Evaluación exploratoria del cultivo de la caña de azúcar (Saccharum spp.): Enfoque del paisaje del desempeño

Objective: Perform an exploratory analysis of sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) cultivation (CCA) through a performance landscape (PD) approach including an analytical description of the food balance sheet and performance indicators. Design/methodology/approach: Three main dataset were constructed by using different statistic information systems, including eight performance variables-production, exports, imports, consumption per capita, acreage, production value, yield, farm-gate price, revenue per hectare on SCC, sugar products and 82 perennial crops (PC). Analytical description was based on municipality scale and temporal series (2003-2017). PL focused on the assessment of percentage proportion between SCC and PC, considering acreage and production value. Results: Mexican consumption of sugar equivalent was decreasing in spite of its high consumption value (37.5 kg person-1 y-1). For 15 years, production of SCC and its acreage have gradually increased. Since farm gate prices showed a real increment (34%), production value and revenue per hectare (MX55676 ha-1) also revealed growth. In contrast, yield (84 Mg ha-1) stagnated (5%). PL assessment identified 94 municipalities where SCC dominates acreage and production value. Limitations on study/implications: Descriptive analysis is powerful to characterize systems and shed light on improving understanding on the identification of driving factors, selecting a core dataset to measure their impacts and seeking for causality relationships. Findings/conclusions: The integration of different information sources clarify the interrelations between economic, social and environmental themes, particularly in agriculture.Objetivo: Realizar un análisis exploratorio del cultivo de la caña de azúcar (CCA) mediante un enfoque de paisaje del desempeño (PD) incluyendo una descripción analítica de hoja balance alimentaria e indicadores de desempeño. Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Tres tablas de datos fueron construidas usando diferentes sistemas de información estadística (SIE) e incluyendo ocho variables –producción, exportaciones, importaciones, consumo per cápita, superficie, valor de la producción (VP), precio pagado al productor (PP) e ingreso unitario sobre el CCA, productos de azúcar y 82 cultivos perennes (SPAP). La descripción analítica fue basada a nivel municipal y una serie temporal (2003-2017). A través del PD, se evaluó el porcentaje de proporción entre el CCA y los SPAP, considerando superficie y el VP. Resultados: El consumo de azúcar equivalente está disminuyendo (37.5 kg persona-1 año-1). Las exportaciones incrementaron y representaron 40% de la producción; las importaciones crecieron moderadamente, pero existe suficiencia alimentaria. Por 15 años, la producción y superficie del CCA ha crecido gradualmente. Los PP mostraron un crecimiento real (34%), en consecuencia, también el VP y el ingreso unitario ($ 55,676 ha-1). En contraste, el rendimiento (84 Mg ha-1) está estancado (5%). La evaluación del PD identificó 94 municipios donde el CCA domina superficie y VP. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: El análisis descriptivo es una herramienta útil para caracterizar sistemas y proporciona mayor claridad sobre la identificación de factores de cambio, selección de datos centrales, así como de facilitar la búsqueda de relaciones causales. Este tipo de estudios, aporta información a temas económicos de gran visión. sin embargo; en lo social, se carece de relaciones vinculantes entre productores e instituciones que concentran los datos, además de que no contiene información ambiental (clima, suelo, etc.) y de manejo agronómico del cultivo de la caña de azúcar en cada estado de la república mexicana. Hallazgos/conclusiones: La integración de diferentes SIE clarifica las interrelaciones entre los temas económicos, particularmente en agricultur

Non-destructive evaluation of carcass and ham traits and meat quality assessment applied to early and late immunocastrated Iberian pigs

