Factors influencing board of directors’ decision-making process as determinants of CSR engagement

[EN] This paper focuses on the determinants of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at the organisational level. Specifically, it aims to understand the influence of not previously analysed board of directors’ characteristics on a company’s CSR engagement. A random effect probit model was applied to a panel of Spanish non-financial and non-insurance listed firms over the period 2009–2013. The analyses revealed that the existence of a board sub-committee responsible for social and environmental matters and its size, the establishment of a statutory term limit for independent directors and the possibility for directors of receiving advice from external sources positively affect a firm’s CSR engagement. This paper contributes to the debate about corporate governance and CSR by relating factors determining the decision-making process at boards of directors to CSR. Thus, it extends research on the board as a driver for social and environmental issues and suggests new ways to deal with this issue empirically.SIThe authors acknowledge the funding received from the Project ECO2015-63880-Rfrom the Ministerio de Economı ́a y Competitividad of Spain and the Project ULE2014-1 from theUniversity of Leo ́n (Spain). They also acknowledge funding from Project ECO 2015-69058-R

Taking Advantage of Students’ Passion for Apps in Sustainability and CSR Teaching

779The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using mobile apps combined with traditional methods for teaching sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to undergraduate students. Although previous papers stated the importance of apps, they showed no conclusive results, and there are few studies analyzing their importance in management training, and particularly in sustainability management. To achieve our main goal, drawing upon the action learning system, we designed and implemented several training sessions combining traditional methods and apps. The effectiveness of teaching methods was assessed with two surveys (pre- and post-training) with questions about sustainable consumption, lifestyle, and CSR management. The results demonstrate that students found this type of learning beneficial, showing an increase in their commitment to social and environmental issues. These findings underline the potential for apps in teaching sustainability at undergraduate levels in combination with more traditional methods.S

Determinants of Quality of Life in Pre-Frail Older Adults According to Phenotypic Criteria: the VERISAUDE Study

[Abstract] Frailty is a dynamic clinical syndrome considered as part of an age-associated continuum of severity, including pre-frailty as an intermediate frailty status with potential reversibility to robustness. The main purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between the different domains of quality of life, functional dependence and depressive symptomatology in older adults diagnosed as pre-frail, before progression to frailty occurs. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine whether sex, age, level of education and scores in the Geriatric Depression Scale 15-item Short Form (GDS-SF) and the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Lawton scale determine the worst score in the WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life) in older adults meeting one or two frailty phenotypic criteria. Depressive symptomatology (GDS-SF score) was the main determinant of poor quality of life in both groups, and in all areas of WHOQOL-BREF. Age was only associated with poor satisfaction with own health. Female sex and low educational level were linked to low physical QOL and poor self-rated health, respectively, but only in older adults meeting one frailty criterion. Association between functional status and WHOQOL-BREF scores was only found in the univariate analysis. These results underline the importance of identifying multiple aspects, but mainly the presence of depressive symptomatology, as risk factors for all dimensions of quality of life in the pre-frailty process, where interventions might be targeted to reduce the progression of pre-frailty and frailty in older adults.Galicia. Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria; EM 2012/100Xunta de Galicia; IN607C, 2016/0

El mundo del trabajo productivo y reproductivo : una mirada a la intersección entre trayectorias laborales y reproductivas en Mendoza

