153 research outputs found
La influencia de la responsabilidad social empresarial en el comportamiento de compra de hamburguesas de los consumidores peruanos de la ciudad de Arequipa
Si bien la responsabilidad social empresarial (RSE) ha venido ganando relevancia a
nivel internacional, en el Perú, con excepción de los trabajos de Marquina (2009), y
Marquina y Vásquez-Párraga (2013), no existían estudios empíricos que permitiesen conocer
su impacto en el consumidor. Como un aporte al tema, ésta investigación busca determinar la
influencia que la responsabilidad social empresarial tiene en el comportamiento de compra de
consumidores peruanos de hamburguesas en la ciudad de Arequipa.
Para ello, se desarrolló un experimento bajo la metodología de los modelos de
elección discreta. Este tuvo como objetivo el poder cuantificar la intención de compra y la
disposición a pagar por las acciones de responsabilidad social desarrolladas por las empresas.
El experimento se llevó a cabo utilizando una muestra de 132 consumidores arequipeños de
los cuales, en su mayoría, fueron amigos y familiares. La investigación brinda evidencia
empírica de la relación positiva existente entre la RSE y el comportamiento de compra de la
muestra. Los resultados del estudio indican que el efecto de la RSE en su conjunto es superior
al de las competencias corporativas.
Finalmente, se debe indicar que esta tesis de maestría es una ampliación del alcance
de la investigación doctoral del profesor Marquina, denominada La Influencia de la
Responsabilidad Social Empresarial en el Comportamiento de Compra de los Consumidores
Peruanos (Marquina, 2009). Este trabajo de maestría busca validar si la relación identificada
originalmente por Marquina también se presenta en la categoría de hamburguesas, tal como el
autor lo sugiere en sus recomendaciones finales. Con la autorización del autor, se ha utilizado
partes de su investigación; particularmente, en lo que se refiere a la revisión de la literatura y
el métodoEven though corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been gaining relevance at an
international level, in Peru, with the exception of Marquina (2009) and Marquina & Vasquez-
Parraga (2013), there were no empirical studies that would allow to know its impact on the
consumer. As a contribution to the subject, this study looks to determine the influence that
the corporate social responsibility has on the purchasing behavior of hamburgers of Peruvian
consumers in the city of Arequipa.
For this, an experiment was carried out using the methodology of discrete choice
models. The objective was that of being able to quantify the purchasing intention and the
willingness to pay for the corporate social responsibility actions carried out by companies.
The experiment was conducted using a sample of 132 consumers of Arequipa of which a
majority were friends and family. The study provides empirical evidence of the positive
relationship that exists between CSR and the purchasing behavior of the sample. The results
indicate that the effect of CSR as a whole is superior to that of the corporate competencies.
Finally, it should be noted that this study is an extension of the scope of the doctoral
investigation of Professor Marquina, known as The Influence of the Corporate Social
Responsibility in the Purchasing Behavior of Peruvian Consumers (Marquina 2009).
