On the Corner: Day Labor in the United States

This report profiles, for the first time, the national phenomenon of day labor in the United States. Men and women looking for employment in open-air markets by the side of the road, at busy intersections, in front of home improvement stores and in other public spaces are ubiquitous in cities across the nation. The circumstances that give rise to this labor market are complex and poorly understood. In this report, we analyze data from the National Day Labor Survey, the first systematic and scientific study of the day-labor sector and its workforce in the United States. This portrait of day labor in the United States is based on a national survey of 2,660 day laborers. These workers were randomly selected at 264 hiring sites in 139 municipalities in 20 states and the District of Columbia. The sheer number of these sites, combined with their presence in every region in the country, reflects the enormous breadth of this labor market niche. Findings reveal that the day-labor market is rife with violations of workers' rights. Day laborers are regularly denied payment for their work, many are subjected to demonstrably hazardous job sites, and most endure insults and abuses by employers. The growth of day-labor hiring sites combined with rising levels of workers' rights violations is a national trend that warrants attention from policy makers at all levels of government

Atractividad del mercado japones para la exportacion de arandanos chilenos

111 p.El propósito de la investigación es entregar información oportuna a quienes se encuentren evaluando la posibilidad de exportar arándanos congelados al mercado japonés. Se realizó una investigación que determinó la atractividad del mercado japonés para la exportación de arándanos congelados chilenos. Para ello se describieron las características de la industria del arándano congelado en Chile, así como también las del macroentorno e industria del arándano en el mercado japonés, junto con esto, se detalla claramente el proceso de logística que debe recorrer el fruto para llegar a dicho destino. Como una forma de incitar futuras inversiones en el rubro, se analizó el impacto que tendrá la reciente firma del Tratado de Libre Comercio con el país nipón. La aplicación de los tres modelos detectó la baja participación de Chile en Japón y el sostenido crecimiento de las ventas chilenas en el país nipón, por lo que la investigación concluyó que el mercado japonés es atractivo dependiendo de las variables que considere más relevantes el interesado. Junto con esto, se entregan recomendaciones que permiten aprovechar las actuales condiciones en las que compite Chile, así como también estrategias que permitan potenciar las fortalezas como país productor de arándano

Prostaglandin E2 Antagonizes TGF-β actions during the differentiation of monocytes into dendritic cells

Inflammatory dendritic cells (DCs) are a distinct subset of DCs that derive from circulating monocytes infiltrating injured tissues. Monocytes can differentiate into DCs with different functional signatures, depending on the presence of environment stimuli. Among these stimuli, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have been shown to modulate the differentiation of monocytes into DCs with different phenotypes and functional profiles. In fact, both mediators lead to contrasting outcomes regarding the production of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Previously, we have shown that human semen, which contains high concentrations of PGE2, promoted the differentiation of DCs into a tolerogenic profile through a mechanism dependent on signaling by E-prostanoid receptors 2 and 4. Notably, this effect was induced despite the huge concentration of TGF-β present in semen, suggesting that PGE2 overrides the influence exerted by TGF-β. No previous studies have analyzed the joint actions induced by PGE2 and TGF-β on the function of monocytes or DCs. Here, we analyzed the phenotype and functional profile of monocyte-derived DCs differentiated in the presence of TGF-β and PGE2. DC differentiation guided by TGF-β alone enhanced the expression of CD1a and abrogated LPS-induced expression of IL-10, while differentiation in the presence of PGE2 impaired CD1a expression, preserved CD14 expression, abrogated IL-12 and IL-23 production, stimulated IL-10 production, and promoted the expansion of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in a mixed lymphocyte reaction. Interestingly, DCs differentiated in the presence of TGF-β and PGE2 showed a phenotype and functional profile closely resembling those induced by PGE2 alone. Finally, we found that PGE2 inhibited TGF-β signaling through an action exerted by EP2 and EP4 receptors coupled to cyclic AMP increase and protein kinase A activity. These results indicate that PGE2 suppresses the influence exerted by TGF-β during DC differentiation, imprinting a tolerogenic signature. High concentrations of TGF-β and PGE2 are usually found in infectious, autoimmune, and neoplastic diseases. Our observations suggest that in these scenarios PGE2 might play a mandatory role in the acquisition of a regulatory profile by DCs.Fil: Remes Lenicov, Federico. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Paletta, Ana Luz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Prinz, Melina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Varese, Augusto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Pavillet, Clara E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: López Malizia, Álvaro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Sabatte, Juan Atilio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Geffner, Jorge Raúl. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Ceballos, Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; Argentin

Mammalian biogeography and the Ebola virus in Africa

ABSTRACT 1. Ebola virus is responsible for the fatal Ebola virus disease (EVD). 2. Identifying the distribution area of the Ebola virus is crucial for understanding risk factors conditioning the emergence of new EVD cases. Existing distribution models have underrepresented the potential contribution that reservoir species and vulnerable species make in sustaining the presence of the virus. 3. In this paper, we map favourable areas for Ebola virus in Africa according to environmental and zoogeographic descriptors, independent of human-to-human transmissions. We combine two different biogeographic approaches: analysis of mammalian distribution types (chorotypes), and distribution modelling of the Ebola virus. 4. We first obtain a model defining the distribution of environmentally favourabl

