Corporate Social Responsibility in Tourism Small and Medium Enterprises. Evidence from Europe and Latin America

While there is a growing literature related with corporate social responsibility (CSR) in hospitality and tourism large firms, much remains to be done in the case of CSR in tourism small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In this paper we provide three studies regarding this particular aspect through the evidence present in different destinations: Catalonia, European natural parks and Chile. Among the conclusions that can be highlighted is the prevalence of altruism in the reasons for being responsible, the introduction of increasingly advanced measures or their impact on different business variables, and the link to financial performance

Analysis of hepatitis B virus preS1 variability and prevalence of the rs2296651 polymorphism in a Spanish population

Altres ajuts: Cofinanced by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF); and the Gilead Fellowship Program, No. GLD14-00296.To determine the variability/conservation of the domain of hepatitis B virus (HBV) preS1 region that interacts with sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (hereafter, NTCP-interacting domain) and the prevalence of the rs2296651 polymorphism (S267F, NTCP variant) in a Spanish population. Serum samples from 246 individuals were included and divided into 3 groups: patients with chronic HBV infection (CHB) (n = 41, 73% Caucasians), patients with resolved HBV infection (n = 100, 100% Caucasians) and an HBV-uninfected control group (n = 105, 100% Caucasians). Variability/conservation of the amino acid (aa) sequences of the NTCP-interacting domain, (aa 2-48 in viral genotype D) and a highly conserved preS1 domain associated with virion morphogenesis (aa 92-103 in viral genotype D) were analyzed by next-generation sequencing and compared in 18 CHB patients with viremia > 4 log IU/mL. The rs2296651 polymorphism was determined in all individuals in all 3 groups using an in-house real-time PCR melting curve analysis. The HBV preS1 NTCP-interacting domain showed a high degree of conservation among the examined viral genomes especially between aa 9 and 21 (in the genotype D consensus sequence). As compared with the virion morphogenesis domain, the NTCP-interacting domain had a smaller proportion of HBV genotype-unrelated changes comprising > 1% of the quasispecies (25.5% vs 31.8%), but a larger proportion of genotype-associated viral polymorphisms (34% vs 27.3%), according to consensus sequences from GenBank patterns of HBV genotypes A to H. Variation/conservation in both domains depended on viral genotype, with genotype C being the most highly conserved and genotype E the most variable (limited finding, only 2 genotype E included). Of note, proline residues were highly conserved in both domains, and serine residues showed changes only to threonine or tyrosine in the virion morphogenesis domain. The rs2296651 polymorphism was not detected in any participant. In our CHB population, the NTCP-interacting domain was highly conserved, particularly the proline residues and essential amino acids related with the NTCP interaction, and the prevalence of rs2296651 was low/null

Transcriptional Profile Associated with Clinical Outcomes in Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer Treated with Androgen Deprivation and Docetaxel

(1) Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and docetaxel (DX) combination is a standard therapy for metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) patients. (2) Methods: We investigate if tumor transcriptomic analysis predicts mHSPC evolution in a multicenter retrospective biomarker study. A customized panel of 184 genes was tested in mRNA from tumor samples by the nCounter platform in 125 mHSPC patients treated with ADT+DX. Gene expression was correlated with castration-resistant prostate cancer-free survival (CRPC-FS) and overall survival (OS). (3) Results: High expression of androgen receptor (AR) signature was independently associated with longer CRPC-FS (hazard ratio (HR) 0.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.3-0.9; p = 0.015), high expression of estrogen receptor (ESR) signature with longer CRPC-FS (HR 0.6, 95% CI 0.4-0.9; p = 0.019) and OS (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-0.9, p = 0.024), and lower expression of tumor suppressor genes (TSG) (RB1, PTEN and TP53) with shorter OS (HR 2, 95% CI 1-3.8; p = 0.044). ARV7 expression was independently associated with shorter CRPC-FS (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1, p = 0.008) and OS (HR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.6, p = 0.004), high ESR2 was associated with longer OS (HR 0.5, 95% CI 0.2-1, p = 0.048) and low expression of RB1 was independently associated with shorter OS (HR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2, p = 0.014). (4) Conclusions: AR, ESR, and TSG expression signatures, as well as ARV7, RB1, and ESR2 expression, have a prognostic value in mHSPC patients treated with ADT+DX

