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.

Phytate (myo-Inositol Hexaphosphate) and Risk Factors for Osteoporosis

A.A. López-González,F. Grases,P. Roca,B. Mari,M.T. Vicente-Herrero,A. Costa-Bauzá 한국식품영양과학회 2008 Journal of medicinal food Vol.11 No.4

Several risk factors seem to play a role in the development of osteoporosis. Phytate is a naturally occurring compound that is ingested in significant amounts by those with diets rich in whole grains. The aim of this study was to evaluate phytate consumption as a risk factor in osteoporosis. In a first group of 1,473 volunteer subjects, bone mineral density was determined by means of dual radiological absorptiometry in the calcaneus. In a second group of 433 subjects (used for validation of results obtained for the first group), bone mineral density was determined in the lumbar column and the neck of the femur. Subjects were individually interviewed about selected osteoporosis risk factors. Dietary information related to phytate consumption was acquired by questionnaires conducted on two different occasions, the second between 2 and 3 months after performing the first one. One-way analysis of variance or Student's t test was used to determine statistical differences between groups. Bone mineral density increased with increasing phytate consumption. Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that body weight and low phytate consumption were the risk factors with greatest influence on bone mineral density. Phytate consumption had a protective effect against osteoporosis, suggesting that low phytate consumption should be considered an osteoporosis risk factor.

Nanoscale aggregation phenomena at the contact line of air-drying pure water droplets on silicon revealed by atomic force microscopy

A. Méndez-Vilas,A.B. Jódar-Reyes,J. Díaz,M.L. González-Martín 한국물리학회 2009 Current Applied Physics Vol.9 No.1

In the present work, silicon wafer surfaces were studied during a pure water dewetting process in ambient conditions by intermittentcontact atomic force microscopy (AFM). With an acid-free surface cleaning, large network structures of tens of microns in extension but only a few nanometers in height were observed, being stable for days. Fractal-like assemblies have been previously reported in a variety of different scenarios, for example, when an aqueous solution of carbon-based species, especially carbon nanotubes, is left to evaporate on a solid substrate, provided that no complete wetting was produced. Chemical mapping of silicon wafer surfaces, while unable to provide a spatial resolution comparable to that of the AFM, clearly showed the initially formed contact line to be enriched in carbon. Therefore, hydrophobic and/or non-soluble (or slightly soluble) substances which are present on every surface exposed to air are expected to be responsible for the observed fractal structures. Reactions of the network structures toward changing environmental conditions were analyzed. When increasing the ambient humidity, the structures grew only slightly, which is indicative of their highly (but not totally) hydrophobic nature. Heating the sample above 100 ℃ for about 10 h led to an almost complete disappearance of these nanostructures. Due to the lateral extension of these stable network heterogeneities, they are expected to affect contact angle measurements in wetting studies, especially at the micro- and nanoscale. When acid-cleaned wafers are used as substrate, deposited water extends as a film over the silicon surface without droplet formation. No fractal structures are then observed. In the present work, silicon wafer surfaces were studied during a pure water dewetting process in ambient conditions by intermittentcontact atomic force microscopy (AFM). With an acid-free surface cleaning, large network structures of tens of microns in extension but only a few nanometers in height were observed, being stable for days. Fractal-like assemblies have been previously reported in a variety of different scenarios, for example, when an aqueous solution of carbon-based species, especially carbon nanotubes, is left to evaporate on a solid substrate, provided that no complete wetting was produced. Chemical mapping of silicon wafer surfaces, while unable to provide a spatial resolution comparable to that of the AFM, clearly showed the initially formed contact line to be enriched in carbon. Therefore, hydrophobic and/or non-soluble (or slightly soluble) substances which are present on every surface exposed to air are expected to be responsible for the observed fractal structures. Reactions of the network structures toward changing environmental conditions were analyzed. When increasing the ambient humidity, the structures grew only slightly, which is indicative of their highly (but not totally) hydrophobic nature. Heating the sample above 100 ℃ for about 10 h led to an almost complete disappearance of these nanostructures. Due to the lateral extension of these stable network heterogeneities, they are expected to affect contact angle measurements in wetting studies, especially at the micro- and nanoscale. When acid-cleaned wafers are used as substrate, deposited water extends as a film over the silicon surface without droplet formation. No fractal structures are then observed.