Castration is a common practice in Iberian pigs due to their advanced age and high weight at slaughter. Immunocastration (IC) is an alternative to surgical castration that influences carcass and cut fatness. These traits need to be evaluated in vivo and postmortem. The aims of the present work were (a) to determine the relationship between ham composition measured with computed tomography (CT) and in vivo ultrasound (US) and carcass fat thickness measurements, (b) to apply these technologies to early (EIP) and late (LIP) immunocastrated Iberian pigs in order to evaluate carcass fatness and ham tissue composition and (c) to assess meat quality on these animals and to find the relationships between meat quality traits (namely, intramuscular fat (IMF)) and fat depot thicknesses. For this purpose, 20 purebred Iberian pigs were immunocastrated with three doses of Improvac (R), at either 4.5, 5.5 and 9 or 11, 12 and 14 months of age (EIP or LIP; respectively; n = 10 each) and slaughtered at 17 months of age. Fat depots were evaluated in vivo by US, in carcass with a ruler and in hams by CT. Carcass and cut yields, loin meat quality and loin acceptability by consumers were determined. Also, IMF was determined in the loin and three muscles of the ham. Carcass weight was 14.9 kg heavier in EIP vs LIP, and loin backfat thickness (US- and ruler-measured) was also greater in EIP. Similarly, CT-evaluated ham bone and fat contents were greater and smaller for EIP vs LIP, respectively. Loin and ham IMF were also greater in EIP, but the other meat quality parameters were similar. The acceptability of meat by consumers was high and it did not differ between IC protocols. Correlations between several fat depots measured with the different technologies were high. In conclusion, all these technologies allowed fat depot measurements, which were highly correlated despite being obtained at different anatomical locations. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of The Animal Consortium

«Oberexia»: The desire to be fat(ter) in adults with excess weight

Introduction: Despite of being scarce, evidence is growing on the existence of a group of overweight and obese individuals who do not consider their weight a risk factor for disease and who associate their weight and body with health, vigor, beauty and well-being. Consequently, they manifest a desire to maintain or even increase their weight. We propose an attempt of nomenclature, Oberexia, for this new social reality, and we describe its main characteristics and present empirical observational findings supporting the existence of this condition. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence and characteristics of Oberexia in a national sample of Spanish 16 to 60-years-old adults. Methodology: Perceptions of body weight/size/shape and composition, and body satisfaction were assessed in overweight and obese adults through silhouettes, questions and discrepancies. Results: One in ten of the participants self-perceived their body as normal in weight or size. A total of 6.5% wanted to have overweight or obese bodies. A case-to-case analysis revealed that 4.2% of the participants wanted to maintain their appearance, and 1.8% wanted a body with greater weight. All these findings are related to fat mass instead of muscle mass. Conclusions: Our results support the existence of a subgroup of overweight and obese individuals who differ from the traditional subgroup of individuals with excess weight who are dissatisfied with their body. We encourage to explore the outcomes on health and the possible clinical implications of this condition.Introducción: Aunque escasa, existe evidencia creciente sobre la existencia de un grupo de personas con sobrepeso y obesidad que no consideran su exceso de peso un factor de riesgo para la enfermedad y asocian su peso y su cuerpo con salud, vigor, belleza y bienestar. Como consecuencia, manifiestan el deseo mantener o incluso incrementar su peso. Realizamos una propuesta de nomenclatura para esta realidad social, Oberexia, describimos sus principales características y presentamos resultados empíricos observacionales que apoyan la existencia de esta condición. Objetivo: Nuestro objetivo fue explorar la prevalencia y características de la Oberexia en una muestra nacional de adultos españoles de 16 a 60 años. Metodología: Las percepciones de peso/tamaño/forma y composición corporal de personas con sobrepeso y obesidad y su satisfacción corporal fueron evaluadas utilizando siluetas, preguntas y discrepancias. Resultados: Uno de cada diez participantes percibió su cuerpo como normal en términos de peso y tamaño. Un 6.5% de los participantes con exceso de peso quería tener cuerpos con sobrepeso u obesidad. Un análisis caso-a-caso reveló que el 4.2% de los participantes deseaba mantener su apariencia, y el 1.8% deseaba aumentar de peso. Un 3% de los participantes podrían ser casos de Oberexia. Estos hallazgos se refieren a masa grasa y no a masa muscular. Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados apoyan la existencia de un subgrupo de personas con exceso de peso que difieren del tradicional subgrupo de individuos obesos que se encuentran insatisfechos con su cuerpo. Es momento de explorar las consecuencias para la salud de la Oberexia y las posibles implicaciones clínicas de esta condición.Introdução: Apesar de escassas, crescem as evidências sobre a existência de um grupo de pessoas com sobrepeso e obesidade que não consideram o excesso de peso um fator de risco para a doença e associam seu peso e corpo com saúde, vigor, beleza e bem-estar. Consequentemente, eles manifestam o desejo de manter ou mesmo aumentar seu peso. Fizemos uma proposta de nomenclatura para essa realidade social, Oberexia, descrevemos suas principais características e apresentamos resultados empíricos observacionais que sustentam a existência dessa condição. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi explorar a prevalência e as características de Oberexia em uma amostra nacional de adultos espanhóis de 16 a 60 anos. Metodologia: As percepções de peso/tamanho/forma e composição corporal de pessoas com sobrepeso e obesidade e sua satisfação corporal foram avaliadas por meio de silhuetas, perguntas e discrepâncias. Resultados: Um em cada dez participantes percebeu seu corpo como normal em termos de peso ou tamanho. Um 6.5% dos participantes com excesso de peso desejava ter corpos com sobrepeso ou obesidade. Uma análise caso-a-caso revelou que 4.2% dos participantes queriam manter a aparência e 1.8% desejavam ganhar peso. Un 3% dos participantes poderia ser casos de Oberexia. Todos esses achados referem-se à massa gorda e não à massa muscular. Conclusões: Nossos resultados confirmam a existência de um subgrupo de indivíduos com sobrepeso e obesidade que diferem do subgrupo tradicional de indivíduos com excesso de peso insatisfeitos com seu corpo. É momento de explorar as consequências para a saúde de a Oberexia e as possíveis implicações clínicas dessa condição

