Resumen: Durante la última década, el síndrome de fragilidad ha adquirido gran importancia debido a sus consecuencias sociales y psicológicas perjudiciales. En el presente estudio, investigamos la asociación entre el estado de fragilidad y el bienestar (felicidad y satisfacción con la vida) en los adultos mayores, y evaluamos el papel de la salud autopercibida como potencial mediador de dichas relaciones. Reclutamos a 1205 adultos mayores chilenos que respondieron preguntas acerca de su estado de salud objetivo (indicadores relacionados con el estado de fragilidad), bienestar y autopercepción de salud. En términos generales, los análisis mostraron que el estado de fragilidad se asocia negativamente con la satisfacción vital y la felicidad, y que la salud autopercibida tiene un papel mediador en tales relaciones. Se discuten las consecuencias sociales y psicológicas del síndrome de fragilidad en adultos mayores.

Abstract During the past decade, the frail syndrome has acquired great importance due to its detrimental social and psychological consequences. In the present study, we investigate the association between frailty status and well-being (happiness and life satisfaction) among older adults, and we test the role of self-perceived health as potential mediator in such relations. We recruited 1205 older Chilean adults who responded to measures about their objective health status (frailtyrelated indicators), well-being, and self-perceived health. Overall, path analyses showed that frailty status is negatively associated to life satisfaction and happiness, and that self-perceived health works as a mediator for such relations. The social and psychological consequences of the frail syndrome in older adults are discussed.

RESUMO Introdução A aptidão aeróbia é importante preditor que contribui com a preservação da independência funcional à medida que se envelhece. Sua mensuração transforma-se em ferramenta fundamental na identificação de múltiplos problemas de saúde. Objetivo Comparar a capacidade aeróbia de adultos e idosos com estudos internacionais e desenvolver percentis por faixas etárias, utilizando o método LMS. Métodos Elaborou-se um estudo descritivo transversal com 1.146 sujeitos (437 homens e 709 mulheres). A faixa etária da amostra variou de 50 a 84 anos. Os sujeitos avaliados eram oriundos dos programas de atividade física oferecidos pelo Instituto Nacional de Desporto (IND) e pela prefeitura de Talca (Chile). Avaliaram-se massa corporal, estatura, saturação de oxigênio (SatO2), teste de caminhada de 6 minutos e pressão arterial diastólica e sistólica. Calculou-se o índice de massa corporal (IMC) para ambos os sexos. Utilizou-se o método LMS para propor a distribuição percentílica. Resultados A capacidade aeróbia diminui com o decorrer da idade (28,5% para os homens e 29,9% para as mulheres). Houve relação negativa entre a idade e o teste de caminhada de 6 minutos (homens: r = -0,13; mulheres: r = -0,39). Observou-se discrepância entre os idosos do presente estudo com os de estudos internacionais. Os dados normativos para a classificação da aptidão aeróbia foram expressos em percentis (p3, p5, p10, p15, p25, p50, p75, p85, p90, p95 y p97). Conclusão Os idosos diminuem o desempenho aeróbio conforme a idade avança. Os presentes resultados diferem dos estudos internacionais, o que motivou o desenvolvimento dos percentis para classificar a aptidão aeróbia em situações cotidianas, especialmente em locais com poucos recursos e principalmente onde os testes de campo são considerados prioritários para avaliação física em larga escala. Nível de evidência II; Estudos diagnóstico - investigação de teste diagnóstico.

ABSTRACT Introduction Aerobic fitness is an important predictor that contributes to the preservation of functional independence during the aging process. Its measurement represents a fundamental tool in the identification of multiple health problems. Objective To compare the aerobic capacity of adults and elderly subjects through international studies and to develop percentiles by age group using the LMS method. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 1146 subjects (437 men and 709 women). The age group of the sample ranged from 50 to 84 years. The subjects evaluated came from the physical activity programs offered by the National Sports Institute (IND) and by the city council of Talca (Chile). Body mass, stature, oxygen saturation (SatO2), six-minute walk test, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were assessed. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated for both sexes. The LMS method was used to propose the percent distribution. Results Aerobic capacity decreases with age (28.5% for men and 29.9% for women). There was a negative relationship between age and the six-minute walk test (men r = -0.13 and women r = -0.39). There was a discrepancy between the elderly subjects in the current study and those from international studies. The normative data for the classification of aerobic fitness were expressed in percentiles (p3, p5, p10, p15, p25, p50, p75, p85, p90, p95 and p97). Conclusion The aerobic performance of elderly subjects diminishes as they age; in addition, the current results differ from international studies, which motivated the development of percentiles to classify aerobic fitness in everyday situations, especially in places with few resources and particularly where field tests are considered a priority for large-scale physical evaluation. Level of evidence II; Diagnostic studies – investigation of diagnostic test.

