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Modena A, Casiraghi MC, Erba D. Dietary intake and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in semi-professional female soccer players: a cross-sectional study. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1378365. [PMID: 38706566 PMCID: PMC11066240 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1378365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Adequate energy and nutrient intakes in athletes contribute to optimal performance and recovery, decrease the risk of injury, and help preserve athletes' health. The Mediterranean diet (MD) is considered suitable for covering the nutritional needs of athletes, while contributing to improve eating habits. The aim of the present study was to investigate the energy and nutrient intakes of semi-professional female soccer players and their adherence to the MD, during the competitive season. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on twenty-three female soccer players, who were invited to fill in a 3-day food diary twice, one month apart, to assess their energy and nutrient intakes and a validated questionnaire (MEDI-LITE) to evaluate their adherence to MD. Exercise energy expenditure during three training and match-play days was monitored by GPS. Results On average, the participants consumed 1,981 kcal/day, with 44% of their energy deriving from carbohydrates, 21% from protein, and 34% from fat; the mean MD adherence score was 10.1 ± 1.8, corresponding to a good MD adherence. A substantial percentage of athletes were at risk of insufficient nutrient intakes for vitamin D (100%), iodine (87%), potassium (87%), vitamin E (39%), iron and zinc (17 and 30%, respectively). Conclusion The evaluation of the dietary intake in female soccer players showed energy deficiency in relation to training level, mainly due to the insufficient intake of carbohydrates, and micronutrient deficiencies. The technical staff should promote adequate consumption of starchy foods in female athletes and emphasize the importance of a proper distribution of energy intake among different eating occasions, including snacks. Periodic monitoring of the nutritional status of micronutrients (vitamin D and some minerals) could help reduce deficiency risk. Over all, nutrition education to improve eating habits of athletes seems worthy of attention, in order to preserve athletes' health and performance.
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Vélez-Alcázar AE, García-Roca JA, Vaquero-Cristóbal R. Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Its Influence on Anthropometric and Fitness Variables in High-Level Adolescent Athletes. Nutrients 2024; 16:624. [PMID: 38474752 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The objectives of the present research were to analyze adherence to the Mediterranean diet (AMD), to observe which variables most affect AMD, and to analyze whether AMD affects physical fitness and anthropometric parameters in high-level adolescent athletes. A total of 96 adolescent athletes in the under-16, under-18, and under-20 categories selected by the Athletics Federation of the Region of Murcia, of whom 47 were male (age = 18.31 ± 2.31 years old) and 49 female (age = 17.27 ± 1.44 years old), participated in this study. They completed the KIDMED questionnaire to discover their AMD, as well as an anthropometric and physical condition assessment. Results: The findings show that 61.45% had an excellent degree of AMD, 31.25% a moderate one, and 7.30% a poor one. The parameters that most conditioned AMD were the consumption of fruit, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish, breakfast cereals, and dairy products (p = 0.011-0.000). AMD did not show significant differences in anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness (p = 0.057-0.996). Conclusions: The majority of high-level adolescent athletes have a moderate or excellent AMD. The degree of AMD seems to have no influence on physical fitness and anthropometric parameters in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juan Alfonso García-Roca
- Facultad de Deporte, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30310 Cartagena, Spain
- Olympics Studies Center, UCAM Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30310 Cartagena, Spain
| | - Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal
- Department of Physical Activity and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Murcia, 30720 Murcia, Spain
