Observatorio de la Inmigración de Tenerife

Introduction: During pharmaceutical care, community pharmacists play a crucial role by carrying out interventions aimed at preventing, detecting, and resolving drug-related problems (DRPs) and negative outcomes associated with medication (NOM), simultaneously enhancing patients’ knowledge about their treatments. The chronic use of Benzodiazepines (BZDs) is known to be associated with risks such as tolerance, dependence, and cognitive impairment. Furthermore, the combined use of BZDs with other medications or alcohol may expose patients to significant drug interactions. Objectives: This study aimed to characterize and describe the clinical profile of patients using BZDs, to evaluate the extent of polypharmacy and potential drug interactions, to investigate their level of knowledge regarding BZD treatment, and ultimately, to propose evidence-based interventions from the community pharmacy to contribute to improving patient safety and minimizing risks associated with BZD use. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted in a single community pharmacy in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain). The study population comprised 125 adult patients with active BZD prescriptions. Data collection was performed through pharmacist–patient structured interviews using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic, clinical, and BZD knowledge variables. Results: Lormetazepam and alprazolam were the BZDs most frequently prescribed and dispensed. Potential drug interactions with other medications were detected in 38.4% of BZD users. Notably, 61.5% of patients using BZDs also reported the concurrent use of opioid analgesics, with tramadol being the most common opioid (48.1% of BZD users were also treated with tramadol). Statistically significant differences were observed between patients with and without BZD and other drug interactions in several adverse outcome variables, including the risk of falls (p = 0.003), cognitive impairment (p = 0.047), and urinary incontinence (p = 0.016). Existing BZD dependence is detected in 25% and 22.1% of cases, respectively. Patients’ knowledge of their BZD treatment revealed critical gaps, which are identified as a challenge and a clear opportunity for intervention through pharmaceutical care services. Conclusions: The findings underscore the essential and proactive role of community pharmacists in identifying and managing drug interactions, as well as in supporting deprescribing strategies through collaborative and interprofessional care models.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effects of two high-resistance training (RT) protocols combined with curcumin supplementation on antioxidant capacity, systemic inflammation, bone and muscle health, and body composition. Methods: Eighty-one apparently healthy older adults [(68.2 ± 4.6 years (57% women); BMI 26.4 ± 4.8 kg/m2; minimally active according to IPAQ] were randomly allocated to accentuated eccentric (Aecc), maximal strength (Max), or a non-training control (C). Additionally, participants received either a bio-optimized curcumin formulation (Cur) or a placebo (Pla), resulting in six study groups: Aecc-Cur, Aecc-Pla, Max-Cur, Max-Pla, C-Cur, and C-Pla. Participants underwent pre- and post-intervention assessments of oxidative stress, inflammation, and bone health parameters, whole-body composition, and muscle function. Aecc and Max performed six familiarization sessions and a 16-week intervention. Participants in the curcumin groups received 500 mg/day of a bio-optimized curcumin formulation (CursolTM; 2 × 250 mg capsules per day, corresponding to 10.50 mg/day of curcumin) throughout the intervention. Data were analyzed using three-way repeated-measures ANOVA/ANCOVA with time (pre–post) as the within-subject factor and training group and supplementation as between-subject factors, with Least Significant Difference post hoc comparisons and effect sizes (Hedges’ g, ηp2) reported, and the significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: Aecc was the most effective in improving antioxidant capacity (glutathione; F = 25.57, p ≤ 0.001, ηp2 = 0.262) and bone biomarkers (serum-procollagen type I N-propeptide—P1NP, p ≤ 0.001, ηp2 = 0.504; serum beta C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen—β-CTX—p = 0.022, ηp2 = 0.074, and their ratio—P1NP/β-CTX—p ≤ 0.001, ηp2 = 0.605). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased more in Aecc (p ≤ 0.001, ηp2 = 0.584) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in Max (p ≤ 0.001, ηp2 = 0.471). Both groups similarly improved body composition and muscle function. Bone mineral density was generally unchanged. Overall, curcumin supplementation enhanced the benefits of high-RT programs (further glutathione increase in Aecc [Hedge’s g: 0.49]; IL-6 decrease in both modalities [Hedge’s g: 0.48–1.27]; decrease in TNF-α in controls [Hedge’s g: 0.47]; better outcomes in P1NP/β-CTX in all groups [Hedge’s g: 0.46–1.46]; among others). Conclusions: Aecc is recommended for supporting antioxidant capacity and bone health, while the choice between Aecc and Max may depend on the individual’s inflammatory profile. Curcumin supplementation further amplifies the benefits of both RT protocols across most outcome variables.

