Social and human capital as determining factors of entrepreneurship in the Spanish Regions

[Abstract]: Entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity are considered key factors of the economic growth because they usually bring on behaviors aligned with the market development, productivity and social cohesion. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the entrepreneurial role, and provide a better understanding of this behavior from a dynamic perspective, in order to support policies for encouraging entrepreneurship. To do this we used the data presented in the report of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), in its 2011 edition, which is based on an empirical analysis of a sample of 27.000 Spanish citizens. The results confirm that the perception of market opportunities, and having the skills and knowledge required to create new companies are explanatory factors of the entrepreneurial activity. However, it is also possible to assert that the increase of the entrepreneurial activity rate motivated by the need of self-employment of the entrepreneur influences the increase of fear of failure, and this could generate a dynamic harmful to the business creation in the medium term. Our model aims to support the decisions of public institutions about the incentive measures for entrepreneurs. This work contributes to the study of entrepreneurship and business creation from a multidisciplinary perspective, incorporating psychological, sociological and economic approaches from a dynamic perspective. It also allows an in-depth analysis of factors undetected with other methodologies. We examined the determining factors of entrepreneurship by estimating a logit model based on entrepreneur's social capital (networking) and the geographical location (region) of the business activity. This analysis has shown significant differences of these factors according to the stage of the entrepreneurial process. These results have let discuss the implications for the entrepreneurial dynamic, in order to support new policies in favor of entrepreneurship.Project INCITE 10SEC201032PR. Xunta de Galici

Capital social y humano como determinantes del emprendimiento en las regiones españolas

Entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity are considered key factors of the economic growth because they usually bring on behaviors aligned with the market development, productivity and social cohesion. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the entrepreneurial role, and provide a better understanding of this behavior from a dynamic perspective, in order to support policies for encouraging entrepreneurship. To do this we used the data presented in the report of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), in its 2011 edition, which is based on an empirical analysis of a sample of 27,000 Spanish citizens. The results confirm that the perception of market opportunities, and having the skills and knowledge required to create new companies are explanatory factors of the entrepreneurial activity. However, it is also possible to assert that the increase of the entrepreneurial activity rate motivated by the need of self-employment of the entrepreneur influences the increase of fear of failure, and this could generate a dynamic harmful to the business creation in the medium term. Our model aims to support the decisions of public institutions about the incentive measures for entrepreneurs. This work contributes to the study of ntrepreneurship and business creation from a multidisciplinary perspective, incorporating psychological, sociological and economic approaches from a dynamic perspective. It also allows an in-depth analysis of factors undetected with other methodologies. We examined the determining factors of entrepreneurship by estimating a logit model based on entrepreneur’s social capital (networking) and the geographical location (region) of the business activity. This analysis has shown significant differences of these factors according to the stage of the entrepreneurial process. These results have let discuss the implications for the entrepreneurial dynamic, in order to support new policies in favor of entrepreneurship.El emprendimiento, la innovación y la creatividad son considerados factores claves para el crecimiento económico porque se consideran que son elementos que impulsan el desarrollo del mercado, la productividad y la cohesión social. Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar los factores que tienen relevancia en el papel emprendedor y proporcionar una mejor comprensión de este comportamiento desde una perspectiva dinámica, con el fin de apoyar las políticas de fomento del espíritu empresarial. Para ello se utilizaron los datos presentados en el informe del Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), en su edición 2011, que se basa en un análisis empírico de una muestra de 27.000 ciudadanos españoles. Los resultados confirman que la percepción de oportunidades de mercado y el tener las herramientas y el conocimiento necesarios para crear nuevas empresas son factores explicativos de la actividad emprendedora. Sin embargo, es posible afirmar que el incremento de la tasa de actividad emprendedora motivada por la necesidad del auto-empleo influye en el aumento del miedo al fracaso y esto podría generar una dinámica perjudicial en la creación de empresas a medio plazo. Nuestro modelo tiene como objetivo apoyar las decisiones de las instituciones públicas sobre las medidas de incentivo para los empresarios. Este trabajo contribuye al estudio de la iniciativa empresarial y la creación de empresas desde una perspectiva multidisciplinar, incorporando enfoques psicológicos, sociológicos y económicos desde una perspectiva dinámica. También permite un análisis en profundidad de los factores detectados con otras metodologías. El trabajo examina los factores determinantes del emprendimiento utilizando un modelo logit basado en el capital social de los emprendedores (redes sociales) y la localización geográfica (región) de la actividad empresarial. Este análisis muestra que existen diferencias significativas en esos factores en función de la etapa del proceso emprendedor. Esos resultados permiten discutir las implicaciones para la dinámica empresarial con el fin de apoyar nuevas políticas a favor de la iniciativa empresarial

Human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells stimulate neuronal regeneration by promoting axon growth and restoring neuronal activity