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo principal ampliar el conocimiento sobre los diferentes modos en que se configura la relación entre trabajo productivo y maternidad, poniendo el foco tanto en las dimensiones más estructurales como en las percepciones subjetivas que intervienen en esta relación estructuramos la problemática que aquí nos ocupa a través de dos ejes ordenadores. El primer eje tiene que ver con la configuración de las trayectorias laborales de las mujeres, atendiendo al modo en que la crianza de los hijos se entrecruza con el desenvolvimiento laboral en el mercado de trabajo. La pregunta disparadora u orientadora es ¿cómo repercute la crianza de los hijos en las trayectorias laborales de las mujeres? Más específicamente, nos interrogamos: ¿de qué modo se configuran las trayectorias laborales de las mujeres durante el período de su ciclo vital dedicado a la crianza de los hijos? ¿Queda afectada la continuidad laboral y/o la posibilidad de consolidar una determinada trayectoria laboral? ¿Qué tipo de cambios se registran a nivel de sus trayectorias laborales? ¿Son cambios que inciden en la calidad del empleo y/o en las condiciones de trabajo? ¿Cómo juegan las decisiones individuales, las condiciones/restricciones del mercado de trabajo y las normativas de protección de la maternidad, en la configuración de las trayectorias laborales de las mujeres con hijos? El segundo eje se orienta a explorar el mundo subjetivo de las mujeres, buscando comprender el modo en que experimentan y resignifican sus trayectorias laborales durante la crianza de los hijos. En relación a ello, nos preguntamos: ¿cómo experimentan las tensiones que surgen de las exigencias asociadas a la crianza de los hijos y los requerimientos del puesto de trabajo que ocupan? ¿Qué estrategias ponen en juego para afrontar dichas tensiones? ¿Qué significados le otorgan al desarrollo de su trayectoria laboral? ¿Qué importancia relativa le confieren al trabajo productivo vs. la crianza de los hijos? El universo de estudio de esta investigación lo constituyen las mujeres insertas en el mercado de trabajo, entre 25 y 45 años, con al menos un hijo pequeño en edad preescolar (menor de 5 años), residentes en el aglomerado urbano del Gran Mendoza. Para esta investigación, se entrevistaron 13 mujeres cuyas edades oscilan entre 26 y 40 años, con nivel educativo terciario y/o universitario. Todas tienen alguna inserción en el mercado laboral, al momento de la entrevista. Los hallazgos de nuestra investigación ponen en evidencia que la intersección entre la trayectoria laboral y la maternidad (embarazo y período inmediatamente posterior dedicado a la crianza/cuidados) se presenta problemática, al menos para el grupo de mujeres que hemos entrevistado. Si bien en todos los casos la trayectoria laboral general registra continuidad, no se interrumpe o no se discontinúa luego del hito del embarazo, el análisis de los datos indica que el embarazo se constituye en un punto de inflexión en las relaciones que las mujeres mantienen con el mundo laboral. Las modificaciones que se experimentan (durante el embarazo y/o el período posterior de crianza/cuidados) tienen que ver con ciertas condiciones de trabajo, y en algunos casos, con cambios en el número de empleos. El análisis comprensivo de este proceso muestra una compleja interacción entre decisiones y comportamientos individuales de las mujeres, características del funcionamiento del mercado laboral, prácticas institucionales instaladas y el nivel de conocimiento y aplicación de la normativa vigente de protección de la maternidad. En los casos examinados, se evidencia una tensión constante entre los requerimientos laborales, la situación de embarazo y las exigencias de las tareas que implica la crianza/cuidado de hijos/as pequeños/as. Como ya lo han mostrado largamente los estudios de trabajo y género, los tiempos se constituyen en un aspecto medular para abordar la tensión entre el trabajo productivo y el reproductivo.Fil: Blazsek, Andrea. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y SocialesFil: Díez, María Agustina.Fil: Linardelli, María Celeste.Fil: Espinosa, Flavia .Fil: San Martín, Laura .Fil: Saenz, Valentina .Fil: Peiretti, M. Eugenia .Fil: García, Daniel .Fil: Alonso, Natalia

Deciphering the Nature of Trp73 Isoforms in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Models: Generation of Isoform-Specific Deficient Cell Lines Using the CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Editing System

This article belongs to the Special Issue The Isoforms of the p53 Gene Family and Their Role in Cancer and Aging：Selection Papers from International p53/p63/p73 Isoforms Workshop[EN] The p53 family has been widely studied for its role in various physiological and pathological processes. Imbalance of p53 family proteins may contribute to developmental abnormalities and pathologies in humans. This family exerts its functions through a profusion of isoforms that are generated by different promoter usage and alternative splicing in a cell type dependent manner. In particular, the Trp73 gene gives rise to TA and DN-p73 isoforms that confer p73 a dual nature. The biological relevance of p73 does not only rely on its tumor suppression effects, but on its pivotal role in several developmental processes. Therefore, the generation of cellular models that allow the study of the individual isoforms in a physiological context is of great biomedical relevance. We generated specific TA and DN-p73-deficient mouse embryonic stem cell lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system and validated them as physiological bona fide p73-isoform knockout models. Global gene expression analysis revealed isoform-specific alterations of distinctive transcriptional networks. Elimination of TA or DN-p73 is compatible with pluripotency but prompts naïve pluripotent stem cell transition into the primed state, compromising adequate lineage differentiation, thus suggesting that differential expression of p73 isoforms acts as a rheostat during early cell fate determinationSIThis work was supported by Grants PID2019-105169RB-I00 from Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación cofinanced by FEDER funds (to M.C.M.) and LE021P17 from Junta de Castilla y Leon. L.L.-F. was a holder of a postdoctoral contract “Juan de de la Cierva-Incorporacion” from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. N.M.-G. and H.A.-O. are supported by a predoctoral scholarship from the Asociación Española contra el Cáncer (AECC). M.M.-L. was a recipient of a Torres Quevedo contract from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación at Biomar Microbial Technologies. Á.D.-M., J.V.-F. and L.M.-A. are funded by Junta de Castilla y Leó

Circulating extracellular vesicle proteins and microRNA profiles in subcortical and cortical-subcortical ischaemic stroke

