Maria Jose Muñoz Alferez

Dr. Maria Jose Muñoz Alferez

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

17Years (2010-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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23 October 2019 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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RMRafael Martín-Masot
Rafael Martín-Masot
MNMaría Teresa Nestares
María Teresa Nestares
Javier Díaz CastroJavier Díaz Castro
Javier Díaz Castro
ILInmaculada Lopez-Aliaga
Inmaculada Lopez-Aliaga
MAMaria Jose Muñoz Alferez
Maria Jose Muñoz Alferez
JMJosé Maldonado
José Maldonado
Celiac disease (CD) is a multisystemic disorder with different clinical expressions, from malabsorption with diarrhea, anemia, and nutritional compromise to extraintestinal manifestations. Anemia might be the only clinical expression of the disease, and iron deficiency anemia is considered one of the most frequent extraintestinal clinical manifestations of CD. Therefore, CD should be suspected in the presence of anemia without a known etiology. Assessment of tissue anti-transglutaminase and anti-endomysial antibodies are indicated in these cases and, if positive, digestive endoscopy and intestinal biopsy should be performed. Anemia in CD has a multifactorial pathogenesis and, although it is frequently a consequence of iron deficiency, it can be caused by deficiencies of folate or vitamin B12, or by blood loss or by its association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or other associated diseases. The association between CD and IBD should be considered during anemia treatment in patients with IBD, because the similarity of symptoms could delay the diagnosis. Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in CD and may be responsible for anemia and peripheral myeloneuropathy. Folate deficiency is a well-known cause of anemia in adults, but there is little information in children with CD; it is still unknown if anemia is a symptom of the most typical CD in adult patients either by predisposition due to the fact of age or because biochemical and clinical manifestations take longer to appear.

22 October 2020 in Pharmacy
Verified
Journal Article
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Jorge Moreno-FernandezJorge Moreno-Fernandez
Jorge Moreno-Fernandez
Julio OchoaJulio Ochoa
Julio Ochoa
ILInmaculada Lopez-Aliaga
Inmaculada Lopez-Aliaga
MAMaria Jose Muñoz Alferez
Maria Jose Muñoz Alferez
Manuel Gómez-GuzmánManuel Gómez-Guzmán
Manuel Gómez-Guzmán
Javier Díaz CastroJavier Díaz Castro
Javier Díaz Castro
The recent appearance and rapid spread of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus meant taking unprecedented measures to control the pandemic, which in Spain forced a state of alarm and a very strict confinement, leading the university system to become virtual online teaching. Taking into account the emotional deficiencies originated during the pandemic, among the most powerful tools to achieve engagement along with the identification, control and management of emotions is emotional intelligence (EI). The present study aims to establish the effect of the current confinement on the teaching-learning process and academic performance and the impact of the application of EI on university students. In total, 47 volunteers of the second course of the Degree in Pharmacy of the University of Granada (Spain) took part in this experience. Two temporary periods were established: at the beginning of the confinement period and after teaching several concepts of emotional intelligence online for two months. The Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Survey Inventory (MBI-SS) and the Spanish version of Utrech Work Engagement Scale-Students (UWES-S) were used to evaluate the intervention. In total, 63.5% of the students presented academic burnout during the confinement before the intervention. After the EI workshops and seminars, only 31.1% presented academic burnout. Before the intervention with the emotional intelligence workshops, 44.6% experienced exhaustion, 41.7% cynicism and 60.3% felt it was ineffective in their academic performance. After the emotional intelligence workshops and seminars, 29.1% experienced exhaustion, 30.1% cynicism and 28.8% felt it was ineffective. The scores achieved after the study of EI in physiology classes led to better levels in all the variables studied. Students managed their adaptive processes more adequately and regulated their emotions better, as they felt less academic burnout and more engaged in their academic activities at the end of the study of EI through physiology.

ESEduardo Sánchez Sánchez
Eduardo Sánchez Sánchez
JGJ. Ángel García-Álvarez
J. Ángel García-Álvarez
EGEsperanza García-Marín
Esperanza García-Marín
MGMaría Gutierrez-Serrano
María Gutierrez-Serrano
MAMaria Jose Muñoz Alferez
Maria Jose Muñoz Alferez
GVGUILLERMO RAMIREZ VARGAS
GUILLERMO RAMIREZ VARGAS
Pandemics impose an immense psychological burden on healthcare workers due to a combination of workplace stressors and personal fears. Nurses and auxiliary nursing care technicians (ANCTs) are on the front line of this pandemic and form the largest group in healthcare practice. The aim of this study is to determine the symptoms of depression and/or anxiety among nurses and ANCTs during the periods known as the first wave (March–June) and second wave (September–November) of theCOVID-19 pandemic in Spain. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire among nurses and ANCTs practising in Spain. During the first period, 68.3% and 49.6% of the subjects presented anxiety and depression, respectively, decreasing in the second period (49.5% for anxiety and 35.1% for depression). There were statistically significant differences between the different categories and periods (p < 0.001). The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively influenced mental health in nurses and ANCTs. Mental health should be monitored and coping strategies promoted to improve the health, productivity and efficiency of these professionals.

