Effect of Seasonal Variations and Collection Form on Antioxidant Activity of Propolis from San Juan, Argentina

María I. Isla,Iris C. Zampini,Roxana M. Ordóñez,Soledad Cuello,Belén Carrasco Juárez,Jorge Esteban Sayago,María I. Nieva Moreno,María Rosa Alberto,Nancy R. Vera,Enrique Bedascarrasbure,Alejandro Alvar 한국식품영양과학회 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.6

Propolis was included in the Argentine Food Code as a functional food. The chemical parameters and antioxidant properties of propolis samples from the same colonies of Apis mellifera in San Juan (Cuyo region, Western Argentine) were compared every month for 1 year using two collection methods. Chemical parameters were analyzed by the spectrophotometric method and fingerprinting using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The antioxidant activities of propolis samples were measured using model systems including the analysis of the scavenging activities for 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and the β-carotene bleaching assay. The results showed that propolis had a higher free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory capacity than butylated hydroxytoluene and quercetin, antioxidants used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. The concentration required to scavenge 50% of free radicals (SC50) values differed depending on the sample collection month. Samples collected in November had the highest antioxidant capacity. In all cases, SC50 values of propolis samples obtained by scraping were similar to those collected from a wire mesh (5μg/mL for ABTS and 20–30μg/mL for DPPH radicals). A significant positive correlation was found between the antioxidant capacity and flavonoid content of each analyzed extract. The chemical profiles were very similar. Galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone), an antioxidant compound, was detected in all samples as a major compound. The chromatographic profile suggests that of Baccharis sp., which would be one of the botanical sources of propolis from western Argentina, and the content of galangin can be used as a parameter for evaluating propolis quality. Our results suggest that Argentine propolis from Cuyo is a promising source of bioactive compounds as ingredients for developing functional foods with a beneficial impact on oxidative stress.

Bioelectronics-on-a-chip for cardio myoblast proliferation enhancement using electric field stimulation

Ángel Aragón,María Cebro-Márquez,Eliseo Perez,Antonio Pazos,Ricardo Lage,José Ramón González-Juanatey,Isabel Moscoso,Carmen Bao-Varela,Daniel Nieto 한국생체재료학회 2020 생체재료학회지 Vol.24 No.3

Background: Cardio myoblast generation from conventional approaches is laborious and time-consuming. We present a bioelectronics on-a-chip for stimulating cells cardio myoblast proliferation during culture. Method: The bioelectronics chip fabrication methodology involves two different process. In the first step, an aluminum layer of 200 nm is deposited over a soda-lime glass substrate using physical vapor deposition and selectively removed using a Q-switched Nd:YVO4 laser to create the electric tracks. To perform the experiments, we developed a biochip composed of a cell culture chamber fabricated with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with a glass coverslip or a cell culture dish placed over the electric circuit tracks. By using such a glass cover slip or cell culture dish we avoid any toxic reactions caused by electrodes in the culture or may be degraded by electrochemical reactions with the cell medium, which is crucial to determine the effective cell-device coupling. Results: The chip was used to study the effect of electric field stimulation of Rat ventricular cardiomyoblasts cells (H9c2). Results shows a remarkable increase in the number of H9c2 cells for the stimulated samples, where after 72 h the cell density double the cell density of control samples. Conclusions: Cell proliferation of Rat ventricular cardiomyoblasts cells (H9c2) using the bioelectronics-on-a-chip was enhanced upon the electrical stimulation. The dependence on the geometrical characteristics of the electric circuit on the peak value and homogeneity of the electric field generated are analyzed and proper parameters to ensure a homogeneous electric field at the cell culture chamber are obtained. It can also be observed a high dependence of the electric field on the geometry of the electrostimulator circuit tracks and envisage the potential applications on electrophysiology studies, monitoring and modulate cellular behavior through the application of electric fields.

Dietary encapsulated Bifidobacterium animalis and Agave fructans improve growth performance, health parameters, and immune response in broiler chickens

Hernández-Granados María José,Ortiz-Basurto Rosa Isela,Jiménez-Fernández Maribel,García-Munguía Carlos Alberto,Franco-Robles Elena 아세아·태평양축산학회 2022 Animal Bioscience Vol.35 No.4

Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Bifidobacterium animalis, Agave fructans, and symbiotic of both encapsulated on growth performance, feed efficiency, blood parameters, and immune status in broiler chickens, and to compare these with diets including antibiotic growth promoters and without additives.Methods: A comparative experimental study was carried out with 135 male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Each trial was divided into 5 equal groups. Control group (CON) received a standard diet without growth promoter; GPA, a standard diet with colistin sulfate and zinc bacitracin (0.25 g/kg of feed); PRE, a standard diet with 1% Agave fructans; PRO, a standard diet with Bifidobacterium animalis (11.14±0.70 log CFU/g); SYM, a standard diet with B. animalis and Agave fructans.Results: A significant decrease in food consumption was found for the GPA, PRE, and SYM, compared to the CON group. The results show a better feed conversion index in PRE and GPA with respect to the CON group with the highest conversion index. Interestingly, the weight of the gastrointestinal tract shows a statistically significant difference between GPA and PRE groups. Moreover, the length of the gastrointestinal tract of the GPA group was less than the PRE group. In the total leukocyte count, there was a statistically significant increase in the GPA group compared to the CON, PRE, and PRO groups, and the heterophiles-lymphocytes index was lower in PRO. Regarding the cytokines, interleukin 10 (IL-10) decreased in PRO compared to CON and PRE, while IL-1β increased in the SYM group.Conclusion: Alternative treatments were shown to achieve similar productive results as growth-promoting antibiotics and showed improvement over diet without additives; however, they have immunomodulatory properties and improved the development of the gastrointestinal tract compared to the treatment of growth-promoting antibiotics. Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Bifidobacterium animalis, Agave fructans, and symbiotic of both encapsulated on growth performance, feed efficiency, blood parameters, and immune status in broiler chickens, and to compare these with diets including antibiotic growth promoters and without additives. Methods: A comparative experimental study was carried out with 135 male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Each trial was divided into 5 equal groups. Control group (CON) received a standard diet without growth promoter; GPA, a standard diet with colistin sulfate and zinc bacitracin (0.25 g/kg of feed); PRE, a standard diet with 1% Agave fructans; PRO, a standard diet with Bifidobacterium animalis (11.14±0.70 log CFU/g); SYM, a standard diet with B. animalis and Agave fructans. Results: A significant decrease in food consumption was found for the GPA, PRE, and SYM, compared to the CON group. The results show a better feed conversion index in PRE and GPA with respect to the CON group with the highest conversion index. Interestingly, the weight of the gastrointestinal tract shows a statistically significant difference between GPA and PRE groups. Moreover, the length of the gastrointestinal tract of the GPA group was less than the PRE group. In the total leukocyte count, there was a statistically significant increase in the GPA group compared to the CON, PRE, and PRO groups, and the heterophiles-lymphocytes index was lower in PRO. Regarding the cytokines, interleukin 10 (IL-10) decreased in PRO compared to CON and PRE, while IL-1β increased in the SYM group. Conclusion: Alternative treatments were shown to achieve similar productive results as growth-promoting antibiotics and showed improvement over diet without additives; however, they have immunomodulatory properties and improved the development of the gastrointestinal tract compared to the treatment of growth-promoting antibiotics.

Work Ability Index: Psychometric Testing in Aeronautical Industry Workers

González-Domínguez María Eugenia,Fernández-García Elena,Paloma-Castro Olga,González-López Regina María,Rivas Pérez María Paz,López-Molina Luis,García-Jiménez Jesús,Romero-Sánchez José Manuel 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2024 Safety and health at work Vol.15 No.1

Background The Work Ability Index (WAI) is an instrument that measures work ability. The wide dispersion of the WAI internationally has led to its adaptation for use in different countries. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the WAI. Methods A methodological design was used over an opportunistic sample of 233 workers in the aeronautical industry in Spain. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency. Factorial validity, known groups, and convergent validity were tested. Results The Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation indicated an adequate internal consistency. The confirmatory factor analysis, performed to evaluate the factorial validity, found adequate fit indices for a two-factor solution with a high correlation between the factors. Factor 1, “Subjectively estimated work ability and resources”, was composed of 3 subscales and factor 2, “Ill-health-related”, of 2 subscales. Subscales 4 and 6 had loading in both factors. Workers under 45 years of age obtained higher significant scores than older ones. Convergent validity was also evidenced since WAI was highly correlated with self-assessment of health status. Conclusions The Spanish version of the WAI has shown evidence of reliability and validity in this study, supporting its use in individual and collective health surveillance by occupational health professionals. The factorial solution that was found has previously been reported in another international context. However, further research is needed to resolve the discrepancies detected in the role of some subscales between other national and international studies. Background The Work Ability Index (WAI) is an instrument that measures work ability. The wide dispersion of the WAI internationally has led to its adaptation for use in different countries. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the WAI. Methods A methodological design was used over an opportunistic sample of 233 workers in the aeronautical industry in Spain. Reliability was evaluated through internal consistency. Factorial validity, known groups, and convergent validity were tested. Results The Cronbach's alpha and item-total correlation indicated an adequate internal consistency. The confirmatory factor analysis, performed to evaluate the factorial validity, found adequate fit indices for a two-factor solution with a high correlation between the factors. Factor 1, “Subjectively estimated work ability and resources”, was composed of 3 subscales and factor 2, “Ill-health-related”, of 2 subscales. Subscales 4 and 6 had loading in both factors. Workers under 45 years of age obtained higher significant scores than older ones. Convergent validity was also evidenced since WAI was highly correlated with self-assessment of health status. Conclusions The Spanish version of the WAI has shown evidence of reliability and validity in this study, supporting its use in individual and collective health surveillance by occupational health professionals. The factorial solution that was found has previously been reported in another international context. However, further research is needed to resolve the discrepancies detected in the role of some subscales between other national and international studies.