In order to investigate the role of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs), proteins, and microRNAs as damage and repair markers in ischaemic stroke depending on its topography, subcor-tical (SC), and cortical-subcortical (CSC) involvement, we quantified the total amount of EVs using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique and analysed their global protein content using proteomics. We also employed a polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the circulating microRNA profile. The study included 81 patients with ischaemic stroke (26 SC and 55 CSC) and 22 healthy controls (HCs). No differences were found in circulating EV levels between the SC, CSC, and HC groups. We detected the specific expression of C1QA and Casp14 in the EVs of patients with CSC ischaemic stroke and the specific expression of ANXA2 in the EVs of patients with SC involvement. Patients with CSC ischaemic stroke showed a lower expression of miR-15a, miR-424, miR-100, and miR-339 compared with those with SC ischaemic stroke, and the levels of miR-339, miR-100, miR-199a, miR-369a, miR-424, and miR-15a were lower than those of the HCs. Circulating EV proteins and microRNAs from patients with CSC ischaemic stroke could be considered markers of neurite outgrowth, neurogenesis, inflammation process, and atherosclerosis. On the other hand, EV proteins and microRNAs from patients with SC ischaemic stroke might be markers of an anti-inflammatory process and blood–brain barrier disruption reduction.This work was sponsored by a grant from Miguel Servet (CP15/00069; CPII20/00002 to María Gutiérrez-Fernández), Miguel Servet (CP20/00024 to Laura Otero-Ortega), a predoctoral fellowship (FI17/00188 to Mari Carmen Gómez-de Frutos; FI18/00026 to Fernando Laso-García), a Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship (CD19/00033 to María Pérez-Mato), a Río Hortega (CM20/00047 to Elisa Alonso-López) and the INVICTUS PLUS network grant (RD16/0019/0005) from the Carlos III Health Institute Health Care Research Fund and was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Similarities and differences in extracellular vesicle profiles between ischaemic stroke and myocardial infarction

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are involved in intercellular signalling through the transfer of molecules during physiological and pathological conditions, such as ischaemic disease. EVs might therefore play a role in ischaemic stroke (IS) and myocardial infarction (MI). In the present study, we analysed the similarities and differences in the content of circulating EVs in patients with IS and MI. This prospective observational study enrolled 140 participants (81 patients with IS, 37 with MI and 22 healthy controls [HCs]). We analysed the protein and microRNA content from EVs using proteomics and reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and compared it between the groups. In the patients with IS and MI, we identified 14 common proteins. When comparing IS and MI, we found differences in the protein profiles (apolipoprotein B, alpha-2-macroglobulin, fibronectin). We also found lower levels of miR-340 and miR-424 and higher levels of miR-29b in the patients with IS and MI compared with the HCs. Lastly, we found higher miR-340 levels in IS than in MI. In conclusion, proteomic and miRNA analyses suggest a relationship between circulating EV content and the patient’s disease state. Although IS and MI affect different organs (brain and heart) with distinct histological characteristics, certain EV proteins and miRNAs appear to participate in both diseases, while others are present only in patients with ISThis work was sponsored by a grant from Miguel Servet (CP15/00069 to María Gutiérrez- Fernández), a predoctoral fellowship (FI17/00188 to Mari Carmen Gómez-de Frutos;FI18/00026 to Fernando Laso-García), a Sara Borrell postdoctoral fellowship (CD19/00033 to María Pérez-Mato), the INVICTUS PLUS network grant (RD16/0019/0005) from the Carlos III Health Institute Health Care Research Fund and was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellowship (IJCI-2017-33505 to Laura Otero-Ortega, Spanish State Research Agency) and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovatio

Three-dimensional printing as a cutting-edge, versatile and personalizable vascular stent manufacturing procedure:Toward tailor-made medical devices

Vascular stents (VS) have revolutionized the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as evidenced by the fact that the implantation of VS in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients has become a routine, easily approachable surgical intervention for the treatment of stenosed blood vessels. Despite the evolution of VS throughout the years, more efficient approaches are still required to address the medical and scientific challenges, especially when it comes to peripheral artery disease (PAD). In this regard, three-dimensional (3D) printing is envisaged as a promising alternative to upgrade VS by optimizing the shape, dimensions and stent backbone (crucial for optimal mechanical properties), making them customizable for each patient and each stenosed lesion. Moreover, the combination of 3D printing with other methods could also upgrade the final device. This review focuses on the most recent studies using 3D printing techniques to produce VS, both by itself and in combination with other techniques. The final aim is to provide an overview of the possibilities and limitations of 3D printing in the manufacturing of VS. Furthermore, the current situation of CAD and PAD pathologies is also addressed, thus highlighting the main weaknesses of the already existing VS and identifying research gaps, possible market niches and future directions.This work was funded by the Basque Country Government/Eusko Jaurlaritza (Department of Education, University and Research, Consolidated Groups IT448- 22) . Sandra Ruiz-Alonso and Fouad Al -Hakim thank the Basque Country Government for the granted fellowships PRE_2021_2_0153 and PRE_2021_2_0181, respectively. Denis Scaini gratefully acknowledges support from IKERBASQUE, the Basque Foundation of Science

