fruits. One of the main advantages of local avocado consumption lies on the possibility of prolonging on-tree maturation; this could foreseeably modify the metabolic profile of the fruit that reaches the consumer. In this work, the effect of prolonged on tree maturation (during different time intervals) on the final composition of avocado fruit (at edible ripeness) was evaluated and compared with the impact of the same periods after prolonged cold storage. The quantitative evolution of nine bioactive metabolites (7 phenolic compounds, pantothenic and abscisic acids) over 40 days (10-days intervals) was studied by using a solid-liquid extraction protocol and a LC-MS methodology. The results were discussed both considering the quantitative evolution of each individual compound and the sum of all of them.

The reptile type specimens preserved in the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC) of Madrid, Spain.

A first complete list of the reptile type specimens preserved in the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC) of Madrid (updated until 15 July 2012) is provided. The collection houses a total of 319 type specimens representing 24 taxa belonging to 6 families and 12 genera. There are 22 taxa represented by primary types (19 holotypes, 2 neotypes and 1lectotype) and at least one paratype, and only two taxa are exclusively represented by one secondary type (paratype). The collection is specially rich in Spanish endemisms. Special attention is deserved by the type series of many subspecies of Podarcis lilfordi described by A. Salvador and V. Pdéez-Mellado. All type specimens are housed in the Herpetological collection except Blanus mariae and Psaimodroims occidentalis type series and Psammodroims hispanicus (neotype) which are preserved in the DNA/Tissues Collection.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with pandemic 2009 Influenza A(H1N1)v virus infection admitted to hospitals with different levels of health-care.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of patients with influenza A 2009 (H1N1)v virus infection taking into account hospital type has not been elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To compare risk factors, clinical features and outcome of patients admitted to 3 public hospitals with different levels of health-care. METHODS: Prospective study of all non-pregnant adult patients admitted to 3 hospitals with pandemic H1N1 infection, from June 1 to December 31 and followed up until 1 month after discharge. RESULTS: During the study period, 111 patients with a mean age of 49 years (15-89) were hospitalized: 52 in hospital 1 (900-bed tertiary-teaching-hospital), 33 in hospital 2 (315-beds secondary-hospital) and 26 in hospital 3 (150-beds primary-care-hospital).Overall 80% of patients had at least 1 comorbid condition with no differences between hospitals. Symptoms or signs on admission were similar except for cough (P=0.01) more frequent in patients in hospital 1 and dyspnea (P=0.05), myalgia, arthralgia (P=0.04) and hypoxemia (P=0.009) present in more patients in hospital 2. In-hospital mortality rates were not statistically different between hospitals. In the stepwise analysis, independent predictors of mortality were pneumonia on admission (adjusted OR=8.68, 95%CI 1.0-82.43) and cardiac complications during hospitalization (adjusted OR=13.2, 95%CI 1.67-103.98). CONCLUSIONS: Mortality of patients with pandemic H1N1 infection was influenced by patients underlying conditions, severity of disease (pneumonia) on admission and complications during hospitalization. Hospital-characteristics do not appear to have influenced severe outcome.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with pandemic 2009 Influenza A(H1N1)v virus infection admitted to hospitals with different levels of health-care

Introducción. La evolución de los pacientes con infección por el virus de la influenza A (H1N1)v 2009, teniendo en cuenta el tipo de hospital donde ingresan no ha sido estudiada. Objetivos. Comparar las características clínicas y la evolución de los pacientes con infección por el virus pandémico influenza A (H1N1)v 2009, teniendo en cuenta el tipo de hospital donde ingresan. Métodos. Estudio prospectivo de todos los pacientes que ingresaron en 3 hospitales públicos con diferentes niveles de atención de salud con infección por el virus pandémico influenza A (H1N1)v entre el 1 de junio y el 31 de diciembre de 2009. Se excluyeron las mujeres embarazadas. Resultados. Durante el período de estudio ingresaron 111 pacientes (edad media de 49 años; rango: 15-89): 52 en el hospital 1 (hospital universitario de 900 camas), 33 en el hospital 2 (315 camas) y 26 en el hospital 3 (150 camas). El 81% de los pacientes tenían al menos 1 enfermedad de base. Los síntomas o signos al ingreso fueron similares, excepto para la tos (P=0,01) más frecuente en los pacientes ingresados en el hospital 1 y disnea (P=0,05), mialgia, artralgia (P=0,04) e hipoxemia (P=0,009) presentes en más pacientes en el hospital 2. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en la tasa de mortalidad entre los pacientes ingresados en los 3 hospitales. En el análisis multivariante la neumonía al ingreso (OR ajustada=8,68; CI95% 1,0-82,43) y las complicaciones cardiacas durante la hospitalización (OR ajustada=13,2; CI95% 1,67-103,98) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad. Conclusiones. La mortalidad de los pacientes con infección por el virus de la gripe nueva (H1N1)v 2009 se relacionó la comorbilidad de los pacientes, la gravedad de la enfermedad (neumonía) al ingreso y las complicaciones durante la hospitalización. Las características del hospital donde ingresaron los pacientes no influyeron en su evolución(AU)