Intron 4 VNTR (4a/b) Polymorphism of the Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Gene Is Associated with Breast Cancer in Mexican Women

Ramírez-Patiño Ramiro,Figuera Luis Eduardo,Puebla-Pérez Ana María,Delgado-Saucedo Jorge Ivan,Legazpi-Macias María Magdalena,Mariaud-Schmidt Rocio Patricia,Ramos-Silva Adriana,Gutiérrez-Hurtado Itzae A 대한의학회 2013 Journal of Korean medical science Vol.28 No.11

The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene plays an important role in several biological functions. Polymorphisms of the eNOS gene have been associated with cancer. It has been suggested that the VNTR 4 a/b polymorphism may affect the expression of eNOS and contributes to tumor promotion in the mammary gland. We examined the role of the eNOS4 a/b polymorphism by comparing the genotypes of 281 healthy Mexican women with the genotypes of 429 Mexican women with breast cancer (BC). The observed genotype frequencies for control and BC patients were 0.6% and 0.7% for a/a (polymorphic); 87% and 77% for a/a (wild type); and 12% and 22% for a/b respectively. We found that the odds ratio (OR) was 1.9, with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) of 1.29-2.95, P=0.001 for genotypes a/a-a/b, b/c. The association was also evident when comparing the distribution of the a/a-a/b genotypes in patients with high levels of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.14-3.28; P=0.015); undergoing menopause with high levels of SGOT (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1-3.84); and with high levels of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) (OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.56-8.22). The genotypes a/a-a/b are associated with BC susceptibility in the analyzed samples from the Mexican population.

Ultrasound and clinical findings from metacarpophalangeal joint assessments in show jumping horses in training

Ana Lúcia M. Yamada,Marcelo Pinheiro,Marília F. Marsiglia,Stefano Carlo F. Hagen,Raquel Yvonne A. Baccarin,Luís Cláudio L. C. da Silva 대한수의학회 2020 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.21 No.3

The aims of this study were to determine the morphological patterns, physical examination characteristics and ultrasound findings of show jumping horses in training and to establish a score-based examination model for physical and ultrasound foBackground: Physical exercise is known to cause significant joint changes. Thus, monitoring joint behavior of athletic horses is essential in early disorders recognition, allowing the proper management. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the morphological patterns, physical examination characteristics and ultrasound findings of show jumping horses in training and to establish a score-based examination model for physical and ultrasound follow-ups of metacarpophalangeal joint changes in these animals. Methods: A total of 52 metacarpophalangeal joints from 26 horses who were initially in the taming stage were evaluated, and the horses’ athletic progression was monitored. The horses were evaluated by a physical examination and by B-mode and Doppler-mode ultrasound examinations, starting at time zero (T0), which occurred concomitantly with the beginning of training, and every 3 months thereafter for a follow-up period of 18 months. Results: The standardized examination model revealed an increase in the maximum joint flexion angles and higher scores on the physical and ultrasound examinations after scoring was performed by predefined assessment tools, especially between 3 and 6 months of evaluation, which was immediately after the horses started more intense training. The lameness score and the ultrasound examination score were slightly higher at the end of the study. Conclusions: The observed results were probably caused by the implementation of a traininBackground: Physical exercise is known to cause significant joint changes. Thus, monitoring joint behavior of athletic horses is essential in early disorders recognition, allowing the proper management. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the morphological patterns, physical examination characteristics and ultrasound findings of show jumping horses in training and to establish a score-based examination model for physical and ultrasound follow-ups of metacarpophalangeal joint changes in these animals. Methods: A total of 52 metacarpophalangeal joints from 26 horses who were initially in the taming stage were evaluated, and the horses’ athletic progression was monitored. The horses were evaluated by a physical examination and by B-mode and Doppler-mode ultrasound examinations, starting at time zero (T0), which occurred concomitantly with the beginning of training, and every 3 months thereafter for a follow-up period of 18 months. Results: The standardized examination model revealed an increase in the maximum joint flexion angles and higher scores on the physical and ultrasound examinations after scoring was performed by predefined assessment tools, especially between 3 and 6 months of evaluation, which was immediately after the horses started more intense training. The lameness score and the ultrasound examination score were slightly higher at the end of the study. Conclusions: The observed results were probably caused by the implementation of a training regimen and joint adaptation to physical conditioning. The joints most likely undergo a pre-osteoarthritic period due to work overload, which can manifest in a consistent or adaptive manner, as observed during this study. Thus, continuous monitoring of young athlete horses by physical and ultrasound examinations that can be scored is essential. g regimen and joint adaptation to physical conditioning. The joints most likely undergo a pre-osteoarthritic period due to work overload, which can manifest in a consistent or adaptive manner, as observed during this study. Thus, continuous monitoring of young athlete horses by physical and ultrasound examinations that can be scored is essential.llow-ups of metacarpophalangeal joint changes in these animals....