RESUMEN Introducción La aptitud aeróbica es un importante predictor que contribuye con la preservación de la independencia funcional a medida que se envejece. Su medición se transforma en una herramienta fundamental en la identificación de múltiples problemas de salud. Objetivo Comparar la capacidad aeróbica de adultos y ancianos con estudios internacionales y desarrollar percentiles por grupos de edad utilizando el método LMS. Métodos Se elaboró un estudio descriptivo transversal con 1146 sujetos (437 hombres y 709 mujeres). El grupo de edad de la muestra varió de 50 a 84 años. Los sujetos evaluados eran oriundos de los programas de actividad física ofrecidos por el Instituto Nacional de Deporte (IND) y por la Municipalidad de Talca (Chile). Se evaluaron masa corporal, estatura, saturación de oxígeno (SatO2), test de seis minutos de caminata y presión arterial diastólica y sistólica. Se calculó el índice de masa corporal (IMC) para ambos sexos. Se usó el método LMS para proponer la distribución de percentil. Resultados La capacidad aeróbica disminuye con el transcurso de la edad (28,5% para los hombres y 29,9% para las mujeres). Hubo relación negativa entre la edad y el test de caminata de seis minutos (hombres r= -0,13 y mujeres r= -0,39). Se observó discrepancia entre los ancianos del presente estudio con los de estudios internacionales. Los datos normativos para la clasificación de la aptitud aeróbica fueron expresados en percentiles (p3, p5, p10, p15, p25, p50, p75, p85, p90, p95 y p97). Conclusión Los ancianos disminuyen el rendimiento aeróbico conforme avanza la edad. Los presentes resultados difieren de los estudios internacionales, lo que motivó el desarrollo de los percentiles para clasificar la aptitud aeróbica en situaciones cotidianas, especialmente en locales con pocos recursos y principalmente donde los tests de campo son considerados prioritarios para la evaluación física a larga escala. Nivel de Evidencia II; Estudios diagnóstico-investigación de test diagnóstico.

ABSTRACT The endothelium is fundamental for the regulation of vascular tone and structure. Under disease conditions, including the presence of cardiovascular disease risk factors, the endothelium loses its protective role and becomes a proatherosclerotic structure. In this article we searched for strategies from PUBMED and Science Direct databases using the following key words: endothelium, natural bioactive compounds, polyphenols and cardiovascular diseases. The search was restricted to english language papers. Studies have identified the contribution of diet to the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. In this context, high intakes of fruit and vegetables are associated with the decrease of cardiovascular diseases. Thus the most important fruit/vegetables and bioactive compounds to prevent endothelial diseases are berries, apples, virgin olive oil, tomatoes, soybeans, and polyphenols, carotenoids and unsaturated fatty acids, respectively. The bioactive compounds from fruit and vegetables provide endothelial protection through the following mechanisms: improved eNOS/NO bioavailability, attenuates oxidative stress, inhibited NF-κB pathway and decreased cell adhesion molecules expression. In this article natural bioactive compound mechanisms of endothelium protection are thoroughly reviewed.

