University of the Americas

Seaweed biomass is globally underutilized as a source of proteins despite its nutritional potential, with much of its use focused on hydrocolloid extraction. This study evaluated the nutritional quality and digestibility of protein and amino acids from two brown seaweeds (Durvillaea spp. and Macrocystis pyrifera), one green seaweed (Ulva spp.), and a novel mycoprotein derived from Durvillaea spp. through fungal fermentation. Using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion Megazyme assay kit, protein digestibility-corrected amino acid scores (PDCAASs) and digestible indispensable amino acid scores (DIASSs) were determined. Compared with seaweeds, seaweed-derived mycoprotein presented significantly greater protein contents (~33%) and amino acid profiles (2.2 times greater than those of Durvillaea spp. and M. pyrifera), with greater digestibility (~100%) than seaweeds (<60%). The PDCAAS values were 0.37, 0.41, 0.53, and 0.89 for Ulva spp., Macrocystis pyrifera, Durvillaea spp., and mycoproteins, respectively. The DIASSs highlighted the superior nutritional quality of the mycoprotein, particularly for lysine (0.59) and histidine (0.67). SDS-PAGE revealed soluble peptides (<25 kDa) in Durvillaea spp., Macrocystis pyrifera, and mycoproteins, whereas Ulva spp. proteins exhibited limited solubility due to structural aggregation. These findings highlight the need to characterize the nutritional properties of edible seaweeds in Chile further and emphasize the importance of optimized processing techniques, such as fermentation or bioconversion, to improve the nutritional potential of seaweeds and develop high-quality food ingredients for diverse applications.

Background: Lepidium meyenii Walp. (LmW), known as maca, has been shown to increase physical performance. However, the effect size (ES) of LmW on the different manifestations of physical performance has not yet been described. Objectives: To examine and qualitatively describe the studies published up to 2024 that employed LmW supplementation to increase physical performance in animal and human experimentation. In addition, the ES associated with the different interventions was calculated. Methods: The research followed PRISMA® guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses, using Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and MEDLINE databases until 2024. Randomized controlled studies with a pre- and post-test design, conducted both in vitro and in vivo in animals and humans, were included. Methodological quality assessment was performed using the CAMARADES tool for animal studies and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale for human studies. The main variables were the forced swimming test (FST), the rota-rod test (RRT), the grip strength test (GST), blood lactic acid (BLA), and lactic acid (LA). The analysis was conducted with a pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) through Hedges' g test (95% CI). Results: Twenty-one studies were included in the systematic review and sixteen in the meta-analysis. They revealed a large effect for all outcomes (SMD: FST = 2.26, RRT = 6.26, GST = 5.23, LA = -1.01, and BLA = -1.70). Conclusions: The phytochemical compounds of LmW, mainly macamides, increase physical performance, showing a greater effect at higher doses (dose-response effect).

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to (I) evaluate the evidence on the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in hypertensive patients; (II) determine whether HIIT impacts SBP and DBP differently; and (III) assess the clinical relevance of these effects. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple electronic databases, resulting in the inclusion of seven randomized clinical trials in the meta-analysis. The outcomes were analyzed using random-effects models to compute mean differences (MD) and standardized mean differences (SMD) for SBP and DBP. Results: A small reduction in SBP was observed with HIIT interventions (MD −3.00; 95% CI −4.61 to −1.39; p < 0.0001; SMD −0.28; 95% CI −0.42 to −0.13; p = 0.0003). However, no statistically significant reductions were detected for DBP (MD −0.70; 95% CI −1.80 to 0.39; p = 0.21; SMD −0.07; 95% CI −0.22 to 0.08; p = 0.35). Despite demonstrating statistical significance for SBP, the effects did not reach clinical relevance. Conclusions: HIIT interventions yield small reductions in SBP, with minimal impact on DBP. These findings suggest limited clinical relevance in the management of hypertension. Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to standardize HIIT protocols, with specific emphasis on intensity control and manipulation, to better understand their potential role in hypertensive populations.