PERCEPCIONES DE LOS ACADÉMICOS SOBRE LA TRANSFERENCIA DE CONOCIMIENTOS A LAS EMPRESAS EN LA ARGENTINA

María Fernanda Arias. Institute of Iberoamerican Studies Pusan Universit 2012 International Journal of Latin American Studies Vol.2 No.2

Resumen. El presente estudio trata de develar las representaciones sociales1 de los funcionarios de las universidades argentinas acerca de su contribución con el mundo productivo a través de la transferencia de conocimientos. La revolución científica y tecnológica que comenzó hacia los años 50 del siglo pasado se profundizó en el tiempo y el conocimiento pasó a reemplazar al capital como generador de riqueza. Consecuentemente, las universidades contribuyeron cada vez más en el mundo desarrollado a avanzar en la producción de nuevos bienes y servicios. Sin embargo, la producción científico-tecnológica continúa concentrada en los países desarrollados y América Latina y en ella, la Argentina, contribuye muy escasamente en la generación de conocimientos innovativos. La respuesta a esta problemática es generar una relación estrecha entre la universidad, la empresa y el estado para coordinar conjuntamente la política científico-tecnológica de los países. Sin embargo, de acuerdo a los consultados, esta receta que ha tenido buena acogida dentro de los países desarrollados, no se ha implantado de la misma manera en Argentina. Abstract. The present study tries to unveil social representations of argentine universities’ officials about their contribution to the productive world through transfer of knowledge. The scientific and technological revolution that began around the middle of last century deepened over time and knowledge replaced capital as a generator of wealth. As a result, universities contributed increasingly in the developed world to make progress in the production of new goods and services. However, the scientific-technological production remains concentrated in developed countries and Latin America and in it, Argentina, contributes very sparsely in the generation of innovative knowledge. The solution to this problem is to create a close relationship between University, Companies and State to jointly coordinate the scientific-technological policy of countries. However, according to respondents, this recipe which has been successfully installed in developed world has not yet been adopted in Argentina. Palabras claves: percepciones sociales, academia, industria, conocimiento, Argentina. Key words: social perceptions, academy, industry, knowledge, Argentina.

Variabilidad y Sistematicidad en los Mecanismos de Traslación Temporal del Discurso Directo e Indirecto de Aprendientes de ELE Coreanos