ABSTRACT Human aging is characterized by both physical and physiological frailty that profoundly affects the immune system. In this context aging is associated with declines in adaptive and innate immunity established as immunosenescence. Immunosenescence is a new concept that reflects the age-associated restructuring changes of innate and adaptive immune functions. Thus elderly individuals usually present chronic low-level inflammation, higher infection rates and chronic diseases. A study of alterations in the immune system during aging could provide a potentially useful biomarker for the evaluation of immune senescence treatment. The immune system is the result of the interplay between innate and adaptive immunity, yet the impact of aging on this function is unclear. In this article the function of the immune system during aging is explored.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death in the world. Among them the ischemic type are of great importance, where the development of atherosclerotic plaques is the central pathophysiological process. The study of atherosclerosis is critical to understand how this disease process begins and factors influencing its development. Various laboratory methods, including immunohistochemistry, allow the recognition of cells and molecules involved in the atheromatous process that are interacting according to the progression of the lesion. A marker of endothelial dysfunction is the increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule ICAM-1. In this paper, an immunohistochemistry method was standardized for the adhesion molecule ICAM-1, and its expression was studied in healthy human arteries with atheromatous plaque. In samples of human arteries with atherosclerotic disease, the expression of ICAM-1 was observed to be increased, but was hardly recognizable. This mainly because the tissue used as a control for standardization was a tonsil with an inflammatory process and hyperplasia, which significantly increases the expression of ICAM-1. The implementation of the immunohistochemistry method for ICAM-1 in human arteries will reveal endothelial dysfunction states that will enable a future design and implementation of methods of diagnosis in atherosclerotic processes in the early stages.

Las enfermedades cardiovasculares son la principal causa de muerte a nivel mundial. Entre ellas tienen gran relevancia las de tipo isquémicas, en donde el desarrollo de placas ateroscleróticas es el proceso fisiopatológico central. El estudio de la aterosclerosis es fundamental para comprender como se inicia este proceso patológico y los factores que influyen en su desarrollo. Distintas metodologías de laboratorio, entre otras la inmunohistoquímica, permiten reconocer las células y moléculas que participan en el proceso ateromatoso y que van interactuando según la progresión de la lesión. Un marcador de disfunción endotelial es la mayor expresión de la molécula de adhesión intercelular ICAM-1. En este trabajo se realizó la estandarización de inmunohistoquímica para la molécula de adhesión ICAM-1, y se estudió su expresión en arterias humanas sanas y con placa ateromatosa. En las muestras de arterias humanas con patología aterosclerótica, la expresión de ICAM-1 se observó aumentada, pero fue de difícil reconocimiento. Esto principalmente porque el tejido empleado como control en la estandarización fue una amígdala con hiperplasia y proceso inflamatorio que aumenta notablemente la expresión de ICAM-1. La implementación del método de inmunohistoquímica para ICAM-1 en arterias humanas permitirá conocer estados de disfunción endotelial y el desarrollo futuro del diseño e implementación de métodos de diagnóstico en aquellos procesos ateroclerótico en estado incipiente.

Un aumento de las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) mundialmente, la existencia de un porcentaje más alto que el promedio nacional de éstas para la región de Maule (Chile), y una atención incrementada en el análisis de factores psicológicos, motivan el análisis del Patrón de Comportamiento Tipo A (PCTA) y la ira respecto de las ECV. Se trabajó con 1007 participantes de 18 a 74 años (ciudadanos de Talca, Chile), mayoritariamente mujeres, quienes respondieron un cuestionario (información socio demográfica, hábitos alimentarios y de estilo de vida), la Escala Retiro de Patrón de Conducta tipo A (ERCTAa), y el Inventario de Ira de Novaco. Se les midió peso, masa corporal, presión arterial y sangre, como factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Los participantes son altamente sedentarios (79.9%), tabáquicos (53.6%), hipercolesterolémicos (44.5%), con sobrepeso (40.7%) y obesidad (32.6%), un cuarto de los cuales presenta hiperglicemia e hipertensión y con PCTA equirepartido según sexo. Es la ausencia de PCTA (ó presencia de PCTB) la que aparece asociada a factores tradicionales de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV). La ira alta se presenta más en mujeres que en hombres (2.1% vs. 0.3%; c²(3) = 27.99, p<.0001), disminuyendo para ambos sexos con la edad, pero los infartos acaecen igualmente según sexo.