This study looks to validate if the relationship originally identified by Marquina is also
present in the category of hamburgers, just as the author suggested in his final
recommendations. With the authorization of the author a part of his thesis has been used
especially that concerning the revision of the literature and the methodologyTesi
Zirconium Metal−Organic Polyhedra with Dual Behavior for Organophosphate Poisoning Treatment
Organophosphate nerve agents and pesticides are extremely
toxic compounds because they result in acetylcholinesterase (AChE)
inhibition and concomitant nerve system damage. Herein, we report the
synthesis, structural characterization, and proof-of-concept utility of
zirconium metal−organic polyhedra (Zr-MOPs) for organophosphate
poisoning treatment. The results show the formation of robust tetrahedral
cages [((n-butylCpZr)3(OH)3O)4L6]Cl6 (Zr-MOP-1; L = benzene-1,4-
dicarboxylate, n-butylCp = n-butylcyclopentadienyl, Zr-MOP-10, and L =
4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate) decorated with lipophilic alkyl residues and
possessing accessible cavities of ∼9.8 and ∼10.7 Å inner diameters,
respectively. These systems are able to both capture the organophosphate
model compound diisopropylfluorophosphate (DIFP) and host and release
the AChE reactivator drug pralidoxime (2-PAM). The resulting 2-PAM@
Zr-MOP-1(0) host−guest assemblies feature a sustained delivery of 2-PAM under simulated biological conditions, with a
concomitant reactivation of DIFP-inhibited AChE. Finally, 2-PAM@Zr-MOP systems have been incorporated into biocompatible
phosphatidylcholine liposomes with the resulting assemblies being non-neurotoxic, as proven using neuroblastoma cell viability
assays.Spanish MCIN/AEI PID2020-113608RB-I00FEDER/Junta de Andalucia-Conserjeria de Economia y Conocimiento B-FQM-364-UGR18
B-FQM-006-UGR18FEDER/Junta de Andalucia-Consejeria de Transformacion Economica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades P18-RT-612
P20_00672Fondazione CRUIprograma Juan de la Cierva FormacionSpanish Government PID2020-118117RB-I00Center for Forestry Research & Experimentation (CIEF)European Commission SEJIGENT/2021/059
PROMETEU/2021/054La Caixa Foundation 100010434
LCF/BQ/PR20/11770014"Maria de Maeztu" Program for Centers of Excellence in RD CEX2019-000919-MH2020-MSCA-IF2019-888972-PSust-MO
Cognitive impairment induced by delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol occurs through heteromers between cannabinoid CB1 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound of marijuana, induces numerous undesirable effects, including memory impairments, anxiety, and dependence. Conversely, THC also has potentially therapeutic effects, including analgesia, muscle relaxation, and neuroprotection. However, the mechanisms that dissociate these responses are still not known. Using mice lacking the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A, we revealed that the analgesic and amnesic effects of THC are independent of each other: while amnesia induced by THC disappears in the mutant mice, THC can still promote analgesia in these animals. In subsequent molecular studies, we showed that in specific brain regions involved in memory formation, the receptors for THC and the 5-HT2A receptors work together by physically interacting with each other. Experimentally interfering with this interaction prevented the memory deficits induced by THC, but not its analgesic properties. Our results highlight a novel mechanism by which the beneficial analgesic properties of THC can be dissociated from its cognitive side effects
New chemotherapy regimens and biomarkers for Chagas disease: The rationale and design of the TESEO study, an open-label, randomised, prospective, phase-2 clinical trial in the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
Introduction Chagas disease (CD) affects ∼7 million people worldwide. Benznidazole (BZN) and nifurtimox (NFX) are the only approved drugs for CD chemotherapy. Although both drugs are highly effective in acute and paediatric infections, their efficacy in adults with chronic CD (CCD) is lower and variable. Moreover, the high incidence of adverse events (AEs) with both drugs has hampered their widespread use. Trials in CCD adults showed that quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays remain negative for 12 months after standard-of-care (SoC) BZN treatment in ∼80% patients. BZN pharmacokinetic data and the nonsynchronous nature of the proliferative mammal-dwelling parasite stage suggested that a lower BZN/NFX dosing frequency, combined with standard or extended treatment duration, might have the same or better efficacy than either drug SoC, with fewer AEs. Methods and analysis New ThErapies and Biomarkers for ChagaS infEctiOn (TESEO) is an open-label, randomised, prospective, phase-2 clinical trial, with six treatment arms (75 patients/arm, 450 patients). Primary objectives are to compare the safety and efficacy of two new proposed chemotherapy regimens of BZN and NFX in adults with CCD with the current SoC for BZN and NFX, evaluated by qPCR and biomarkers for 36 months posttreatment and correlated with CD conventional serology. Recruitment of patients was initiated on 18 December 2019 and on 20 May 2021, 450 patients (study goal) were randomised among the six treatment arms. The treatment phase was finalised