The Reform of the CMO in Fruits and Vegetables: A Holistic Approach

The main characteristics of EU's market in fruits and vegetables are trend towards overproduction, price fluctuations, and relatively low protection and public support. The key instruments of the CMO are processing aids and support to Operational Funds. The current regulation has been more successful in encouraging improvements in quality and marketing than in stabilising prices and guaranteeing adequate income levels, mainly in fruits and in the great southern countries. The lack of common European action in the fields of import control and access to new foreign markets creates more pressure in the common market. The proposal of CMO's reform comes after the great CAP's change of 2003 -and its new paradigm- and the budget agricultural agreement until 2013. In practice, this reduces the real policy options for the new regulation. Main changes should occur in processing aids, where forces to decouple are strong; given that exports refunds are already phasing out and markets withdrawals are in decline. The main political defy is how to promote horizontal concentration through PO and to avoid the price crisis. To solve the issue of stability (or decline) of the human consumption, more can be done from the policy. The farmer's influence in political decision seems weak. The scope for radical changes in fund distribution will be possible at national level.Agricultural and Food Policy, Marketing,

Structural And Functional Analysis Of Engineered Cardiac Tissues In Response To Hypertrophic Growth Factors

The development of myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis are central pathological processes that are common features resulting from many types of cardiac diseases. Moreover, a wide variety of inputs and interactions contribute to pathological hypertrophy and fibrosis. For example, changes in biomechanical stress on the myocardium, as occur during chronic pressure or volume overload, is a fundamental trigger for hypertrophy and fibrosis. In addition, crosstalk between myocytes and fibroblasts contributes to the structural, mechanical, and electrical remodeling in the pathogenesis of various heart conditions that lead to heart failure. During the development of pathological hypertrophy and fibrosis, many agonists such as endothelin (ET)-1, angiotensin (Ang) II, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β are activated in parallel, obscuring attribution of their individual, synergistic or subordinate effects. Finally, the development of hypertrophy and fibrosis themselves contribute to load changes in the heart, further complicating mechanistic interpretation. One impediment to further progress has been the lack of model systems that allow the experimental control required to draw definitive mechanistic conclusions of each of its components, yet retain the essential features of the in vivo environment. Accordingly, a major focus of this thesis is to examine the ability of a myocardial tissue engineering platform to decouple the effects of biochemical, mechanical and cell-specific inputs on microtissue auxotonic contractility. The model employed is based on microfabricated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) templates that generate arrays of 3D cardiac microtissues (CMT). Cantilevers within templates provide physiologically relevant auxotonic loading to the CMTs, promote the appropriate 3D organization of neonatal rat cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts, and report resting and twitch force generation in real time. Additionally, we evaluated the correlation between sarcomere length and microtissue length, and developed twitch forces of these microtissues in an auxotonic preparation. While the role of known hypertrophic factors has been extensively studied using conventional cell culture and integrated in vivo models, few studies have used engineered cardiac tissues to examine how key hypertrophic agonists, alone or in combination, affect contractile parameters, including resting and twitch force as well as rates of force generation and relaxation. We found that the pathological mediators, endothelin (ET)-1, angiotensin (Ang) II, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, altered contractility with different magnitudes. Differences in contractile responses led us to further investigate the length-tension relationship in the microtissues. We further investigated how sarcomere length related to tissue length and contractile properties. Interestingly, we identified differential sarcomere lengths upon stimulation with different hypertrophic factors. ET-1 in particular, led to the largest changes in contractile properties. These results are described in greater detail in Chapter 2. Recognizing that biomechanical load acts in concert with pathological mediators in the development if cardiac hypertrophy, we utilized this cardiac microtissue model to generate templates with cantilevers with increased stiffness (Legant et al. 2009). The cantilever stiffness represent the resistance against which the engineered CMTs needs to contract, and mimics increased afterload as might occur during hypertension. We also studied the effect of increased afterload in combination with ET-1, Ang II, TGF-β upon force generation, and cell and tissue morphology. Interestingly, our data shows that cell area is altered only in the presence of increased afterload combined with hypertrophic factors, but not with the hypertrophic factors alone. These results are described in greater detail in Chapter 3. While many studies have focused on the interactions of nonmyocytes and myocytes, few studies have looked at the role of nonmyocytes in engineered tissue contractile function. Our studies focus on the role of nonmyocytes in contractile function. Our results suggest that myocyte enrichment (nonmyocyte depletion) leads to decreased contractile function, suggesting that nonmyocytes are required for proper contractile function. We also evaluated how nonmyocytes within engineered tissues contribute to the ET-1-induced changes in contractility. These results are described in greater detail in Chapter 4. Collectively, these studies have provided insights as to how cardiac microtissues can be employed to both isolate and integrate the biochemical and mechanical signals that contribute to changes in contractile function in the context of myocardial hypertrophy and disease. Continued work and future directions is discussed in Chapter 5