Corrosion activity and solubility in polar oils of three bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide/bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide ([NTF2]) anion-based ionic liquids

A. Fernández-González,M.T. Mallada,J.L. Viesca,R. González,R. Badía,A. Hernández-Battez 한국공업화학회 2017 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.56 No.-

The corrosion behaviour and solubility of three bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide1 ([NTf2]) anion-basedionic liquids: 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([C12MIM][NTf2]),tributylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([N4441][NTf2]), and methyltrioctylammo-nium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([N1888][NTf2]), as a component in a mixture with different baseoils were analysed. Six polar oils suitable for use in lubrication were utilized as base oil. Solubility testswere performed by using turbidimetry, and corrosion was checked at 4 v/v% by examining the roughnessand chemical composition of the surface after 21 days. The results showed that long carbon chains in thecation improve the solubility greatly in diesters and slightly in polyolesters. Corrosion was not detected atthis concentration.

New role of the antidepressant imipramine as a Fascin1 inhibitor in colorectal cancer cells

Begoña Alburquerque-González,Manuel Bernabé-García,Silvia Montoro-García,Ángel Bernabé-García,Priscila Campioni Rodrigues,Javier Ruiz Sanz,Fernando F. López-Calderón,Irene Luque,Francisco José Nicolas 생화학분자생물학회 2020 Experimental and molecular medicine Vol.52 No.-

Serrated adenocarcinoma (SAC) is more invasive, has worse outcomes than conventional colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and is characterized by frequent resistance to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and overexpression of fascin1, a key protein in actin bundling that plays a causative role in tumor invasion and is overexpressed in different cancer types with poor prognosis. In silico screening of 9591 compounds, including 2037 approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), was performed, and selected compounds were analyzed for their fascin1 binding affinity by differential scanning fluorescence. The results were compared with migrastatin as a typical fascin1 inhibitor. In silico screening and differential scanning fluorescence yielded the FDA-approved antidepressant imipramine as the most evident potential fascin1 blocker. Biophysical and different in vitro actin-bundling assays confirm this activity. Subsequent assays investigating lamellipodia formation and migration and invasion of colorectal cancer cells in vitro using 3D human tissue demonstrated anti-fascin1 and anti-invasive activities of imipramine. Furthermore, expression profiling suggests the activity of imipramine on the actin cytoskeleton. Moreover, in vivo studies using a zebrafish invasion model showed that imipramine is tolerated, its anti-invasive and antimetastatic activities are dose-dependent, and it is associated with both constitutive and induced fascin1 expression. This is the first study that demonstrates an antitumoral role of imipramine as a fascin1 inhibitor and constitutes a foundation for a molecular targeted therapy for SAC and other fascin1-overexpressing tumors.

Effects of adults body size and larvae diet on the fecundity and percent fertility of eggs laid by Xylotrechus arvicola (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) females, insect pest in Spanish vineyards

Álvaro Rodríguez‐González,Horacio J. PELÁEZ,Óscar GONZÁLEZ-LÓPEZ,Sara MAYO,Pedro A. CASQUERO 한국곤충학회 2018 Entomological Research Vol.48 No.2

Xylotrechus arvicola is a pest of grape in some vine‐producing regions of the Iberian Peninsula. Biological parameters and relationships (fecundity and percent fertility of eggs in relationship to body size) of females obtained in the laboratory and captured in vineyards were studied. In laboratory conditions, the mean developmental time of larvae ranged from 384 to 392 days and pupal stage varied between 12 to 14 days. Body size (BS) of X. arvicola females was significantly bigger than males. Fecundity was greater in the laboratory (147 eggs) than in the field (50 eggs) females, but the percent fertility of the laboratory eggs was lower (16 eggs). Laboratory females showed a bigger relationship between the production of eggs and BS than females captured in vineyards. Wild females (PDO Ribera del Duero and Tierra de León) had a positive relationship between the percent fertility of eggs and the BS. No correlation between the percent fertility of eggs and the BS was displayed by females captured in PDO Toro, but these females had a higher percent fertility (53 eggs) than the others PDO's. These biological parameters and relationships studied suggest that the artificial diet may lack certain essential nutrients that vine varieties can provide that favor the fertility of eggs. This explains why wild females have the potential to become a problem pest in the Tempranillo grape variety, with bilateral cordon and bush vines training systems that have the highest incidence of this cerambycid.

