Telework as a Labor Satisfaction Strategy. Findings in Emerging Economies

Satisfaction and flexibility at work are fundamental for new generations. Telework is conceptualized as a modality that allows the employee to work from a place other than the traditional office, usually from home, making use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This research seeks to relate job satisfaction and teleworking. After a literature review, a survey was designed and sent to Mexican teleworkers. It was found that although there is a clear relationship between job satisfaction and use of telework modality among these employees, there are still issues to resolve among them. Findings show that it is difficult for workers to obtain a balance between time and space devoted to work while they are at home, and the most complicated activity seems to be finding time to do exercise

Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Sensor: A Feasibility Study

[EN] Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by abnormal blood glucose levels which has short and long term complications. Management of diabetes relies on a regular control of blood glucose levels, commonly measured with invasive sensors, which are painful and cause patient discomfort. Scientific community is trying to develop noninvasive monitoring sensors to measure blood glucose continuously. Whereas previous work are focused on single methods and techniques, we present hereby a feasibility study of a non-invasive sensor integrating three different types of techniques: electromagnetic, acoustic speed and near infra-red spectroscopy. Our prototype is subject to different sources of bias, however, the cross-compensation of these three techniques can minimize the low performance of single-technique approaches. The results are promising and show the potential of using combined techniques for non-invasive blood glucose measurement.López Albalat, A.; Sanz Alaman, MB.; Dejoz Diez, MC.; Martinez-Millana, A.; Traver Salcedo, V. (2019). Non-Invasive Blood Glucose Sensor: A Feasibility Study. IEEE. 1179-1182. https://doi.org/10.1109/EMBC.2019.8857261S1179118

Interaction of genotype, water availability, and nitrogen fertilization on the mineral content of wheat grain

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that genetic variability is the key driver of mineral concentration in wheat grain in Mediterranean conditions. We grew 12 modern winter wheat varieties in semi-arid conditions and alkaline soils, in two consecutive years of contrasting water availability, and at three rates of N-fertilization: 64, 104, and 130 Kg N/ha. The genotype was the main driver of [Ca], [K], [Mg], and [S] in wheat grain, while the environmental conditions were more relevant for [Fe] and [Zn]. The nitrogen fertilization rate had little effect. The thousand-grain weight correlated negatively with the mineral concentration in the grain, revealing the importance of grain shape. CH-Nara grains were highly nutritious making this variety a potential source of germplasm. The knowledge gained from this study will guide future breeding and agronomic practices and guarantee food safety in the region in the advent of climate change.This work was supported in part by the Spanish projects PID2019-106650RB from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. FZR is the recipient of a research grant (FI-AGAUR) sponsored by the Agency for Management of University and Research Grants (AGAUR), in collaboration with the University of Barcelona. JLA acknowledges the support from ICREA Academia, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, Spain

A combined theoretical and experimental study on the oxidation of fulvic acid by the sulfate radical anion

The kinetics of the reaction of sulfate radicals with the IHSS Waskish peat fulvic acid in water was investigated in the temperature range from 289.2 to 305.2 K. The proposed mechanism considers the reversible binding of the sulfate radicals by the fulvic acid. The kinetic analysis of the data allows the determination of the thermodynamic parameters ΔG° = -10.2 kcal mol-1, ΔH° = -16 kcal mol-1 and ΔS° = -20.3 cal K-1 mol-1 for the reversible association at 298.2 K. Theoretical (DFT) calculations performed with the Buffle model of the fulvic acids support the formation of H-bonded adducts between the inorganic radicals and the humic substances. The experimental enthalpy change compares well with the theoretical values found for some of the investigated adducts.Fil: David Gara, Pedro Maximiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Bosio, Gabriela Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez, Monica Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Russo, Nino. Università della Calabria; ItaliaFil: Del Carmen Michelini, Maria. Università della Calabria; ItaliaFil: Pis Diez, Reinaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Martire, Daniel Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; Argentin

Increased Presentation of Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Changes in Age and Month of Type 1 Diabetes at Onset during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

COVID-19; Aparició de la diabetis; Diabetis tipus 1COVID-19; Aparición de diabetes; Diabetes tipo 1COVID-19; Diabetes onset; Type 1diabetesObjective: To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on the presenting characteristics (age at diagnosis, severity, monthly distribution) of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes in Spanish children. Research Design and Methods: An ambispective observational multicenter study was conducted in nine Spanish tertiary-level hospitals between January 2015 and March 2021. Inclusion criteria: new cases of type 1 diabetes in children (0–14 years) recording age, sex, date of diagnosis, presence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at onset, and severity of DKA. Data were compared before and during the pandemic. Results: We registered 1444 new cases of type 1 diabetes in children: 1085 in the pre-pandemic period (2015–2019) and 359 during the pandemic (2020–March 2021). There was a significant increase in the group aged ≤4 years in the pandemic period (chi-squared = 10.986, df 2, p = 0.0041). In 2020–2021, cases of DKA increased significantly by 12% (95% CI: 7.2–20.4%), with a higher percentage of moderate and severe DKA, although this increase was not significant. In 2020, there was a sharp decrease in the number of cases in March, with a progressive increase from May through November, higher than in the same months of the period 2015–2019, highlighting the increase in the number of cases in June, September, and November. The first three months of 2021 showed a different trend to that observed both in the years 2015–2019 and in 2020, with a marked increase in the number of cases. Conclusions: A change in monthly distribution was described, with an increase in DKA at onset of type 1 diabetes. No differences were found in severity, although there were differences in the age distribution, with an increase in the number of cases in children under 4 years of age