The hepatic portal vein is the main vascular route responsible for collecting blood from the liver, spleen, pancreas, stomach, gallbladder, and intestines. Its key function is to metabolize the components acquired from the blood. The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of HPV variants and understand the possible clinical considerations that arise with them. The databases Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences were researched until January 2024. Tree authors independently performed the search, study selection and data extraction. Methodological quality was evaluated with an assurance tool for anatomical studies. Pooled prevalence was estimated using a random effects model. A total of 31 studies met the established selection criteria. In this study, 21 articles were included for the meta-analysis with a total of 51,244 subjects. Of these 21 articles, the topics studied came mainly from Europe and Asia, with three (n = 554; 1.08%) and 11 articles (n = 50,090; 97.75%) respectively, also having six articles from North America (n = 442; 0.86%) and one from Africa (n = 158; 0.31%), discarding the articles from Oceania and South America. For the HPV trifurcation variant, it was 8% (CI = 7-10%). Apropos the right posterior portal vein variant, as the primary tributary from the main HPV, it was 7% (CI = 4-11%). About the right anterior portal vein variant originating from the left portal vein, it was 4% (CI = 1-6%). Finally, the prevalence of the isolated variants was 2% (CI = 1-3%). The knowledge of HPV and its anatomical variants is of utmost importance for both medical professionals and anatomists, as it is one of the vessels that collects blood from many important viscera found in the abdominal cavity, any structural alteration could be crucial in diagnosis and surgical procedures.

Ten planar pentacoordinate boron (ppB) systems are reported, each featuring a pentagonal ring composed of tetrels, pnictogens, or their combination around boron. These structures exhibit double aromaticity (σ and π),...

In this work, a novel chitosan-based polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) was prepared using chitosan as the cationic polyelectrolyte, while a potassium salt of poly(maleic anhydride-alt-tetradecene) (PMA-14) served as the anionic counterpart. These PECs were used for the encapsulation of two nitroeugenol derivatives: 4-allyl-2-methoxy-6-nitrophenol (3) and 2-allyl-6-nitrophenol (4). The results confirm complex formation and efficient encapsulation of active compounds. Encapsulation efficiency (EE) was influenced by the chemical structure of the compounds, with 32.18% EE for 3 and 20.36% EE for 4. The resulting systems were characterized by fluorescence probing techniques, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential. On the other hand, antifungal assays revealed that, in free form, 3 exhibits a much higher activity against Botritys cinerea than 4. However, no effect of encapsulation of both compounds on antifungal performance was observed. Results from molecular dynamic studies indicate that a stabilization effect is induced by compounds 3 and 4 during PEC formation, which is attributed to specific interactions between polyelectrolytes and guest molecules. These results are in line with the EE values measured for 3 and 4 and explain the low release from PECs of these molecules. Thus, the potential development of PEC-based systems for the delivery of bioactive compounds requires a deeper comprehension of parameters determining the relationship between encapsulation efficiency and delivery kinetics.

