The Mexican Non-toxic Jatropha curcas L., Food Resource or Biofuel?

Jatropha curcas L. is a promising natural resource which has been promoted globally for biodiesel production by policy makers and researchers in tropical and subtropical countries. However, both J. curcas seeds and oil have been found to be toxic to humans and domestic animals when consumed. A non-toxic genotype of J. curcas has been reported from some rural communities in southern Mexico, and is suitable for human consumption. This non-toxic germplasm has been used in traditional Totonacan cuisine in Mexico. However, increasing demand for J. curcas to be used in biofuel production is exerting pressure on the non-toxic genotype. In this work we analyze the possible origins and dispersal of non-toxic Jatropha by the Totonaca culture; the traditional uses of J. curcas seeds as a food; its status with respect to the Mexican commercial forestry regulations; and the risks associated with the demands of biofuels on this Mexican germplasm

Interrelationship between the structural features and rehydration properties of spray dried manzano chilli sauce microcapsules

Manzano chilli sauce microcapsules (MCHS) were obtained by spray drying using Gum Arabic (GA100%), whey protein concentrate (WPC100%) and a blend of these biopolymers (GA50%-WPC50%) as wall materials in 2:1 and 4:1 wall to core material ratios (WCMR). Water vapor adsorption isotherms data of microcapsules were obtained at 35 °C and fitted to GAB's model. The monolayer water content values of the microcapsules varied from 9.97 to 14.32 kg H2O/100 kg dry solids, and were used for determining the surface fractal dimension (Ds). Ds values ranged between 2.04 to 2.30 for the 2:1 WCMR and 2.17 to 2.43 for the 4:1 WCMR, respectively. Microcapsules topology was determined by Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). Microcapsules with WPC100% exhibited smoother and more regular shaped topology than those with GA100% which tended to exhibit surface flaws and dents, while those made with the biopolymers blend exhibited an intermediate morphology. Rehydration times of the microcapsules were function of water activity (aw) and WCMR. The higher the WCMR, the higher the rehydration time required

Moisture sorption properties and storage stability conditions of a nutraceutical system microencapsulated by spray drying

The adsorption isotherms of a nutraceutical system microencapsulated by spray drying were determined at 20, 35 and 40 °C. Experimental data of the isotherms were fitted using the GAB and Caurie models and the integral thermodynamic functions (enthalpy and entropy) were estimated by the Clausius-Clapeyron equation. The Kelvin and Halsey equations were adequate for calculation of pore radius which varied from 0.67 to 8.15 nm. The point of maximum stability (minimum integral entropy) was found between 3.61 and 3.81 kg H2O/100 kg d.s. (corresponding to water activity, aW, of 0.19-0.37). Enthalpy-entropy compensation for the microcapsules showed two isokinetic temperatures. The first isokinetic temperature was observed at low moisture contents (< 3.81 kg H2O/100 kg d.s.) and was controlled by changes in the entropy of water, whereas the second isokinetic temperature was considered to be enthalpy-driven (3.81-20 kg H2O/100 kg d.s.). Keywords: sorption isotherms, pore radius, minimum integral entropy, enthalphy-entropy compensation, water activity

Is higher physical fitness associated with better psychological health in young pediatric cancer survivors? A cross-sectional study from the iBoneFIT project

Objective To examine the associations of self-perceived and objectively-measured physical fitness with psychological well-being and distress indicators in young pediatric cancer survivors. Materials and Methods A total of 116 participants (12.1 ± 3.3 years, 56.9% boys) from the iBoneFIT project participated in this cross-sectional study. Objectively-measured physical fitness (muscular fitness) was obtained by handgrip strength and standing long jump tests for the upper and lower body, respectively. Self-perceived physical fitness was obtained by the International Fitness Scale (IFIS). Positive and negative affect were assessed by the positive affect schedule for children (PANAS-C), happiness by Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS), optimism by Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R), self-esteem by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), anxiety by State–Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC-R), and depression by Children Depression Inventory (CDI). Multiple linear regressions adjusted by key covariates were performed to analyze associations. Results No associations were found between objectively-measured muscular fitness and any of the psychological well-being and distress indicators (p > 0.05). Self-perceived overall fitness and flexibility were positively associated with positive affect (β ≥ 0.258, p < 0.05). Self-perceived cardiorespiratory fitness, speed/agility, and flexibility were negatively associated with depression (β ≥ −0.222, p < 0.05). Finally, self-perceived cardiorespiratory fitness was also negatively associated with anxiety and negative affect (β ≥ −0.264, p < 0.05). Conclusions Perceived physical fitness, but not objectively physical fitness, seems to be inversely related to psychological distress variables and to less extent positively related to psychological well-being. The findings from this study highlight the importance of promoting self-perceived fitness in the pediatric oncology population