Nanopore-based complete genome sequence of a Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus (Geminivirus) strain from Thailand

Sri Lankan cassava mosaic virus is an emerging pathogen in Southeast Asia. Here, we report the complete genome of a Thai isolate obtained using Nanopore technology. The isolate was collected in 2019 from the northeastern province of Surin, soon after disease eradication was reported in the country

Improvement of myelopoiesis in cyclophosphamide-immunosuppressed mice by oral administration of viable or non-viable lactobacillus strains

Myelosuppression is the major dose-limiting toxicity of cancer chemotherapy. There have been many attempts to find new strategies that reduce myelosuppression. The dietary supplementation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) improved respiratory innate immune response and the resistance against respiratory pathogens in immunosupressed hosts. Although LAB viability is an important factor in achieving optimal protective effects, non-viable LAB are capable of stimulating immunity. In this work, we studied the ability of oral preventive administration of viable and non-viable Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 or L. plantarum CRL1506 (Lr05, Lr05NV, Lp06V or Lp06NV, respectively) to minimize myelosuppressive and immunosuppressive effects derived from chemotherapy. Cyclophosphamide (Cy) impaired steady-state myelopoiesis in lactobacilli-treated and untreated control mice. Lr05V, Lr05NV and Lp06V treatments were the most effective to induce the early recovery of bone marrow (BM) tissue architecture, leukocytes, myeloid, pool mitotic and post-mitotic, peroxidase positive, and Gr-1Low/High cells in BM. We selected the CRL1505 strain for being the one capable of maintaining its myelopoiesis-enhancing properties in its non-viable form. Although the CRL1505 treatments do not modify the Cy ability to induce apoptosis, both increased the incorporation of BrdU in BM cells. Consequently, Lr05NV and Lr05V treatments were able to promote early recovery of LSK cells (Lin-Sca-1+c-Kit+ cells), multipotent progenitors (Lin-Sca-1+c-Kit+CD34+ cells), and myeloid cells (Gr-1+Ly6G+Ly6C- cells) with respect to the untreated Cy control. In addition, these treatments were able to increase the frequency of IL17A-producing innate lymphoid cells in the intestinal lamina propria (IL-17A+RORγt+CD4-NKp46+ cells) after Cy injection. These results were correlated with an increase in the IL-17A serum levels, a GM-CSF high expression and a CXCL12 lower expression in BM. Therefore, both Lr05V and Lr05NV treatments are able to activate beneficially the IL-17A/GM-CSF axis and accelerate the recovery of Cy-induced immunosuppression by increasing BM myeloid precursors. We demonstrated for the first time the beneficial effect of CRL1505 strain on myelopoiesis affected by a chemotherapeutic drug. Furthermore, Lr05NV could be a good and safe resource for reducing chemotherapy-induced leukopenia. The results are a starting point for future research and open up broad prospects for future applications of the immunobiotics.Fil: Gramajo Lopez, Andres Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Gutiérrez, Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Saavedra, Maria Lucila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Hebert, Elvira Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Gladis Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Salva, Maria Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; Argentin

Comparison of methods for the identification and sub-typing of O157 and non-O157 Escherichia coli serotypes and their integration into a polyphasic taxonomy approach

