The profitability of value-added products in dairy farm diversification initiatives

A more open and competitive dairy market has encouraged certain dairy farms to adopt value-adding strategies in order to achieve a higher profitability, which may be important for farms’ survival. This paper investigated the role of some product characteristics in the profitability of value-added products in these farms. For this purpose, we used a unique database of 265 different products commercialized by 49 Spanish dairy farms that offers information on nine attributes of each product. Using hedonic models as a baseline, we examined the influence of these attributes on the margin per liter (ML) of the products. The results of the regression indicated that cheese and yogurt generated 0.688 and 1.518 € more of margin per liter than liquid milk. Similarly, we found a set of attributes that have a positive influence on ML, including possession of a certificate of protected designation of origin (PDO), the milk-type composition (proportion of sheep milk), a longer expiration period, and involvement in direct marketing strategies (DMS). However, other recognized attributes such as organic labeling, maturation period, size of the sales unit and returnable packaging did not have a significant influence on ML. Our findings also showed that firms producing more elaborated products as cheese and yogurt need a lower percentage of their production to cover the fixed costs associated to transformation and commercialization. Overall, our results revealed that the elaboration of value-added dairy products improves the profitability of dairy farms

Comparación del tratamiento con el Sistema Invisalign y Ortodoncia Tradicional

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to compare treatment with the Invisalign system and treatment applying conventional or traditional orthodontics, with smile design as the main indicator. MATERIAL AND METHODS The method used was the exploratory systematic review, carried out according to the protocol based on the approval list of the PRISMA declaration. This study began by selecting the studies that compared the Invisalign technique and traditional orthodontics, to later exclude those that do not have smile design as the main indicator. RESULTS The number of studies with these characteristics found in the PUB MED database were 2 studies related to the smile design approach and 9 studies focused on periodontal health, pain perception, smile design technique and correct dental occlusion. CONCLUSION We can affirm that in the case of traditional orthodontic treatment it is superior to Invisalign treatment, consequently, it seems to be more than fixed appliances and traditional orthodontics seem to be more effective for better the variables that quantify the result after orthodontic treatment, while Although Invisalign treatment is not effective in all types of patients, considerable results can be observed in certain cases. It should be noted that it is always necessary to review more studies in order to corroborate these results.OBETIVO El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el tratamiento con el sistema Invisalign y el tratamiento aplicando la ortodoncia convencional o tradicional teniendo como indicador principal el diseño de sonrisa. MATERIAL Y METODOS el método usado fue la revisión sistemática exploratoria, ejecutada según el protocolo basado en la lista de aprobación de la declaración PRISMA. Se inicio este estudio seleccionando los estudios que comparaban la técnica Invisalign y ortodoncia tradicional, para luego excluir aquellos que no tengan como indicador principal el diseño de sonrisa. RESULTADOS El número de estudios con estas características encontrados en la base de datos PUB MED fueron 2 estudios relacionados con enfoque de diseño de sonrisa y 9 estudios enfocados en salud periodontal, precepción del dolor, técnica de diseño de sonrisa y correcta oclusión dentaria. CONCLUSIÓN Podemos afirmar que en el caso del tratamiento con ortodoncia tradicional es superior al tratamiento Invisalign, en consecuencia, parece ser más que los aparatos fijos y la ortodoncia tradicional parecen ser más efectivos para mejor las variables que cuantifican el resultado después del tratamiento ortodóntico, mientras que el tratamiento de Invisalign a pesar de no ser efectivo en todo tipo de pacientes, se puede observar considerables resultados en ciertos casos. Cabe resaltar que siempre se necesita revisar más estudios con el fin de corroborar estos resultados

Circulating ghrelin acts on GABA neurons of the area postrema and mediates gastric emptying in male mice

Ghrelin is known to act on the area postrema (AP), a sensory circumventricular organ located in the medulla oblongata that regulates a variety of important physiological functions. However, the neuronal targets of ghrelin in the AP and their potential role are currently unknown. In this study, we used wild-type and genetically modified mice to gain insights into the neurons of the AP expressing the ghrelin receptor [growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR)] and their role. We show that circulating ghrelin mainly accesses the AP but not to the adjacent nucleus of the solitary tract. Also, we show that both peripheral administration of ghrelin and fasting induce an increase of c-Fos, a marker of neuronal activation, in GHSR-expressing neurons of the AP, and that GHSR expression is necessary for the fasting-induced activation of AP neurons. Additionally, we show that ghrelin-sensitive neurons of the AP are mainly γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic, and that an intact AP is required for ghrelin-induced gastric emptying. Overall, we show that the capacity of circulating ghrelin to acutely induce gastric emptying in mice requires the integrity of the AP, which contains a population of GABA neurons that are a target of plasma ghrelin.Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología CelularFacultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Metallo-Liposomes of Ruthenium Used as Promising Vectors of Genetic Material