Background: The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the effects of Square Stepping Exercise (SSE) on physical and cognitive function in older people, including its effects on biomarkers, body composition and mental health, focusing only on research that assessed the efficacy of SSE-based interventions. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane databases were searched from June 2006 to June 2024 according to the PRISMA guidelines. The main search terms used were related to “older people” and “square-stepping exercise”. Controlled trials that included at least one intervention group focused on SSE were included. Participants had to be healthy, without physical or cognitive impairment, and the studies published in English or Spanish. The methodological quality of the selected research was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). Results: Twelve studies were selected from a total of 444 original records, with a total sample size of 577 participants. The health parameters of the participants were homogeneous, with ages ranging from 60 to 80 years. Significant gains were reported in certain physical function assessments, including balance, lower body strength and power, gait speed and flexibility. There were also significant findings in cognitive function, particularly in general cognitive status, focused attention, response time, basic task performance, and executive function. In addition, SSE can improve metrics such as body composition, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and mental health characteristics. Conclusions: SSE has the potential to significantly improve physical function, cognitive performance and body composition, as well as provide mental health benefits and have variable effects on biomarkers and cardiovascular health.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of physical literacy (PL) in school children (10 to 16 years) in Santiago, Chile, and to explore the relationship between PL and body mass index (BMI). In addition, gender and age differences were analyzed in relation to PL levels in a context where childhood obesity remains a public health challenge. Methods: A total of 439 students in grades 5–8 were assessed using the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy-2 (CAPL-2) questionnaire. Demographic variables (sex, age, and BMI) were correlated with levels of motivation to engage in physical activity and physical activity knowledge. Chi-square and effect size were applied. Results: The results revealed a significant correlation between motivation for physical activity and gender, with boys showing higher levels of motivation than girls (χ² = 12.403, p < 0.006). In addition, an inverse relationship was observed between BMI and motivation (effect size = 0.198), suggesting that more motivated children tend to have a healthier BMI. Knowledge about physical activity increased with age (χ² = 60.460, p < 0.001) but did not have a significant influence on BMI. Conclusions: The findings highlight the need to design gender-specific interventions that enhance motivation as a key factor in promoting a healthy lifestyle and physical activity adherence. Public health strategies should include motivation-driven approaches to foster physical literacy and long-term engagement in physical activity, particularly for girls, to address pediatric health challenges in Chile. Public health policies should address these factors to improve pediatric health outcomes.

Although various studies have been carried out on the relationship between attachment and prosocial behavior, less research has focused on the mediating role of pair attachment in the university population. For this reason, the study aims to evaluate the mediating role of pair attachment in the relationship between parental attachment and the prosocial behavior of Chilean university students. The participants were 198 university students, of which 76.3% indicated being female (n = 151), 23.2% male (n = 46), and 0.5% other gender (n = 1). To measure parental and pair attachment, the Parent and Pair Attachment Inventory was used in its version adapted to Spanish (Delgado et al., 2016), and prosocial behavior was measured with the Prosociality Scale (Caprara et al., 2005). Descriptive and correlation analyses will be used to analyze the data. The evaluation of the mediating role of pair attachment was carried out using the Bayesian method, considering Monte Carlo techniques with Markov chains (MCMC) and 20,000 iterations. The results showed that pair attachment partially mediates the relationship between parental attachment and prosocial behavior. It is inferred that when the pair attachment intervenes, a greater effect of the parental attachment on prosocial behavior is observed. It is concluded that pair attachment constitutes a psychological mechanism that contributes to the development of prosocial behavior.

Background and Objectives: Soccer is a sport characterized by various unpredictable situations in which physical abilities are associated with athletic performance. There are several capa- bilities that young soccer players must develop to adapt to the needs of the competition. This study analyzes the physical characteristics, tactical knowledge, emotional intelligence, and mood states of youth soccer players at different competitive levels. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 36 male soccer players with an average age of 12.65 ± 0.48 years, weight of 44.92 ± 7.49 kg, and height of 157.2 ± 0.08 cm. A cross-sectional correlational study design was selected. Inferential analysis was conducted via the RV coefficient to assess relationships between groups. Two-sample tests (Student’s t test or the Mann–Whitney U test) were used to assess the distribution of the samples. Standardized mean differences (i.e., Cohen’s d) were calculated as effect sizes. Results: For the yo-yo intermittent endurance test level 1, the Premier category showed higher speed (p = 0.01, d = 0.40) and superior estimated VO2max (p = 0.01, d = −0.91). The statistically significant variables included the hamstring strength exercise of the hamstrings for the angle of rupture (p = 0.04, d = −0.04, d = −0.72), the COD-Timer 5-0-5 for contact time—5-0-5 (ms) (p = 0.04, d = 0.69) and 10 m—5-0-5 (s) (p = 0.02, d = 0.79), tactical knowledge of in-game performance (p = 0.01, d = −1.19), support level (p = 0.01, d = −1.27), decision-making ability (p = 0.01, d = 0.59), melancholy (p = 0.01, d = 0.59), confusion (p = 0.01, d = 0.56), and emotional intelligence (p = 0.04, d = 0.77). The Premier category presented slightly higher averages than did category A. In the assessment of running-based anaerobic sprint test power (p < 0.05, d = 0.83) and mood states (p < 0.05, d = 0.59), players in category A presented higher results. Conclusions: The performance capacity of youth soccer players encompasses a multidimensional complexity that includes physical, tactical, emotional, and psychological aspects, which vary among players of the same age.