peer-reviewedPhenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data from 12 strains of Escherichia coli were collected, including carbon source utilisation profiles, ribotypes, sequencing data of the 16S–23S rRNA internal transcribed region (ITS) and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic profiles. The objectives were to compare several identification systems for E. coli and to develop and test a polyphasic taxonomic approach using the four methodologies combined for the sub-typing of O157 and non-O157 E. coli. The nucleotide sequences of the 16S–23S rRNA ITS regions were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequenced and compared with reference data available at the GenBank database using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) . Additional information comprising the utilisation of carbon sources, riboprint profiles and FT-IR spectra was also collected. The capacity of the methods for the identification and typing of E. coli to species and subspecies levels was evaluated. Data were transformed and integrated to present polyphasic hierarchical clusters and relationships. The study reports the use of an integrated scheme comprising phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic information (carbon source profile, sequencing of the 16S–23S rRNA ITS, ribotyping and FT-IR spectroscopy) for a more precise characterisation and identification of E. coli. The results showed that identification of E. coli strains by each individual method was limited mainly by the extension and quality of reference databases. On the contrary, the polyphasic approach, whereby heterogeneous taxonomic data were combined and weighted, improved the identification results, gave more consistency to the final clustering and provided additional information on the taxonomic structure and phenotypic behaviour of strains, as shown by the close clustering of strains with similar stress resistance patterns.The authors acknowledge the financial contribution of the Spanish INIA, the Research Council of Norway (project 178230/I10), Foundation for Levy on Foods, the Norwegian Research Fees Fund for Agricultural Goods, the Norwegian Independent Meat and Poultry Association, Nortura SA and NHO Matog Landbruk

Interação de derivados de benzenossulfonamida com Smyd3 usando um modelo teórico

Cancer is a serious public health problem worldwide. This clinical pathology is associated with the activation/release of several biomolecules, including the Smyd proteins family. In this way, some studies indicate that Smyd3 is associated with cancer cells growth. It is important to mention that some drugs act as Smyd3 inhibitors in the treat some cancers. However, their interaction is very confusing; for this reason, the aim of this research was to evaluate the theoretical interaction of benzenesulfonamide and their derivatives (compounds 2 to 28) using 7o2c protein, novobiocin, BAY-6035, EPZ031686 and BCI-121 drugs as theoretical tools in DockingServer program. The results showed differences in the aminoacid residues involved in the interaction of benzenesulfonamide and their derivatives with 7o2c protein surface compared with novobiocin, BAY-6035, EPZ031686 and BCI-121 drugs. In additions, the inhibition constant (Ki) for benzenesulfonamide derivatives 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24 and 28 was very lower compared to benzenesulfonamide, novobiocin, BAY-6035, EPZ031686 and BCI-121. In conclusion, the benzenesulfonamide derivatives 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24 and 28 could be a good alternative as Smyd3 inhibitors to decrease cancer cells growth.El cáncer es un grave problema de salud pública a nivel mundial. Esta patología clínica está asociada a la activación/liberación de varias biomoléculas, entre ellas las proteínas de la familia Smyd. De esta forma, algunos estudios indican que Smyd3 está asociado con el crecimiento de células cancerosas. Es importante mencionar que algunos medicamentos actúan como inhibidores de Smyd3 en el tratamiento de algunos tipos de cáncer. Sin embargo, su interacción es muy confusa; por tal motivo, el objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la interacción teórica de la bencenosulfonamida y sus derivados (compuestos 2 al 28) utilizando como herramientas teóricas en el programa DockingServer la proteína 7o2c, novobiocina, BAY-6035, EPZ031686 y BCI-121. . Los resultados mostraron diferencias en los residuos de aminoácidos involucrados en la interacción de la bencenosulfonamida y sus derivados con la superficie de la proteína 7o2c en comparación con los fármacos novobiocina, BAY-6035, EPZ031686 y BCI-121. Además, la constante de inhibición (Ki) para los derivados de bencenosulfonamida 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24 y 28 fue mucho menor en comparación con bencenosulfonamida, novobiocina, BAY-6035, EPZ031686 y BCI-121. En conclusión, los derivados de bencenosulfonamida 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24 y 28 pueden ser una buena alternativa como inhibidores de Smyd3 para disminuir el crecimiento de células cancerosas.O câncer é um grave problema de saúde pública em todo o mundo. Esta patologia clínica está associada à ativação/liberação de várias biomoléculas, incluindo as proteínas da família Smyd. Desta forma, alguns estudos indicam que o Smyd3 está associado ao crescimento de células cancerígenas. É importante mencionar que algumas drogas atuam como inibidores de Smyd3 no tratamento de alguns tipos de câncer. No entanto, sua interação é muito confusa; por esta razão, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a interação teórica de benzenossulfonamida e seus derivados (compostos 2 a 28) usando a proteína 7o2c, novobiocina, BAY-6035, EPZ031686 e drogas BCI-121 como ferramentas teóricas no programa DockingServer. Os resultados mostraram diferenças nos resíduos de aminoácidos envolvidos na interação da benzenossulfonamida e seus derivados com a superfície da proteína 7o2c em comparação com as drogas novobiocina, BAY-6035, EPZ031686 e BCI-121. Além disso, a constante de inibição (Ki) para os derivados de benzenossulfonamida 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24 e 28 foi muito menor em comparação com benzenossulfonamida, novobiocina, BAY-6035, EPZ031686 e BCI-121. Em conclusão, os derivados de benzenossulfonamida 2, 7, 8, 13, 14, 17, 20, 21, 24 e 28 podem ser uma boa alternativa como inibidores de Smyd3 para diminuir o crescimento de células cancerígenas