Evaluation of Suboptimal Peak Inspiratory Flow in Patients with Stable COPD

OBJECTIVE: Although the importance of assessing inspiratory flow in the selection of treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is understood, evaluation of this factor is not yet widespread or standardized. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the peak inspiratory flow (PIF) of patients with COPD and to explore the variables associated with a suboptimal PIF. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study was carried out at specialized nursing consultations over a period of 6 months. We collected clinical data as well as data on symptoms, treatment adherence, and patient satisfaction with their inhalers via questionnaires. PIF was determined using the In-Check Dial G16((R)) device (Clement Clarke International, Ltd., Harlow, UK). In each case, the PIF was considered suboptimal when it was off-target for any of the prescribed inhalers. The association with suboptimal PIF was evaluated using multivariate logistic regression and the results were expressed as the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of 122 COPD patients were included in this study, of whom 34 (27.9%) had suboptimal PIF. A total of 229 inhalers were tested, of which 186 (81.2%) were dry powder devices. The multivariate analysis found an association between suboptimal PIF and age (OR = 1.072; 95% CI (1.019, 1.128); p = 0.007) and forced vital capacity (OR = 0.961; 95% CI (0.933, 0.989); p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: About a third of patients in complex specialized COPD care have suboptimal PIFs, which is related to age and forced vital capacity

Temporal evolution of the resistance genotypes of Plasmodium falciparum in isolates from Equatorial Guinea during 20 years (1999 to 2019)

Background: Malaria is one of the deadliest diseases in the world, particularly in Africa. As such, resistance to anti-malarial drugs is one of the most important problems in terms of global malaria control. This study assesses the evolution of the different resistance markers over time and the possible influence of interventions and treatment changes that have been made in Equatorial Guinea. Methods: A total of 1223 biological samples obtained in the period 1999 to 2019 were included in the study. Screening for mutations in the pfdhfr, pfdhps, pfmdr1, and pfcrt genes was carried out by nested PCR and restriction-fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), and the study of pfk13 genes was carried out by nested PCR, followed by sequencing to determine the presence of mutations. Results: The partially and fully resistant haplotypes (pfdhfr + pfdhps) were found to increase over time. Moreover, in 2019, the fully resistant haplotype was found to be increasing, although its super-resistant counterpart remains much less prevalent. A continued decline in pfmdr1 and pfcrt gene mutations over time was also found. The number of mutations detected in pfk13 has increased since 2008, when artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) were first introduced, with more mutations being observed in 2019, with two synonymous and five non-synonymous mutations being detected, although these are not related to resistance to ACT. In addition, the non-synonymous A578S mutation, which is the most frequent on the African continent, was detected in 2013, although not in the following years. Conclusions: Withdrawal of the use of chloroquine (CQ) as a treatment in Equatorial Guinea has been shown to be effective over time, as wild-type parasite populations outnumber mutant populations. The upward trend observed in sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) resistance markers suggest its misuse, either alone or in combination with artesunate (AS) or amodiaquine (AQ), in some areas of the country, as was found in a previous study conducted by this group, which allows selective pressure from SP to continue. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) 540E and 581G do not exceed the limit of 50 and 10%, respectively, thus meaning that SP is still effective as an intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) in this country. As for the pfk13 gene, no mutations have been detected in relation to resistance to ACT. However, in 2019 there is a greater accumulation of non-synonymous mutations compared to years prior to 2008.The projects where the samples were taken were funded by Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID), ISCIII, Cooperative Research Network on Tropical Diseases (RICET) and by the Strategic Action in Health (Acción Estratégica en Salud) of the Institute of Health Carlos III (Madrid, Spain), project No. TRPY111/2018 (PI17CIII/0016).S

Consumption of fruit in street posts from eleven iberoamerican countries. Multicentric study

ARTÍCULO PUBLICADO EN REVISTA EXTERNA. La ingesta de comida en la calle es una práctica muy común en personas que trabajan. Hay una gran oferta de comida callejera; Las frutas son siempre parte de esta oferta y se pueden encontrar en diferentes presentaciones. Objetivo: Analizar la frecuencia del consumo de fruta en las vías públicas de América Latina. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal utilizando un cuestionario de 15 preguntas en formato Google Docs, que fue validado por el método Delphi y aplicado en 11 países: Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panamá, Paraguay, Perú, Portugal y Uruguay. Resultados: Se encuestó a 8885 personas, más del 50% consume alimentos en la vía pública. Entre los países más consumidores, se destacan Colombia (78%) y Guatemala (76%), seguido de Perú (66%). Con respecto al consumo de fruta en la vía pública, se observa que existe un mayor consumo en Portugal (61%), seguido de Colombia (55%) y Guatemala (51%), y los países con menor consumo son Argentina (26%) y Uruguay (20%). El consumo de fruta en la calle es el mismo en ambos sexos en la mayoría de los países. Por otro lado, en Portugal, Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica y Chile, el mayor consumo corresponde a personas con educación superior (universitaria o de posgrado) (p <0,05). Conclusiones: El consumo de alimentos en la calle es alto en todos los países, incluido el consumo de frutas. Esto puede transformarse en una oportunidad para alentar su consumo, pero los puestos de la calle deben ajustarse a los requisitos necesarios para ofrecer alimentos seguros. Sitio de la revista: https://revista.nutricion.org/index.php/ncdh/article/view/3