Grain quality as Influenced by the structural properties of weed communities in Mediterranean wheat crops

Weed community structure, including composition, taxonomic and functional diversity, may explain variability in crop quality, adding to the variability accounted by management, climatic and genetic factors. Focusing on Mediterranean rainfed wheat crops, we sampled weed communities from 26 fields in Spain that were either organically or conventionally managed. Weed communities were characterized by their abundance and taxonomic, compositional and trait-based measures. Grain protein concentration and the glutenin to gliadin ratio were used as indicators of wheat grain quality. Linear mixed effects models were used to analyze the relationship between crop quality and weed community variables, while accounting for environmental factors. Nitrogen fertilization, previous crop and precipitation explained a large portion of the variation in wheat grain protein concentration (R2marginal = 0.39) and composition (R2marginal = 0.26). Weed community measures had limited effects on grain quality (increasing R2marginal of models by 1% on average). The weed effects were related to the composition and the functional structure of their communities, but not to their abundance. Environmental conditions promoting higher protein concentration were also selecting for weed species with competitive attributes, whereas the role of weed functional diversity depended on the functional trait and on the resource limiting crop grain quality. Understanding the mechanisms of weed effects on crop quality could aid on designing sustainable weed management practices.This research was supported by grants AGL2012-33736 and AGL2015-64130-R funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”. D.J.G. was partially supported by the United States National Science Foundation (DUE 1758497 and DUE 1949969)Postprint (published version

CRISPR/Cas9-generated models uncover therapeutic vulnerabilities of del(11q) CLL cells to dual BCR and PARP inhibition

