Café orgánico, fortalezas y limitaciones: el caso de Colombia y Brasil.

El presente trabajo tiene por objetivo determinar las principales fortalezas y limitaciones de la producción de café orgánico en Colombia y Brasil mediante el análisis de tres líneas de acción fundamentales en un sistema orgánico: el proceso de certificación, la producción y los canales de comercialización. Está fundamentado en el método cualitativo a partir del desarrollo de una revisión bibliográfica de los temas de interés y el análisis de datos secundarios. El estudio evidenció las fortalezas de ambos países en relación con sus características climatológicas ideales para la producción, su reconocimiento y aceptación mundial como productores y exportadores del commodity y el creciente mercado internacional de café orgánico. También se pudo establecer algunas limitaciones para ambos países como los altos costos y exigencias en el proceso de certificación, un mayor costo de producción y un bajo nivel de asociativismo. No obstante, Colombia y Brasil se constituyen como países con alto potencial para la producción de cafés orgánicos. Abstract: This study aims to determine the strengths and limitations of the production of organic coffee in Colombia and Brazil through the analysis of three fundamental lines of action of an organic system: the certification process, production, and marketing channels. It is based on the qualitative method by developing of a literature review of the topics of interest and analysis of secondary data. The study showed the strengths of both countries in relation to their ideal climatic characteristics for production, its recognition and worldwide acceptance as producers and exporters of the commodity and the growing international market for organic coffee. It was also possible to set some limitations in both countries as the high costs and demands on the certification process, a higher cost of production and low associative. However, Colombia and Brazil are countries with high potential for producing organic coffees

LRP10, PGK1 and RPLP0: best reference genes in periprostatic adipose tissue under obesity and prostate cancer conditions

Obesity (OB) is a metabolic disorder characterized by adipose tissue dysfunction that has emerged as a health problem of epidemic proportions in recent decades. OB is associated with multiple comorbidities, including some types of cancers. Specifically, prostate cancer (PCa) has been postulated as one of the tumors that could have a causal relationship with OB. Particularly, a specialized adipose tissue (AT) depot known as periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT) has gained increasing attention over the last few years as it could be a key player in the pathophysiological interaction between PCa and OB. However, to date, no studies have defined the most appropriate internal reference genes (IRGs) to be used in gene expression studies in this AT depot. In this work, two independent cohorts of PPAT samples (n = 20/n = 48) were used to assess the validity of a battery of 15 literature-selected IRGs using two widely used techniques (reverse transcription quantitative PCR [RT-qPCR] and microfluidic-based qPCR array). For this purpose, ΔCt method, GeNorm (v3.5), BestKeeper (v1.0), NormFinder (v.20.0), and RefFinder software were employed to assess the overall trends of our analyses. LRP10, PGK1, and RPLP0 were identified as the best IRGs to be used for gene expression studies in human PPATs, specifically when considering PCa and OB conditions

Effective interactions of colloids on nematic films

The elastic and capillary interactions between a pair of colloidal particles trapped on top of a nematic film are studied theoretically for large separations $d$. The elastic interaction is repulsive and of quadrupolar type, varying as $d^{-5}$. For macroscopically thick films, the capillary interaction is likewise repulsive and proportional to $d^{-5}$ as a consequence of mechanical isolation of the system comprised of the colloids and the interface. A finite film thickness introduces a nonvanishing force on the system (exerted by the substrate supporting the film) leading to logarithmically varying capillary attractions. However, their strength turns out to be too small to be of importance for the recently observed pattern formation of colloidal droplets on nematic films.Comment: 13 pages, accepted by EPJ

Short-Term Evaluation of Left Ventricular Mass and Function in Children With Growth Hormone Deficiency After Replacement Treatment