Gene therapy is a therapeutic process consisting of the transport of genetic material into cells. The design and preparation of novel carriers to transport DNA is an important research line in the medical field. Hybrid compounds such as metallo-liposomes, containing a mixture of lipids, were prepared and characterized. Cationic metal lipids derived from the [Ru(bpy)3]2+ complex, RuC11C11 or RuC19C19, both with different hydrophobic/lipophilic ratios, were mixed with the phospholipid DOPE. A relation between the size and the molar fraction α was found and a multidisciplinary study about the interaction between the metallo-liposomes and DNA was performed. The metallo-liposomes/DNA association was quantified and a relationship between Kapp and α was obtained. Techniques such as AFM, SEM, zeta potential, dynamic light scattering and agarose gel electrophoresis demonstrated the formation of lipoplexes and showed the structure of the liposomes. L/D values corresponding to the polynucleotide's condensation were estimated. In vitro assays proved the low cell toxicity of the metallo-liposomes, lower for normal cells than for cancer cell lines, and a good internalization into cells. The latter as well as the transfection measurements carried out with plasmid DNA pEGFP-C1 have demonstrated a good availability of the Ru(II)-based liposomes for being used as non-toxic nanovectors in gene therapy.España Consejería de Educación y Ciencia de la Junta de Andalucía (Proyecto de Excelencia P12-FQM-1105, FQM-206 and FQM-274, and PI-0005-2018)España,, Universidad de Sevilla, VI Plan Propio Universidad de Sevilla (PP2018-10338)España Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (RTI2018-100692-B-I00

Fluorescent Calixarene-Schiff as a Nanovehicle with Biomedical Purposes

Gene therapy is a technique that is currently under expansion and development. Recent advances in genetic medicine have paved the way for a broader range of therapies and laid the groundwork for next-generation technologies. A terminally substituted difluorene-diester Schiff Base calix[4]arene has been studied in this work as possible nanovector to be used in gene therapy. Changes to luminescent behavior of the calixarene macrocycle are reported in the presence of ct-DNA. The calixarene macrocycle interacts with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA), generating changes in its conformation. Partial double-strand denaturation is induced at low concentrations of the calixarene, resulting in compaction of the ct-DNA. However, interaction between calixarene molecules themselves takes place at high calixarene concentrations, favoring the decompaction of the polynucleotide. Based on cytotoxicity studies, the calixarene macrocycle investigated has the potential to be used as a nanovehicle and improve the therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological agents against tumors

Ghrelin treatment induces rapid and delayed increments of food intake : A heuristic model to explain ghrelin's orexigenic effects

Ghrelin is a stomach-derived peptide hormone with salient roles in the regulation of energy balance and metabolism. Notably, ghrelin is recognized as the most powerful known circulating orexigenic hormone. Here, we systematically investigated the effects of ghrelin on energy homeostasis and found that ghrelin primarily induces a biphasic effect on food intake that has indirect consequences on energy expenditure and nutrient partitioning. We also found that ghrelin-induced biphasic effect on food intake requires the integrity of Agouti-related peptide/neuropeptide Y-producing neurons of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, which seem to display a long-lasting activation after a single systemic injection of ghrelin. Finally, we found that different autonomic, hormonal and metabolic satiation signals transiently counteract ghrelin-induced food intake. Based on our observations, we propose a heuristic model to describe how the orexigenic effect of ghrelin and the anorectic food intake-induced rebound sculpt a timely constrain feeding response to ghrelin.Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celula

Ghrelin receptor signaling targets segregated clusters of neurons within the nucleus of the solitary tract

