Peroxide-Induced Synthesis of Maleic Anhydride-Grafted Poly(butylene succinate) and Its Compatibilizing Effect on Poly(butylene succinate)/Pistachio Shell Flour Composites

[EN] Framing the Circular Bioeconomy, the use of reactive compatibilizers was applied in order to increase the interfacial adhesion and, hence, the physical properties and applications of green composites based on biopolymers and food waste derived lignocellulosic fillers. In this study, poly(butylene succinate) grafted with maleic anhydride (PBS-g-MAH) was successfully synthetized by a reactive melt-mixing process using poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and maleic anhydride (MAH) that was induced with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as a radical initiator and based on the formation of macroradicals derived from the hydrogen abstraction of the biopolymer backbone. Then, PBS-g-MAH was used as reactive compatibilizer for PBS filled with different contents of pistachio shell flour (PSF) during melt extrusion. As confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), PBS-g-MAH acted as a bridge between the two composite phases since it was readily soluble in PBS and could successfully form new esters by reaction of its multiple MAH groups with the hydroxyl (-OH) groups present in cellulose or lignin of PSF and the end ones in PBS. The resultant compatibilized green composites were, thereafter, shaped by injection molding into 4-mm thick pieces with a wood-like color. Results showed significant increases in the mechanical and thermomechanical rigidity and hardness, meanwhile variations on the thermal stability were negligible. The enhancement observed was related to the good dispersion and the improved filler-matrix interfacial interactions achieved by PBS-g-MAH and also to the PSF nucleating effect that increased the PBS's crystallinity. Furthermore, water uptake of the pieces progressively increased as a function of the filler content, whereas the disintegration in controlled compost soil was limited due to their large thickness.This research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICI) project number MAT2017-84909-C2-2-R.Rojas-Lema, SP.; Arévalo, J.; Gómez-Caturla, J.; Garcia-Garcia, D.; Torres-Giner, S. (2021). Peroxide-Induced Synthesis of Maleic Anhydride-Grafted Poly(butylene succinate) and Its Compatibilizing Effect on Poly(butylene succinate)/Pistachio Shell Flour Composites. Molecules. 26(19):1-28. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26195927S128261

On the Use of Phenolic Compounds Present in Citrus Fruits and Grapes as Natural Antioxidants for Thermo-Compressed Bio-Based High-Density Polyethylene Films

[EN] This study originally explores the use of naringin (NAR), gallic acid (GA), caffeic acid (CA), and quercetin (QUER) as natural antioxidants for bio-based high-density polyethylene (bio-HDPE). These phenolic compounds are present in various citrus fruits and grapes and can remain in their leaves, peels, pulp, and seeds as by-products or wastes after juice processing. Each natural additive was first melt-mixed at 0.8 parts per hundred resin (phr) of bio-HDPE by extrusion and the resultant pellets were shaped into films by thermo-compression. Although all the phenolic compounds colored the bio-HDPE films, their contact transparency was still preserved. The chemical analyses confirmed the successful inclusion of the phenolic compounds in bio-HDPE, though their interaction with the green polyolefin matrix was low. The mechanical performance of the bio-HDPE films was nearly unaffected by the natural compounds, presenting in all cases a ductile behavior. Interestingly, the phenolic compounds successfully increased the thermo-oxidative stability of bio-HDPE, yielding GA and QUER the highest performance. In particular, using these phenolic compounds, the onset oxidation temperature (OOT) value was improved by 43 and 41.5 ºC, respectively. Similarly, the oxidation induction time (OIT) value, determined in isothermal conditions at 210 ºC, increased from 4.5 min to approximately 109 and 138 min. Furthermore, the onset degradation temperature in air of bio-HDPE, measured for the 5% of mass loss (T5%), was improved by up to 21 ºC after the addition of NAR. Moreover, the GA- and CA-containing bio-HDPE films showed a high antioxidant activity in alcoholic solution due to their favored release capacity, which opens up novel opportunities in active food packaging. The improved antioxidant performance of these phenolic compounds was ascribed to the multiple presence of hydroxyl groups and aromatic heterocyclic rings that provide these molecules with the features to permit the delocalization and the scavenging of free radicals. Therefore, the here-tested phenolic compounds, in particular QUER, can represent a sustainable and cost-effective alternative of synthetic antioxidants in polymer and biopolymer formulations, for which safety and environmental issues have been raised over timeThis research work was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICI) project number MAT2017-84909-C2-2-R.Rojas-Lema, SP.; Torres-Giner, S.; Quiles-Carrillo, L.; Gómez-Caturla, J.; Garcia-Garcia, D.; Balart, R. (2021). On the Use of Phenolic Compounds Present in Citrus Fruits and Grapes as Natural Antioxidants for Thermo-Compressed Bio-Based High-Density Polyethylene Films. Antioxidants. 10(1):1-23. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10010014S12310