In Vitro and In Vivo Nematicide Effect of Extract Fractions of Pleurotus djamor Against Haemonchus contortus

Manases González-Cortázar,José E Sánchez,Magaly Huicochea-Medina,Victor M Hernández-Velázquez,Pedro Mendoza-de-Gives,Alejandro Zamilpa,Ma Eugenia López-Arellano,Jesús Antonio Pineda-Alegría,Liliana Ag 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.3

Sheep haemonchosis is a disease that causes anemia, diarrhea, weight loss, low production, and even death of young animals. This represents a negative economic impact on the livestock sector. For decades, chemicals have been used to control this parasitic disease; however, cases of anthelmintic resistance have increased around the world. For this reason, the search for control alternatives is necessary. Several studies have shown that edible mushrooms of Pleurotus genus have different medicinal properties, including nematicidal activity. In this study, the chromatographic fractionation of the hydroalcoholic extract of fruiting bodies Pleurotus djamor was carried out to identify and isolate the metabolites responsible for nematicidal activity. From the fractionation of the extract, the fraction PdR2 and the subfraction PdB were obtained, which were evaluated against Haemonchus contortus under in vitro conditions. The nematicidal effect of the fraction PdB in gerbils infected artificially with H. contortus was evaluated. Finally, the analysis of the PdB fraction by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance was carried out. The results showed that the PdB had 100% of egg hatching inhibition from 5 mg/mL. Regarding larvicidal activity, it presented >97.2% from 24 h to 20 mg/mL. The in vivo evaluation of the PdB fraction showed a reduction of H. contortus larvae of 92.56%. The compounds present in this fraction were the mixture of allitol and an unidentified terpene in a ratio of 9:1. The PdB fraction is a potential alternative for the control of H. contortus, where allitol and a terpene could be responsible for nematicidal activity.

Silver nanoparticles incorporated into Na₂Ti6O13 microfibers

V. Rodríguez-González,I. Juárez-Ramírez,R. Zanella,M.E. Zarazúa,L.M. Torres-Martínez 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2008 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.9 No.6

This research is concerned with novel semiconductor composites of sodium hexatitanate oxide (Na2Ti6O13), and silver metallic nanoparticles. The Na2Ti6O13 was prepared by two methods, a sol-gel process and a solid state reaction. The silver nanoparticles were incorporated into the titanate by a deposition-precipitation technique, using NaOH as precipitation agent in the dark. Ag/Na2Ti6O13 microfibers were obtained by the sol-gel method, meanwhile octagonal microbar agglomerates were the product of the solid state reaction. The SEM-TEM observations showed silver particles with a nanometric size (5-7 nm); and fibrillar structures in the sol-gel sodium titanates. The UV-Vis-RD spectroscopy showed a blue shift Eg from 3.3 to 3.4 nm; and a plasmon surface resonance in the visible region. These materials are proposed as potential photocatalysts for contaminated water purification. This research is concerned with novel semiconductor composites of sodium hexatitanate oxide (Na2Ti6O13), and silver metallic nanoparticles. The Na2Ti6O13 was prepared by two methods, a sol-gel process and a solid state reaction. The silver nanoparticles were incorporated into the titanate by a deposition-precipitation technique, using NaOH as precipitation agent in the dark. Ag/Na2Ti6O13 microfibers were obtained by the sol-gel method, meanwhile octagonal microbar agglomerates were the product of the solid state reaction. The SEM-TEM observations showed silver particles with a nanometric size (5-7 nm); and fibrillar structures in the sol-gel sodium titanates. The UV-Vis-RD spectroscopy showed a blue shift Eg from 3.3 to 3.4 nm; and a plasmon surface resonance in the visible region. These materials are proposed as potential photocatalysts for contaminated water purification.