A worldwide raise in the number of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the existence of a higher percentage in Maule (Chile) than the national media, and increased attention in the analysis of psychological factors motivate to analyze the Type A Behavior Pattern (TABP) and anger in relation to CVD. The sample was 1007 adults between 18 and 74 years old (citizens of Talca, Chile), mostly women. They provided information about their demographic details, eating habits and lifestyle, answered the Novaco's Anger Inventory and the Retiro Scale of Type A Behavior (RSTAB), and also were taken measurements like weight, body mass index and blood pressure and blood tests related to risk factors to traditional cardiovascular diseases. The results show Overall, that the participants appear highly sedentary (79.9%) with relatively high levels of tabaquism (53.6%), and hypercholesterolemia (44.5%), overweight (40.7%) and obesity (32.6%). A quarter of the sample also presents hyperglycemic indexes, hypertension and TABP unequally distributed by sex. The absence of PCTA (or PCTB presence) appeared mostly associated with traditional cardiovascular risk factors (CRF). Regarding anger, women present more high than men (2.1% against 0.3%; c²(3) = 27.99, p<.0001), decreasing for both sexes with age, while also befall stroke by sex.

Non-transmissible diseases (NTDs), especially cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, are a major public health problem. One strategy to reverse this situation is to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. For these reasons, this review shows the epidemiological findings and mechanisms by which tomato intake may prevent the development of CVD and cancer. The tomato rich in lycopene is the most consumed vegetable in the world and the main crop in Chile. Since the nineties, several epidemiological studies have shown that tomato consumption may prevent the development of cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease) and certain types of cancers. Regarding the protective mechanisms of CVD, it has been observed that the tomato has antiplatelet activity, endothelial protective, antioxidant and antiatherogenic. Meanwhile, among the mechanisms by which it can prevent cancer has described the following activities: antioxidant, activation of apoptosis, decreased cell proliferation and angiogenesis and diminution of metastasis. In future it is necessary to advance the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved (cells, receptors and signaling pathways). Also, taking into consideration the contribution of the tomato and its products in the prevention of NTD, along with the outstanding campaigns to increase domestic consumption and export, it will be essential to devise new functional foods and nutraceuticals food.

Las enfermedades no transmisibles (ENT), especialmente las enfermedades cardiovasculares (ECV) y el cáncer, representan un importante problema de salud pública. Una de las estrategias para revertir esta situación es incrementar el consumo de frutas y hortalizas. Por lo anterior, esta revisión muestra los hallazgos epidemiológicos y mecanismos por los cuales la ingesta de tomate podría prevenir el desarrollo de ECV y cáncer. El tomate, rico en licopeno, es la hortaliza de mayor consumo a nivel mundial y la que más se cultiva en Chile. Desde la década de los noventa, varios estudios epidemiológicos han mostrado que el consumo de tomate puede prevenir el desarrollo de eventos cardiovasculares (infarto agudo de miocardio y enfermedad cerebro vascular) y ciertos tipos de cáncer. Respecto a los mecanismos protectores de ECV se ha observado que el tomate presenta actividades antiplaquetaria, protectora del endotelio, antioxidante y antiaterogénica. Por su parte, entre los mecanismos por los cuales puede prevenir el cáncer, se han descrito las siguientes actividades: antioxidante, activación de apoptosis, disminución de la proliferación celular y disminución de la angiogenesis y metástasis. A futuro será necesario avanzar en el conocimiento de los mecanismos moleculares involucrados (células, receptores y vías de señalización). Por otra parte, teniendo en consideración el aporte del tomate y sus productos en la prevención de las ENT, junto con incrementar las campañas sobre consumo interno y exportación, será fundamental idear nuevos alimentos funcionales y nutracéuticos.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Chile and worldwide. Framingham functions were developed to calculate overall coronary heart disease risk However these functions overestimate the risk in some countries ¡ike Chile. Aim To develop Chilean risk tables to assess the overall 10-year risk of coronary heart disease. Material and methods: The Framingham function was adapted for a population aged 35 to 74 years, based on an estimate of Chilean incidence of coronary heart disease and the prevalence of coronary heart disease risk factors such as age, sex, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and smoking. Results: The 10-year incidence of coronary heart disease in Chile (2.7% in men, 1.096 in women) was lower than the incidence in the United States (10.096/3.896) and Spain (4.996/2.296), but higher than China (1.196/0.496). Framingham tables have more than 50% of cells in the risk category of 10% or greater. In contrast, Chilean tables have less than 10% of cells in the same risk category. Conclusions: Adapted tables use local information to calculate overall coronary heart disease risk. A validation study should be conducted to assess their predictive power.