Diferencias y similitudes entre la estructura fiscal de Colombia, México y Chile

RESUMEN: La presente monografía busca identificar las diferencias y similitudes entre las estructuras fiscales de Colombia, México y Chile, miembros de la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económico, reconocida mundialmente como la OCDE. Para ello este trabajo se centra en el análisis y comparación de los modelos de las políticas fiscales que se tienen en cada país y el impacto positivo o negativo de la adopción de las recomendaciones emitidas por la OCDE en sus economías de forma general. Cabe resaltar que el ingreso a la OCDE de los tres países latinoamericanos se realizó así: México en 1994 siendo el primer país en desarrollo en ingresar a la Organización; Chile en 2010 precedido de catástrofes naturales que han complicado el cumplimiento de las recomendaciones recibidas (Moreno, 2019); en el 2018 Colombia fue invitada después de cinco años del proceso para su adhesión, pero sólo hasta el 20 de abril de 2020 se realiza el ingreso como país miembro número 37, luego de la aprobación por parte del Congreso y de la revisión por la Corte Constitucional de los tres instrumentos jurídicos relativos a la OCDE (Cancillería, 2020). Aunque las recomendaciones emitidas por la OCDE a cada uno de estos países, busca mejorar las cifras de recaudo, se debe tener en cuenta que las recomendaciones por sí solas no generan beneficios automáticos, sino que están sujetas a factores incontrolables por parte de las administraciones tributarias, (Moreno, 2019). ABSTRAC: This monograph seeks to identify the differences and similarities between the fiscal structures of Colombia, Mexico and Chile, members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, recognized by the whole world as the OECD. To this end, this work focuses on the analysis and comparison of the fiscal policy models in each country and the positive or negative impact of the adoption of the recommendations issued by the OECD in their economies in general. It should be noted that the three Latin American countries entered the OECD as follows: Mexico in 1994,being the first developing country to join the Organization; Chile in 2010 preceded by natural catastrophes that have complicated compliance with the recommendations received (Moreno, 2019); In 2018, Colombia was invited after five years of the process for its accession, but only until April 20, 2020 is it entered as a member country number 37, after approval by Congress and review by the Court Constitution of the three legal instruments related to the OECD (Chancellery, 2020). Although the recommendations issued by the OECD to each of these countries seek to improve collection figures, it should be taken into account that the recommendations alone do not generate automatic benefits, but are subject to uncontrollable factors by the tax administrations (Moreno, 2019)

Faba bean protein films reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals as edible food packaging material

[EN] In the present work, transparent films were obtained by the solution casting method from faba bean protein isolate (FBP), reinforced with different cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) content (1, 3, 5 and 7 wt%), obtained by acid hydrolysis of pine cone, and using glycerol as plasticizer. The influence of different CNCs loadings on the mechanical, thermal, barrier, optical, and morphological properties was discussed. Microstructurally, the FTIR and FESEM results corroborated the formation of intramolecular interactions between the CNCs and proteins that lead to more compact and homogeneous films. These interactions had a positive influence on the mechanical strength properties, which is reflected in higher tensile strength and Young's modulus in reinforced films with respect to the control film, resulting in stiffer films as the CNCs content increases. Thermal stability of the FBP films was also improved with the presence of CNCs, by increasing the characteristic onset degradation temperature. In addition, the linkages formed between the CNCs, and proteins reduced the water affinity of the reinforced films, leading to a reduction in their moisture content and water solubility, and an increase in their water contact angle, obtaining more hydrophobic films as the CNCs content in the matrix increased. The addition of CNCs in the FBP film also considerably improved its barrier properties, reducing its water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) and oxygen transmission rate (OTR). The present work shows the possibility of obtaining biobased and biodegradable films of CNC-reinforced FBP with improved mechanical, thermal and barrier properties, and low water susceptibility, which can be of great interest in the food packaging sector as edible food packaging material.This research was supported by the Ministry of Science and Inno-vation (MICI) [MAT2017-84909-C2-2-R] . S. Rojas-Lema thanks the Generalitat Valenciana (GVA) for the financial support through a San-tiago Grisolia grant (GRISOLIAP/2019/132) . D. Garcia-Garcia wants to thank the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for their financial support through the "Jose Castillejo" mobility grant (CAS19/00332).Rojas-Lema, S.; Nilsson, K.; Trifol, J.; Langton, M.; Gómez-Caturla, J.; Balart, R.; Garcia-Garcia, D.... (2021). Faba bean protein films reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals as edible food packaging material. Food Hydrocolloids. 121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2021.10701912

