In the recent decades, Cd burden in cocoa-based products threatened global food safety, human health and the future of chocolateries. Increased Cd bioavailability is an acute problem in cacao-based ...horticulture. Poverty, poor maintenance, unjustified traditional farming, and paucity of knowledge on Cd-binding propensity in cacao discourage the application of risk-mitigation measures. Progressive accumulation of Cd, with a half-life of 10–30 years, in the human body even at ultra-trace levels may lead to serious health complications. If Cd accumulates in the food chain through cocoa products, consequences in children, who are the primary consumers of chocolates, include morbidity and mortality that may result in a significant demographic transition by the year 2050. Developing cacao clones with an innate capability of taking up low Cd levels from soils, and site-specific Cd-cacao research might contribute to limiting the trophic transfer of Cd. This review highlights the possible routes for Cd uptake in cacao plants and discusses the measures to rescue the chocolateries from Cd pollution to promote “healthy” cacao farming. The potential human health risks of chocolate-laden Cd and mitigation strategies to minimize Cd burden in the human body are also presented. The challenges and prospects in Cd-cacao research are discussed as well.
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•Environment and cultivars of cacao influence bioconcentration of Cd in beans.•Trophic Cd transfer to chocolates causes serious global concern in food safety.•Chronic exposure to Cd results in organ dysfunction, cancers and mortality.•Aged cacao forms, crop losses and poor maintenance impede sustainable cacao farming.•Low Cd-uptake cacao clones and site-specific research are therefore greatly warranted.
Physical Activity and Mental Health in Undergraduate Students Rodríguez-Romo, Gabriel; Acebes-Sánchez, Jorge; García-Merino, Sonia ...
International journal of environmental research and public health,
12/2022, Letnik:
20, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Most research support positive relationships between physical activity and mental health. However, possible moderating variables of these relationships have also been identified, such as age, gender, ...level of physical activity, and the scope of physical activity. This study aimed to analyze the relationships between physical activity and mental health levels in undergraduate students, assessing whether these associations can change depending on the level of physical activity (low, medium, or high) and the setting (occupational, commuting, or leisure time physical activity) in which it was performed. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample comprised 847 undergraduate students. Physical activity and mental health were measured by the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQv2) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We found relationships between students' physical activity level and their mental health status. The higher the total physical activity, the better their mental health scores. High levels of commuting and leisure time physical activity is also associated with better mental health, while only moderate levels of occupational physical activity are associated with better mental health status. Regarding the possible associations between physical activity and vulnerability to mental health problems, with the fully adjusted regression model, leisure time and occupational physical activity remain protective of a poor state of mental health. Leisure time physical activity, performed at a high level, and moderate occupational physical activity seems to be the best combination of physical activity to reduce students' vulnerability to potential mental health problems.
Atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory disease in the vasculature and is common in both coronary and peripheral arteries. Human beings harbor a complex and dynamic population of ...microorganisms defined as the microbiota. Importantly, alterations in the bacterial composition (dysbiosis) and the metabolic compounds produced by these bacteria have been associated with the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases and infections. There is also a close relationship between intestinal microbiota and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this review was to analyze how changes in the gut microbiota and their metabolites might affect coronary artery diseases. The most representative groups of bacteria that make up the intestinal microbiota are altered in coronary artery disease patients, resulting in a decrease in Bacteroidetes and an increase in Firmicutes. In relation to metabolites, trimethylamine-N-oxide plays an important role in atherosclerosis and may act as a cardiovascular risk predictor. In addition, the use of probiotics, prebiotics, diet modulation, and fecal transplantation, which may represent alternative treatments for these diseases, is thoroughly discussed. Finally, the role of lipid-lowering treatments is also analyzed as they may affect and alter the gut microbiota and, conversely, gut microbiota diversity could be associated with resistance or sensitivity to these treatments.
Income instability and fiscal progression Garcia-Medina, B. Cecilia; Wen, Jean-François
The Canadian journal of economics,
05/2018, Letnik:
51, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
We construct the ratio of the post-fisc to the pre-fisc variance of the transitory component of family incomes in Canada from 1993 to 2008. The ratio measures how much the tax and transfer system ...attenuates market income instability. It is shown that the ratio of variances is equivalent theoretically to the concept of residual income progression (squared). The fiscal system became less stabilizing beginning in the late 1990s, especially for families headed by main earners with less than high school education. The trend is attributable to personal income tax reforms and reductions in transfers for lower income families. Instabilité des revenus et progressivité fiscale. On construit le ratio de la variance de la composante transitoire des revenus des familles au Canada de1993 à 2008 après fiscalité par rapport à avant fiscalité. Ce ratio mesure comment le système de taxes et de transferts atténue l'instabilité des revenus du marché. On montre que le ratio des variances est théoriquement équivalent au concept de progression (au carré) du revenu résiduel. Le système fiscal est devenu moins stabilisant à partir de la fin des années 1990, en particulier pour les familles dont les chefs de famille et sources des principaux gains ont moins qu'un niveau d'éducation secondaire. La tendance est attribuable aux réformes dans l'impôt sur le revenu personnel et aux réductions des transferts vers les familles aux revenus moins élevés.
