Buenas prácticas en gestión sostenible de juguerías

La presente investigación tuvo como objetivo identificar las buenas prácticas en gestión sostenible aplicadas en las juguerías de Lima, Perú en el 2018. La investigación realizada fue no experimental con un enfoque mixto, diseño transeccional y alcance descriptivo. La muestra utilizada fue tomada de manera no probabilística debido a que se basó en el interés voluntario de los participantes, así como en la disponibilidad de información pública disponible sobre gestión sostenible de los mismos. El instrumento de medición aplicado fue desarrollado en base a herramientas públicas y ampliamente reconocidas de gestión sostenible y fue adaptado a las características del sector juguerías. La aplicación de este instrumento permitió que los resultados de los diferentes participantes fuesen comparables. En este sentido, se observó que la totalidad de las empresas analizadas han desarrollado únicamente 34 de las 82 buenas prácticas en gestión sostenible propuestas, del mismo modo, su implementación se ha dado en diferentes proporciones según el aspecto. El aspecto social fue el que contó con un mayor número de buenas prácticas implementadas (18), seguido del aspecto económico-empresarial (12), y por último, el aspecto ambiental (cuatro). En consecuencia, basado en el análisis de los resultados obtenidos se recomienda que las empresas participantes ejecuten un mayor número de buenas prácticas en el aspecto ambiental de la gestión sostenible el cual presenta grandes oportunidades de mejora. Asimismo, se recomienda realizar mayores investigaciones sobre el sector juguerías en Lima, Perú debido a que la información que se encuentre permitirá entender mejor el estado del sector. De igual modo, la información permitirá tanto a las empresas establecidas, como a las que deseen entrar al sector, conocer a mayor detalle las fortalezas y debilidades del sector, así como las oportunidades existentes.The purpose of this research was to identify the good practices on sustainable management implemented in juice bars in Lima, Peru, in 2018. The research was a nonexperimental study with a mixed approach, a cross-sectional design, and a descriptive scope. A non-probability sampling technique was used to determine the sample as it was based on the willingness of the participants to join the study, as well as in the availability of public information on sustainable management about them. The measurement instrument used was developed based on well-known public instruments on sustainable management and was adapted to cover the traits of juice bars. The application of this instrument allowed the comparison of the results from the different participants. As a result, only 34 out of 82 good practices on sustainable management proposed were implemented by all participants, plus their implementation level differed by aspect. A greater number of good practices were implemented in the social aspect (18), followed by the economic-corporate aspect (12), and the environmental aspect (four). As a consequence, based on the analysis of the obtained results, it is suggested for the participants to implement more environmental good practices, an aspect where multiple improvements can be executed. Furthermore, it is suggested to perform more studies on juice bars in Lima, Peru, as the information obtained will contribute to a better understanding of the industry. In addition, this information will allow established companies and companies looking to join the market to better know the strengths and weaknesses of the sector, as well as the existing opportunities.Tesi

Molecular characterization of rpoB gene mutations in isolates from tuberculosis patients in Cubal, Republic of Angola

Angola; Rifampicina; Mutaciones rpoBAngola; Rifampicina; Mutacions rpoBAngola; Rifampicin; rpoB mutationsBackground The importance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains with disputed rpoB mutations remains to be defined. This study aimed to assess the frequency and types of rpoB mutations in M. tuberculosis isolates from Cubal, Angola, a country with a high incidence of tuberculosis. Methods All isolates included (n = 308) were analyzed using phenotypic drug susceptibility testing and GenoType MTBDRplus assay. DNA sequencing of the rpoB gene and determination of rifampicin MIC by macrodilution method were additionally performed on isolates yielding discordant results (n = 12) and those in which the mutation detected was not characterized (n = 8). Results In total, 85.1% (74/87) of rifampicin-resistant strains had undisputed rpoB mutations -S450L (49), D435V (15), H445D (3), H445Y (2), Q432ins (1), L449M plus S450F (1), S450F (1), S450W (1) and S450Y (1)-; 10.3% (9/87) had disputed rpoB mutations—L430P plus S493L (1), N437del (1), H445L (3), D435Y (2), L452P (2)-, 2.3% (2.3%) showed no rpoB mutations and 2.3% (2/87) showed heteroresistance—D435Y plus L452P and L430P plus S493L-. Conclusion Disputed rpoB mutations were common, occurring in 10.3% of rifampicin resistant isolates. Current phenotyping techniques may be unable to detect this resistance pattern. To increase their sensitivity, a lower concentration of RIF could be used in these tests or alternatively, rpoB mutations could be screened and characterized in all M. tuberculosis strains.This work was supported by Probitas Foundation. Thanks to the financial support received from Probitas Foundation it was possible not only purchase the equipment and reagents to launch the study but to strengthen the capacity of the laboratory and local staff

Effect of Influenza Vaccination Inducing Antibody Mediated Rejection in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