FACTORES QUE FACILITAN EL DESARROLLO DE COMPETENCIAS EN TIC

Se presentan los factores que facilitan la aproximación de los individuos a las tecnologías de las información y comunicación (TIC), que permitirán determinar y formular las competencias que den cuenta del nivel de estudiantes de educación básica y media para afrontar los retos de la sociedad. Los resultados preliminares se obtuvieron a partir de la revisión de documentos recolectados de portales de entidades institucionales, repositorios digitales y científicos relacionados con competencias TIC; se realizó una triangulación de datos asociados a las regularidades y características de las competencias. Del análisis se establecen tres niveles de competencia: de alfabetización, digital y en TIC; la primera, asociada a capacidades de acceso, gestión, integración y creación y evaluación; la segunda, capacidad para trabajar, crear y compartir información con una finalidad clara y adecuada y, la tercera, capacidad para planear, diseñar, escribir, probar, asesorar, mejorar, diseñar, desarrollar sistemas de información que garanticen un rendimiento óptimo, integridad y seguridad. Cada nivel involucra el desarrollo de pensamientos, procesos y actitudes específicas identificados en los documentos, de ellos se destacan en pensamiento computacional que está directamente relacionado con el pensamiento crítico, creativo, científico, y procesos como la abstracción, discernimiento, depuración, iteración y generalización. Los resultados obtenidos permitirá definir una linea competencial clara y a partir de ella, construir una propuesta microcurricular pertinente para la enseñanza y aprendizaje de las TIC en el sistema educativo nacional