Background Women typically have a higher body fat content than men. Fat accumulation is associated with muscle weakness and alterations in mechanical properties. This study aims to determine the relationship between BMI and weight status with the mechanical properties of muscle and tendon. It was hypothesized that the stiffness and tone of the forearm muscle and Achilles tendon would be correlated with weight status and BMI. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 136 female university students. Grip strength was assessed using a dynamometer, body composition was analyzed through bioimpedance, and countermovement jump performance was evaluated with a force platform. Stiffness and tone were measured using the MyotonPro device. ANOVA was used to compare grip strength and countermovement jump performance according to body composition. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to examine bivariate associations. Results Relative grip strength decreased with an increase in fat content, while forearm muscle stiffness and tone decreased with rising weight status and BMI. Stiffness of the Achilles tendon increased with an increase in fat content and showed a significant positive correlation with BMI. Multiple regression analysis revealed a weak correlation between BMI, body composition, and stiffness of the forearm muscles. Conclusion The results of this study support the notion that the stiffness of the forearm muscles and Achilles tendon is correlated with BMI in young adult women. Furthermore, an increase in body fat percentage is linked to a decrease in mechanical properties and poorer muscle function.

Background Physical inactivity has been identified as a risk factor for pain. Objective The main objective was to analyze the relationships between leisure time physical activity frequency (PAF) and pain prevalence, pain level, pain impairment, daily life pain impairment, and analgesic use in Spanish adults. In addition, risk factors such as sex, body mass index, marital status and social class were assessed for these pain variables in addition to PAF. Method Cross-sectional study based on data from the 2014 and 2020 European Health Surveys in Spain residents. The Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship of dependence between the variables of interest. A correlation study calculating Spearman’s rho and a multiple logistic regression were performed to assess risk factors for pain variables. Results 20,113 and 19,196 subjects with a median age of 49 and 52 years old in 2014 and 2020 European Health Surveys, respectively, were analyzed. Dependence relationships were found between PAF and pain variables (p<0.001). The prevalence of: pain, high levels of pain, pain impairment, high level of pain impairment and use analgesic were higher in the inactive population than in the rest of the PAF levels (36.7–53%) vs (18.6–44.3%), p<0.05. Weak correlations were found between PAF and pain variables (-0.177 ≤ Rho ≤ -0.107) (p<0.001). Logistics regression show that being active or very active reduces the odds of pain, the intensity of pain and being affected in daily activities due to pain by 0.524 to 0.776 times. Likewise, being active or very active reduces the odds of taking pain medication by 0.661 to 0.755 times. Also age, low social class, being a woman, and being obese increase of odds of pain, pain affectation and use of analgesics in both surveys by 1.008 to 2.202 times. Conclusions Physical inactivity was related to a higher prevalence of: pain, higher levels of pain, higher pain involvement and higher analgesic use. In addition, lower social class, being female, older age, and obesity were factors for higher odds of pain, pain involvement, and analgesic use in both surveys.

