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Neurodegenerative diseases pose a major health problem for developed countries. Stress, which induces oxidation in the brain, has been identified as the main risk factor for these disorders. We have developed an antioxidant-enriched drink and have examined its protective properties against acute oxidative stress. We found that addition of red grape polyphenols and MecobalActive® to grape juice did not provoke changes in juice organoleptic characteristics, and that the pasteurization process did not greatly affect the levels of flavonoids and vitamin B12. Out of all combinations, grape juice with red grape polyphenols was selected by expert judges (28.6% selected it as their first choice). In vivo, oral administration of grape juice supplemented with red grape polyphenols exerted an antioxidant effect in the brain of stressed mice reducing two-fold the expression of genes involved in inflammation and oxidation mechanisms and increasing three-fold the expression of genes related to protection against oxidative stress. In addition, we found that this drink augmented antioxidant enzyme activity (17.8 vs. 8.2 nmol/mg), and prevented lipid peroxidation in the brain (49.7 vs. 96.5 nmol/mg). Therefore, we propose supporting the use of this drink by the general population as a new and global strategy for the prevention of neurodegeneration.

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The European Union is a very complex political, legal and economic ensemble. Each discipline usually focuses on some aspects at the same time that avoids others. For this reason, it is quite difficult that students acquire a general vision of the whole. It is equally true that some transversal and practical skills like teamwork, negotiation, leadership or taking decisions, are very difficult to be trained by traditional teaching means. It is precisely these skills which are more demanded by companies and institutions. This paper argues that simulation games seem to be well suited to fulfill both objectives and shows results of the application of one simulation game focused on the bargaining process of the EU to pass its budget. This interdisciplinary game has been played by American and European students of business and it has shown to be a useful tool for these students to understand better the functioning of the EU as much as to improve their practical skills.RESUMENLa Unión Europea es un entramado político, jurídico y económico de enorme complejidad. Cada disciplina se centra únicamente en algunos aspectos y evita otros. Por ello, en ocasiones es difícil que los estudiantes adquieran una visión de conjunto. Además, se ha demostrado que algunas competencias y habilidades importantes no son fácilmente enseñables mediante el modelo tradicional de clase magistral. En particular, competencias transversales y prácticas como pensamiento crítico, trabajo en equipo, negociación, liderazgo, toma de decisiones, etc., que son consideradas herramientas clave por las empresas y las instituciones. Los Juegos de Simulación parecen idóneos para cumplir adecuadamente ambos objetivos. En este trabajo, se presentan los resultados de la aplicación de un juego de simulación sobre la negociación del presupuesto de la Unión Europea con estudiantes de business/empresariales norteamericanos y europeos. El Juego de Simulación del Presupuesto Comunitario se ha diseñado de forma interdisciplinar. Los resultados muestran que este juego de simulación constituye una herramienta poderosa no sólo para que los alumnos comprendan mejor el funcionamiento de la Unión Europea, sino para que entrenen dichas competencias prácticas.