Introduction: Our goal was to study whether influenza vaccination induced antibody mediated rejection in a large cohort of solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR). Methods: Serum anti-Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) antibodies were determined using class I and class II antibody-coated latex beads (FlowPRATM Screening Test) by flow cytometry. Anti-HLA antibody specificity was determined using the single-antigen bead flow cytometry (SAFC) assay and assignation of donor specific antibodies (DSA) was performed by virtual-crossmatch. Results: We studied a cohort of 490 SOTR that received an influenza vaccination from 2009 to 2013: 110 (22.4%) received the pandemic adjuvanted vaccine, 59 (12%) within the first 6 months post-transplantation, 185 (37.7%) more than 6 months after transplantation and 136 (27.7%) received two vaccination doses. Overall, no differences of anti-HLA antibodies were found after immunization in patients that received the adjuvanted vaccine, within the first 6 months post-transplantation, or based on the type of organ transplanted. However, the second immunization dose increased the percentage of patients positive for anti-HLA class I significantly compared with patients with one dose (14.6% vs. 3.8%; P = 0.003). Patients with pre-existing antibodies before vaccination (15.7% for anti-HLA class I and 15.9% for class II) did not increase reactivity after immunization. A group of 75 (14.4%) patients developed de novo anti-HLA antibodies, however, only 5 (1.02%) of them were DSA, and none experienced allograft rejection. Only two (0.4%) patients were diagnosed with graft rejection with favorable outcomes and neither of them developed DSA. Conclusion: Our results suggest that influenza vaccination is not associated with graft rejection in this cohort of SOTR.This study was funded by the Consejería de Salud (Grant Number: PI-0119-2012), Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Grant Numbers: GR09/0041, PI14-00165, and MPY110/18) and co-financed by European Development Regional Fund “A way to achieve Europe” ERDF, Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD12/0015/0001)

Immunological features beyond CD4/CD8 ratio values in older individuals

The CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio is emerging as a relevant marker of evolution for many pathologies and therapies. We aimed to explore immunological features beyond CD4/CD8 ratio values in older subjects (>65 years old) who were classified as having lower (2) ratio values. The lower group showed a lower thymic output (sj/β-TREC ratio) and frequency of naïve T-cells, concomitant with increased mature T-cells. In these subjects, the CD4 T-cell subset was enriched in CD95+ but depleted of CD98+ cells. The regulatory T-cell (Treg) compartment was enriched in CTLA-4+ cells. The CD8 T-cell pool exhibited increased frequencies of CD95+ cells but decreased frequencies of integrin-β7+ cells. Interestingly, in the intermediate group, the CD4 pool showed greater differences than the CD8 pool, mostly for cellular senescence. Regarding inflammation, only hsCRP was elevated in the lower group; however, negative correlations between the CD4/CD8 ratio and β2-microglobulin and sCD163 were detected. These subjects displayed trends of more comorbidities and less independence in daily activities. Altogether, our data reveal different thymic output and immune profiles for T-cells across CD4/CD8 ratio values that can define immune capabilities, affecting health status in older individuals. Thus, the CD4/CD8 ratio may be used as an integrative marker of biological age.This work was supported by grants from the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (FIS; PI18/01216), which is co-funded by Fondos Europeos para el Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) “Una manera de hacer Europa” and the Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo (Proyecto de Investigación de Excelencia; CTS2593). The Spanish AIDS Research Network of Excellence also supported this study (RD16/0025/0019). V G-R, I O-M and A B-R were supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (FI19/00298, CM19/00051 and CD19/00143, respectively). YM. P was supported by the Consejería de Salud y Familias of Junta de Andalucía through the ‘‘Nicolás Monardes’’ program (C-0013-2017).Peer reviewe

Discovery and validation of an NMR-based metabolomic profile in urine as TB biomarker

Despite efforts to improve tuberculosis (TB) detection, limitations in access, quality and timeliness of diagnostic services in low- and middle-income countries are challenging for current TB diagnostics. This study aimed to identify and characterise a metabolic profile of TB in urine by high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry and assess whether the TB metabolic profile is also detected by a low-field benchtop NMR spectrometer. We included 189 patients with tuberculosis, 42 patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, 61 individuals infected with latent tuberculosis and 40 uninfected individuals. We acquired the urine spectra from high and low-field NMR. We characterised a TB metabolic fingerprint from the Principal Component Analysis. We developed a classification model from the Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis and evaluated its performance. We identified a metabolic fingerprint of 31 chemical shift regions assigned to eight metabolites (aminoadipic acid, citrate, creatine, creatinine, glucose, mannitol, phenylalanine, and hippurate). The model developed using low-field NMR urine spectra correctly classified 87.32%, 85.21% and 100% of the TB patients compared to pneumococcal pneumonia patients, LTBI and uninfected individuals, respectively. The model validation correctly classified 84.10% of the TB patients. We have identified and characterised a metabolic profile of TB in urine from a high-field NMR spectrometer and have also detected it using a low-field benchtop NMR spectrometer. The models developed from the metabolic profile of TB identified by both NMR technologies were able to discriminate TB patients from the rest of the study groups and the results were not influenced by anti-TB treatment or TB location. This provides a new approach in the search for possible biomarkers for the diagnosis of TB