Background: Our study was designed to assess the effects of GHD on nutritional and metabolic parameters, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, and left ventricular mass (LVM) in prepubertal children and after short-term GH replacement therapy.Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 81 children. We compared 40 GHD children (16 males and 24 females) to 41 healthy children (control group) (18 males and 23 females). All subjects were at Tanner Stage I (aged 7–11 years). At the baseline, a blood sample was drawn and echocardiographic images were obtained. These tests were repeated on the GHD subjects after 6 months of GH replacement therapy. Body surface, weight, size, blood pressure, heart rate, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β, QUICKI, cholesterol, HDLc, LDLc, triglycerides, IGF1, and IGFBP3 were measured. Indexed LVM, diastolic and systolic diameter (dD-sD), diastolic and systolic LV function, isovolumic relaxation time, right ventricle function, and BNP levels were obtained through echocardiography. These parameters were correlated to growth factors. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test or U-Mann–Whitney-test and Pearson's correlation, considering p < 0.05 to be significant.Results: Indexed LVM was smaller in GHD patients than in controls, whereas diastolic and systolic functions, BNP, metabolic, and nutritional profiles were similar. After treatment, nutritional and metabolic profiles significantly improved, though diastolic and systolic functions did not seem to have changed. There was a significant increase in LVM. Indexed LVM was similar to that of controls. Significant correlations were obtained between LVM-IGF1 and sD-IGFBP3.Conclusions: GHD in childhood is associated with a lower indexed LVM. In the short-term, GH increases the indexed LVM, while maintaining normal systolic and diastolic functions, BNP, and an improved lipid profile

Burden of disease in young population of a colombian health insurance company

To estimate the burden of disease of population between 10-24 years old enrolled in the SER JOVEN program of a Colombian insurance company using disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs). Incidences were estimated from the administrative claims data of Mutual SER EPS. The ICD-10 codes of the main diagnosis were identified and regrouped according to the categories of diseases reported in the global burden of disease (GBD) study. To estimate the years of life lost (YLL), the difference between the age of death and the life expectancy at that age was obtained in a reference mortality population. The years lived with disability (YLD) were obtained by multiplying the estimated morbidity and the disability weights of the GBD 2017. DALYs were calculated by adding YLD and YLLs. We used the information of 512 patients insured to Mutual SER-EPS between 10-24 years, who died during January 2015 to December 2017 from all causes, and the healthcare registers of young people aged 10-24 years residing in 21 municipalities where Mutual SER EPS has presence. In the studied population, premature deaths and disability produced 5,355 DALYs, for 2017. Of these, 67.1% (3,591) of the burden of disease was due to non-communicable causes; followed by communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases (15.9%). The remaining 17% were due to unintentional and vital injuries and unclassified causes. The specific causes with the highest reported burden were substance use disorders and mental disorders, and this relationship remained constant between 2015-2017. In both sexes the first cause was non-communicable diseases; in men, injuries; and in women, communicable, maternal, neonatal diseases. In the analyzed population there was a considerable burden of disease associated with mental disorders and substance use. It is recommended to implement effective strategies that allow prioritizing the diseases that generate the greatest burden

Vasoconstrictor and Pressor Effects of Des-Aspartate-Angiotensin I in Rat.

© 2023 The Authors. This document is made available under the CC-BY-NC 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc /4.0/ This document is the Accepted version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Biomedicines. To access the final edited and published work see https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines10061230This study investigated the vasoactive effects of des-aspartate-angiotensin-I (DAA-I) in male Wistar rats on whole body vascular bed, isolated perfused kidneys, and aortic rings. Dose– response curves to DAA-I were compared with those to angiotensin II (Ang II). The Ang II-type-1 (AT1) receptor blocker, losartan, was used to evaluate the role of AT1 receptors in the responses to DAA-I. Studies were also conducted of the responsiveness in aortic rings after endotheliumremoval, nitric oxide synthase inhibition, or AT2 receptor blockade. DAA-I induced a dose-related systemic pressor response that was shifted to the right compared with Ang II. Losartan markedly attenuated the responsiveness to DAA-I. DAA-I showed a similar pattern in renal vasculature and aortic rings. In aortic rings, removal of endothelium and nitric oxide inhibition increased the sensitivity and maximal response to DAA-I and Ang II. AT2 receptor blockade did not significantly affect the responsiveness to DAA-I. According to these findings, DAA-I increases the systemic blood pressure and vascular tone in conductance and resistance vessels via AT1 receptor activation. This vasoconstrictor effect of DAA-I participates in the homeostatic control of arterial pressure, which can also contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension. DAA-I may therefore be a potential therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease

Adherence to long-acting reversible contraceptive methods in low- income young women from the caribbean region of Colombia