on 18 August 2021. Secondary objectives include evaluation of population pharmacokinetics of both drugs in all treatment arms, the incidence of AEs, and parasite genotyping. Ethics and dissemination The TESEO study was approved by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), federal regulatory agency of the Plurinational State of Bolivia and the Ethics Committees of the participating institutions. The results will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed journals, conferences and reports to the NIH, FDA and participating institutions. Trial registration number NCT03981523.We are very grateful to Marcelo Abril, Fundación Mundo Sano, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Dr. Sergio Sosa-Estani, DNDi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for their continuous support during the elaboration and implementation of this trial; Dr. Martin Springsklee (Medical Affairs Anti-Infectives), Dr. Ulrich-Dietmar Madeja (Head, Neglected Tropical Disease Programmes), and Dr. Maria-Luisa Rodriguez (Global Project Leader) at Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany, and this company for the kind donation of the nifurtimox to be used in this study; Dr. Pedro Albajar Viñas, WHO, for the support to the study through the kind advancement of nifurtimox from the WHO stockpile; Ernesto Palma (Business Development and External Markets Manager) and Luis Ferrero (former ELEA’s Especial Business Manager), at Laboratorio ELEA Phoenix S.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina, and this company for the generous donation of the benznidazole to be used in the TESEO study. We also thank Dr. Soyoung Jeon (currently at the New Mexico State University) and Dr. Xiaogang Su, Dept. of Mathematical Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center (BBRC), University of Texas at El Paso, for the statistical analyses performed during the TESEO project evaluation by NIH. We are very thankful to all the medical, supporting (nurses, social workers, and laboratory staff) and administrative personnel of the three Chagas Platforms in Bolivia for their technical assistance and dedication in the recruitment, treatment, and follow-up of the CCD patients in this study. We would also like to thank all the staff (postdoctoral fellows, technicians, and administrative personnel) and graduate and undergraduate students of the participating institutions involved in this clinical trial and part of the TESEO Study Group
Quasiexperimental intervention study protocol to optimise the use of new antibiotics in Spain: the NEW_SAFE project
Introduction Ceftaroline, tedizolid, dalbavancin, ceftazidime-avibactam and ceftolozane-tazobactam are novel antibiotics used to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens (MDR). Their use should be supervised and monitored as part of an antimicrobial stewardship programme (ASP). Appropriate use of the new antibiotics will be improved by including consensual indications for their use in local antibiotic guidelines, together with educational interventions providing advice to prescribers to ensure that the recommendations are clearly understood.
Methods and analysis This study will be implemented in two phases. First, a preliminary historical cohort (2017-2019) of patients from 13 Andalusian hospitals treated with novel antibiotics will be analysed. Second, a quasiexperimental intervention study will be developed with an interrupted time-series analysis (2020-2021). The intervention will consist of an educational interview between prescribers and ASP leaders at each hospital to reinforce the proper use of novel antibiotics. The educational intervention will be based on a consensus guideline designed and disseminated by leaders after the retrospective cohort data have been analysed. The outcomes will be acceptance of the intervention and appropriateness of prescription. Incidence of infection and colonisation with MDR organisms as well as incidence ofClostridioides difficileinfection will also be analysed. Changes in prescription quality between periods and the safety profile of the antibiotics in terms of mortality rate and readmissions will also be measured.
Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval will be obtained from the Andalusian Coordinating Institutional Review Board. The study is being conducted in compliance with the protocol and regulatory requirements consistent with International Council of Harmonisation E6 Good Clinical Practice and the ethical principles of the latest version of the Declaration of Helsinki. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated at national and international conferences
Circulating tumor cells criteria (CyCAR) versus standard RECIST criteria for treatment response assessment in metastatic colorectal cancer patients
The use of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as indicators of treatment response in metastatic colorectal
cancer (mCRC) needs to be clarified. The objective of this study is to compare the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid
Tumors (RECIST) with the Cytologic Criteria Assessing Response (CyCAR), based on the presence and phenotypic
characterization of CTCs, as indicators of FOLFOX–bevacizumab treatment response. We observed a decrease of CTCs (42.8 vs. 18.2%) and VEGFR positivity (69.7% vs. 41.7%) after treatment.