Background. The outcome of patients with influenza A 2009 (H1N1)v virus infection taking into account hospital type has not been elucidated. Objectives. To compare risk factors, clinical features and outcome of patients admitted to 3 public hospitals with different levels of health-care. Methods: Prospective study of all non-pregnant adult patients admitted to 3 hospitals with pandemic H1N1 infection, from June 1 to December 31 and followed up until 1 month after discharge. Results. During the study period, 111 patients with a mean age of 49 years (15-89) were hospitalized: 52 in hospital 1 (900-bed tertiary-teaching-hospital), 33 in hospital 2 (315-beds secondary-hospital) and 26 in hospital 3 (150-beds primary-care-hospital).Overall 80% of patients had at least 1 comorbid condition with no differences between hospitals. Symptoms or signs on admission were similar except for cough (P=0.01) more frequent in patients in hospital 1 and dyspnea (P=0.05), myalgia, arthralgia (P=0.04) and hypoxemia (P=0.009) present in more patients in hospital 2. In-hospital mortality rates were not statistically different between hospitals. In the stepwise analysis, independent predictors of mortality were pneumonia on admission (adjusted OR=8.68, 95%CI 1.0-82.43) and cardiac complications during hospitalization (adjusted OR=13.2, 95%CI 1.67-103.98). Conclusions. Mortality of patients with pandemic H1N1 infection was influenced by patients underlying conditions, severity of disease (pneumonia) on admission and complications during hospitalization. Hospital-characteristics do not appear to have influenced severe outcome(AU)

Ecological composition and distribution of the diatoms from the Laguna Superior, Oaxaca, Mexico.

A taxonomic study of diatoms was carried out in a tropical coastal lagoon. Material for this study consists of water samples obtained from February-March 1992 to November-December 2000. Qualitative and quantitative analyses showed the presence of 373 taxa of which the families Bacillariaceae (67 species) and Chaetocerotaceae (37 species) were the most abundant groups. The species Skeletonema costatum, Chaetoceros curvisetus, Coscinodiscus radiatus var. radiatus, Ditylum brightwellii, Thalassiosira eccentrica and Entomoneis alata were found associated with moderate water quality and forming blooms. In addition, a regional comparison between Mexico and South America of the identified species is given. For practical handling, indicative values obtained from their ecological composition are incorporated as well as a code of the floristic list. Achecklist of the species and their occurrence are given.

La Actividad científico-informativa y los medios de difusiòn masiva en la medicina

Se definen filosòfica y teòricamente los conceptos de informaciòn y comunicaciòn y se mencionan sus implicaciones dentro del conocimientos humano. Se destaca la significaciòn de la actividad científico-informativa y del trabajador de la informaciòn como fuentes de comunicaciòn y recursos estratègicos en el sector de la salud. Se hace una breve descripciòn de las posibilidades de la prensa plana, la radio, la televiòn y el cine como opciones de la educaciòn para la salud y se enuncia la capacidad potencial que tiene la actividad científico-informativa para contribuir con la ayuda de esos medios a mejorar la calidad de la atenciòn mèdica y a elevar el nivel científico de los profesionales de la salud

Eliminación de las barreras linguísticas en el consultorio médico. relación médico-intérprete-paciente / Overcoming the languaje barrier in the medical clinic: physician-interpret-patient relation

Se presentan las principales dificultades a las que se enfrenta el trabajador de la salud que depende de una tercera persona para establecer la comunicación con el paciente. Se destaca la importancia del intérprete en el consultorio médico y se ofrecen dos métodos de interpretación que contribuirán a la eliminación de las barreras lingüísticas en la relación médico-paciente-interprete. Se brindan otras recomendaciones útiles para alcanzar este fin

Eliminación de las barreras linguísticas en el consultorio médico: relación médico-intérprete-paciente / Overcoming the languaje barrier in the medical clinic: physician-interpret-patient relation

Se presentan las principales dificultades a las que se enfrenta el trabajador de la salud que depende de una tercera persona para establecer la comunicación con el paciente. Se destaca la importancia del intérprete en el consultorio médico y se ofrecen dos métodos de interpretación que contribuirán a la eliminación de las barreras lingüísticas en la relación médico-paciente-interprete. Se brindan otras recomendaciones útiles para alcanzar este fin

Análisis de la ley general de salud / Analysis of the general law of health

Se analizan detalladamente los puntos más importantes de la Ley General de Salud con especial énfasis en la protección integral a todos los ciudadanos. La Ley General de Salud se inspira en, y farovece el concepto de que la salud es el estado de bienestar físico, mental y social que propicia el desarrollo integral del individuo y de la sociedad; por eso, la salud no sólo constituye un valor biológico sino un bien social y cultural que corresponde realizar al Estado, a la sociedad y al individuo mediante las acciones pertinentes y adecuadas