There seems to be a broad consensus that there is a positive correlation between resilience and sport performance. However, different studies show divergent results on the role played by certain ...variables in this relationship. This study aimed to analyze the possible relationships between resilience levels and the practiced sport according to gender, age, and competitive level of the athletes in 1047 competitive athletes from five different sports (handball, basketball, volleyball, athletics, and judo). Resilience was assessed with the Spanish version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Results of independent samples t-tests or analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed no significant differences on the level of resilience according to the practiced sport or the competitive level. However, the analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) showed that they were related to the gender and age of the athletes, being higher in males than in females, and there was a positive correlation with age. These results seem to suggest the convenience of using differentiated strategies, according to gender and age, when working on all those protective factors that could allow the athlete to perform better when facing adversity in the competitive environment.
Dietary diversity, an important component of diet quality, is associated with an increased probability of adequate micronutrient intake. Women of childbearing age (WCA) are particularly vulnerable to ...micronutrient inadequacy. The Minimum Dietary Diversity for Women (MDD-W) has been used widely as a proxy measurement of micronutrient adequacy. This study aimed to assess the association between MDD-W and nutrients adequacy among WCA of eight Latin American countries. Nutrient intakes from 3704 WCA were analyzed with two 24-hour dietary recalls. Dietary diversity was calculated based on ten food groups with a cut-off point of intake ≥5 groups. The mean dietary diversity score was 4.72 points, and 57.7% of WCA achieved MDD-W. Vitamin D and E showed a mean Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) of 0.03 and 0.38, respectively. WCA with a diverse diet (MDD-W > 5) reported a significantly higher intake of most micronutrients and healthy food groups with less consumption of red and processed meats and sugar-sweetened beverages. MDD-W was significantly associated with the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) of 18 micronutrients evaluated. Nevertheless, even those women with a diverse diet fell short of meeting the Estimated Average Requirements (EAR) for vitamins D and E. MDD-W is an appropriate tool to evaluate micronutrients adequacy in WCA from Latin America, showing that women who achieved the MDD-W reported higher adequacy ratios for most micronutrients and an overall healthier diet.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common and increases the risk of stroke and mortality. Previous studies have suggested that air pollution is an important risk factor for new-onset AF. Herein, we review ...the evidence regarding: 1) the association between exposure to particulate matter (PM) and new-onset AF, and 2) the risk of worse clinical outcomes in patients with pre-existent AF and their relation to PM exposure.
A selection of studies between 2000 and 2023 linking PM exposure and AF was performed through searches in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.
17 studies from different geographical areas demonstrated that exposure to PM was associated with an increased risk of new-onset AF, although the results were heterogeneous regarding the temporal pattern (short- or long-term) ultimately related to AF. Most of the studies concluded that the risk of new-onset AF increased between 2 %–18 % per 10 μg/m3 increment in PM2.5 or PM10 concentrations, whereas the incidence (percentage of change of incidence) increased between 0.29 %–2.95 % per 10 μg/m3 increment in PM2.5 or PM10. Evidence about the association between PM and adverse events in patients with pre-existent AF was scarce but 4 studies showed a higher risk of mortality and stroke (between 8 %–64 % in terms of hazard ratio) in patients with pre-existent AF when PM exposure was higher.
Exposure to PM (both PM2.5 and PM10) is a risk factor for AF, and a risk factor for mortality and stroke in patients who already suffer from AF. Since the relationship between PM and AF is independent of the region of the world, PM should be considered as a global risk factor for both AF and worse clinical outcomes in AF patients. Specific measures to prevent air pollution exposure need to be adopted.
Upper panel = Association between particulate matter exposure and new-onset atrial fibrillation.