Endoscopical and pathological dissociation in severe colitis induced by immune-checkpoint inhibitors

Checkpoint inhibitors have improved the survival of patients with advanced tumors and show a manageable toxicity profile. However, auto-immune colitis remains a relevant side effect, and combinations of anti-PD1/PDL1 and anti-CTLA-4 increase its incidence and severity. Here, we report the case of a 50-year-old patient diagnosed with stage IV cervical cancer that relapsed following radical surgery, external radiation/brachytherapy and standard chemotherapy. She was subsequently treated with Nivolumab and Ipilimumab combination and developed grade 2 colitis presenting a dissociation between endoscopic and pathological findings. At cycle 10 the patient reported grade 3 diarrhea and abdominal discomfort, without blood or mucus in the stools. Immunotherapy was withheld and a colonoscopy was performed, showing normal mucosa in the entire colon. Puzzlingly, histologic evaluation of randomly sampled mucosal biopsy of the distal colon showed an intense intraepithelial lymphocyte infiltration with crypt loss and some regenerating crypts with a few apoptotic bodies set in a chronically inflamed lamina propria, consistent with the microscopic diagnosis of colitis. Treatment with methylprednisolone 2 mg/kg was initiated which led to a decrease in the number of stools to grade 1. Additional investigations to exclude other causes of diarrhea rendered negative results. The patient experienced a major partial response and, following the resolution of diarrhea, she was re-challenged again with immunotherapy, with the reappearance of grade 2 diarrhea, leading to permanent immunotherapy interruption. We conclude and propose that performing random colonic biopsies should be considered in cases of immune checkpoint-associated unexplained diarrhea, even when colonoscopy shows macroscopically normal colonic mucosa inflammatory lesions

Summary of climate variability and extremes and their main impacts on agricultural production in 2019

This yearly summary reviews the main climate extremes described by the WMO state of the climate preliminary report for 2019 that had an impact on agricultural production according to JRC’s agricultural early warning system ASAP (Anomaly hotspots of Agricultural Production). Such a summary can be used as a starting point for more detailed analysis of agricultural production problems and their impact on food security as it is done for example by the multi-agency Global Report on Food Crises and the Food Security and Nutrition State in the World. The year 2019 was warmer than 2018 (second warmest on record) and saw major heat waves in several parts of the world. Droughts affected crop and rangeland productivity mainly in Europe, Southern and Eastern Africa, South East Asia and in Australia. Tropical storms and cyclones caused fatalities and major damage to infrastructure and agriculture in the Bahamas and along East Africas coast. High intensity rainfall lead to floods in all continents. The final part of the report includes an oveview of climate extremes affecting crop seasons ongoing in early 2020 as well as a short summary of seasonal forecasts until April 2020.JRC.D.5-Food Securit

Miradas colectivas departamento del Caquetá muncipio de Florencia

Bajo la opción de trabajo de grado del Diplomado en Desarrollo Humano y Familia, se despliega este trabajo. Enmarcándose en el Departamento del Caquetá municipio de Florencia, donde sus autores sitúan algunas comunidades con diversas problemáticas sociales, con el objetivo de plantear una propuesta de acompañamiento, con el fin de aminorar, orientar, fomentar conocimiento, concienciar etc., aquello que aqueja a las comunidades elegidas. Esto se realizó a través de herramientas de recolección de información, como la entrevista, árbol de problemas, técnica de observación, diario de campo y registro fotográfico. En base a los datos recolectados se identifican y se prioriza las problemáticas de las comunidades, en este sentido se plantea la propuesta de acompañamiento, con diferentes alternativas, actividades y estrategias como posibles soluciones a las problemáticas de los contextos de las familias y grupos sociales, por consiguiente ser gestores de cambios en pro de su continuo desarrollo humano.Under the option of degree work of the Diploma in Human Development and Family, this work is deployed. Framing itself in the Department of the Caquetá municipality of Florence, where its authors locate some communities with diverse social problems, with the aim of proposing a proposal of accompaniment, in order to reduce, guide, foment knowledge, raise awareness, etc. Communities. This was done through information gathering tools such as interview, problem tree, observation technique, field diary and photographic record. Based on the data collected, the problems of the communities are identified and prioritized. In this sense, the proposal of accompaniment is proposed, with different alternatives, activities and strategies as possible solutions to the problems of the contexts of families and social groups, therefore, be managers of changes in favor of their continuous human development