12 July 2021 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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ESEduardo Sánchez Sánchez
Eduardo Sánchez Sánchez
JDJara Díaz-Jimenez
Jara Díaz-Jimenez
IRIgnacio Rosety
Ignacio Rosety
MAMaria Jose Muñoz Alferez
Maria Jose Muñoz Alferez
ADAntonio Jesús Díaz
Antonio Jesús Díaz
MRManuel Rosety-Rodriguez
Manuel Rosety-Rodriguez
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of people worldwide. An increase in perceived stress can lead to unhealthy behaviors such as increased food consumption. The aim of this study was to find the level of perceived stress and its relationship with increased food consumption during the “third wave” of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. This was a cross-sectional study that employed anonline self-reported frequency of consumption questionnaire and the Perceived Stress Scale-10. A total of 637 subjects participated and 83.6% of respondents had moderate or high stress—more prevalent in the female and young respondents. Moreover, 36.1% of respondents reported that they had increased the frequency of consumption of some foods, mainly nuts, snacks, and jellybeans, along with coffee, tea, cocoa, and soft drinks. Eating between meals was more pronounced in those with high stress (65.1%) than in those with moderate stress (40.4%) and low stress (20.2%). Furthermore, the respondents with high stress reported greater weight gain. Thus, the results show that the level of perceived stress during the ‘third wave’ of this pandemic increased food consumption.

15 March 2019 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Jorge Moreno-FernandezJorge Moreno-Fernandez
Jorge Moreno-Fernandez
Javier Díaz CastroJavier Díaz Castro
Javier Díaz Castro
MAMaria Jose Muñoz Alferez
Maria Jose Muñoz Alferez
ILInmaculada Lopez-Aliaga
Inmaculada Lopez-Aliaga
Although dietary iron is a determinant of iron status in animals, body fat mass has been reported to have an inverse association with iron status in human studies. The goal of this study was to determine the relationship between Fe homeostasis, body composition, energy expenditure and neuroendocrine regulators for severe Fe-deficiency anaemia. Forty male Wistar albino rats recently weaned were divided at random into two groups: the control group was fed the basal diet, AIN-93G diet (normal-Fe) and the anaemic group received a low-Fe diet for 40 days. Neuroendocrine parameters that regulate basal metabolism and appetite (thyroid hormones, ghrelin, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), glucagon, insulin, adrenocorticotropic hormone and corticosterone), body composition, respiratory volumes, energy expenditure, haematological and biochemical were assessed. Total body fat was lower, whereas lean mass, free and total water were higher in the anemic group. O2 consumption, CO2 production, energy expenditure (EE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were lower in the Fe-deficient animals. Triiodothyronine and thyroxine hormones decreased, while thyroid-stimulating hormone increased in the anemic group. Circulating levels of ghrelin were lower in the anemic group, while GIP, glucagon, insulin, corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels were higher. Fe-deficiency impairs weight gain in the rats, with marked reductions in lean mass and body fat, indicating lower energy stores.

10 May 2018 in Food & Function
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
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ILInmaculada Lopez-Aliaga
Inmaculada Lopez-Aliaga
JGJosé D. García-Pedro
José D. García-Pedro
JMJorge Moreno-Fernandez
Jorge Moreno-Fernandez
MAMaria Jose Muñoz Alferez
Maria Jose Muñoz Alferez
JCJavier Diaz Castro
Javier Diaz Castro
Javier Díaz CastroJavier Díaz Castro
Javier Díaz Castro
In spite of the crucial role of the inflammatory state under anemic conditions, to date, no studies have directly tested the modulation of cytokines during iron overload. The aim of this work was to contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology and recovery from iron deficiency, by studying how fermented goat milk consumption affects inflammatory signalling during iron repletion. Eighty male Wistar rats were used for a pre-experimental period of 40 days, by dividing them into two groups (the control group receiving a normal-Fe diet and the Fe-deficient group receiving a low-Fe diet). Later, the rats were fed with a fermented goat or cow milk-based diet, with a normal-Fe content or Fe-overload (450 mg kg−1) for 30 days. After feeding the fermented milk, the anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines were assessed. The anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-13, IL-10 and IL-4) were higher in both groups of animals (control and anemic) fed fermented goat milk either with normal Fe or Fe-overload with respect to the fermented cow milk. With regard to pro-inflammatory signalling, fermented goat milk consumption decreased the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-12p70 and IP-10). The Fe overload increased the anti-inflammatory cytokines together with IL-1β and IP-10. Fermented goat milk consumption improves the hematological status and promotes the beneficial metabolic responses related to the inflammatory signaling in nutritional ferropenic anemia recovery, which may be a dietary strategy to lessen the evoked inflammation during iron repletion. Additionally, the parameters of inflammation should therefore be incorporated as routine biomarkers of iron deficiency or overload severity.