Propiedades, beneficios y efectos de la guanábana (Annona muricata L.) sobre la glucemia y el cáncer.

Soursop (Annona muricata L.) is a fruit that has presented various benefits to human health. Different parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine to reduce inflammation, fever, cough, and asthma. The fruit promotes some antihyperglycemic and weight loss activity in the body; additionally, it has been used as an anticancer remedy. Due to all of the above, this work aimed to review and analyze different results of experimental research conducted with different parts of the soursop, considering its glycemic activity and its antitumor effect, for a possible future application. Several articles, journals, and books from virtual servers which contained the characteristics requested for the topic in question were reviewed to prepare this paper. The results showed the presence of certain components such as tannins, flavonoids, catechins, quercetins, and polyphenols. Among the active principles most present in soursop are the annonaceous acetogenins; these natural phytochemicals produced in the tree’s roots, bark, stems, and leaves, as well as in the fruit’s seeds, have demonstrated diverse beneficial effects. Leaves, fruits, roots, and seeds have been regarded as components with anti-diabetic effects; some research showed that the daily administration of leaf extract in rats decreased blood levels of glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol; other studies administered an extract of soursop with ginger for thirty days, showing a decrease in liver damage caused by diabetes mellitus. The acetogenins present in soursop have been studied for their antitumor activity since these compounds can selectively inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The fruit's polyphenols have demonstrated antioxidant effects, which could have co-adjuvants effects in cancer treatments. Despite the benefits, caution should be exercised if ingested in large quantities and for prolonged periods due to potentially adverse effects.La guanábana (Annona muricata L) es un fruto que ha presentado diferentes beneficios a la salud humana. Se han empleado diversas porciones de la planta en medicina tradicional para disminución de inflamación, fiebre, tos y asma. El fruto promueve cierta actividad antihiperglucemiante y adelgazante en el organismo; adicionalmente se ha empleado como remedio anticancerígeno. Debido a lo anterior, el objetivo de este trabajo fue revisar y analizar diversos resultados de investigaciones experimentales realizadas con diferentes partes de la guanábana, para considerar su actividad glucémica y su efecto antitumoral para una posible aplicación a futuro. Para desarrollar el presente trabajo, se revisaron diversos artículos, revistas y libros de servidores virtuales que contenían las características solicitadas para el tema tratado. Los resultados demostraron la presencia de ciertos componentes como taninos, flavonoides, catequinas, quercetinas y polifenoles. Entre los principios activos mayormente presentes en la guanábana están las acetogeninas anonáceas; estos fitoquímicos naturales producidos en las raíces, corteza, tallos y hojas del árbol, así como en las semillas de los frutos, se ha demostrado diversos efectos benéficos. Hojas, frutos, raíces y semillas, han sido considerados componentes con efectos antidiabéticos; ciertas investigaciones demostraron que la administración diaria de extracto de hojas en ratas disminuyó los niveles sanguíneos de glucosa, triglicéridos y colesterol; otros estudios suministraron por treinta días un extracto de guanábana con jengibre, con una disminución en el daño hepático causado por diabetes mellitus. Las acetogeninas presentes en la guanábana, han sido estudiadas por su actividad antitumoral ya que estos compuestos pueden inhibir selectivamente el crecimiento de las células cancerígenas. Los polifenoles del fruto demostraron efecto antioxidante, los cuales pudieran presentar efectos coadyuvantes con los tratamientos contra el cáncer. A pesar de los beneficios, se debe tener precaución en caso de ingerirse en grandes cantidades y por períodos prolongados debido a potenciales efectos adversos

Propuesta de supply chain management y logística para la empresa biocombustibles sostenibles del caribe S.A. (BioSC SA)