[EN]The deletion of 11q (del(11q)) invariably comprises ATM gene in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Concomitant mutations in this gene in the remaining allele have been identified in 1/3 of CLL cases harboring del(11q), being the biallelic loss of ATM associated with adverse prognosis. Although the introduction of targeted BCR inhibition has significantly favored the outcomes of del(11q) patients, responses of patients harboring ATM functional loss through biallelic inactivation are unexplored, and the development of resistances to targeted therapies have been increasingly reported, urging the need to explore novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we generated isogenic CLL cell lines harboring del(11q) and ATM mutations through CRISPR/Cas9-based gene-editing. With these models, we uncovered a novel therapeutic vulnerability of del(11q)/ATM-mutated cells to dual BCR and PARP inhibition. Ex vivo studies in the presence of stromal stimulation on 38 CLL primary samples confirmed a synergistic action of the combination of olaparib and ibrutinib in del(11q)/ATM-mutated CLL patients. In addition, we showed that ibrutinib produced a homologous recombination repair impairment through RAD51 dysregulation, finding a synergistic link of both drugs in the DNA damage repair pathway. Our data provide a preclinical rationale for the use of this combination in CLL patients with this high-risk cytogenetic abnormality

Glucose levels as a mediator of the detrimental effect of abdominal obesity on relative handgrip strength in older adults

Excess central adiposity accelerates the decline of muscle strength in older people. Additionally, hyperglycemia, independent of associated comorbidities, is related to the loss of muscle mass and strength, and contributes to functional impairment in older adults. We studied the mediation effect of glucose levels, in the relationship between abdominal obesity and relative handgrip strength (HGS). A total of 1571 participants (60.0% women, mean age 69.1 ± 7.0 years) from 86 municipalities were selected following a multistage area probability sampling design. Measurements included demographic and anthropometric/adiposity markers (weight, height, body mass index, and waist circumference). HGS was measured using a digital dynamometer for three sets and the mean value was recorded. The values were normalized to body weight (relative HGS). Fasting glucose was analyzed by enzymatic colorimetric methods. Mediation analyses were performed to identify associations between the independent variable (abdominal obesity) and outcomes (relative HGS), as well as to determine whether fasting glucose levels mediated the relationship between excess adiposity and relative HGS. A total of 1239 (78.8%) had abdominal obesity. Abdominal obesity had a negative effect on fasting glucose (β = 9.04, 95%CI = 5.87 to 12.21); while fasting glucose to relative HGS was inversely related (β = −0.003, 95%CI = −0.005 to −0.001), p < 0.001. The direct effect of abdominal obesity on relative HGS was statistically significant (β = −0.069, 95%CI = −0.082 to −0.057), p < 0.001. Lastly, fasting glucose levels mediates the detrimental effect of abdominal obesity on relative HGS (indirect effect β = −0.002, 95%CI = −0.004 to −0.001), p < 0.001. Our results suggest that the glucose level could worsen the association between abdominal obesity status and lower HGS. Thus, it is plausible to consider fasting glucose levels when assessing older adults with excess adiposity and/or suspected loss of muscle mass

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with IGH translocations are characterized by a distinct genetic landscape with prognostic implications

Chromosome 14q32 rearrangements/translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) are rarely detected in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The prognostic significance of the IGH translocation is controversial and its mutational profile remains unknown. Here, we present for the first time a comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of 46 CLL patients with IGH rearrangement (IGHR-CLLs) and we demonstrate that IGHR-CLLs have a distinct mutational profile with recurrent mutations in NOTCH1, IGLL5, POT1, BCL2, FBXW7, ZMYM3, MGA, BRAF and HIST1H1E genes. Interestingly, BCL2 and FBXW7 mutations were significantly associated with this subgroup and almost half of BCL2, IGLL5 and HISTH1E mutations reported were previously identified in non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Notably, IGH/BCL2 rearrangements were associated with a lower mutation frequency and carried BCL2 and IGLL5 mutations, while the other IGHR-CLLs had mutations in genes related to poor prognosis (NOTCH1, SF3B1 and TP53) and shorter time to first treatment (TFT). Moreover, IGHR-CLLs patients showed a shorter TFT than CLL patients carrying 13q-, normal fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and +12 CLL, being this prognosis particularly poor when NOTCH1, SF3B1, TP53, BIRC3 and BRAF were also mutated. The presence of these mutations not only was an independent risk factor within IGHR-CLLs, but also refined the prognosis of low-risk cytogenetic patients (13q-/normal FISH). Hence, our study demonstrates that IGHR-CLLs have a distinct mutational profile from the majority of CLLs and highlights the relevance of incorporating NGS and the status of IGH by FISH analysis to refine the risk-stratification CLL model