Effect of the In₂O₃ content on the photodegradation of the alizarin dye using TiO₂-In₂O₃ nanostructured semiconductors

V. Rodríguez-González,F. Paraguay-Delgado,X. García-Montelongo,L.M. Torres-Martínez,R. Gómez 한양대학교 세라믹연구소 2008 Journal of Ceramic Processing Research Vol.9 No.6

The photocatalytic degradation of the synthetic red mordant dye alizarin on TiO2-In2O3 semiconductors as a function of the In2O3 content (1-12 wt%) was studied. High specific surface areas varying from 122 to 178 m2 g−1, depending on the In2O3 content, were obtained. A modification of the Eg band gap from 3.12 to 3.50 eV was obtained for low and high In2O3 contents. The XRD spectral patterns of the solids showed that anatase is the main crystalline titania phase. STEM-EDX chemical maps show that the In2O3 was found highly dispersed on the surface of the TiO2-In2O3 mixed oxide. By means of TEM images, nanostructured materials with crystallite sizes between 8 and 12 nm were identified. The photocatalytic activity for the alizarin degradation showed a maximum with the catalyst with 3.0 wt% of In2O3. The role of the In2O3 developing an optimal alizarin adsorption on the TiO2-In2O3 semiconductors is discussed. The photocatalytic degradation of the synthetic red mordant dye alizarin on TiO2-In2O3 semiconductors as a function of the In2O3 content (1-12 wt%) was studied. High specific surface areas varying from 122 to 178 m2 g−1, depending on the In2O3 content, were obtained. A modification of the Eg band gap from 3.12 to 3.50 eV was obtained for low and high In2O3 contents. The XRD spectral patterns of the solids showed that anatase is the main crystalline titania phase. STEM-EDX chemical maps show that the In2O3 was found highly dispersed on the surface of the TiO2-In2O3 mixed oxide. By means of TEM images, nanostructured materials with crystallite sizes between 8 and 12 nm were identified. The photocatalytic activity for the alizarin degradation showed a maximum with the catalyst with 3.0 wt% of In2O3. The role of the In2O3 developing an optimal alizarin adsorption on the TiO2-In2O3 semiconductors is discussed.

Cinnamomum cassia on Arterial Stiffness and Endothelial Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Outcomes of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Jesús S. Delgadillo-Centeno,Fernando Grover-Páez,Sandra O. Hernández-González,María G. Ramos-Zavala,David Cardona-Müller,Alicia López-Castro,Sara Pascoe-González 한국식품영양과학회 2023 Journal of medicinal food Vol.26 No.6

Cinnamomum cassia is a medicinal plant whose use has demonstrated benefits on body weight, blood pressure, glucose, and lipids. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of C. cassia on arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 18 subjects aged 40–65 years, with a diagnosis of T2DM of one year or less since diagnosis and treated with Metformin 850 mg daily. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either C. cassia or a placebo in 1000 mg capsules, thrice a day, before each meal for 12 weeks. At baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and Flow Mediated Dilation were measured, as well as body weight, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), fasting glucose (FG), glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, respectively, triglycerides, creatinine, and transaminases. The Mann–Whitney U test for differences between groups and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for intragroup differences were used, and a P ≤ .05 was considered statistically significant. After C. cassia administration, statistically significant reductions in body weight (81.4 ± 10.4 kg vs. 79.9 ± 9.0 kg, P = .037), BMI (30.6 ± 4.2 kg/m2 vs. 30.1 ± 4.2 kg/m2, P = .018), and HbA1c (53 ± 5.4 mmol/mol vs. 45 ± 2.1 mmol/mol, P = .036) were observed. No changes statistically significant on arterial stiffness, ED, FG, BP, and lipids were observed. C. cassia administration decreases body weight, BMI, and HbA1c without statistically significant changes on arterial stiffness, ED, FG, BP, and lipids. CTR Number: NCT04259606