Ghrelin is a stomach-derived hormone that regulates a variety of biological functions such as food intake, gastrointestinal function and blood glucose metabolism, among others. Ghrelin acts via the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), a G-protein-coupled receptor located in key brain areas that mediate specific actions of the hormone. GHSR is highly expressed in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), which is located in the medulla oblongata and controls essential functions, including orofacial, autonomic, neuroendocrine and behavioral responses. Here, we used a mouse model, in which the expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) is controlled by the promoter of GHSR (GHSR-eGFP mice), to gain neuroanatomical and functional insights of the GHSR-expressing neurons of the NTS. We found that GHSR-expressing neurons of the NTS are segregated in clusters that were symmetrically distributed to the midline: (1) a pair of rostral clusters, and (2) a caudal and medially located cluster. We also identified that a subset of GHSR neurons of the caudal NTS are GABAergic. Finally, we found that rostral NTS GHSR neurons increase the levels of the marker of neuronal activation c-Fos in mice exposed to fasting/refeeding or high-fat diet bingeing protocols, while caudal NTS GHSR neurons increase the levels of c-Fos in mice exposed to gastric distension or LiCl-induced malaise protocols. Thus, current data provide evidence that ghrelin receptor signaling seems to target segregated clusters of neurons within the NTS that, in turn, may be activated by different stimuli.Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología CelularFacultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Increased quality of life in patients with breakthrough cancer pain after individualized therapy : the CAVIDIOM study

Aim: To evaluate the quality of life (QoL) in patients with breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP) in Spanish medical oncology departments. Patients & methods: In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, we assessed QoL using the EQ-5D-5L instrument at baseline and after 15 and 30 days of individualized BTcP therapy, as well as BTcP characteristics and treatment. Results: Patients (n = 118) were mainly women, over 64 years old and with advanced cancer. QoL improved at 15 (p = 0.013) and 30 days (p = 0.011) versus baseline. Individualized BTcP therapy consisted mostly of rapid-onset opioids (transmucosal fentanyl at doses of 67-800 μg) according to the physician evaluation. BTcP improved, including statistically significant reductions in intensity, duration, number of episodes in the last 24 h and time to onset of BTcP relief. Conclusion: QoL increased after individualized pain therapy in patients with advanced cancer and BTcP in medical oncology departments. Keywords: breakthrough cancer pain; medical oncology; quality of life; rapid-onset opioids; transmucosal fentanyl

Circulating ghrelin acts on GABA neurons of the area postrema and mediates gastric emptying in male mice

Ghrelin is known to act on the area postrema (AP), a sensory circumventricular organ located in the medulla oblongata that regulates a variety of important physiological functions. However, the neuronal targets of ghrelin in the AP and their potential role are currently unknown. In this study, we used wild-type and genetically modified mice to gain insights into the neurons of the AP expressing the ghrelin receptor [growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR)] and their role. We show that circulating ghrelin mainly accesses the AP but not to the adjacent nucleus of the solitary tract. Also, we show that both peripheral administration of ghrelin and fasting induce an increase of c-Fos, a marker of neuronal activation, in GHSR-expressing neurons of the AP, and that GHSR expression is necessary for the fasting-induced activation of AP neurons. Additionally, we show that ghrelin-sensitive neurons of the AP are mainly γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic, and that an intact AP is required for ghrelin-induced gastric emptying. Overall, we show that the capacity of circulating ghrelin to acutely induce gastric emptying in mice requires the integrity of the AP, which contains a population of GABA neurons that are a target of plasma ghrelin.Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología CelularFacultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

Active Gains in brain Using Exercise During Aging (AGUEDA): protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Alzheimer’s disease is currently the leading cause of dementia and one of the most expensive, lethal and severe diseases worldwide. Age-related decline in executive function is widespread and plays a key role in subsequent dementia risk. Physical exercise has been proposed as one of the leading non-pharmaceutical approaches to improve executive function and ameliorate cognitive decline. This single-site, two-arm, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) will include 90 cognitively normal older adults, aged 65–80 years old. Participants will be randomized to a 24-week resistance exercise program (3 sessions/week, 60 min/session, n = 45), or a wait-list control group (n = 45) which will be asked to maintain their usual lifestyle. All study outcomes will be assessed at baseline and at 24-weeks after the exercise program, with a subset of selected outcomes assessed at 12-weeks. The primary outcome will be indicated by the change in an executive function composite score assessed with a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery. Secondary outcomes will include changes in brain structure and function and amyloid deposition, other cognitive outcomes, and changes in molecular biomarkers assessed in blood, saliva, and fecal samples, physical function, muscular strength, body composition, mental health, and psychosocial parameters. We expect that the resistance exercise program will have positive effects on executive function and related brain structure and function, and will help to understand the molecular, structural, functional, and psychosocial mechanisms involved