egionelose esporádica: um problema não resolvido

Objective: To summarize the major findings obtained in different studies focusing on the origin of sporadic legionellosis.Methods: A literature search was conducted in national and international journals (1990-June 2012), and those articles that fell within the scope of the study were selected. The articles have been classified into three groups: (i) studies designed to identify environmental risk factors, (ii) studies based on the transmission hypothesis from specific sources, and (iii) studies based on the spatial-temporal pattern of legionellosis.Results: Of the 27 articles selected, half (13) were conducted in the UK or the USA and 2 in Spain. Having a travel history during the incubation period and being a professional driver were the two most frequently identified environmental risk factors. Sources of infection historically related with outbreaks, such as cooling towers and drinking water systems, have also been associated with sporadic cases. The influence of meteorological factors on incidence of the disease has been indicated in a consistent way by various authors, while studies based on spatial analysis methods are gaining in importance.Conclusions: Despite the different hypotheses proposed about the origin of sporadic legionellosis, there is no clear epidemiological evidence regarding the sources of infection. This calls into question if the current monitoring and surveillance measures are sufficiently effective to prevent the occurrence of sporadic cases, and also highlights the need for further research.Objetivo: Resumir los hallazgos más relevantes obtenidos en diferentes estudios dirigidos a investigar el origen de la legionelosis esporádica. Métodos: Se ha realizado una búsqueda bibliográfica en revistas nacionales e internacionales (1990-junio 2012) y se han seleccionado los artículos que se ajustan al objetivo del estudio. Los artículos se han clasificado en tres grupos: (i) estudios dirigidos a identificar factores ambientales de riesgo; (ii) estudios basados en hipótesis de transmisión a partir de fuentes concretas; y (iii) estudios basados en la variabilidad espacio-temporal de la legionelosis. Resultados: De los 27 artículos seleccionados, la mitad (13) se han realizado en Reino Unido o EEUU y 2 en España. Los factores de riesgo ambiental identificados con más frecuencia han sido el historial de viaje durante el período de incubación y ser conductor de profesión. Fuentes de infección relacionadas históricamente con brotes, como las torres de refrigeración y el agua de consumo, también se han asociado con los casos esporádicos. Diferentes autores señalan de forma consistente la influencia de los factores meteorológicos en la incidencia y están adquiriendo importancia los estudios dirigidos a analizar el patrón espacial de presentación de casos. Conclusiones: A pesar de las diferentes hipótesis sobre el origen de la legionelosis esporádica no existe una evidencia epidemiológica clara sobre las fuentes de infección. Se pone en cuestión si las medidas de control y vigilancia realizadas actualmente están siendo suficientemente eficaces para prevenir la aparición de casos esporádicos y se destaca la necesidad de seguir investigando.Objetivo: Resumir as descobertas mais relevantes obtidas em diversos estudos cujo objetivo é investigar a origem da legionelose esporádica.Métodos: Realizou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica em revistas nacionais e internacionais (1990-jun 2012) e foram selecionados os artigos que se ajustam ao objetivo do estudo. Os artigos foram classificados em três grupos: (i) estudos que visam identificar fatores ambientais de risco; (ii) estudos baseados na hipótese de transmissão a partir de fontes concretas; e (iii) estudos baseados na variabilidade espaço-tempo da legionelose. Resultados: Dos 27 artigos selecionados, a metade (13) foi realizada no Reino Unido ou nos EUA, e 2 em Espanha. Os fatores de risco ambiental identificados com mais frequência foi o historial de viagem durante o período de incubação e ser motorista de profissão. Fontes de infeção relacionadas historicamente com surtos, como as torres de refrigeração e a água de consumo, também se associaram com os casos esporádicos. Diversos autores assinalam de forma consistente a influência dos fatores meteorológicos na incidência e estão a adquirir importância os estudos cujo objetivo é a análise do padrão espacial de apresentação dos casos.Conclusões: Apesar das diversas hipóteses sobre a origem da legionelose esporádica, não existe uma evidência epidemiológica clara sobre as fontes de infeção. Põe-se em questão se as medidas de controlo e vigilância realizadas atualmente estão a ser suficientemente eficazes para prevenir o aparecimento de casos esporádicos e destaca-se a necessidade de continuar a investigar