Analysis of remarkable bolides observed between June and July 2022 in the framework of the Southwestern EuropeMeteor Network

Some of the bright bolides spotted in the framework of the Southwestern Europe Meteor Network from June to July 2022 are discussed here. These were observed from Spain. Their absolute magnitude ranges from –6 to –11. Fireballs included in this work were generated by different sources: the sporadic background, major meteoroid streams, and poorly known streams.Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (project PID2019-105797GB-I00). State Agency for Research of the Spanish MCIU through the “Center of Excellence Severo Ochoa” award to the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (SEV-2017-0709). Spanish grant AYA - RTI2018 – 098657 – J - I00 “LEO-SBNAF” (MCIU / AEI / FEDER, UE)

Obtención, evaluación y manipulación del semen de verraco en una unidad de producción mexicana

Córdova Izquierdo, A.; Pérez Gutiérrez, J.F.; Méndez Hernández, W.; Villa Mancera, A.E.; Huerta Crispín, R.: Obtención, evaluación y manipulación del semen de verraco en una unidad de producción mexicana. Rev. vet. 26: 1, 69-74, 201

Tratamiento doble con calcifediol asociado aparicalcitol y biomarcadores de riesgo cardiovascularen hemodiálisis

Introducción: El déficit de 25-hidroxivitamina D (25OHD) asociado a un hiperparatiroidismo secundario son hallazgos frecuentes en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) en hemodiálisis (HD). Estos hechos se asocian con un incremento de la morbimortalidad de origen cardiovascular (CV). Niveles séricos adecuados de 25OHD, así como el uso de activadores selectivos del receptor de vitamina D (AsRVD), han demostrado tener efectos beneficiosos sobre el metabolismo óseo-mineral y el riesgo CV de manera independiente. Actualmente aún existe controversia respecto al tipo de suplementación que precisan los pacientes con ERC en HD. Objetivo: El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue evaluar si existe beneficio alguno en el tratamiento combinado de 25OHD, calcifediol oral y AsRVD, paricalcitol oral sobre el metabolismo óseo-mineral y marcadores inflamatorios, respecto al tratamiento único con cada uno de ellos, en un grupo de pacientes de HD. Material y métodos: Realizamos un estudio prospectivo de 6 meses de duración sobre 26 pacientes de nuestra unidad en HD. Aleatorizamos a los pacientes en dos grupos; el grupo 1 (G1) recibió tratamiento con paricalcitol oral a dosis de 1 ?g/día. El grupo 2 (G2) fue tratado con calcifediol 1 ampolla/sem (0,266 mg/sem = 16.000 U) por vía oral. Trascurridos 3 meses de tratamiento, al G1 se le añadió calcifediol y al G2, paricalcitol a las mismas dosis, manteniendo dichos tratamientos durante 3 meses más, hasta completar los 6 meses de seguimiento. Las determinaciones analíticas se llevaron a cabo en los meses 0, 3 y 6, midiéndose en todos los pacientes los marcadores séricos de 25OHD, calcio, fósforo y hormona paratiroidea (PTH); como marcadores de remodelado óseo se midió la fosfatasa alcalina, propéptido aminoterminal del procolágeno tipo 1 (Pinp1) y el telopéptido carboxilo-terminal del colágeno tipo I (Cross Laps); marcadores inflamatorios (interleuquina 8 [IL-8]). Asimismo se recogieron datos de niveles de insulina, glucosa, hemoglobina, agentes eritropoyéticos (AEE) e índices de resistencia a la eritropoyetina y HOMA (homeostasis model assessment). Resultados: Se detecta un déficit de 25OHD en todos los pacientes a estudio, con una media de 13,67 ± 4,81 ng/ml. La suplementación con calcifediol oral aislado corrige este déficit sin evidencia de toxicidad (35,36 ± 33,68 ng/ml en el G1 a los 6 meses y 59,21 ± 26,50 ng/ml en el G2 a los 3 meses). El tratamiento con paricalcitol reduce de forma significativa los niveles de PTH en el G1 a los 3 meses (p < 0,039) no observándose esta significación, aunque sí descenso de la PTH, en el G2 tras su introducción