Background Women with intellectual disabilities confront distinct challenges as they age, compounded by cognitive and adaptive constraints. These challenges encompass heightened health risks, barriers to social support and susceptibility to violence, underscoring the critical role of self‐determination in enhancing their quality of life. Method This quantitative study utilised a scale based on the Functional Model of Self‐Determination to assess self‐determination levels in 218 Chilean women aged 45 to 80 with intellectual disabilities. The research also explored potential personal and environmental factors influencing these levels. Findings Employed participants and those in supportive family environments demonstrated higher self‐determination levels. Moreover, women without mental health issues exhibited advanced skills in self‐regulation, empowerment and self‐realisation. Significant disparities were noted based on varying levels of intellectual disability, types of support received and socioeconomic status, highlighting the necessity for tailored and diversified support systems. Conclusion Developing personalised support programs that address individual and contextual differences is crucial. Despite limitations, this study emphasises the urgency for inclusive public policies aimed at eliminating socioeconomic and cultural barriers, thereby fostering environments conducive to community engagement and autonomous decision‐making.

Soft ticks (Argasidae) of the subgenus Pavlovskyella Pospelova-Shtrom are worldwide distributed parasites of medical importance. However, the systematics of the subgenus are currently under debate because genetic data shows that the group is paraphyletic. Meanwhile, species of Pavlovskyella continue to be discovered. In this study a novel species of the subgenus is described from specimens collected on a fox in central Chile. The larva of this new species differentiates from other Pavlovskyella spp. by having the following combination of characters: subpyriform dorsal plate; 15 pairs of setae, 7 anterolateral, 3 central, and 5 posterolateral, and hypostome with denticles in the distal third. Nymphs and adults of the species lack cheeks, eyes or bulging structures on the flank, but exhibit dorsoventral grooves, and humps on tarsi I, II, and III. Moreover, a patch of glabrous integument appears on the distal portion of coxal folds. A phylogenetic analysis using the mitogenome indicates a monophyletic group composed by Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) brasiliensis Aragão, Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) furcosus Neumann, Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) improvisus Muñoz-Leal & Venzal, and Ornithodoros (Pavlovskyella) rostratus Aragão. Interestingly, a phylogeny using 18S–28S rDNA sequences shows that South American Pavlovskyella spp. are paraphyletic, as depicted in previous studies. Adding species of the subgenus from the Neotropical region to phylogenetic analyses could aid to solve this paraphyly. Furthermore, this is the fifth species of Pavlovskyella described in South America, and the second in Chile.

Background: Thyroglobulin (Tg) is a biomarker of iodine status. Newborn Tg is a more sensitive marker than neonatal TSH in detecting variations in iodine intake. This study aims to validate a Tg enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Tg determination on dried blood spots (DBS) in newborns. This study also set out to assess the stability of Tg and the influence of newborns’ hematocrit on Tg determination. Methods: A commercially available ELISA Tg assay was adapted for use on DBS. DBS-Tg in cord blood were measured in 209 newborns delivered from healthy euthyroid pregnant women. Sensitivity, linearity, repeatability, and intermediate fidelity were determined using the appropriate standards and quality control materials. Results: The limit of detection (LoD) of the DBS-Tg assay was 2.4 µg/L, and the limit of quantification (LoQ) was 5.8 µg/L. Repeatability and intermediate fidelity were 7.7-8.3% and 11.0-11.2%, respectively. The median cord plasma Tg and DBS-Tg values in newborns were not significantly different, 30.2 (21.3-44.4) µg/L and 31.6 (19.3-48.7) µg/L (p=0.48) with the ELISA respectively, and 76.5 (40.0-101.5) µg/L with the Elecsys assay with an R=0.88. DBS-Tg concentrations decrease with increasing hematocrit values (p<0.05). DBS-Tg values were stable at a concentration of 25 µg/L for 12 months at -20ºC and 4ºC. Conclusion: This DBS-Tg assay demonstrated good analytical performances over a wide range of Tg concentrations, suggesting it is well suited to detecting variations in Tg concentrations. Studies comparing populations with different prevalence of anemia should consider the effect of hematocrit on DBS-Tg determination. The availability of a DBS-Tg assay for newborns makes it possible to integrate iodine status monitoring with newborn screening for inherited metabolic diseases.