María Victoria Soulé 부산외국어대학교 이베로아메리카연구소 2014 이베로아메리카 Vol.16 No.2

This study examines the reporting temporal mechanisms implemented by Korean learners of Spanish L2 through direct and indirect speech. In order to obtain the necessary information a corpus consisted of nine oral narratives of university students of Spanish is being analysed. These students belong to the B1, B2 and B2+ levels of the Common European Framework of Reference. The results acknowledge that from the first levels, learners are capable of employing the structures related to the two discourse types. Regarding the indirect speech, the interlanguage of the participants behaves systematically in the temporality of the regent verb; however, the temporality of the reproduced sequences varies according to the learners’ level. On the other hand, even though the construction of the direct speech shows a larger variability, it also is possible to observe a certain degree of systematicity in the use of this kind of discourse as an internal evaluation device. Key Words: Reporting Mechanisms, Direct and Indirect Speech, Temporal Deixis, Verbal Temporality, Spanish L2 <Resumen> En este trabajo se examinan los mecanismos de traslación temporal que llevan a cabo aprendientes de ELE coreanos a través del discurso directo e indirecto. Para ello se analiza un corpus constituido por nueve narraciones orales de estudiantes universitarios del grado en Estudios Hispánicos, dichos estudiantes pertenecen a los niveles B1 y B2+ del Marco común europeo de referencia. Los datos obtenidos revelan que desde los primeros niveles los aprendientes son capaces de emplear estructuras de los dos tipos de discurso. Por lo que respecta al discurso indirecto, la interlengua de los participantes se comporta de forma sistemática en cuanto a la temporalidad del verbo regente; sin embargo, la temporalidad de las secuencias reproducidas varía en función del nivel de los aprendientes. Por otra parte, aunque la conformación del discurso directo presenta una mayor variabilidad en el uso de la morfología verbal, es posible observar cierto grado de sistematicidad en la utilización de este tipo de discurso como un mecanismo de evaluación interna. Palabras Clave: Mecanismos de Traslación, Discurso Directo e Indirecto, Deixis Temporal, Temporalidad Verbal, Español como Lengua Extranjera.

Named Entity Recognition in Electronic Health Records: A Methodological Review

María C. Durango,Ever A. Torres-Silva,Andrés Orozco-Duque 대한의료정보학회 2023 Healthcare Informatics Research Vol.29 No.4

Objectives: A substantial portion of the data contained in Electronic Health Records (EHR) is unstructured, often appearingas free text. This format restricts its potential utility in clinical decision-making. Named entity recognition (NER) methodsaddress the challenge of extracting pertinent information from unstructured text. The aim of this study was to outline thecurrent NER methods and trace their evolution from 2011 to 2022. Methods: We conducted a methodological literature reviewof NER methods, with a focus on distinguishing the classification models, the types of tagging systems, and the languagesemployed in various corpora. Results: Several methods have been documented for automatically extracting relevant informationfrom EHRs using natural language processing techniques such as NER and relation extraction (RE). These methodscan automatically extract concepts, events, attributes, and other data, as well as the relationships between them. Most NERstudies conducted thus far have utilized corpora in English or Chinese. Additionally, the bidirectional encoder representationfrom transformers using the BIO tagging system architecture is the most frequently reported classification scheme. Wediscovered a limited number of papers on the implementation of NER or RE tasks in EHRs within a specific clinical domain. Conclusions: EHRs play a pivotal role in gathering clinical information and could serve as the primary source for automatedclinical decision support systems. However, the creation of new corpora from EHRs in specific clinical domains is essential tofacilitate the swift development of NER and RE models applied to EHRs for use in clinical practice.

Aggrecan catabolism during mesenchymal stromal cell in vitro chondrogenesis

María Lucía Gutiérrez,Johana María Guevara,Olga Yaneth Echeverri,Diego Garzón-Alvarado,Luis Alejandro Barrera 한국통합생물학회 2013 Animal cells and systems Vol.17 No.4

During skeleton formation, mesenchymal cells condense and differentiate into chondrocytes in a process known as chondrogenesis. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), main components of aggrecan in the extracellular matrix (ECM),have an important role in this process. An in vitro simplified system has been devised to study chondrogenesis using mesenchymal progenitor cells. Although the capacity of mesenchymal stromal cells to differentiate into the chondrogenic lineage is well established, there is a lack of knowledge with respect to lysosomal enzyme activity during the chondrogenic process. To further understand GAG’s catabolic activities during in vitro chondrogenesis, we evaluated three lysosomal enzymes. Chondrogenic differentiation was demonstrated by Alcian blue positive stain quantified by a grading system using ImageJ. Enzyme activity for N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate-sulfatase during chondrogenic induction decreased significantly with time of culture; b-galactosidase enzyme activity had a similar tendency of temporal activity. On the contrary, b-glucuronidase enzyme activity decreased from the first to second week of induction, but remained the same during the third week of culture. Aggrecan’s immunohistochemistry values for aggregates under chondrogenic induction revealed a similar temporal pattern to that of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate-sulfatase and b-galactosidase enzyme activity. This work has contributed to the evaluation of enzyme activities associated with GAG degradation, critical component of cartilage ECM. These findings are relevant in understanding the role of enzymes responsible for degradation of molecules predominantly synthesized in the chondrogenic differentiation process. A better understanding of the roles of these enzymes during development could help elucidate further association of deficiencies of these enzymes in skeletal pathologies, primarily chondrodysplasias.