Beneficios de los bosques de guadua como una aproximación a la valoración de servicios ecosistémicos desde la “Jerarquización y Calificación”

Los bosques de guadua en la región cafetera de Colombia han sido durante décadas una fuente de beneficios para los productores rurales, debido a las posibilidades de obtención de materia prima para diferentes usos. Estos bosques han sido sometidos a una fuerte fragmentación y los remanentes existentes representan la decisión de los productores de mantenerlos como ecosistemas que proveen beneficios. Con el propósito de realizar una aproximación a la valoración de estos servicios, desde la dimensión sociocultural se utilizó la herramienta de análisis multicriterio conocida como “Jerarquización y Calificación” para determinar la percepción de productores, técnicos, científicos y funcionarios de instituciones de carácter ambiental sobre los beneficios de estos ecosistemas. De esta manera, los aspectos mejor valorados fueron la biodiversidad, la protección del agua y del suelo, la captura de CO2 y la regulación de la temperatura mediante sombra. Asimismo, los beneficios fueron categorizados dentro de los valores de uso directo como los asociados a la producción de agua, productos forestales maderables, recursos ornamentales y belleza escénica. Los beneficios categorizados dentro de los valores de uso indirecto estuvieron relacionados con los procesos de regulación de disturbios ambientales y seguridad frente a desastres, regulación del ciclo hidrológico y polinización.For decades, guadua bamboo forests in the Colombian Coffee Region have provided benefits to rural inhabitants especially because of the possibilities they offer in terms of raw material for different purposes. In spite of their high fragmentation, the current existence of guadua bamboo forest fragments is indeed an evidence of decisions made by farmers who perceive benefits from these ecosystems. In order to valuate these benefits, the first stage of the multicriteria analysis tool known as “Ranking and Rating” was used taking into account the sociocultural dimension. In this way, the perception of different social actors like producers, technicians, scientists and officials of environmental institutions was considered to define the importance of ecosystem services. The highest values were assigned to biodiversity, water and soil protection, CO2 accumulation and temperature regulation. Additionally, the benefits were categorized according to the direct use values such as those associated with the production of water, timber forest products, ornamental resources and scenic beauty. Also, benefits categorized as indirect use values were related to regulation processes, environmental disturbances and security against disas

Effect of 8-Week Consumption of a Dietary Pattern Based on Fruit, Avocado, Whole Grains, and Trout on Postprandial Inflammatory and Oxidative Stress Gene Expression in Obese People

Overweight and obesity constitute a major global public health problem. Healthy dietary patterns induce changes at the molecular level. Currently, there are no studies evaluating the effect of a diet based on fruit, avocado, whole grains, and trout (FAWGT diet) on the expression of obesity-related genes. This randomized controlled crossover study included 44 obese Colombians with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 who followed either a FAWGT diet or a usual diet (UD) characterized by a high intake of saturated fat and foods rich in processed carbohydrates. After 8 weeks of intervention, a postprandial expression study of inflammation and oxidative stress-related genes was carried out with a real-time PCR. The intervention with a FAWGT diet decreased the expression of inflammatory (NFKB1, IL6, IL1β) and oxidative stress (NFE2L2) genes compared with the intake of the UD. Finally, the postprandial expression of NFkB1 was positively correlated with triglyceride levels after a dietary intervention with the FAWGT diet and the IL1β gene, and likewise with insulin levels after following the usual diet. The consumption of the FAWGT diet for 8 weeks reduced the inflammatory status; thus, it can be considered a valid alternative to other healthy diets, since it induces beneficial changes on the genes involved in inflammation and oxidative stress in obese people

Polyester urethane urea (PEUU) functionalization for enhanced anti-thrombotic performance: advancing regenerative cardiovascular devices through innovative surface modifications

Introduction: Thrombogenesis, a major cause of implantable cardiovascular device failure, can be addressed through the use of biodegradable polymers modified with anticoagulating moieties. This study introduces a novel polyester urethane urea (PEUU) functionalized with various anti-platelet deposition molecules for enhanced antiplatelet performance in regenerative cardiovascular devices.Methods: PEUU, synthesized from poly-caprolactone, 1,4-diisocyanatobutane, and putrescine, was chemically oxidized to introduce carboxyl groups, creating PEUU-COOH. This polymer was functionalized in situ with polyethyleneimine, 4-arm polyethylene glycol, seleno-L-cystine, heparin sodium, and fondaparinux. Functionalization was confirmed using Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Bio-compatibility and hemocompatibility were validated through metabolic activity and hemolysis assays. The anti-thrombotic activity was assessed using platelet aggregation, lactate dehydrogenase activation assays, and scanning electron microscopy surface imaging. The whole-blood clotting time quantification assay was employed to evaluate anticoagulation properties.Results: Results demonstrated high biocompatibility and hemocompatibility, with the most potent anti-thrombotic activity observed on pegylated surfaces. However, seleno-L-cystine and fondaparinux exhibited no anti-platelet activity.Discussion: The findings highlight the importance of balancing various factors and addressing challenges associated with different approaches when developing innovative surface modifications for cardiovascular devices

Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on liver cancer management (CERO-19).