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Costantino C, Casuccio A, Belluzzo M, Balsamo F, Bonaccorso N, Carubia A, D’Azzo L, Gattuso L, Lo Porto MC, Sciortino M, Vitello T, Tabacchi G, Vitale F, Mazzucco W. Knowledge and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in individuals practicing regular amatorial physical activity: a cross-sectional study conducted in the Metropolitan Area of Palermo, Italy. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1204155. [PMID: 37427285 PMCID: PMC10326436 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1204155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a universal model of nutrition that prevents several metabolic, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases. Main objective of the present study was to analyze adherence and knowledge regarding MD principles in a sample of individuals practicing amatorial sports from the Metropolitan Area of Palermo. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 Sports Centers, between October 2020 and September 2021, through a previously validated anonymous questionnaire structured in five sections including 74 items. Results Overall, 337 subjects answered to the questionnaire. Based on the multivariable analysis conducted, a higher knowledge score (KS) on MD principles was observed among individuals daily consuming vegetables (OR: 3.32; CI95%: 1.82-6.02) and in the ones more adherent to MD principles (OR: 10.15; CI95%:5.47-18.85). More in depth, using MEDAS score to analyze the adherence to MD, a significant lower adherence was observed among overweight/obese (OR: 0.57; CI95%:0.33-0.99) and among employed subjects (OR: 0.52; IC95%: 0.28-0.98); while, a higher adherence was highlighted among daily consumers of vegetables (OR: 2.52; CI95%:1.52-4.17), daily consumers of fruit (OR: 1.77; CI95%:1.08-2.90), and in individuals that have daily breakfast (OR: 4.29; CI95%:1.15-15.96). Discussion In accordance with the WHO Europe Gaining Health Campaign, Public Health Authorities should simplify accessibility to healthy food among general population, promoting principles and accessibility to MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Costantino
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Casuccio
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Miriam Belluzzo
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Balsamo
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Nicole Bonaccorso
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Carubia
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luciano D’Azzo
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Luisa Gattuso
- Emergency Medicine Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Lo Porto
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Martina Sciortino
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Tania Vitello
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Garden Tabacchi
- Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Francesco Vitale
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Walter Mazzucco
- Department of Health Promotion, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE) “G. D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Larsen MN, Terracciano A, Møller TK, Aggestrup CS, Buono P, Krustrup P, Castagna C. An 11-week school-based "health education through football" programme improves musculoskeletal variables in 10-12-yr-old Danish school children. Bone Rep 2023; 18:101681. [PMID: 37187574 PMCID: PMC10176027 DOI: 10.1016/j.bonr.2023.101681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the effects of the "11 for Health" programme on musculoskeletal fitness. Methods A total of 108 Danish children aged 10-12 years participated in the study, with 61 children in the intervention group (IG, 25 girls and 36 boys) and 47 children in the control group (CG, 21 girls and 26 boys). Measurements were conducted before and after an 11-week intervention consisting of twice-weekly 45-min football training sessions for IG or continuation of normal Physical Education program for CG. Whole-body dual X-ray absorptiometry was conducted for evaluation of leg and total bone mineral density as well as bone, muscle and fat mass. Standing Long Jump and Stork balance tests were employed to assess musculoskeletal fitness and postural balance. Results During the 11-week study period, leg bone mineral density as well as leg lean body mass increased more (p < 0.05) in the intervention group (IG) compared to the control group (CG) (0.021 ± 0.019 vs 0.014 ± 0.018 g/cm2 and 0.51 ± 0.46 vs 0.32 ± 0.35 kg, respectively). Moreover, body fat percentage decreased more in IG than in CG (-0.6 ± 0.1 vs 0.1 ± 0.1 %-points, p < 0.05). No significant between-group differences were found in bone mineral content. Stork balance test performance increased more in IG than in CG (0.5 ± 2.6 vs -1.5 ± 4.4 s, p < 0.05), whereas no between-group differences were found in jump performance. Conclusions The school-based football programme, 11 for Health, with twice-weekly 45-min training sessions over 11 weeks improves various, but not all evaluated parameters related to musculoskeletal fitness in 10-12-yr-old Danish school children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malte Nejst Larsen
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Corresponding author at: Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark.