Air pollution is a heterogenic mixture of gases, liquids and particulate matter (PM) present in the urban modern world. PM rates vary in size from a few nanometers to 10 micra diameter. The exposure to PM is associated to a major risk of cardiovascular diseases as explained by three mechanisms: induction of systemic inflammation and/or oxidative stress, alteration in the cardiac autonomic balance and direct action on the circulatory system, causing acute vasoconstriction, endothelial dysfunction and prothrombotic state. There is evidence suggesting that air pollution is associated with shortened prothrombine time, decrease in tissue plasminogen activator, increase of fibrinogen, factor VIII and factor von Willebrand, and platelet hyperactivity.

La polución aérea es una mezcla heterogénea de gases, líquidos y material particulado (MP) presente en el mundo urbano moderno. El MP varía en tamaño, desde pocos nanómetros hasta 10 micras de diámetro. Se ha observado que la exposición a MP se asocia a un mayor riesgo de enfermedades cardiovasculares. Al respecto se ha planteado tres posibles mecanismos: inducción de inflamación sistémica y/o estrés oxidativo; alteraciones en el balance de autonomía cardiaca; y, acción directa sobre el sistema circulatorio, causando vasoconstricción aguda, disfunción endotelial y estado protrombótico. Hay evidencias que indican que la polución aérea se asocia con el acortamiento del tiempo de protrombina, disminución del activador del plasminógeno tisular, aumento de fibrinógeno, factor VIII y factor von Willebrand e hiperactividad plaquetaria.

A trombose pode ser o resultado da interação de polimorfismo genético e fatores de riscos adquiridos. Os polimosfirmos protrombóticos mais frequentes são fator V (FV) Leiden e a mutação da protrombina (PT) G20210A. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a prevalência de ambos os polimorfismos na região centro-sul do Chile. Foram realizadas análises genéticas (PCR RFLP) de 1.200 pessoas saudáveis, não nativas da região. Foram encontrados 1,25% de mutação do Fator V Leiden e 1,33% da mutação da protrombina G20210A. Não foi detectada homozigose em ambos os polimorfismos. A prevalência de FV Leiden e da mutação G20210A é baixa na população estudada.

Thrombosis is a result of the interaction between predisposing genetic polymorphisms and acquired risk factors. The two prothrombotic polymorphisms which are most frequently associated with thrombosis are factor V (FV) Leiden and the prothrombin (PT) G20210A mutation. The objective of this work was to investigate the prevalence of both factors in the central-south region of Chile. Determination of the frequency was carried out by means of a genetic analysis of 1200 healthy, non-native individuals. The mutation of FV Leiden was found in 1.25% of the population and the PT G20210A mutation in 1.33%. None of the individuals were homozygosis or had both polymorphisms. The prevalences of FV Leiden and the PT G20210A mutation are less common in the healthy population.

The purpose of this paper is to show the evolution of the Research Management System (SGI)) that has been developed by the Universidad de Talca in order to support the academic activities done by its researchers. The document makes reference to the continuous process of improvement that the SGI has undergone since its beginnings. The system was developed by stages, starting with an Intranet version followed by the Web version, integration into the National System of Scientific Research, Technology and Innovation (SICTI); and finally the current version on a Workflow platform. The incorporation of the SGI into the Universidad de Talca has contributed to a significant increase in the number of active researchers, the quantity of research projects being carried out, the external and internal funds obtained, as well as in the number of publications in mainstream journals

El objetivo del presente trabajo es mostrar la evolución experimentada por el Sistema de Gestión de la Investigación (SGI), que se ha desarrollado en la Universidad de Talca para apoyar las actividades académicas que realizan sus investigadores. El documento hace referencia al proceso de mejoramiento continuo que ha experimentado el SGI desde su concepción. El sistema fue desarrollado por etapas, desde una primera versión Intranet seguida por la versión Web, integración al Sistema Nacional de Investigación en Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SICTI), hasta la versión actual sobre una plataforma basada en flujo de trabajo (Workflow). La incorporación del SGI en la Universidad de Talca ha contribuido a incrementar significativamente el número de investigadores activos, así como la cantidad de proyectos de investigación ejecutados, el número de publicaciones de corriente principal y la adjudicación de fondos externos e internos