In the last decades, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become the cornerstone of cellular therapy due to their unique characteristics. Specifically human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hPMSCs) are highlighted for their unique features, including ease to isolate, non-invasive techniques for large scale cell production, significant immunomodulatory capacity, and a high ability to migrate to injuries. Researchers are exploring innovative techniques to overcome the low regenerative capacity of Central Nervous System (CNS) neurons, with one promising avenue being the development of tailored mesenchymal stem cell therapies capable of promoting neural repair and recovery. In this context, we have evaluated hPMSCs as candidates for CNS lesion regeneration using a skillful co-culture model system. Indeed, we have demonstrated the hPMSCs ability to stimulate damaged rat-retina neurons regeneration by promoting axon growth and restoring neuronal activity both under normoxia and hypoxia conditions. With our model we have obtained neuronal regeneration values of 10%–14% and axonal length per neuron rates of 19-26, μm/neuron. To assess whether the regenerative capabilities of hPMSCs are contact-dependent effects or it is mediated through paracrine mechanisms, we carried out transwell co-culture and conditioned medium experiments confirming the role of secreted factors in axonal regeneration. It was found that hPMSCs produce brain derived, neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve-growth factor (NGF) and Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), involved in the process of neuronal regeneration and restoration of the physiological activity of neurons. In effect, we confirmed the success of our treatment using the patch clamp technique to study ionic currents in individual isolated living cells demonstrating that in our model the regenerated neurons are electrophysiologically active, firing action potentials. The outcomes of our neuronal regeneration studies, combined with the axon-regenerating capabilities exhibited by mesenchymal stem cells derived from the placenta, present a hopeful outlook for the potential therapeutic application of hPMSCs in the treatment of neurological disorders.post-print2885 K

Comparison of Plasma Lipoprotein Composition and Function in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy and Alzheimer’s Disease

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) refers to beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition in brain vessels and is clinically the main cause of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Aβ can also accumulate in brain parenchyma forming neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our study aimed to determine whether the peripheral lipid profile and lipoprotein composition are associated with cerebral beta-amyloidosis pathology and may reflect biological differences in AD and CAA. For this purpose, lipid and apolipoproteins levels were analyzed in plasma from 51 ICH-CAA patients (collected during the chronic phase of the disease), 60 AD patients, and 60 control subjects. Lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL, and HDL) were isolated and their composition and pro/antioxidant ability were determined. We observed that alterations in the lipid profile and lipoprotein composition were remarkable in the ICH-CAA group compared to control subjects, whereas the AD group presented no specific alterations compared with controls. ICH-CAA patients presented an atheroprotective profile, which consisted of lower total and LDL cholesterol levels. Plasma from chronic ICH-CAA patients also showed a redistribution of ApoC-III from HDL to VLDL and a higher ApoE/ApoC-III ratio in HDL. Whether these alterations reflect a protective response or have a causative effect on the pathology requires further investigation

Circulating AQP4 Levels in Patients with Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-Associated Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a major cause of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in elderly patients. Growing evidence suggests a potential role of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in amyloid-beta-associated diseases, including CAA pathology. Our aim was to investigate the circulating levels of AQP4 in a cohort of patients who had suffered a lobar ICH with a clinical diagnosis of CAA. AQP4 levels were analyzed in the serum of 60 CAA-related ICH patients and 19 non-stroke subjects by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The CAA-ICH cohort was divided according to the time point of the functional outcome evaluation: mid-term (12 +/- 18.6 months) and long-term (38.5 +/- 32.9 months) after the last ICH. Although no differences were found in AQP4 serum levels between cases and controls, lower levels were found in CAA patients presenting specific hemorrhagic features such as >= 2 lobar ICHs and >= 5 lobar microbleeds detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In addition, CAA-related ICH patients who presented a long-term good functional outcome had higher circulating AQP4 levels than subjects with a poor outcome or controls. Our data suggest that AQP4 could potentially predict a long-term functional outcome and may play a protective role after a lobar ICH

Capital social y humano como determinantes del emprendimiento en las regiones españolas

Entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity are considered key factors of the economic growth because they usually bring on behaviors aligned with the market development, productivity and social cohesion. This study aims to analyze the factors that influence the entrepreneurial role, and provide a better understanding of this behavior from a dynamic perspective, in order to support policies for encouraging entrepreneurship. To do this we used the data presented in the report of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), in its 2011 edition, which is based on an empirical analysis of a sample of 27,000 Spanish citizens. The results confirm that the perception of market opportunities, and having the skills and knowledge required to create new companies are explanatory factors of the entrepreneurial activity. However, it is also possible to assert that the increase of the entrepreneurial activity rate motivated by the need of self-employment of the entrepreneur influences the increase of fear of failure, and this could generate a dynamic harmful to the business creation in the medium term. Our model aims to support the decisions of public institutions about the incentive measures for entrepreneurs. This work contributes to the study of ntrepreneurship and business creation from a multidisciplinary perspective, incorporating psychological, sociological and economic approaches from a dynamic perspective. It also allows an in-depth analysis of factors undetected with other methodologies. We examined the determining factors of entrepreneurship by estimating a logit model based on entrepreneur’s social capital (networking) and the geographical location (region) of the business activity. This analysis has shown significant differences of these factors according to the stage of the entrepreneurial process. These results have let discuss the implications for the entrepreneurial dynamic, in order to support new policies in favor of entrepreneurship.El emprendimiento, la innovación y la creatividad son considerados factores claves para el crecimiento económico porque se consideran que son elementos que impulsan el desarrollo del mercado, la productividad y la cohesión social. Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar los factores que tienen relevancia en el papel emprendedor y proporcionar una mejor comprensión de este comportamiento desde una perspectiva dinámica, con el fin de apoyar las políticas de fomento del espíritu empresarial. Para ello se utilizaron los datos presentados en el informe del Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), en su edición 2011, que se basa en un análisis empírico de una muestra de 27.000 ciudadanos españoles. Los resultados confirman que la percepción de oportunidades de mercado y el tener las herramientas y el conocimiento necesarios para crear nuevas empresas son factores explicativos de la actividad emprendedora. Sin embargo, es posible afirmar que el incremento de la tasa de actividad emprendedora motivada por la necesidad del auto-empleo influye en el aumento del miedo al fracaso y esto podría generar una dinámica perjudicial en la creación de empresas a medio plazo. Nuestro modelo tiene como objetivo apoyar las decisiones de las instituciones públicas sobre las medidas de incentivo para los empresarios. Este trabajo contribuye al estudio de la iniciativa empresarial y la creación de empresas desde una perspectiva multidisciplinar, incorporando enfoques psicológicos, sociológicos y económicos desde una perspectiva dinámica. También permite un análisis en profundidad de los factores detectados con otras metodologías. El trabajo examina los factores determinantes del emprendimiento utilizando un modelo logit basado en el capital social de los emprendedores (redes sociales) y la localización geográfica (región) de la actividad empresarial. Este análisis muestra que existen diferencias significativas en esos factores en función de la etapa del proceso emprendedor. Esos resultados permiten discutir las implicaciones para la dinámica empresarial con el fin de apoyar nuevas políticas a favor de la iniciativa empresarial

Iodine contrast prior to or during pregnancy and neonatal thyroid function: a systematic review

Objective: Thyroid dysfunction is a known side effect of iodinated contrast media. There is some evidence to suggest that iodinated contrast media administered to pregnant women may cause thyroid dysfunction not only in themselves but also in their offspring. Here, we systematically evaluated literature on the use of iodinated contrast media prior to or during pregnancy on the offspring's thyroid function. Design: Systematic review of published literature. Materials and methods: Relevant studies were identified by PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library up to June 5, 2020. All study designs, reporting on the foetal or neonatal thyroid function after exposure to iodinated contrast media prior to or during pregnancy, were included. We undertook random effects meta-analysis and pooled the estimates as proportions with 95% CIs. Results: We identified 402 articles, of which 26 were included. Six studies reported (n = 369) on exposure to iodinated contrast media prior to pregnancy by hysterosalpingography and 20 studies (n = 670) on exposure to these media during pregnancy by amniofetography, urography or CT. There was low to high risk of bias. The proportion of (transient) neonatal thyroid dysfunction was 0.0% (95% CI: 0.0-2.9% based on 3 studies) for hysterosalpingography, 2.25% (95% CI: 0.03-6.55% based on 2 studies) for amniofetography and 0.0% (95% CI: 0.0-0.02% based on 5 studies) for CT. There was a tendency towards an increased risk of thyroid dysfunction with higher amounts of contrast used. Conclusions: Exposure to iodinated contrast media prior to or during pregnancy may increase the risk of thyroid dysfunction in offspring. We recommend keeping the amount of contrast used as low as possible

Comparison of plasma lipoprotein composition and function in cerebral amyloid angiopathy and Alzheimer's disease

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) refers to beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition in brain vessels and is clinically the main cause of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Aβ can also accumulate in brain parenchyma forming neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our study aimed to determine whether the peripheral lipid profile and lipoprotein composition are associated with cerebral beta-amyloidosis pathology and may reflect biological differences in AD and CAA. For this purpose, lipid and apolipoproteins levels were analyzed in plasma from 51 ICH-CAA patients (collected during the chronic phase of the disease), 60 AD patients, and 60 control subjects. Lipoproteins (VLDL, LDL, and HDL) were isolated and their composition and pro/antioxidant ability were determined. We observed that alterations in the lipid profile and lipoprotein composition were remarkable in the ICH-CAA group compared to control subjects, whereas the AD group presented no specific alterations compared with controls. ICH-CAA patients presented an atheroprotective profile, which consisted of lower total and LDL cholesterol levels. Plasma from chronic ICH-CAA patients also showed a redistribution of ApoC-III from HDL to VLDL and a higher ApoE/ApoC-III ratio in HDL. Whether these alterations reflect a protective response or have a causative effect on the pathology requires further investigation