According to RECIST, 6.45% of the patients did not show any clinical benefit, whereas 93.55% patients showed a
favorable response at 12 weeks. According to CyCAR, 29% had a non-favorable response and 71% patients did not. No
significant differences were found between the response assessment by RECIST and CyCAR at 12 or 24 weeks. However,
in the multivariate analysis, RECIST at 12 weeks and CyCAR at 24 weeks were independent prognostic factors for
OS (HR: 0.1, 95% CI 0.02–0.58 and HR: 0.35, 95% CI 0.12–0.99 respectively). CyCAR results were comparable to RECIST in evaluating the response in mCRC and can be used as an
alternative when the limitation of RECIST requires additional response analysis techniques.This work was supported by Roche Spain and a Ph.D. grant from the University
of Granada
Genome Sequences of Mycobacteriophages Amgine, Amohnition, Bella96, Cain, DarthP, Hammy, Krueger, LastHope, Peanam, PhelpsODU, Phrank, SirPhilip, Slimphazie, and Unicorn
We report the genome sequences of 14 cluster K mycobacteriophages isolated using Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2155 as host. Four are closely related to subcluster K1 phages, and 10 are members of subcluster K6. The phage genomes span considerable sequence diversity, including multiple types of integrases and integration sites
Biochemical Recurrence Surrogacy for Clinical Outcomes After Radiotherapy for Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate
PURPOSE: The surrogacy of biochemical recurrence (BCR) for overall survival (OS) in localized prostate cancer remains controversial. Herein, we evaluate the surrogacy of BCR using different surrogacy analytic methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Individual patient data from 11 trials evaluating radiotherapy dose escalation, androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) use, and ADT prolongation were obtained. Surrogate candidacy was assessed using the Prentice criteria (including landmark analyses) and the two-stage meta-analytic approach (estimating Kendall's tau and the R2). Biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS, time from random assignment to BCR or any death) and time to BCR (TTBCR, time from random assignment to BCR or cancer-specific deaths censoring for noncancer-related deaths) were assessed. RESULTS: Overall, 10,741 patients were included. Dose escalation, addition of short-term ADT, and prolongation of ADT duration significantly improved BCR (hazard ratio [HR], 0.71 [95% CI, 0.63 to 0.79]; HR, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.48 to 0.59]; and HR, 0.54 [95% CI, 0.48 to 0.61], respectively). Adding short-term ADT (HR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.84 to 0.99]) and prolonging ADT (HR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.78 to 0.94]) significantly improved OS, whereas dose escalation did not (HR, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.87 to 1.11]). BCR at 48 months was associated with inferior OS in all three groups (HR, 2.46 [95% CI, 2.08 to 2.92]; HR, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.35 to 1.70]; and HR, 2.31 [95% CI, 2.04 to 2.61], respectively). However, after adjusting for BCR at 48 months, there was no significant treatment effect on OS (HR, 1.10 [95% CI, 0.96 to 1.27]; HR, 0.96 [95% CI, 0.87 to 1.06] and 1.00 [95% CI, 0.90 to 1.12], respectively). The patient-level correlation (Kendall's tau) for BCRFS and OS ranged between 0.59 and 0.69, and that for TTBCR and OS ranged between 0.23 and 0.41. The R2 values for trial-level correlation of the treatment effect on BCRFS and TTBCR with that on OS were 0.563 and 0.160, respectively. CONCLUSION: BCRFS and TTBCR are prognostic but failed to satisfy all surrogacy criteria. Strength of correlation was greater when noncancer-related deaths were considered events.</p
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