Background: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a complex, disabling condition marked by non-specific symptoms in response to low-level chemical exposures. It often leads to substantial impairments in quality of life, psychological health, and daily functioning. Although non-pharmacological approaches—such as lifestyle and psychological interventions—are widely used, their clinical effectiveness remains unclear. Objective: We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of lifestyle-based approaches in improving clinical and psychosocial outcomes in adults with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420251013537). Literature searches were carried out in MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate between March and April 2025. Eligible studies included adults (≥18 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of MCS and reported outcomes such as perceived stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, or quality of life. Methodological quality and risk of bias were independently assessed using the PEDro scale, NIH Quality Assessment Tool, CEBMa checklist, and Cochrane RoB 2.0. Results: Twelve studies (N = 378) met the inclusion criteria. Cognitive and behavioral therapies demonstrated the most consistent evidence of efficacy, with reductions in symptom severity, maladaptive cognitive patterns, and functional limitations. Mindfulness-based stress reduction showed favorable outcomes, while other mindfulness-based interventions yielded mixed results. Exposure-based therapies contributed to increased chemical tolerance and reduced avoidance behavior. Electromagnetic and biomedical approaches demonstrated preliminary but limited effectiveness. Aromatherapy was well tolerated and perceived as relaxing, though its clinical impact was modest. Conclusions: Cognitive and behavioral therapies appear to be most effective among lifestyle-based interventions for MCS/IEI. However, study heterogeneity limits the generalizability of findings, underscoring the need for more rigorous research.

Review Cold Air Pools (CAPs) as Natural Freezers for the Study of Plant Responses to Low Temperatures Enara Alday 1,*, Usue Pérez-López 1, Beatriz Fernández-Marín 1,2, Jaime Puértolas 2, Águeda M. González-Rodríguez 2, José Luis Martin Esquivel 3 and José Ignacio García-Plazaola 1 1 Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa 48940, Spain 2 Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, Facultad de Farmacia, University of La Laguna, La Laguna 38200, Spain 3 Teide National Park, La Orotava, Tenerife, Islas Canarias 38300, Spain * Correspondence: enara.alday@ehu.eus Received: 18 October 2024; Revised: 26 March 2025; Accepted: 10 April 2025; Published: 16 April 2025 Abstract: The stratification of cold air is a phenomenon that typically occurs under certain topographic (closed ground depressions) and atmospheric conditions (stability and nocturnal radiative cooling). Under such conditions the drainage of the heavier cold air from the higher elevations causes its accumulation for days or weeks in the bottom of these depressions, leading temperatures to dramatically decrease and to decouple from regional climatic conditions. These particular locations which are frequent in karstic, volcanic and glacial landscapes, have been proposed to act as microrefugia of biodiversity in the context of climate warming. The existence of these cold air pools (CAPs) has been reported worldwide, and their biotic communities differ from equivalent sites out of these locations. However, there is an almost complete absence of ecophysiological studies concerning plant communities inhabiting CAPs. Thus, one of the objectives of this review is to hypothesize the effects of these specific conditions on the biology of the soil and the manner in which these plants should respond to such particular environmental conditions. Furthermore, given that temperature can decrease dramatically over short distances inside CAPs, in the present review we also propose their use as natural freezers for the study of plant responses to low temperatures.

Introductory paragraphAdvances in medicine and food security have contributed to an increase in human lifespan1. Yet, the associated rise in sedentary behaviour and in obesity2,3already threatens these gains4. Indeed, a growing body of evidence supports the central role of nutrient sensing and energy management pathways in regulating ageing rate and healthspan5,6, but the diversity of human lifestyles challenges our ability to identify the genetic and epigenetic drivers of this age acceleration. Here, we examine how the transition of wild King penguins to zoo husbandry can closely mimic the shift to a Western lifestyle in humans, and shed light on evolutionarily conserved epigenetic changes in responses to sedentary conditions. We show that, just like modern humans, zoo-housed King penguins experience an extended lifespan, but this comes at the cost of accelerated epigenetic ageing throughout life. This accelerated ageing is associated with differential methylation in key growth and maintenance pathways including the mTOR and PI3K/Akt networks, as well as in specific pathways of lipid-rich diet adaptation and heart-function. Our results demonstrate the deeply conserved link between sedentary behaviour and food availability on the one hand, and age acceleration on the other. Such evolutionary evidence may in turn help us to improve risk detection and, ultimately, therapeutics for lifestyle-induced age acceleration in humans7.