Impact of patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 gene polymorphism (rs738409) on severity of liver disease in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients

Objective: To analyze the association between patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 gene (PNPLA3) rs738409 polymorphism and severity of liver disease in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 215 patients who underwent a liver biopsy. PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism was genotyped using GoldenGate assay. The outcome variables were as follows: advanced fibrosis (F ≥3 and FIB-4 ≥3.25), rapid fibrosis progression (FPR ≥0.10 fibrosis units/year), severe activity grade (A≥3), and steatosis (fatty hepatocytes ≥10%). The genetic association analysis was carried out according to an additive genetic model through logistic regressions adjusted by the most significant covariables. Results: Overall, 21.4% had F at least 3, 8.9% had FIB-4 at least 3.25, 11.4% had A at least 3, 60.6% had steatosis, and 32.5% had FPR at least 0.10. For each rs738409 G allele, we found an increased frequency of patients with advanced fibrosis (F at least 3) (0% CC, 18.5% CG, and 25.2% GG; P = 0.049) and FIB-4 at least 3.25 (0% CC, 3.8% CG, and 13.2% GG; P = 0.016). Furthermore, for each rs738409 G allele, the odds of having F at least 3 increased 2.15 times (95% confidence interval=1.07; 4.35; P = 0.029) and having FIB-4 at least 3.25 increased 8.77 times (95% of confidence interval = 1.11; 69.0; P = 0.039). Note that rs738409 G allele carriers tended to higher likelihood of having FPR at least 0.10, but statistical significance was not reached (P = 0.054). Finally, we did not find any association for A at least 3 and liver steatosis. Conclusion: PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism was associated with the severity of liver fibrosis in patients coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C virus, suggesting that this polymorphism might also play a significant role in the progression of hepatic fibrosis in this group of patients.This work has been supported by grants given by Fondo de Investigación de Sanidad en España (FIS) (Spanish Health Founds for Research) (grant numbers PI11/01556, PI14/01094, PI11/00245, PI14CIII/00011), and ‘Fundación para la Investigación y la Prevención del Sida en España’ (FIPSE) (grant number 361020/10). This work has been (partially) funded by the RD12/0017/0024 and RD12/0017/0004 projects as part of the Plan Nacional R+D+I and cofinanced by ISCIII – Subdirección General de Evaluación y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). ‘Instituto de Salud Carlos III’ (grant numbers CD12/00442, CD13/00013 and RD12/0017/0024, respectively). This work has been (partially) funded by the RD12/0017 project as part of the Plan Nacional R+D+I and cofinanced by ISCIII – Subdirección General de Evaluación y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER).S

Mx1, OAS1 and OAS2 polymorphisms are associated with the severity of liver disease in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients: A cross-sectional study

The mechanisms involved in the chronic hepatitis C progression are incompletely understood. The aim was to analyze the association between 2'5'oligoadenylate synthetase 1,2 and 3 (OAS1-3) and myxovirus resistance proteins 1 (Mx1) polymorphisms and severity of liver disease in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfected patients. We performed a cross-sectional study in 219 patients that underwent a liver biopsy. DNA genotyping for Mx1 (rs469390), OAS1 (rs2285934), OAS2 (rs1293762) and OAS3 (rs2010604) was performed by using GoldenGate assay. The outcome variables ion liver biopsy were: (i) significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2); (ii) moderate activity grade (A ≥ 2). Additive model of inheritance for genetic association test was used. The likelihood of having significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2) was lower in patients carrying OAS2 rs1293762 A allele [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.51; p = 0.040]. Besides, the likelihood of having moderate activity grade (A ≥ 2) was higher in patients carrying Mx1 rs464397 C allele (aOR = 1.63; p = 0.028) and Mx1 rs469390 G allele (aOR = 1.97; p = 0.005), while it was lower in patients carrying OAS1 rs2285934 A allele (aOR = 0.64; p = 0.039) and OAS2 rs1293762 A allele (aOR = 0.41; p = 0.009). In conclusion, Mx1 and OAS1-2 polymorphisms were associated with the severity of liver disease in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, suggesting a significant role in the progression of hepatic fibrosis.This work has been supported by grants given by Fondo de Investigación de Sanidad en España (FIS) [Spanish Health Founds for Research] [grant numbers PI14/01094, PI14CIII/00011] and Red Española de Investigación en SIDA (RIS) [AIDS Research Network] [grant numbers RD16CIII/0002/0002RD16 and RD16/0025/0017]. This work has been (partially) funded by the RD12/0017 project as part of the Plan Nacional R + D + I and cofinanced by ISCIII- Subdirección General de Evaluación y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). J.B. is an investigator from the Programa de Intensificación de la Actividad Investigadora en el Sistema Nacional de Salud (I3SNS). M.G.A., D.P.T. and M.A.J.S. are supported by “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” [grant numbers CD12/00442, CM12/00043, CD13/00013, respectively]. The authors thank the Spanish National Genotyping Center (CeGen) for providing SNP genotyping services (http://www.cegen.org).S

