Identifying Priority Government Interventions for Agriculture Value Chain Development

The provision of government support programs to the seaweeds industry in the past emulates the conventional top-down approach characterized by being centrally managed and largely supply-driven. In such case, the active participation of the local governments and other industry stakeholders in the decision making process is quite limited. Under the Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Plan, scientific tools such as value chain analysis (VCA), which engages key actors from production down to end- product users, were established as fundamental in the process of planning government interventions. This paper therefore aims to present how VCA and the use of the a supplementary tool, the participatory systems analysis (PSA), have enhanced and facilitated the identification of priority government interventions for seaweeds industry. Information were elicited through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and stakeholders consultations. The results of the study show that, at the national level, priority interventions for the seaweeds industry constitute (1) establishment and maintenance of seaweed nurseries and culture laboratories for sufficient supply of quality seedlings, (2) provision of access to financial resources and conduct of trainings to capacitate farmers, (3) availability of productive assets for more efficient seaweed farming and postharvest like boats and dryers, (4) access to crop insurances to guarantee incomes and expand economic returns to farmers, and (5) enactment and enforcement of favorable policies to enhance seaweed farming conditions

Capacidad de carga en senderos turísticos del centro de cultura para la conservación Piedra Herrada, México.

El turismo de naturaleza se plantea como una aspiración que pretende el aprovechamiento recreativo de los recursos y la justa distribución de los beneficios que genera. No obstante en la actualidad, numerosas iniciativas difieren poco de la valorización económica del patrimonio y su uso intensivo. Por ello, es necesario dar continuidad a los estudios ambientales del turismo, que identifican sus implicaciones físicas y plantean medidas de mitigación para el adecuado desarrollo de la actividad. El trabajo tuvo como principal objetivo, determinar la capacidad de carga en los senderos turísticos del Centro de Cultura para la Conservación Piedra Herrada, con base al método propuesto por Cifuentes (1992; et. al, 2009), para el cálculo de las capacidades de carga física, real, de manejo y efectiva (turística) del lugar de estudio.El turismo de naturaleza se plantea como una aspiración que pretende el aprovechamiento recreativo de los recursos y la justa distribución de los beneficios que genera. No obstante en la actualidad, numerosas iniciativas difieren poco de la valorización económica del patrimonio y su uso intensivo. Por ello, es necesario dar continuidad a los estudios ambientales del turismo, que identifican sus implicaciones físicas y plantean medidas de mitigación para el adecuado desarrollo de la actividad. El trabajo tuvo como principal objetivo, determinar la capacidad de carga en los senderos turísticos del Centro de Cultura para la Conservación Piedra Herrada, con base al método propuesto por Cifuentes (1992; et. al, 2009), para el cálculo de las capacidades de carga física, real, de manejo y efectiva (turística) del lugar de estudio

Pathogenicity Levels of Colombian Strains of Candida auris and Brazilian Strains of Candida haemulonii Species Complex in Both Murine and Galleria mellonella Experimental Models

Candida auris and Candida haemulonii complex (C. haemulonii, C. haemulonii var. vulnera and C. duobushaemulonii) are phylogenetically related species that share some physiological features and habits. In the present study, we compared the virulence of these yeast species using two different experimental models: (i) Galleria mellonella larvae to evaluate the survival rate, fungal burden, histopathology and phagocytosis index and (ii) BALB/c mice to evaluate the survival. In addition, the fungal capacity to form biofilm over an inert surface was analyzed. Our results showed that in both experimental models, the animal survival rate was lower when infected with C. auris strains than the C. haemulonii species complex. The hemocytes of G. mellonella showed a significantly reduced ability to phagocytize the most virulent strains forming the C. haemulonii species complex. Interestingly, for C. auris, it was impossible to measure the phagocytosis index due to a general lysis of the hemocytes. Moreover, it was observed a greater capability of biofilm formation by C. auris compared to C. haemulonii species complex. In conclusion, we observed that C. auris and C. haemulonii complex have different levels of pathogenicity in the experimental models employed in the present study

PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF STARCH FROM AVOCADO SEED (PERSEA AMERICANA MILL)

The extraction and characterization of avocado starch isolated from seeds (Persea americana Mill) were studied. The starch was extracted by steeping, wet grinding and sedimentation process and calculated its yield. Isolated starch was then characterized for chemical composition, morphology and granules size distribution, X-ray diffraction an mid-infrared spectra, swelling powder and solubility, pasting and thermal properties and clarity and syneresis behavior. The starch yield was 42.2%. The results showed starch granules were predominantly ellipsoidal with an average granule size of 17.83 μm. Exhibited B-type X-ray diffraction pattern with 25.7% of crystallinity, and apparent amylose content of 21.5% with similar mid-infrared spectra to other starches. Onset and peak gelatinization temperatures were 67.6 and 76.0 °C, respectively, and gelatinization enthalpy was 14.9 J/g. Starch suspensions showed peak viscosity at 4421 cP and high retrogradation tendency, which was evidenced by opaque gels and syneresis. 