This study aimed to automatically classify physical fitness and cardiometabolic risk in a Chilean adolescent using self-organizing maps. This cross-sectional study analysed a nationally representative database from the Physical Education Quality Measurement System (n = 7197). Physical fitness and cardiometabolic risk variables were derived from anthropometric indicators. Self-Organizing maps (SOM) were employed to identify participant profiles based on an unsupervised predictive model. After implementing and training the SOM, a detailed analysis of the generated maps was conducted to interpret the revealed relationships and clusters. The analysis resulted in three classification groups, categorizing the sample into low, moderate, and high-risk levels. Students with better physical fitness exhibited lower cardiometabolic risk levels and a lower body mass index. SOM, through an unsupervised model, is a reliable tool for classifying cardiometabolic risk and physical fitness in adolescents.

Research on advanced human capital migration has focused on the constructs: brain drain, brain gain and brain circulation (grouped as brain migration). The behavior of brain drainers and their migration flow is affected by perceived well-being. Our study comprehensively reviews research on the well-being of highly skilled migrants in search of the constructs and classes with which well-being in brain migration is studied. Research published in the WoSCC and Scopus databases was reviewed. Subsequently, a scoping review of the literature with the PRISMA – ScR guidelines, reporting information sources and search strategy, eligibility criteria (PICOS tool), mode of study selection and data extraction, and ways to assess quality, control bias, and synthesize results. Finally, nine papers were selected, with three types of populations analyzed and two epistemic-methodological approaches: 1) the effects of roots at origin, the ethical and moral dilemmas of the brain drain and the possibilities of return on the well-being of highly qualified emigrants, and 2) identification of the business, economic and political aspects of the destination country that condition individual well-being, adaptation and permanence. Future lines of research will focus on both categories and evaluate their effects on brain migration, and on the origin and destination countries.

The gut microbiome has emerged as a crucial player in modulating cancer therapies, including radiotherapy. In the case of breast cancer, the interplay between the microbiome and radiotherapy-derived metabolites may enhance therapeutic outcomes and minimize adverse effects. In this review, we explore the bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiome and breast cancer. We explain how gut microbiome composition influences cancer progression and treatment response, and how breast cancer and its treatments influence microbiome composition. A dual role for radiotherapy-derived metabolites is explored in this article, highlighting both their therapeutic benefits and potential hazards. By integrating genomics, metabolomics, and bioinformatics tools, we present a comprehensive overview of these interactions. The study provides real-world insight through case studies and clinical trials, while therapeutic innovations such as probiotics, and dietary interventions are examined for their potential to modulate the microbiome and enhance treatment effectiveness. Moreover, ethical considerations and patient perspectives are discussed, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Towards revolutionizing treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes, the review concludes with future research directions. It also envisions integrating microbiome and metabolite research into personalized breast cancer therapy.

Objective This study aimed to assess associations between chronotype and obesity‐related indicators in a sample of Spanish adolescents. Methods This cross‐sectional study used data from The Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities (EHDLA) Study, which included a representative sample of adolescents from Spain. A total of 820 adolescents (54.7% girls) aged 12–17 years were included in the analyses. The adolescents' chronotype was determined using the Morningness/Eveningness Scale in Children. Obesity‐related indicators included body mass index, waist circumference, waist‐to‐height ratio, triceps and medial calf skinfolds, sum of skinfolds, and body fat percentage. Generalized linear models were used to examine the relationship between the Morningness‐Eveningness score and chronotype status and the above‐mentioned obesity‐related indicators in adolescents. All analyses were adjusted for sex, age, socioeconomic status, sleep duration, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and energy intake. Results The morningness chronotype was associated with higher abdominal obesity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12 to 2.50; p = 0.001), waist‐to‐height ratio (unstandardized beta coefficient [B] = 0.01, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.05; p = 0.029) and skinfold calves (B = 1.04 95% CI 0.24 to 1.94; p = 0.011), compared with the intermediate chronotype. Conclusion Adolescents with a morningness chronotype may be more prone to abdominal obesity than their counterparts with an intermediate chronotype. Effective intervention‐related approaches can be applied to those with a morningness chronotype.