Additional file 6 of Higher plasma levels of thymosin-α1 are associated with a lower waning of humoral response after COVID-19 vaccination: an eight months follow-up study in a nursing home

Additional file 6: Supplementary Fig. 3. Correlations among Log of anti-S antibody titers at all different study points.Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades Instituto de Salud Carlos III Consejería de Salud y Familias, Junta de AndalucíaPeer reviewe

Additional file 8 of Higher plasma levels of thymosin-α1 are associated with a lower waning of humoral response after COVID-19 vaccination: an eight months follow-up study in a nursing home

Additional file 8. Detailed methodology.Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades Instituto de Salud Carlos III Consejería de Salud y Familias, Junta de AndalucíaPeer reviewe

Additional file 2 of Higher plasma levels of thymosin-α1 are associated with a lower waning of humoral response after COVID-19 vaccination: an eight months follow-up study in a nursing home

Additional file 2: Supplementary Table 1. Demographical and anthropometrics characteristics of the study population.Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades Instituto de Salud Carlos III Consejería de Salud y Familias, Junta de AndalucíaPeer reviewe

Factors associated with the humoral response after three doses of COVID-19 vaccination in kidney transplant recipients

[Introduction] Kidney transplant recipients showed a weak humoral response to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine despite receiving three cumulative doses of the vaccine. New approaches are still needed to raise protective immunity conferred by the vaccine administration within this group of high-risk patients.[Methods] To analyze the humoral response and identify any predictive factors within these patients, we designed a prospective monocentric longitudinal study of Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) who received three doses of mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine. Specific antibody levels were measured by chemiluminescence. Parameters related to clinical status such as kidney function, immunosuppressive therapy, inflammatory status and thymic function were analyzed as potential predictors of the humoral response.[Results] Seventy-four KTR and sixteen healthy controls were included. One month after the administration of the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, 64.8% of KTR showed a positive humoral response. As predictive factors of seroconversion and specific antibody titer, we found that immunosuppressive therapy, worse kidney function, higher inflammatory status and age were related to a lower response in KTR while immune cell counts, thymosin-a1 plasma concentration and thymic output were related to a higher humoral response. Furthermore, baseline thymosin-a1 concentration was independently associated with the seroconversion after three vaccine doses.[Discussion] In addition to the immunosuppression therapy, condition of kidney function and age before vaccination, specific immune factors could also be relevant in light of optimization of the COVID-19 vaccination protocol in KTR. Therefore, thymosin-a1, an immunomodulatory hormone, deserves further research as a potential adjuvant for the next vaccine boosters.This study was supported by a grant from the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (FIS/PI21/00357), which is co-founded by Fondos Europeos para el Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) “Una manera de hacer Europa”. VG-R, IO-M and AB-R were supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CD19/00143, FI19/00298 and CM19/00051, respectively). MP-B was supported by the Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades [DOC_01646 to MP-B] and YP was supported by the Consejería de Salud y Familias of Junta de Andalucía through the “Nicolás Monardes” [RC-0006-2021].Peer reviewe

Multi-messenger observations of a binary neutron star merger

On 2017 August 17 a binary neutron star coalescence candidate (later designated GW170817) with merger time 12:41:04 UTC was observed through gravitational waves by the Advanced LIGO and Advanced Virgo detectors. The Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor independently detected a gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) with a time delay of ~1.7 s with respect to the merger time. From the gravitational-wave signal, the source was initially localized to a sky region of 31 deg2 at a luminosity distance of 40+8-8 Mpc and with component masses consistent with neutron stars. The component masses were later measured to be in the range 0.86 to 2.26 Mo. An extensive observing campaign was launched across the electromagnetic spectrum leading to the discovery of a bright optical transient (SSS17a, now with the IAU identification of AT 2017gfo) in NGC 4993 (at ~40 Mpc) less than 11 hours after the merger by the One- Meter, Two Hemisphere (1M2H) team using the 1 m Swope Telescope. The optical transient was independently detected by multiple teams within an hour. Subsequent observations targeted the object and its environment. Early ultraviolet observations revealed a blue transient that faded within 48 hours. Optical and infrared observations showed a redward evolution over ~10 days. Following early non-detections, X-ray and radio emission were discovered at the transient’s position ~9 and ~16 days, respectively, after the merger. Both the X-ray and radio emission likely arise from a physical process that is distinct from the one that generates the UV/optical/near-infrared emission. No ultra-high-energy gamma-rays and no neutrino candidates consistent with the source were found in follow-up searches. These observations support the hypothesis that GW170817 was produced by the merger of two neutron stars in NGC4993 followed by a short gamma-ray burst (GRB 170817A) and a kilonova/macronova powered by the radioactive decay of r-process nuclei synthesized in the ejecta