VEGAS: A VST Early-type GAlaxy Survey. II. Photometric study of giant ellipticals and their stellar halos

Observations of diffuse starlight in the outskirts of galaxies are thought to be a fundamental source of constraints on the cosmological context of galaxy assembly in the $\Lambda$CDM model. Such observations are not trivial because of the extreme faintness of such regions. In this work, we investigate the photometric properties of six massive early type galaxies (ETGs) in the VEGAS sample (NGC 1399, NGC 3923, NGC 4365, NGC 4472, NGC 5044, and NGC 5846) out to extremely low surface brightness levels, with the goal of characterizing the global structure of their light profiles for comparison to state-of-the-art galaxy formation models. We carry out deep and detailed photometric mapping of our ETG sample taking advantage of deep imaging with VST/OmegaCAM in the g and i bands. By fitting the light profiles, and comparing the results to simulations of elliptical galaxy assembly, we identify signatures of a transition between "relaxed" and "unrelaxed" accreted components and can constrain the balance between in situ and accreted stars. The very good agreement of our results with predictions from theoretical simulations demonstrates that the full VEGAS sample of $\sim 100$ ETGs will allow us to use the distribution of diffuse light as a robust statistical probe of the hierarchical assembly of massive galaxies.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Conservation and variability of hepatitis B core at different chronic hepatitis stages

Since it is currently not possible to eradicate hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection with existing treatments, research continues to uncover new therapeutic strategies. HBV core protein, encoded by the HBV core gene (HBC), intervenes in both structural and functional processes, and is a key protein in the HBV life cycle. For this reason, both the protein and the gene could be valuable targets for new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. Moreover, alterations in the protein sequence could serve as potential markers of disease progression. To detect, by next-generation sequencing, HBC hyper-conserved regions that could potentially be prognostic factors and targets for new therapies. Thirty-eight of 45 patients with chronic HBV initially selected were included and grouped according to liver disease stage [chronic hepatitis B infection without liver damage (CHB, n = 16), liver cirrhosis (LC, n = 5), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, n = 17)]. HBV DNA was extracted from patients' plasma. A region between nucleotide (nt) 1863 and 2483, which includes HBC, was amplified and analyzed by next-generation sequencing (Illumina MiSeq platform). Sequences were genotyped by distance-based discriminant analysis. General and intergroup nt and amino acid (aa) conservation was determined by sliding window analysis. The presence of nt insertion and deletions and/or aa substitutions in the different groups was determined by aligning the sequences with genotype-specific consensus sequences. Three nt (nt 1900-1929, 2249-2284, 2364-2398) and 2 aa (aa 117-120, 159-167) hyper-conserved regions were shared by all the clinical groups. All groups showed a similar pattern of conservation, except for five nt regions (nt 1946-1992, 2060-2095, 2145-2175, 2230-2250, 2270-2293) and one aa region (aa 140-160), where CHB and LC, respectively, were less conserved (P < 0.05). Some group-specific conserved regions were also observed at both nt (2306-2334 in CHB and 1935-1976 and 2402-2435 in LC) and aa (between aa 98-103 in CHB and 28-30 and 51-54 in LC) levels. No differences in insertion and deletions frequencies were observed. An aa substitution (P79Q) was observed in the HCC group with a median (interquartile range) frequency of 15.82 (0-78.88) vs 0 (0-0) in the other groups (P < 0.05 vs CHB group). The differentially conserved HBC and HBV core protein regions and the P79Q substitution could be involved in disease progression. The hyper-conserved regions detected could be targets for future therapeutic and diagnostic strategies

Adjuvant dabrafenib and trametinib for patients with resected BRAF-mutated melanoma: DESCRIBE-AD real-world retrospective observational study