N/ALa presente propuesta fue desarrollada por el Grupo 5 del curso Diplomado de Profundización en Supply Chain Management y Logística O.G. 1601 de 2021, de la Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia UNAD, para la empresa Biocombustible Sostenible del Caribe S.A. BIOSC, en el objetivo de consolidar conocimientos adquiridos. Biocombustible Sostenible del Caribe S.A. BIOSC, es una empresa productora de biodiesel a partir del aceite de palma, ubicada en la ciudad de Santa Marta, con el propósito de realizar un suministro energético empleando fuentes renovables, teniendo en cuenta que las reservas energéticas del país cada día serán más escasas. Por su privilegiada ubicación, BIOSC cuenta con la posibilidad y capacidad de exportar a través de los puertos de Santa Marta y Barranquilla hacia los mercados internacionales. Cuenta además el grupo empresarial con facilidades portuarias propias para realizar exportaciones. El propósito y los objetivos del proyecto son establecer características y conceptos del proceso de la gestión de la cadena de suministro y logística que realiza la empresa BioSC SA, en la actualidad a fin de identificar la disminución de costos en cuanto la gestión de inventarios, de almacenes y de transportes, dentro de sus centros operativos para la elaboración de productos finales y de oferta en el mercado comercial. En esta iniciativa, el documento estructurado en trece apartes, permiten hilar el avance del estudio, donde en el primero se presenta los objetivos del trabajo, en concordancia con la integración de la propuesta en la estructura organizativa de la empresa Biocombustibles Sostenibles del Caribe S.A. Se puede establecer que, en los aspectos metodológicos y teóricos, en torno al desarrollo de la Propuesta de Supply Chain Management y Logística, aplicado en contextos reales donde se ubica y ejecutan sus procesos, es un compendio de acercamiento a métodos más efectivos de recopilación y análisis de los datos, que contribuyan a resolver dificultades presentes la Empresa Biocombustibles Sostenibles del Caribe S.A. (BioSC SA), objeto de estudio. De inicio, la gran complejidad de la compañía, tanto organizacionales, como productivas y de relaciones de trabajo, hizo posible a partir de la información sobre sus procesos, identificar algunas falencias en algunos de sus procedimientos, donde se planteó propuestas de mejoramiento e implementación de estrategias innovadoras, que estimulan al cambio y a la mejora continua. Se revisaron características y conceptos del proceso de la gestión de la cadena de suministro y logística que realiza la empresa BioSC SA, en donde se propone disminución de costos para la gestión de inventarios, de almacenes y de transportes, dentro de sus centros operativos para la elaboración de productos finales y de oferta en el mercado comercial. A este conjunto de factores críticos que pueden suceder en empresas de producción de combustibles, se suma la gran cantidad de agente internos y externos, que participan en el proceso productivo con distintas responsabilidades para conseguir los objetivos productivos, de transporte, de clima laboral, preventivos, de seguridad, que hace se confundan las actuaciones al interior de la empresa o en una actividad específica, sin embargo, actividad empresarial económica, social, y ambiental no está sola o apartada, sino que es una configuración grande que es parte de una ciudad y una región, que presta desarrollo al país en actividad logística y de conservación de las cadenas de suministro en productividad y competitividad a nivel mundial. Los resultados obtenidos permitirán mejorar el proceso de integración en el SCM y logística de la Empresa Biocombustibles Sostenibles del Caribe S.A.This research was done at Biocombustible Sostenible del Caribe S.A. BIOSC, and was written by Group number 5 of the Graduated in Supply Chain Management and Logistics O.G. 1601, 2021 from Universidad Nacional Abierta y a Distancia UNAD. The purpose of this study was to gain deeper knowledge. Biocombustible Sostenible del Caribe S.A. is a producer of biodiesel from palm oil. It aims to supply sustainable energy from renewable energy sources, considering the dwindling energy reserves of Colombia. Located in Santa Marta, Colombia, BIOSC S.A. has a privileged position that allows exporting to international markets through the ports of Santa Marta and Barranquilla. The company also has its port facilities. The research objectives are to establish characteristics and concepts of supply chain management and logistics process carried out by BIOSC S.A. to identify opportunities to reduce production costs in terms of inventory, warehouse, and transport management in producing final outputs and its commercial offer. The document has thirteen sections. The first section presents the research’s objectives in line with the proposed organizational structure of Biocombustible Sostenible del Caribe S.A. The methodological and theoretical aspects applied in real contexts during the research of supply chain management and logistics process were a compendium of data collection and analysis methods that contributed to present solutions to difficulties identified at Biocombustibles Sostenibles del Caribe S.A. As a result of the data analysis on BIOSC S.A. production processes, it was possible to identify some of the shortfalls in its organization, productions process, and working relationships. In this regard, are presented proposals and strategies concerning the improvement of shortfalls to stimulate change and continuous improvement. Characteristics and concepts of the supply chain and logistics management process carried out by Biocombustibles Sostenibles del Caribe S.A. were reviewed. As a result, it is proposed to reduce at operational centers the cost for the management of inventories, warehouses, and transport of final outputs and its commercial offer. To the set of critical factors identified in fuel production of BIOSC S.A., is it necessary to consider the large number of internal and external agents who participate in the production process, and the accountabilities they have on the productive objectives in terms of transport, work environment, or safety. It is necessary to identify and differentiate them because they can be confused with factors within the company. Economic activity in business is part of a large web of aspects such as the economic, social, or environmental configuration of a city or region. A company like BIOSC S.A aids the development of a country through the logistics activity and conservation of supply chains improving productivity and competitiveness. The results obtained and presented in this research will help to improve Supply Chain Management and Logistics of Biocombustibles Sostenibles del Caribe S.A

Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Diminishing benefits of urban living for children and adolescents’ growth and development

Optimal growth and development in childhood and adolescence is crucial for lifelong health and well-being1–6. Here we used data from 2,325 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight from 71 million participants, to report the height and body-mass index (BMI) of children and adolescents aged 5–19 years on the basis of rural and urban place of residence in 200 countries and territories from 1990 to 2020. In 1990, children and adolescents residing in cities were taller than their rural counterparts in all but a few high-income countries. By 2020, the urban height advantage became smaller in most countries, and in many high-income western countries it reversed into a small urban-based disadvantage. The exception was for boys in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in some countries in Oceania, south Asia and the region of central Asia, Middle East and north Africa. In these countries, successive cohorts of boys from rural places either did not gain height or possibly became shorter, and hence fell further behind their urban peers. The difference between the age-standardized mean BMI of children in urban and rural areas was <1.1 kg m–2 in the vast majority of countries. Within this small range, BMI increased slightly more in cities than in rural areas, except in south Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and some countries in central and eastern Europe. Our results show that in much of the world, the growth and developmental advantages of living in cities have diminished in the twenty-first century, whereas in much of sub-Saharan Africa they have amplified