Single Primer Enrichment Technology (SPET) for High-Throughput Genotyping in Tomato and Eggplant Germplasm

[EN] Single primer enrichment technology (SPET) is a new, robust, and customizable solution for targeted genotyping. Unlike genotyping by sequencing (GBS), and like DNA chips, SPET is a targeted genotyping technology, relying on the sequencing of a region flanking a primer. Its reliance on single primers, rather than on primer pairs, greatly simplifies panel design, and allows higher levels of multiplexing than PCR-based genotyping. Thanks to the sequencing of the regions surrounding the target SNP, SPET allows the discovery of thousands of closely linked, novel SNPs. In order to assess the potential of SPET for high-throughput genotyping in plants, a panel comprising 5k target SNPs, designed both on coding regions and introns/UTRs, was developed for tomato and eggplant. Genotyping of two panels composed of 400 tomato and 422 eggplant accessions, comprising both domesticated material and wild relatives, generated a total of 12,002 and 30,731 high confidence SNPs, respectively, which comprised both target and novel SNPs in an approximate ratio of 1:1.6, and 1:5.5 in tomato and eggplant, respectively. The vast majority of the markers was transferrable to related species that diverged up to 3.4 million years ago (Solanum pennellii for tomato and S. macrocarpon for eggplant). Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic trees and PCA outputs obtained from the whole dataset highlighted genetic relationships among accessions and species which were congruent with what was previously reported in literature. Better discrimination among domesticated accessions was achieved by using the target SNPs, while better discrimination among wild species was achieved using the whole SNP dataset. Our results reveal that SPET genotyping is a robust, high-throughput technology for genetic fingerprinting, with a high degree of cross-transferability between crops and their cultivated and wild relatives, and allows identification of duplicates and mislabeled accessions in genebanks.This work has been funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under the grant agreement number 677379 (G2P-SOL project: Linking genetic resources, genomes, and phenotypes of solanaceous crops).Barchi, L.; Acquadro, A.; Alonso-Martín, D.; Aprea, G.; Bassolino, L.; Demurtas, O.; Ferrante, P.... (2019). Single Primer Enrichment Technology (SPET) for High-Throughput Genotyping in Tomato and Eggplant Germplasm. Frontiers in Plant Science. 10:1-17. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2019.01005S11710Acquadro, A., Barchi, L., Gramazio, P., Portis, E., Vilanova, S., Comino, C., … Lanteri, S. (2017). 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Impact of Covalent Functionalization on the Aqueous Processability, Catalytic Activity, and Biocompatibility of Chemically Exfoliated MoS2 Nanosheets

Chemically exfoliated MoS2 (ce-MoS2) has emerged in recent years as an attractive two-dimensional material for use in relevant technological applications, but fully exploiting its potential and versatility will most probably require the deployment of appropriate chemical modification strategies. Here, we demonstrate that extensive covalent functionalization of ce-MoS2 nanosheets with acetic acid groups (∼0.4 groups grafted per MoS2 unit) based on the organoiodide chemistry brings a number of benefits in terms of their processability and functionality. Specifically, the acetic acid-functionalized nanosheets were furnished with long-term (>6 months) colloidal stability in aqueous medium at relatively high concentrations, exhibited a markedly improved temporal retention of catalytic activity toward the reduction of nitroarenes, and could be more effectively coupled with silver nanoparticles to form hybrid nanostructures. Furthermore, in vitro cell proliferation tests carried out with murine fibroblasts suggested that the chemical derivatization had a positive effect on the biocompatibility of ce-MoS2. A hydrothermal annealing procedure was also implemented to promote the structural conversion of the functionalized nanosheets from the 1T phase that was induced during the chemical exfoliation step to the original 2H phase of the starting bulk material, while retaining at the same time the aqueous colloidal stability afforded by the presence of the acetic acid groups. Overall, by highlighting the benefits of this type of chemical derivatization, the present work should contribute to strengthen the position of ce-MoS2 as a two-dimensional material of significant practical utility.Financial support from the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through project MAT2015-69844-R is gratefully acknowledged, as well as partial support of the ERDF/FEDER. Operative Program of the Región de Murcia 2007–2013. We also acknowledge partial funding by Plan de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación 2013-2017 del Principado de Asturias and FEDER through grant GRUPIN14-056.Peer reviewe