Mejoramiento participativo: herramienta para la conservación de cultivos subutilizados y olvidados

A pesar de un número significativo de especies vegetales ser reconocidas como alimenticias, solo una pequeña fracción cumple con la demanda proteica de la población mundial. Los cultivos mejorados, con una base genética muy limitada, muy posiblemente no podrán contrarrestar los efectos adversos del cambio climático. Por lo contrario, los cultivos considerados subutilizados, infrautilizados, olvidados, huérfanos, obsoletos o menores,pueden contener en sus genomas las respuestas para garantizar la seguridad y la soberanía alimentaria y nutricional de las poblaciones. Esas variedades locales, debidamente adaptadas a condiciones agroclimáticas extremas, como las de maíz criollo e indígena colombiano, hacen parte del patrimonio cultural de muchosgrupos étnicos o pueblos originarios, que las seleccionan, las utilizan y las conservan. Además de estos, otro concepto se refiere a los recursos promisorios, igualmente poco utilizados, aunque por razones diferentes. Así, el Mejoramiento Participativo (MP) es una herramienta para promocionar variedades locales o cultivostradicionales subutilizados, para atender las necesidades de las comunidades. En el Fitomejoramiento Participativo, los miembros de la cadena de valores o productiva (agricultores, fitomejoradores, técnicos y otros) trabajan juntos en el proceso de desarrollo de las variedades, en un proceso descentralizado y participativo.Un programa de MP con germoplasma de maíz colombiano resultó en la promoción de algunas variedades locales. Paralelamente se describieron nuevas razas de maíz para Colombia

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Variables morfometricas y análisis molecular para la identificación de razas colombianas de maíz (Zea mays L.)

Colombia es un país mega diverso, esta diversidad también se extiende a plantas cultivadas, en el caso de maíz (Zea mays L.) desde la década de 1950 están reportadas 23 razas de maíz asociadas a comunidades campesinas é indígena, en la actualidad la Universidad Nacional de Colombia Sede Palmira mediante el grupo de investigación GIRFIN y el ICA estudian la diversidad genética presente en este cultivo con el fin de conocer cuál es el estado actual de estas razas de maíz, para lo cual se realizó una serie de colectas, las cuales permitieron la caracterización de 277 accesiones esta se realizó a nivel morfológico utilizando los descriptores de Wellhausen, CIMMYT y IBPGR , los datos obtenidos permitieron realizar un estudio morfometrico en el cual se determinaron los componentes principales limitando de 65 a 15 variales evaluadas como las más relevantes para la identificación de razas de maíz, además se presentan los datos obtenidos en la caracterización a nivel molecular en el cual se presentan diferencia genéticas marcadas para cada una de las razas.//Abstract: Colombia is a mega diverse country, this diversity also extends to cultivated plants. In the case of maize (Zea mays L.) since the 1950s, 23 maize races associated with peasant and indigenous communities have been reported. National of Palmira Headquarters through the research group GIRFIN and the ICA study the genetic diversity present in this crop in order to know what the current state of these maize breeds, for which a series of collections were made, which allowed The characterization of 277 accetions was performed at the morphological level using the Wellhausen, CIMMYT and IBPGR descriptors, the data obtained allowed to perform a morphometric study in which the main components were determined limiting from 65 to 15 varials evaluated as the most relevant for the Identification of races of maize, besides the data obtained in the characterization at the molecular level in the Which show marked genetic difference between each of the races.Maestrí

Valoración de plantas curativas comercializadas en los mercados locales de los municipios de El Cerrito y Palmira, Valle del Cauca, Colombia

Muchas especies vegetales, además del uso alimenticio, poseen utilidades medicinales, aromáticas, ornamentales, condimentarias y mágicas. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo inventariar y valorar la flora medicinal comercializada en los mercados de los municipios de Palmira y El Cerrito (Valle del Cauca, Colombia) y así conocer sus usos en estas comunidades. Metodológicamente, se hizo el registro de 180 morfo-especies, de las cuales se identificaron 109 hasta la categoría de especie, distribuidas en 45 familias taxonómicas. Se encontró que en ambas localidades la parte más empleada de la planta son las hojas (45 y 47%, respectivamente) y el tallo (19 y 24%, respectivamente). El uso principal de estas plantas es medicinal (>45%) y mágico (>10%). Éstas son utilizadas principalmente mediante infusión (49 y 53%, respectivamente). La presentación física más habitual es en fresco, 30% para Palmira, y para El Cerrito, 70%. A pesar de la cercanía geográfica, las plantas que llegan a los mercados de las localidades difieren en estatus (local o introducida, silvestre o cultivada) y en atributos como el sabor y el efecto. Las especies usadas para El Cerrito son principalmente locales (70%). Se estableció el inventario de las plantas medicinales, aromáticas y condimentarias (PMACs) comercializadas en la región y se determinaron sus relaciones entre localidades, el valor de uso, el beneficio y el potencial en estas comunidades. Se concluye que la cultura local (saber ancestral) y la diferencia intergeneracional sobre algunas variables son determinantes para el uso, el manejo y la conservación de las especies útiles

Participatory breeding: tool for conservation of neglected and underutilized crops