| | - Alessia Terracciano
- Department of Human Movement Sciences and Wellbeing DISMeB, Parthenope University, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-biotecnologie avanzate “Franco Salvatore” s.r.l., Napoli, Italy
| | - Trine Kjeldgaard Møller
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Sandager Aggestrup
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Pasqualina Buono
- Department of Human Movement Sciences and Wellbeing DISMeB, Parthenope University, Naples, Italy
- CEINGE-biotecnologie avanzate “Franco Salvatore” s.r.l., Napoli, Italy
| | - Peter Krustrup
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Department of Physical Education and Sports Training, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai (SUS), China
- Danish Institute for Advanced Study (DIAS), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark
| | - Carlo Castagna
- Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, SDU Sport and Health Sciences Cluster (SHSC), University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Fitness Training and Biomechanics Laboratory, Italian Football Federation, Technical Department, Coverciano (Florence), Italy
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Exercise and Health Sciences, Carlo Bo Urbino University, Urbino, Italy
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Lopes S, Fontes T, Menezes R, Rodrigues LM, Ferreira-Pêgo C. Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Its Relationship to Metabolic Markers and Body Composition in Portuguese University Students. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15102330. [PMID: 37242213 DOI: 10.3390/nu15102330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transitioning to university involves several changes, which might affect dietary habits. The present study aimed to assess the potential relationships involving adherence to the MedDiet, body composition, and metabolic markers within a Portuguese university sample. METHODS A cross-sectional study involved 70 participants, 52 women, and 18 men (23.00 ± 7.00 years old and a BMI of 21.99 ± 2.79 kg/m2). The average MedDiet adherence of participants was 9.23 points, as evaluated by the 14 point validated questionnaire, with classifications of low and high (under or over 9 points, respectively). Body composition was assessed using X-ray dual densitometry (DXA), and metabolic markers were collected from capillary blood. RESULTS Statistically significant differences in HDL cholesterol and the total/HDL cholesterol ratio were found between groups. Lower levels (p < 0.05) of visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), BMI, and waist circumference were found in the higher MedDiet adherence group. Those measures were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with the adherence scores to the MedDiet. CONCLUSION Higher adherence to MedDiet seemed to have a favorable and important impact on lipid profiles, primarily HDL-c. A positive relationship between MedDiet adherence and body composition distribution was also described, mostly due to the influence of higher adherence to MedDiet at lower levels of VAT and SAT in Portuguese university students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Lopes
- CBIOS-Universidade Lusófona's Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies, Av. Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tatiana Fontes
- CBIOS-Universidade Lusófona's Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies, Av. Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Regina Menezes
- CBIOS-Universidade Lusófona's Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies, Av. Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Monteiro Rodrigues
- CBIOS-Universidade Lusófona's Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies, Av. Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cíntia Ferreira-Pêgo
- CBIOS-Universidade Lusófona's Research Center for Biosciences and Health Technologies, Av. Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
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Romero-García D, Esparza-Ros F, Picó García M, Martínez-Sanz JM, Vaquero-Cristóbal R. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet, kinanthropometric characteristics and physical performance of young male handball players. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14329. [PMID: 36518299 PMCID: PMC9744156 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Handball is a team sport whose performance depends on a large number of factors. The objectives of the present study were to analyze the differences in physical performance, kinanthropometric variables, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD), in handball players according to sports category, as well as the possible relationships between these variables. Methods One hundred and thirty-three male handball players (35 infant; 46 cadets; 26 juniors and 26 seniors players) underwent a kinanthropometric analysis following the ISAK protocol, self-completed the KIDMED questionnaire, and their physical condition was evaluated with different physical tests. Results Significant differences (p < 0.001-0.007) were found between the sports categories in most of the physical condition variables and anthropometric characteristics, but not in the degree of adherence to the MD. The predominant level of adherence to the MD was medium (47.4%), followed by good (42.1%), and correlated with the body mass, the height, the BMI, the muscle mass and the ∑3-girths sum corrected, but not with physical test results. A multiple linear regression analysis showed that the fat mass and muscle mass variables had a more specific weight in the results of the physical fitness tests. Conclusions There are differences according to sports category in kinanthropometric characteristics and physical fitness tests in adolescent handball players. The predominant degrees of adherence to the MD were medium and good. A relationship was found between anthropometric characteristics and physical performance in handball players.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Romero-García