Bridges of biomaterials promote nigrostriatal pathway regeneration

[EN] Repair of central nervous system (CNS) lesions is difficulted by the lack of ability of central axons to regrow, and the blocking by the brain astrocytes to axonal entry. We hypothesized that by using bridges made of porous biomaterial and permissive olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG), we could provide a scaffold to permit restoration of white matter tracts. We implanted porous polycaprolactone (PCL) bridges between the substantia nigra and the striatum in rats, both with and without OEG. We compared the number of tyrosine-hydroxylase positive (TH+) fibers crossing the striatal-graft interface, and the astrocytic and microglial reaction around the grafts, between animals grafted with and without OEG. Although TH+ fibers were found inside the grafts made of PCL alone, there was a greater fiber density inside the graft and at the striatal-graft interface when OEG was cografted. Also, there was less astrocytic and microglial reaction in those animals. These results show that these PCL grafts are able to promote axonal growth along the nigrostriatal pathway, and that cografting of OEG markedly enhances axonal entry inside the grafts, growth within them, and re-entry of axons into the CNS. These results may have implications in the treatment of diseases such as Parkinson's and others associated with lesions of central white matter tracts.Contract grant sponsor: Regional Government Health Department (Conselleria de Sanitat, Generalitat Valenciana) and Carlos III Health Institute of the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs (Spain) (Regenerative Medicine Programme) Contract grant sponsor: Spanish ministry of Education and Science; contract grant number: MAT 2006-13554-C02-02 Contract grant sponsor: Red de Terapia Celular TERCEL (RETICS), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (ISCIII); contract grant number: RD12/0019/0010 (to J.A.) Contract grant sponsor: Spanish Science & Innovation Ministery; contract grant number: MAT2008-06434 (to M.M.P.) Contract grant sponsor: "Convenio de Colaboracion para la Investigacion Basica y Traslacional en Medicina Regenerativa," Instituto Nacional de Salud Carlos III, the Conselleria de Sanidad of the Generalitat Valenciana, and the Foundation Centro de Investigacion Principe FelipeGómez Pinedo, U.; Sanchez-Rojas, L.; Vidueira, S.; Sancho, FJ.; Martínez-Ramos, C.; Lebourg, M.; Monleón Pradas, M.... (2019). Bridges of biomaterials promote nigrostriatal pathway regeneration. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B Applied Biomaterials. 107(1):190-196. https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.b.34110S1901961071Pekny, M., Wilhelmsson, U., & Pekna, M. (2014). The dual role of astrocyte activation and reactive gliosis. Neuroscience Letters, 565, 30-38. doi:10.1016/j.neulet.2013.12.071Bliss, T. M., Andres, R. H., & Steinberg, G. K. (2010). Optimizing the success of cell transplantation therapy for stroke. Neurobiology of Disease, 37(2), 275-283. doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2009.10.003Tam, R. Y., Fuehrmann, T., Mitrousis, N., & Shoichet, M. S. (2013). Regenerative Therapies for Central Nervous System Diseases: a Biomaterials Approach. Neuropsychopharmacology, 39(1), 169-188. doi:10.1038/npp.2013.237Skop, N. B., Calderon, F., Cho, C. H., Gandhi, C. D., & Levison, S. W. (2014). Improvements in biomaterial matrices for neural precursor cell transplantation. Molecular and Cellular Therapies, 2(1), 19. doi:10.1186/2052-8426-2-19Yasuhara, T., Kameda, M., Sasaki, T., Tajiri, N., & Date, I. (2017). Cell Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease. Cell Transplantation, 26(9), 1551-1559. doi:10.1177/0963689717735411Orive, G., Anitua, E., Pedraz, J. L., & Emerich, D. F. (2009). Biomaterials for promoting brain protection, repair and regeneration. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(9), 682-692. doi:10.1038/nrn2685Walker, P. A., Aroom, K. R., Jimenez, F., Shah, S. K., Harting, M. T., Gill, B. S., & Cox, C. S. (2009). Advances in Progenitor Cell Therapy Using Scaffolding Constructs for Central Nervous System Injury. Stem Cell Reviews and Reports, 5(3), 283-300. doi:10.1007/s12015-009-9081-1Zhong, Y., & Bellamkonda, R. V. (2008). Biomaterials for the central nervous system. Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 5(26), 957-975. doi:10.1098/rsif.2008.0071Pérez‐GarnezM BarciaJA Gómez‐PinedoU Monleón‐PradasM Vallés‐LluchA.Materials for Central Nervous System Tissue Engineering Cells and Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine. InTech;2014. Chap 7.Sinha, V. R., Bansal, K., Kaushik, R., Kumria, R., & Trehan, A. (2004). Poly-ϵ-caprolactone microspheres and nanospheres: an overview. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 278(1), 1-23. doi:10.1016/j.ijpharm.2004.01.044Raisman, G. (2001). Olfactory ensheathing cells — another miracle cure for spinal cord injury? Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2(5), 369-375. doi:10.1038/35072576Raisman, G., & Li, Y. (2007). Repair of neural pathways by olfactory ensheathing cells. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 8(4), 312-319. doi:10.1038/nrn2099Fairless, R., & Barnett, S. C. (2005). Olfactory ensheathing cells: their role in central nervous system repair. The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 37(4), 693-699. doi:10.1016/j.biocel.2004.10.010Collins, A., Li, D., Mcmahon, S. B., Raisman, G., & Li, Y. (2017). Transplantation of Cultured Olfactory Bulb Cells Prevents Abnormal Sensory Responses during Recovery from Dorsal Root Avulsion in the Rat. Cell Transplantation, 26(5), 913-924. doi:10.3727/096368917x695353Navarro, X., Valero, A., Gudi�o, G., For�s, J., Rodr�guez, F. J., Verd�, E., … Nieto-Sampedro, M. (1999). Ensheathing glia transplants promote dorsal root regeneration and spinal reflex restitution after multiple lumbar rhizotomy. Annals of Neurology, 45(2), 207-215. doi:10.1002/1531-8249(199902)45:23.0.co;2-kGómez-Pinedo, U., Félez, M. C., Sancho-Bielsa, F. J., Vidueira, S., Cabanes, C., Soriano, M., … Barcia, J. A. (2008). Improved technique for stereotactic placement of nerve grafts between two locations inside the rat brain. Journal of Neuroscience Methods, 174(2), 194-201. doi:10.1016/j.jneumeth.2008.07.008HowardCV ReedMG.Unbiased Stereology: Three‐Dimensional Measurement in Microscopy. Oxford: Bioimaging Group;1998.Collier, T. J., & Springer, J. E. (1991). Co-grafts of embryonic dopamine neurons and adult sciatic nerve into the denervated striatum enhance behavioral and morphological recovery in rats. Experimental Neurology, 114(3), 343-350. doi:10.1016/0014-4886(91)90160-eBourke, J. L., Coleman, H. A., Pham, V., Forsythe, J. S., & Parkington, H. C. (2014). Neuronal Electrophysiological Function and Control of Neurite Outgrowth on Electrospun Polymer Nanofibers Are Cell Type Dependent. Tissue Engineering Part A, 20(5-6), 1089-1095. doi:10.1089/ten.tea.2013.0295Nga, V. D. W., Lim, J., Choy, D. K. S., Nyein, M. A., Lu, J., Chou, N., … Teoh, S.-H. (2015). Effects of Polycaprolactone-Based Scaffolds on the Blood–Brain Barrier and Cerebral Inflammation. Tissue Engineering Part A, 21(3-4), 647-653. doi:10.1089/ten.tea.2013.0779Pérez-Garnés, M., Martínez-Ramos, C., Barcia, J. A., Escobar Ivirico, J. L., Gómez-Pinedo, U., Vallés-Lluch, A., & Monleón Pradas, M. (2012). One-Dimensional Migration of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells on Synthetic Materials: Experimental and Numerical Characterization. Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics, 65(1), 21-36. doi:10.1007/s12013-012-9399-1Diban, N., Ramos-Vivas, J., Remuzgo-Martinez, S., Ortiz, I., & Urtiaga, A. (2015). Poly(ε-caprolactone) Films with Favourable Properties for Neural Cell Growth. Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry, 14(23), 2743-2749. doi:10.2174/156802661466614121515393