Different alterations of glomerular filtration rate and their association with uric acid in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes or with overweight/obesity

GFR alterations were different between youths with T1D and with OW/OB. Higher uric acid, older age, and puberty were related to lower GFR values in OW/OB children. Longitudinal studies will determine if low GFR is consequence of a rapid GFR decline in pediatric patients with OW/OB. Keywords: children; diabetes; hyperfiltration; obesity; renal disease; uric acid

rs7903146 polymorphism at transcription factor 7 like 2 gene is associated with total cholesterol and lipoprotein profile in HIV/hepatitis C virus-coinfected patients

Transcription factor 7 like 2 (TCF7L2) rs7903146 polymorphism has been associated with metabolic disturbance and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between TCF7L2 rs7903146 polymorphism and potential disturbances on the lipid profile in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients. We performed a cross-sectional study on 263 HIV/HVC-coinfected patients. TCF7L2 polymorphism was genotyped by GoldenGate assay. The analysis was performed by linear and logistic regression under a dominant model of inheritance. The variables analyzed were total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), non-HDL-C, and triglycerides. Patients harboring the rs7903146 TT/TC genotype showed a diminished concentration of TC (p=0.003), LDL-C (p=0.004), HDL-C (p=0.012), and non-HDL-C (p=0.013), a lower percentage of TC≥200 mg/dl (p=0.038), and a higher percentage of HDL≤40 mg/dl (p=0.023). In addition, we observed that rs7903146 was differently related to fasting serum lipid levels according to the HCV-genotype (HCV-GT). With regard to HCV-GT1 patients, the rs7903146 TT/TC genotype was associated with lower levels of HDL-C [adjusted arithmetic mean ratio (aAMR)=0.91; p=0.049] and an elevated percentage of patients with HDL-C≤40 mg/dl [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=3.26; p=0.003]. For HCV-GT3 patients, the rs7903146 TT/TC genotype was associated with lower serum values of TC (aAMR=0.81; p=0.037), LDL-C (aAMR=0.67; p=0.001), and non-HDL-C (aAMR=0.75; p=0.002) and a reduced percentage of TC≥200 mg/dl (aOR=0.089; p=0.037). In conclusion, the TCF7L2 rs7903146 TT/TC genotype was associated with lower levels of TC, LDL, and HDL in HCV-GT3 patients, and lower levels of HDL-C in HCV-GT1 patients, suggesting a role in cardiovascular disease and a potential use as a biomarker in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients.D.P.T., M.A.JS., and M.G.A. have received research funding from “Instituto de Salud Carlos III” [grants CM12/00043, CM10/00105, and CD12/00442, respectively]. J.B. is an investigator from the Programa de Intensificación de la Actividad Investigadora en el Sistema Nacional de Salud (I3SNS). This work has been supported by grants from Fondo de Investigación de Sanidad en España (FIS) [Spanish Health Funds for Research] [grants PI08/0738, PI11/00245; PI08/0928, and PI11/01556], and “Fundación para la Investigación y la Prevención del Sida en España” (FIPSE) [grant 361020/10]. This work has been (partially) funded by the RD12/0017/0024 and RD12/0017/0004 projects as part of the Plan Nacional R+D+I and cofinanced by ISCIII––Subdirección General de Evaluación y el Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER).S

Hygienic characteristics and detection of antibiotic resistance genes in crickets (Acheta domesticus) breed for flour production

During the last ten years, the worldwide interest in using insects as food and feed has surged. Edible insects fall within the category of novel foods, i.e., the category of food not consumed in significant amounts in the European Union before 15 May 1997 (the date of entry into force of Regulation (EC) No. 258/1997, later repealed by Regulation (EU) No. 2283/2015). One of the most promising insect species to be raised for food is the house cricket (Acheta domesticus). In this study, the rearing of a stock of house crickets was studied over a period of four months. The microbiological quality of the farm was studied using swabs on the surface of the rearing boxes to analyze the trend over time of different populations of microorganisms (total aerobic mesophilic microbiota, Lactobacillus spp., enterococci, Staphylococcus spp., Enterobacteriaceae, total coliforms, Pseudomonas spp. and molds). The presence of four antimicrobial resistance genes (aph, blaZ, sul1, and tetM) was investigated by polymerase chain reaction. A production scheme was also developed in order to obtain a cricket-based flour, which was analyzed for its microbiological and chemical-centesimal profile. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the contamination increases with time and that a proper management of the farming system for insects is of the utmost importance, as it is for conventional farm animals such as ungulates, poultry, and rabbits. The old-fashioned adage “all full, all empty” for the farming system summarizes the need for proper cleaning and disinfection of the structures at the end of each production cycle.European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)https://www.mdpi.com/journal/microbiolresam2022Paraclinical Science