- Nursing Department, Food and Nutrition Research Group (ALINUT), Faculty of Health Sciences, University de Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
| | - Francisco Esparza-Ros
- Research Group on Prevention of Sports Injuries, International Chair of Kinanthropometry, Catholic University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Picó García
- Nursing Department, Food and Nutrition Research Group (ALINUT), Faculty of Health Sciences, University de Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
| | - José Miguel Martínez-Sanz
- Nursing Department, Food and Nutrition Research Group (ALINUT), Faculty of Health Sciences, University de Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
| | - Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal
- Research Group on Prevention of Sports Injuries, Faculty of Sport, Catholic University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Adherence to Mediterranean diet in athletes: a narrative review. SPORT SCIENCES FOR HEALTH 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11332-022-00899-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAthletes’ diet should be adequate both in quality and quantity, to avoid deficiencies and limit fatigue. In recent years, several nutritional recommendations have been published and a multitude of diets based on empirical approaches have been employed in the sport setting. In the last decades, the Mediterranean diet (MD) has been extensively studied for its beneficial effects on health but its adoption in athletes has never been critically analyzed. This review was aimed to assess the current literature about the athletes’ adherence to the MD pattern, also in comparison with the general population. The majority of the studies show that athletes reach a mean level of MD adherence, higher than that of the general population. However, the current evidence is still limited and based on studies using different methods. Further research is needed to better characterize this habit among athletes.
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Manzano-Carrasco S, Felipe JL, Sanchez-Sanchez J, Hernandez-Martin A, Gallardo L, Garcia-Unanue J. Weight Status, Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, and Physical Fitness in Spanish Children and Adolescents: The Active Health Study. Nutrients 2020; 12:nu12061680. [PMID: 32512886 PMCID: PMC7352616 DOI: 10.3390/nu12061680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in body composition and physical fitness according to the weight status (normoweight, overweight and obese) and the level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD; low, medium or high), in physically active children and adolescents. Furthermore, this study also analyzed the relationship between body composition and physical fitness with Body Mass Index (BMI), fat mass and the level of adherence to the MD. In total, 1676 participants aged 6–17 from different municipal sports schools participated in this cross-sectional study. Data on adherence to the MD (a KIDMED questionnaire), anthropometric measurements, body composition and physical fitness parameters (the 20-m shuttle run test and muscular strength) were collected. A total of 43.5% of the sample were presented as overweight and obese, and only 35.7% had high or optimal adherence to the MD. The results revealed that a normoweight status was associated with greater cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.05; ES: 0.50 to 0.67) and lower-body muscular strength (p < 0.05; ES: 0.58 to 1.10). The overweight group showed more significant results than the other groups in handgrip strength (p < 0.01). Greater adherence to the MD in this population indicated better physical fitness, but only in boys. It is concluded that normoweight status and optimal adherence to the MD in children and adolescents are associated with health benefits, which are significant in the body composition and the effect on physical fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Manzano-Carrasco
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45004 Toledo, Spain; (S.M.-C.); (A.H.-M.); (L.G.); (J.G.-U.)
| | - Jose Luis Felipe
- School of Sport Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Madrid, Spain;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-912-115-364
| | | | - Antonio Hernandez-Martin
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45004 Toledo, Spain; (S.M.-C.); (A.H.-M.); (L.G.); (J.G.-U.)
| | - Leonor Gallardo
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45004 Toledo, Spain; (S.M.-C.); (A.H.-M.); (L.G.); (J.G.-U.)
| | - Jorge Garcia-Unanue
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45004 Toledo, Spain; (S.M.-C.); (A.H.-M.); (L.G.); (J.G.-U.)
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