Estudio petrográfico de las rocas volcánicas cenozoicas en el sur del Perú y sus implicancias con la mineralización

Las rocas volcánicas que afloran en el límite de la Cordillera Occidental y Altiplano en el Sur del Perú (Fig. 1), entre las localidades de Sibayo, Tisco, Condoroma y Ocuviri forman parte del volcanismo Eoceno al Mioceno (Klinck et al., 1996) y fueron emitidos por cuatro periodos de actividad volcánica denominados Tacaza, Palca, Sillapaca, Barroso Inferior (Cereceda et al., 2010). Además, existe una relación entre el control estructural y la formación de ocurrencias minerales en el emplazamiento del volcanismo de los periodos Tacaza y Sillapaca (Cerpa et al., 2011; Aguilar et al., 2010). El objetivo de este trabajo se centra en realizar una caracterización petrográfica de los periodos volcánicos Tacaza (30-24 Ma) y Sillapaca (16-10 Ma). En el periodo volcánico Tacaza, los centros volcánicos Cotacota y Ajopichaca no están asociados a ocurrencias minerales significativas, en cambio los centros volcánicos Acocunca y Choquepirhua presentan ocurrencias de Ag-Pb-Zn (Cu). En el periodo volcánico Sillapaca, los centros volcánicos Turputa y Machocondori hospedan yacimientos de alta sulfuración (Au-Ag), en tanto que los centros volcánicos Huishuillane y Tacamani están relacionados a ocurrencias de Cu-Ag-Zn. Por lo cual la finalidad es establecer una relación entre la textura microscópica con la mineralización asociada a estos períodos volcánicos

Revisión de enfermedades respiratorias crónicas, contexto de Ecuador

Chronic lung diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the world population, at the level of countries in Latin America, it gains greater importance, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The most frequent chronic pulmonary pathologies are: Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), respiratory allergies. COPD is a pathology that demands an enormous amount of resources and infrastructure, for which the Public Health System must be prepared and comprehensively address Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease together with the other most frequent chronic pulmonary pathologies. In Ecuador, there are data obtained from studies carried out at the University Hospital of Guayaquil, where it is evident that the largest number of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease were women. In the same way, Chronic respiratory diseases of occupational origin stand out, where it is evident that the majority of patients are male. There are studies that have analyzed the risk factors for chronic lung diseases in various provinces of Ecuador such as Loja and Guayaquil, it is necessary to continue with the characterization of these diseases, since many of the data analyzed are similar to those of neighboring countries. Study objective Analyze the context of chronic lung diseases in Ecuador. Material and Methods: The deductive analytical methodological approach used for this research is focused on the documentary research strategy which provided the review in bibliographic sources in scientific articles on the web. Conclusion: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is becoming increasingly important, which requires focusing the efforts of the public health system to comprehensively address and treat the growing number of patients with chronic respiratory pathologies.Las patologías pulmonares crónicas son una causa importante de morbimortalidad en la población mundial, a nivel de países en Latinoamérica, cobra importancia mayor, sobre todo en países de bajo y medianos ingresos. Las patologías pulmonares crónicas mas frecuentes son: Asma, Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica (EPOC), alergias de tipo respiratorio. El EPOC es una patología que demanda un enorme cantidad de recursos e infraestructura, para lo cual el Sistema de Salud Pública debe prepararse y abordar de manera integral la Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica junto las demás patologías pulmonares crónicas mas frecuentes. En Ecuador se cuenta con datos obtenidos de estudios realizados en el Hospital Universitario de Guayaquil, en donde se evidencia que la mayor cantidad de pacientes con Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica fueron mujeres. De igual manera se destaca las enfermedades respiratorios Crónicas de origen laboral, en donde se evidencia que la mayor parte de pacientes son varones. Se cuenta con estudios que han analizado la factores de riesgos para patologías pulmonares crónicas en varias provincias de Ecuador como Loja y Guayaquil, se requiere continuar con la caracterización de estas enfermedades, ya que muchos de los datos analizados son similares a los países vecinos. Objetivo de estudio Analizar el contexto de las patologías pulmonares crónicas en Ecuador. Material y Métodos: El enfoque metodológico analítico deductivo utilizado para el desarrollo de esta investigación está enfocado en la estrategia investigación documental la cual permitió la revisión en fuentes bibliográficas en artículos científicos en la web. Conclusión: la Enfermedad Pulmonar Obstructiva Crónica adquiere cada vez más importancia, lo cual requiere enfocar los esfuerzos del sistema de salud publica abordar y tratar de manera integral a la creciendo cantidad de pacientes con patologías respiratorias crónicas. (Bonilla Sierra , Vargas Matínez , Dávalos Batallas , Leon Larios , &amp; Lomas Campos , 2020