a partir del tercer mes. Asimismo, observamos una disminución del marcador óseo Pinp1, con paricalcitol sin otros cambios, apuntando a un posible efecto directo sobre las células óseas (p < 0,001). Tanto el tratamiento con calcifediol como con paricalcitol producen una significativa disminución en los niveles de IL-8 (p < 0,001), conocido marcador inflamatorio, llamando la atención una tendencia a mejor respuesta a los AEE, en posible relación con este descenso de la inflamación. El índice HOMA no cambió de forma significativa. Conclusión: Con nuestros resultados, no podemos concluir que la asociación calcifediol-paricalcitol produzca ventajas sobre el efecto de cada uno de ellos por separado en los marcadores medidos. Paricalcitol además, por sí solo, parece tener efecto directo sobre la remodelación ósea.Background:The deficit of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD)associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is afrequent finding in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patientson haemodialysis (HD). These events are associated withincreased morbidity and mortality rates of cardiovascular(CV) origin. Adequate 25OHD serum levels as well as theuse of selective vitamin D receptor activators (VDRA) havebeen shown to have beneficial and independent effects onbone mineral metabolism and cardiovascular risk.Currently, there is still controversy regarding the type ofsupplementation needed by CKD patients on HD.Objective:The aim of our study was to evaluate whetherthere is a benefit of combination therapy with 25OHD,calcifediol and a VDRA, oral paricalcitol, on bone-mineralmetabolism and inflammatory markers, compared tosingle treatment with each of these in a group of patientson HD.Material and method:We performed aprospective study of 6 months, involving 26 patients in ourHD unit. We randomised patients into two groups: group1 (G1) received oral paricalcitol treatment at doses of1mcg/day. Group 2 (G2) was treated with 1 ampoulecalcifediol/wk (0.266mg/wk=16 000U) orally. After 3months of treatment, calcifediol and paricalcitol wereadded to the G1 and G2 respectively at the same doses,keeping these treatments together for 3 months tocomplete the 6 months of follow-up. Laboratory tests were performed at months 0, 3 and 6, measuring in allpatients serum markers of 25OHD, calcium (Ca),phosphorus (P) and PTH. Bone turnover markers measuredwere: alkaline phosphatase (AP), aminoterminalpropeptide of procollagen type 1 (Pinp1) and carboxyl-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CrossLaps), andinflammatory markers: IL-8. We also collected data onlevels of insulin, glucose, haemoglobin, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and rates of resistance to EPOand HOMA (homeostasis model assessment).Results:Wedetected a deficit of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in all patientsstudied, with a mean of 13.67±4.81ng/ml.Supplementation with oral calcifediol significantlycorrects this deficit without evidence of toxicity(35.36±33.68ng/ml in G1 at 6 months and59.21±26.50ng/ml in G2 at 3 months). Paricalcitoltreatment significantly reduces PTH levels in G1 at 3months (P<.039). We also noted a decrease in bone markerPinp1 with paricalcitol, pointing to a possible direct effecton bone cells (P<.001). Both treatment with paricalcitoland with calcifediol produced a significant decrease inlevels of IL-8 (P<.001), a known inflammatory marker,drawing attention to a trend towards better response toerythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), possibly relatedto the decrease in inflammation. The HOMA index did notchange significantly.Conclusion:Based on our results, wecannot conclude that the association of calcifediol andparicalcitol produces advantages over the effect of eachdrug separately. In addition, Paricalcitol by itself appearsto have a direct effect on cellular bone remodelling