Lower panel = Risk of mortality and stroke in patients with pre-existent atrial fibrillation in relation to particulate matter exposure. Display omitted
•Previous evidence showed that air pollution increases atrial fibrillation (AF) risk.•Short and long-term exposure to PM2.5 or PM10 leads to a higher risk of new-onset AF.•In patients with previous AF, exposure to high PM2.5 or PM10 concentrations raises mortality and stroke risks.•Air pollution should be considered as a risk factor for both AF and adverse events.
Overweight and obesity are often explained by an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. This, in addition to metabolic effects, makes it difficult to assess the real state of individual ...energy balance. This study aims to analyze the energy gaps between intake and expenditure in the adult population of Latin America, as well as its relationships with sociodemographic variables and nutrition status, to draw an epidemiological perspective based on the trends observed. The energy imbalance gap was used to this end. The difference between energy intake and expenditure can be applied as a reference to explain whether weight equilibrium can prevent weight gain. Moreover, the energy imbalance gap allows for a better understanding of the design of public health policies. Using data from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health, the energy imbalance gap in adult population from eight Latin-American countries was assessed in 5994 subjects aged from 19-65. Usual dietary intake was measured using two non-consecutive 24 h dietary recalls. The sociodemographic questionnaire was supplemented by anthropometric measurements. Physical activity was measured through the long International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Energy expenditure was obtained using the basal metabolic rate. For the overall sample, the mean energy intake was 1939.1 kcal (95% CI: 1926.9; 1951.3), the mean of energy expenditure was 1915.7 kcal (95% CI: 1906.4; 1924.9), and the mean of energy imbalance gap was 23.4 kcal (95% CI: 11.9; 35.0). Results show that energy intake and expenditure were higher in men. Moreover, subjects aged 19-34, of high socioeconomic level, who completed high school, were mestizos and were of normal weight consumed the highest number of calories. Overall, a positive energy imbalance gap was observed. Overweight and obese from Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela showed a significantly lower energy imbalance gap than underweight subjects. These findings confirm the high variability of energy imbalance gap and the accompanying correlates of energy intake and expenditure. Further research is needed to specifically address interventions in low and middle-income countries such as many in Latin America, to help reduce the prevalence of obesity and eradicate undernutrition.
Looking for a biotechnical potential, aqueous extracts of leaves of 12 native species used in the Mayan traditional medicine of the coastal dune and mangrove of Yucatan (Mexico) were selected to ...evaluate their biological activities. Rhizophora mangle and Manilkara zapota showed the highest free radical scavenging activity (3.94 ± 0.19 and 6.42 ± 0.32 μg/mL, respectively), and the highest antihypertensive activity was obtained from Solanum donianum (0.38 μg/mL). The anti-hyperglycemic activity of these species was also tested; the highest activities were registered with R. mangle. The antimicrobial activity of Malvaviscus arboreus, S. donianum, M. zapota, and R. mangle at 10% (w/v) was positive against six human pathogenic bacteria and Bonellia macrocarpa against one pathogenic fungus. Solanum donianum, M. zapota, B. macrocarpa, and R. mangle were positive against two pathogenic plant fungi. These results show that the aqueous extracts of five native plants of the Yucatan coast have potential as antioxidants, ACE inhibitors, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors, and as antimicrobials, which make their exploration for utilization in the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries a possibility.
This study aimed to evaluate, in low-complexity surgical patients, the effectiveness of preoperative assessment carried out by nurses with formal postgraduate anesthetic training compared to that ...carried out by anesthesiologists in terms of cancellations and inadequate surgical preparation.
This experimental research was conducted using a prospective cohort study.
One hundred and eighty-three patients were recruited who had undergone low-complexity surgery between May and September 2020. Sixty-nine patients were preoperatively assessed by a nurse with specific 1-year postgraduate university training in anesthesia and 114 by an anesthesiologist. Data collection included a questionnaire to assess patient satisfaction and knowledge acquired from the preoperative assessment.
Cancellations of surgery were the same in both cohorts (3.8%, 2.6%). The incidence of poor preparation attributable to the patient was also similar in both cohorts (17.0% vs 18.4%). Patients seen by nurses valued the satisfaction with the preoperative assessment more highly than patients seen by anesthesiologists (median 91.67 vs 84.62). In terms of Knowledge obtained from the preoperative assessment, both professionals did not show statistically significant differences in knowledge levels.
Preoperative patient assessment performed by a nurse, with formal anesthesia training, in low-complexity surgical patients can be as effective as that performed by an anesthesiologist, without having an impact on surgical cancellations or patient preparation. On the day of surgery, patients who had been assessed by a nurse were more satisfied with their care during the visit and acquired similar knowledge about preoperative preparation as patients assessed by anesthesiologists.
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