Adolescent pregnancies are more likely to occur in poor communities, commonly driven by lack of education and employment opportunities. We aimed to estimate the subdermal implant discontinuation rate and to establish the factors associated with the discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods in a cohort of poor women in the Caribbean region of Colombia. A retrospective cohort study of LARC method use through review of administrative record data was conducted. A population of 2,192 adolescents and young women between 10-24 years old enrolled in the “SER JOVEN” program and who received subdermal implants between 2015-2018 was considered for eligibility. This program is for young people affiliated to a health care company in the Caribbean region of Colombia. We realized a follow-up time-person of the retrospective cohort, and we estimated the incidence of discontinuation of the subdermal implant at six months, one year, two years, and three years. Kaplan-Meier estimator for survival curves, and Cox proportional hazard model were used to ascertain factors associated with method discontinuation risk. A p-value <0.050 was considered significant. A total of 2,192 women were selected with a mean (standard deviation -SD) age of 19.4 (2.8) years and a mean duration of use of subdermal implant of 2.6 (0.8) years. We estimated the subdermal implant discontinuation rate at six months in 0.7% [CI95% 0.3-1.1], a year later in 1.5% [CI95% 1-2], two years later in 2.1% [CI95% 1.5-2.7] and finally at three years in 2.2% [CI95% 1.6-2.8]. Women who stated they have children at baseline were about 70% less risk to discontinue subdermal implants (HR: 0.3 [CI95% 0.1 – 0.8]). Adolescent pregnancy is a public health problem, and it is an important cause of poverty and illness. Then, the use of subdermal implants is an effective alternative to prevent unintended pregnancies

Parámetros hematológicos en polluelos de psitácidos en cautiverio de origen silvestre

El objetivo de este estudio fue describir los parámetros hematológicos en 69 polluelos en cautiverio de origen silvestre, clínicamente sanos, menores de tres meses de edad, en cuatro especies de psitácidos: Pionus senilis (n = 18), Amazona albifrons (n = 15), Amazona autumnalis (n = 25) y Amazona oratrix (n = 11), procedentes de la región central de México. Para determinar dichos parámetros, de cada ejemplar se obtuvieron 500 μl de sangre por punción de la vena braquial. En las cuatro especies citadas, el porcentaje del hematocrito fue de 56,4 ± 3,36; 51 ± 6,52; 47,6 ± 6,47 y 53,8 ± 9,26; el VCM en fl fue de 184,6 ± 13,4; 142,0 ± 25,4; 106,3 ± 11,7 y 162,3 ± 71,9; la cuenta eritrocítica fue de 4,7 ± 2,1 x106/μl; 6,1 ± 8,2 x106/μl; 6,9 ± 1,2 x106/μl y 5,4 ± 1,1 x106/μl; y la cuenta leucocitaria de 3,06 ± 0,15 x103/μl; 3,62 ± 0,24 x103/μl; 4,48 ± 0,36 x103/μl y 3,56 ± 0,71 x103/μl respectivamente para P. senilis, A. albifrons, A. autumnalis y A. oratrix. Se constató tendencia a la heterofilia en A. albifrons y A. oratrix, lo cual puede ser de gran utilidad para un diagnóstico cada vez más preciso en la clínica de aves en cautiverio

FeCo Nanowire-Strontium Ferrite Powder Composites for Permanent Magnets with High-Energy Products

Due to the issues associated with rare-earth elements, there arises a strong need for magnets with properties between those of ferrites and rare-earth magnets that could substitute the latter in selected applications. Here, we produce a high remanent magnetization composite bonded magnet by mixing FeCo nanowire powders with hexaferrite particles. In the first step, metallic nanowires with diameters between 30 and 100 nm and length of at least 2 {\mu}m are fabricated by electrodeposition. The oriented as-synthesized nanowires show remanence ratios above 0.76 and coercivities above 199 kA/m and resist core oxidation up to 300 {\deg}C due to the existence of a > 8 nm thin oxide passivating shell. In the second step, a composite powder is fabricated by mixing the nanowires with hexaferrite particles. After the optimal nanowire diameter and composite composition are selected, a bonded magnet is produced. The resulting magnet presents a 20% increase in remanence and an enhancement of the energy product of 48% with respect to a pure hexaferrite (strontium ferrite) magnet. These results put nanowire-ferrite composites at the forefront as candidate materials for alternative magnets for substitution of rare earths in applications that operate with moderate magnet performance