Although a significant number of plant species to be recognized as food, only a small fraction meets the protein demand of the world population. Breeding crops, with a very narrow genetic base, most likely will not counteract the adverse effects of climate change. On the contrary, the crops named as underutilized, neglected, orphaned, obsolete or minor, may contain the answers in their genomes to ensure safety and nutrition and food sovereignty of populations. Duly adapted to extreme growing conditions, these local varieties, such as indigenous and landraces of Colombian maize, are part of the cultural heritage of many ethnic groups or original peoples, that select, use and conserve these varieties. Besides these, another concept refers to the promising resources, also little used, although for different reasons. Therefore, Participatory Plant Breeding is a tool to promote traditional local varieties or underutilized crops, to meet the needs of communities. In the PPB, members of the production chain (farmers, breeders, technicians and others) work together in the process of development of varieties, in a decentralized and participatory process. A PB program with Colombian maize germplasm resulted in the promotion of some local varieties. Alongside, new maize landraces to Colombia were described

Reduction of cardiac imaging tests during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of Italy. Findings from the IAEA Non-invasive Cardiology Protocol Survey on COVID-19 (INCAPS COVID)

Background: In early 2020, COVID-19 massively hit Italy, earlier and harder than any other European country. This caused a series of strict containment measures, aimed at blocking the spread of the pandemic. Healthcare delivery was also affected when resources were diverted towards care of COVID-19 patients, including intensive care wards. Aim of the study: The aim is assessing the impact of COVID-19 on cardiac imaging in Italy, compare to the Rest of Europe (RoE) and the World (RoW). Methods: A global survey was conducted in May–June 2020 worldwide, through a questionnaire distributed online. The survey covered three periods: March and April 2020, and March 2019. Data from 52 Italian centres, a subset of the 909 participating centres from 108 countries, were analyzed. Results: In Italy, volumes decreased by 67% in March 2020, compared to March 2019, as opposed to a significantly lower decrease (p &lt; 0.001) in RoE and RoW (41% and 40%, respectively). A further decrease from March 2020 to April 2020 summed up to 76% for the North, 77% for the Centre and 86% for the South. When compared to the RoE and RoW, this further decrease from March 2020 to April 2020 in Italy was significantly less (p = 0.005), most likely reflecting the earlier effects of the containment measures in Italy, taken earlier than anywhere else in the West. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic massively hit Italy and caused a disruption of healthcare services, including cardiac imaging studies. This raises concern about the medium- and long-term consequences for the high number of patients who were denied timely diagnoses and the subsequent lifesaving therapies and procedures

International Impact of COVID-19 on the Diagnosis of Heart Disease

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has adversely affected diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases. Its effects on delivery of diagnostic care for cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide, have not been quantified. Objectives: The study sought to assess COVID-19's impact on global cardiovascular diagnostic procedural volumes and safety practices. Methods: The International Atomic Energy Agency conducted a worldwide survey assessing alterations in cardiovascular procedure volumes and safety practices resulting from COVID-19. Noninvasive and invasive cardiac testing volumes were obtained from participating sites for March and April 2020 and compared with those from March 2019. Availability of personal protective equipment and pandemic-related testing practice changes were ascertained. Results: Surveys were submitted from 909 inpatient and outpatient centers performing cardiac diagnostic procedures, in 108 countries. Procedure volumes decreased 42% from March 2019 to March 2020, and 64% from March 2019 to April 2020. Transthoracic echocardiography decreased by 59%, transesophageal echocardiography 76%, and stress tests 78%, which varied between stress modalities. Coronary angiography (invasive or computed tomography) decreased 55% (p &lt; 0.001 for each procedure). In multivariable regression, significantly greater reduction in procedures occurred for centers in countries with lower gross domestic product. Location in a low-income and lower–middle-income country was associated with an additional 22% reduction in cardiac procedures and less availability of personal protective equipment and telehealth. Conclusions: COVID-19 was associated with a significant and abrupt reduction in cardiovascular diagnostic testing across the globe, especially affecting the world's economically challenged. Further study of cardiovascular outcomes and COVID-19–related changes in care delivery is warranted

Impact of COVID-19 on Diagnostic Cardiac Procedural Volume in Oceania: The IAEA Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocol Survey on COVID-19 (INCAPS COVID)

Objectives: The INCAPS COVID Oceania study aimed to assess the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac procedure volume provided in the Oceania region. Methods: A retrospective survey was performed comparing procedure volumes within March 2019 (pre-COVID-19) with April 2020 (during first wave of COVID-19 pandemic). Sixty-three (63) health care facilities within Oceania that perform cardiac diagnostic procedures were surveyed, including a mixture of metropolitan and regional, hospital and outpatient, public and private sites, and 846 facilities outside of Oceania. The percentage change in procedure volume was measured between March 2019 and April 2020, compared by test type and by facility. Results: In Oceania, the total cardiac diagnostic procedure volume was reduced by 52.2% from March 2019 to April 2020, compared to a reduction of 75.9% seen in the rest of the world (p&lt;0.001). Within Oceania sites, this reduction varied significantly between procedure types, but not between types of health care facility. All procedure types (other than stress cardiac magnetic resonance [CMR] and positron emission tomography [PET]) saw significant reductions in volume over this time period (p&lt;0.001). In Oceania, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) decreased by 51.6%, transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) by 74.0%, and stress tests by 65% overall, which was more pronounced for stress electrocardiograph (ECG) (81.8%) and stress echocardiography (76.7%) compared to stress single-photon emission computerised tomography (SPECT) (44.3%). Invasive coronary angiography decreased by 36.7% in Oceania. Conclusion: A significant reduction in cardiac diagnostic procedure volume was seen across all facility types in Oceania and was likely a function of recommendations from cardiac societies and directives from government to minimise spread of COVID-19 amongst patients and staff. Longer term evaluation is important to assess for negative patient outcomes which may relate to deferral of usual models of care within cardiology