Genotoxicity of the Neonicotinoid Insecticide Poncho (Clothianidin) on CD1 Mice Based on Alkaline Comet and Micronucleus Assays

Poncho is a commercial formulation of neonicotinoid insecticides and a new agrochemical in Mexico, and it has the active ingredient clothianidin. The genotoxic effects of this commercial formulation of clothianidin on CD1 male mice were analyzed using micronucleus and comet alkaline assays. Three concentrations of clothianidin (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg/body weight) as well as negative (deionized water) and positive controls (cyclophosphamide 40 mg/g/body weight) were intraperitoneally injected into groups of mice every 3 days for 21 days. Peripheral blood samples were drawn from the caudal vein and divided to carry out the comet alkaline and micronuclei assays. DNA damage was evaluated using three genotoxicity parameters: the comet frequency, the tail length, and the moment from 100 nuclei. Additionally, the micronuclei frequency was quantified in 2000 peripheral blood erythrocytes using Giemsa stain. The results of the comet assay showed that the neonicotinoid insecticide Poncho leads to a significant increase in these three genotoxic parameters and in micronuclei frequency in the peripheral blood erythrocytes of mice treated with either concentration as compared with negative controls. At 80 mg/kg/body weight of Poncho, higher micronuclei frequencies and many more DNA strand breaks were observed compared with the negative controls. This study demonstrates that the commercial neonicotinoid insecticide Poncho induces genotoxic effects in CD1 male mice

Marketing digital en fútbol: Una revisión de literatura y agenda investigativa

El fútbol, en tanto que históricamente ha sido categorizado como el deporte más popular, ha sufrido grandes transformaciones en las formas de consumo de la marca de clubes deportivos, lo que ha ocasionado grandes evoluciones en el campo del mercadeo deportivo. Sin embargo, no se tiene un panorama completo de las implicaciones del marketing digital en este segmento publicitario a partir de la literatura científica, por lo que la presente investigación tiene como objetivo identificar las principales tendencias de investigación de la aplicación de marketing digital en el contexto del fútbol. Esto se logra por medio de un análisis bibliométrico en la base de datos Scopus, a través del diseño de una ecuación especializada de búsqueda. Esto permitió evidenciar un total de 564 documentos, que develaron una temática preponderantemente orientada hacia países desarrollados, que han basado sus investigaciones en aspectos asociados a las redes sociales y el comportamiento del consumidor, entre otros. Por lo que se concluye ampliar la literatura científica para países emergentes, respondiendo a las características actuales y emergentes del campo investigativo, para que la publicidad deportiva pueda fomentar un mayor consumo de la marca de los clubes deportivos