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems and it may have heavily impacted patients with liver cancer (LC). Herein, we evaluated whether the schedule of LC screening or procedures has been interrupted or delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: An international survey evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical practice and clinical trials from March 2020 to June 2020, as the first phase of a multicentre, international, and observational project. The focus was on patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, cared for around the world during the first COVID-19 pandemic wave. RESULTS: Ninety-one centres expressed interest to participate and 76 were included in the analysis, from Europe, South America, North America, Asia, and Africa (73.7%, 17.1%, 5.3%, 2.6%, and 1.3% per continent, respectively). Eighty-seven percent of the centres modified their clinical practice: 40.8% the diagnostic procedures, 80.9% the screening programme, 50% cancelled curative and/or palliative treatments for LC, and 41.7% modified the liver transplantation programme. Forty-five out of 69 (65.2%) centres in which clinical trials were running modified their treatments in that setting, but 58.1% were able to recruit new patients. The phone call service was modified in 51.4% of centres which had this service before the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 19/37). CONCLUSIONS: The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a tremendous impact on the routine care of patients with liver cancer. Modifications in screening, diagnostic, and treatment algorithms may have significantly impaired the outcome of patients. Ongoing data collection and future analyses will report the benefits and disadvantages of the strategies implemented, aiding future decision-making. LAY SUMMARY: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally. Herein, we assessed the impact of the first wave pandemic on patients with liver cancer and found that routine care for these patients has been majorly disrupted, which could have a significant impact on outcomes

PENSAMIENTO CRÍTICO EN LA INVESTIGACIÓN CIENTÍFICA Y ACADÉMICA COLECCIÓN CIENTÍFICA EDUCACIÓN, EMPRESA Y SOCIEDAD

PENSAMIENTO CRÍTICO EN LA INVESTIGACIÓN CIENTÍFICA Y ACADÉMICA COLECCIÓN CIENTÍFICA EDUCACIÓN, EMPRESA Y SOCIEDAD Primera Edición 2023 Vol. 21 Editorial EIDEC Sello Editorial EIDEC (978-958-53018) NIT 900583173-1 ISBN: 978-628-95884-1-5 Formato: Digital PDF (Portable Document Format) DOI: https://doi.org/10.34893/e1150-3660-8721-s Publicación: Colombia Fecha Publicación: 13/09/2023 Coordinación Editorial Escuela Internacional de Negocios y Desarrollo Empresarial de Colombia – EIDEC Centro de Investigación Científica, Empresarial y Tecnológica de Colombia – CEINCET Red de Investigación en Educación, Empresa y Sociedad – REDIEES Revisión y pares evaluadores Centro de Investigación Científica, Empresarial y Tecnológica de Colombia – CEINCET Red de Investigación en Educación, Empresa y Sociedad – REDIEE

Proyecto Ensamblando en Colombia

Los dos volúmenes de esta obra reúnen los resultados del proyecto ganador de la «Convocatoria nacional de proyectos bicentenario 1810-2010 “Historia social de la ciencia, la tecnología y la innovación en Colombia: ciudadanía, saberes y nación”», lanzada por Colciencias en el 2009. El proyecto, titulado «Ensamblado en Colombia: producción de saberes y construcción de ciudadanías» se propuso estudiar la manera como se constituyen en el presente y se han constituido en el pasado «asuntos de interés público» que tienen una clara dimensión epistémica y ontológica, pues la producción de saberes nos interpela y convoca como académicos y como ciudadanos, como académicas y como ciudadanas. Se trata de comprender cómo se ensamblan saberes, naturalezas, tecnologías y ciudadanías y de ensayar diálogos de estilos, enfoques y miradas que reconozcan la alteridad, la multiplicidad y la heteroglosia como partes esenciales en y para la producción simultánea de conocimiento y formas de sociedad

Incidence, Clinical Characteristics and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Spain : Large-Scale Epidemiological Study

(1) Aims: To assess the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in Spain, to describe the main epidemiological and clinical characteristics at diagnosis and the evolution of the disease, and to explore the use of drug treatments. (2) Methods: Prospective, population-based nationwide registry. Adult patients diagnosed with IBD-Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC) or IBD unclassified (IBD-U)-during 2017 in Spain were included and were followed-up for 1 year. (3) Results: We identified 3611 incident cases of IBD diagnosed during 2017 in 108 hospitals covering over 22 million inhabitants. The overall incidence (cases/100,000 person-years) was 16 for IBD, 7.5 for CD, 8 for UC, and 0.5 for IBD-U; 53% of patients were male and median age was 43 years (interquartile range = 31-56 years). During a median 12-month follow-up, 34% of patients were treated with systemic steroids, 25% with immunomodulators, 15% with biologics and 5.6% underwent surgery. The percentage of patients under these treatments was significantly higher in CD than UC and IBD-U. Use of systemic steroids and biologics was significantly higher in hospitals with high resources. In total, 28% of patients were hospitalized (35% CD and 22% UC patients, p < 0.01). (4) Conclusion: The incidence of IBD in Spain is rather high and similar to that reported in Northern Europe. IBD patients require substantial therapeutic resources, which are greater in CD and in hospitals with high resources, and much higher than previously reported. One third of patients are hospitalized in the first year after diagnosis and a relevant proportion undergo surgery

Correction : Chaparro et al. Incidence, Clinical Characteristics and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Spain: Large-Scale Epidemiological Study. J. Clin. Med. 2021, 10, 2885

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]