Drying of wastes of almond shells in conical spouted beds

[EN] The goal of this study was to prove the feasibility of a conical spouted bed dryer for the drying of wastes of almond tree fruit. The drying operating regimes ranges in sspouted beds contactors were determined. The drying tests were conducted in the spouted bed regime under determined experimental conditions. Beds consisting of almond shells were dried at drying air temperatures ranging from room temperature to 140 ºC. The drying behaviour was assessed based on the decrease in moisture content of almond shells with the time and the effect of drying air temperature on the drying process was analyzed.This work was performed with financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and co-funded by the European Union through ERDF funds (Project CTQ2014-59312-P and Project CTQ2017-89199-P).San Jose, MJ.; Alvarez, S.; Lopez, R. (2018). Drying of wastes of almond shells in conical spouted beds. En IDS 2018. 21st International Drying Symposium Proceedings. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 857-864. https://doi.org/10.4995/IDS2018.2018.7490OCS85786

ANTEPROYECTO DE EXPORTACIÓN DE MANGO ATAULFO DESHIDRATADO EN POLVO DE CHIAPAS, MÉXICO A TOKIO, JAPÓN, 2019

Para lograr el objetivo e hipótesis planteados en la presente investigación, se establecieron cuatro apartados. En el primer capítulo se describirán los antecedentes históricos del comercio y del comercio internacional, así como la base teórica que sustenta el intercambio de bienes internacionalmente y las estrategias que pueden ser 8 usadas para quien quiera que pretenda comercializar con el extranjero. Así mismo se hablará de la relación bilateral entre México y Japón y del proceso de cooperación que ha dado lugar a la firma del Acuerdo de Asociación Económica México-Japón, haciendo una investigación a nivel histórico de sus acercamientos y haciendo énfasis en los beneficios que esto ha traído al comercio mexicano. En el segundo apartado, se tiene como objeto el análisis de la producción e importancia de mango en México, sobre todo a nivel internacional. Así mismo busca enmarcar los beneficios de su deshidratación y su venta en el extranjero, además de describir el proceso por el cual es sujeto para su exportación, para asegurar un buen resultado. En el tercer apartado, se busca describir con claridad los aspectos a considerar para entrar en el mercado meta, como por ejemplo saber aspectos básicos acerca de su territorio y población, así como las preferencias de consumo. De igual manera se busca enlistar los aspectos políticos, sociales y culturales que pudieran influir en la aceptación del producto y finalmente vislumbrar si existe una posible competencia para el mismo. Por ultimo en el cuarto apartado, se buscará describir la determinación del precio y de las oportunidades de beneficio para la empresa a nivel financiero, realizando presupuestos y proyecciones, que nos llevaran a la obtención de un rendimiento sobre la inversión. Todo esto para determinar los beneficios futuros de la empres

IMPULSIVIDAD DISFUNCIONAL Y CONDUCTAS AUTODESTRUCTIVAS EN ESTUDIANTES UNIVERSITARIOS

A lo largo de este estudio se explican las conductas autodestructivas y sus causas, igualmente se da una descripción del criterio utilizado para definir la impulsividad. Distintas investigaciones concluyen que las personas se centran en satisfacer sus impulsos y muchas veces actúan sin pensar en las consecuencias realizando conductas autodestructivas, este hecho puede ser por falta de autocontrol y porque la impulsividad es más fuerte como respuesta para disminuir el impulso. La presente investigación tiene como objetivo establecer si a mayor existencia de impulsividad disfuncional existe una mayor presencia de conductas autodestructivas en estudiantes universitarios. Se trabajó con una muestra de 1956 estudiantes universitarios de ambos géneros; se aplicó la escala de Impulsividad Funcional/Disfuncional de Dickman de 1990 y la escala de Autodestrucción de Kelley de 1986; posteriormente se relacionaron los resultados los cuales confirman que la mayor existencia de Impulsividad Disfuncional se relaciona significativamente a una mayor presencia de Conductas Autodestructivas en estudiantes universitarios