BRAF and MEK inhibitor, dabrafenib plus trametinib, adjuvant therapy is effective for high-risk resected melanoma patients with BRAF-V600 mutations. However, real-world evidence is limited. We aimed to determine the feasibility of this therapy in routine clinical practice. DESCRIBE-AD, a retrospective observational study, collected real-world data from 25 hospitals in Spain. Histologically confirmed and resected BRAF-mutated melanoma patients aged & GE;18 years who were previously treated with dabrafenib plus trametinib adjuvant therapy, were included. The primary objectives were treatment discontinuation rate and time to discontinuation. The secondary objectives included safety and efficacy. From October 2020 to March 2021, 65 patients were included. Dabrafenib and trametinib discontinuation rate due to treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of any grade was 9%. Other reasons for discontinuation included patients' decisions (6%), physician decisions (6%), unrelated adverse events (3%), disease progression (5%), and others (5%). The median time to treatment discontinuation was 9 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 5-11]. G3-4 TRAEs occurred in 21.5% of patients, the most common being pyrexia (3%), asthenia (3%), and diarrhoea (3%). Unscheduled hospitalisations and clinical tests occurred in 6 and 22% of patients, respectively. After 20-month median follow-up (95% CI, 18-22), 9% of patients had exitus due to disease progression, with a 12-month relapse-free survival and overall survival rates of 95.3% and 100%, respectively. Dabrafenib and trametinib adjuvant therapy proved effective for melanoma patients in a real-world setting, with a manageable toxicity profile. Toxicity frequencies were low leading to low incidence of unscheduled medical visits, tests, and treatment discontinuations

Planta para la fabricación de óxido de etileno

En este trabajo se desarrolla la planta de producción de óxido de etileno INDOXETH5. El contenido de dicho trabajo va desde unas especificaciones iniciales y generales hasta temas más técnicos. Debido al problema que hubo en IQOXE el año 2019, se pone mucho énfasis en la parte de control y seguridad e higiene. El objetivo principal de este proyecto es el diseño de una planta de producción de óxido de etileno. A partir de etileno y oxígeno puro como materias primas se producirán 130.000 toneladas de óxido de etileno al año.En aquest treball es desenvolupa la planta de producció d'òxid d'etilè INDOXETH5. El contingut d'aquest treball va des d'unes especificacions inicials i generals fins a temes més tècnics. Degut al problema que va haver-hi a IQOXE l'any 2019, es va posar molt èmfasi a la part de control i seguretat i higiene. L'objectiu principal d'aquest projecte és el disseny d'una planta de producció d'òxid d'etilè. A partir d'etilè i oxigen pur com a matèries primeres es produiran 130.000 tones d'òxid d'etilè a l'any

Twentieth century increase of Scots pine radial growth in NE Spain shows strong climate interactions

Stem radial growth responds to environmental conditions, and has been widely used as a proxy to study long-term patterns of tree growth and to assess the impact of environmental changes on growth patterns. In this study, we use a tree ring dataset from the Catalan Ecological and Forest Inventory to study the temporal variability of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stem growth during the 20th century across a relatively large region (Catalonia, NE Spain) close to the southern limit of the distribution of the species. Basal area increment (BAI) was modelled as a function of tree size and environmental variables by means of mixed effects models. Our results showed an overall increase of 84% in Scots pine BAI during the 20th century, consistent with most previous studies for temperate forests. This trend was associated with increased atmospheric CO2 concentrations and, possibly, with a general increase in nutrient availability, and we interpreted it as a fertilization effect. Over the same time period, there was also a marked increase in temperature across the study region (0.19 °C per decade on average). This warming had a negative impact on radial growth, particularly at the drier sites, but its magnitude was not enough to counteract the fertilization effect. In fact, the substantial warming observed during the 20th century in the study area did not result in a clear pattern of increased summer drought stress because of the large variability in precipitation, which did not show any clear time trend. But the situation may change in the future if temperatures continue to rise and/or precipitation becomes scarcer. Such a change could potentially reverse the temporal trend in growth, particularly at the driest sites, and is suggested in our data by the relative constancy of radial growth after ca. 1975, coinciding with the warmer period. If this situation is representative of other relatively dry, temperate forests, the implications for the regional carbon balance would be substantial