Exploring Stigma Experienced by People with Parkinson\u27s Disease, in Literature and Social Media

Parkinson\u27s disease (PD) is an incurable progressive disorder that affects the nervous system and results in changes in a person\u27s speech, movement, balance, and coordination. Stigma is associated with poorer patient outcomes and affects a person\u27s physical, mental, and emotional health. Stigma Theory defines stigma as four separate and interconnected concepts: public, self, stigma by association, and structural stigma. Purpose: To explore how stigma is experienced by people with PD, how current literature and social media portray stigma for people with PD, and if this portrayal supports Stigma Theory. Research questions: 1) how is stigma represented in the literature and social media? 2) how do people with PD describe the stigma they experience? 3) do findings support stigma theory? A multi-case qualitative study will compare the experiences of people with PD, literature and social media representations of stigma and determine if findings support Stigma Theory. Ethics approval and consent will be obtained for individual Zoom video chats or phone calls with six adults with PD. Interviews will be audio-taped, transcribed, then coded and analyzed individually. Interviews will be compared and examined for patterns and explanations. Current literature findings support how stigma causes embarrassment, anger, and frustration for people with PD and how the motor symptoms and difficulties that arise from PD can lead to increased stigma. Literature findings support Stigma Theory. Interviews will determine how people with PD experience stigma and how social media portrays people with PD for evidence of stigma, and if findings support Stigma Theory

Combined Physical Training Increases Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor Levels, But Not Irisin in People Living with HIV/AIDS

International Journal of Exercise Science 14(3): 1004-1017, 2021. This study evaluated plasma levels of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), irisin, and lactate in people living with HIV/AIDS who completed a combined physical training program. Nineteen HIV+ participants (age: 39.60 ± 10.96 years; carrier time: 7.75 ± 7.88 years; time of ART: 6.41 ± 5.93 years) performed strength/aerobic training (combined physical training) in the same session for 8 weeks and levels of BDNF, irisin, and lactate were assessed. BDNF (pg/mL) was higher post-CPT (Pre: 1258.73 ± 372.30; Post: 1504.17 ± 322.30; p \u3c 0.001). Irisin (ng/mL) showed no change (Pre: 115.61 ± 72.41; Post: 125.87 ± 81.14; p = 0.973). There was positive correlation between irisin and lactate (mmol/L) pre (r = 0.55, p = 0.04), and lactate values were higher in the group with the highest value of irisin (3.65 ± 0.69 x 2.82 ± 0.59, p = 0.02). Combined physical training results in increased basal BDNF in people living with HIV/AIDS, this finding suggests that increased concentration of BDNF may be associated with decreased chances of developing cognitive disorders or HIV-associated dementia. Further studies involving molecular mechanisms on this subject are necessary

Duración del tratamiento con etanercept y razones de discontinuación en una cohorte de pacientes con patología reumática

[EN] Objective: To evaluate the duration of etanercept (ETN) treatment and motives for discontinuation in our local cohort of patients with rheumatic pathology and compare them to the group with other biological treatments. Patients and methods: Prospective observational cohort study. Disease diagnosis, start and end date and motive for discontinuation were recorded. Survival estimation was explored using Kaplan-Meier analysis with remaining patients censored at 1-year, 2-years and 5-years follow-up. Results: Ninety-two (45%) out of 205 patients started ETN treatment. Disease diagnoses recorded were: 48% rheumatoid arthritis, 33% ankylosing spondylitis, 11% psoriatic arthritis, 8% others (juvenile idiopathic arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease related spondylitis, SAPHO syndrome). 52% of patients are still on the drug. The motives for discontinuation were: inefficacy (65%), adverse events (33%) and lack of compliance (2%). Two patients discontinued ETN due to prolonged disease control. Adverse events were: infection (4 patients), post-injection skin reaction (3), uveitis (3), neoplasia (2) and others (3). Using a Kaplan–Meier analysis, at 1-year 64% (CI95% 54-74) of patients with ETN treatment had not experienced treatment failure, at 2-years, 59% (48-69) and at 5-years, 43% (30-52). With the rest of biologicals estimated survival was 61% (51-68), 47,5% (40-55) and 23% (10,5-32) respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (log-rank: P=.024; Breslow: P=.068; Tarone-Ware: P = .040). Conclusions: In our cohort of patients treated with ETN the estimated survival was better than patients treated with other biological drugs at 1-year, 2-years and 5-years. © 2011 Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.[ES] Objetivos: Evaluar la supervivencia del tratamiento con etanercept (ETN) y las causas de discontinuación en una cohorte local de pacientes en tratamiento biológico (TB). Comparar con la supervivencia general del resto de TB. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio observacional prospectivo de cohortes. Se han analizado los datos de diagnóstico, fecha de inicio y fin de tratamiento, así como la causa de interrupción de nuestro registro de TB. Mediante el método de Kaplan-Meier se ha estimado la supervivencia de ETN al ano, a los 2 a ˜ nos y a los ˜ 5 anos. ˜ Resultados: De un total de 205 pacientes que recibieron TB, 92 (45%) iniciaron tratamiento con ETN. En el 48% el diagnóstico fue artritis reumatoide, 33% espondilitis anquilosante, 11% artritis psoriásica y 8% otros diagnósticos (artritis idiopática juvenil, espondiloartritis asociada a enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal y síndrome SAPHO). Continúan con ETN 48 pacientes (52%). Las causas de discontinuación fueron: ineficacia (65%), acontecimiento adverso (33%), pérdida de seguimiento (2%). En 2 pacientes el tratamiento se retiró por remisión clínica. Los acontecimientos adversos fueron: infección (4 pacientes), reacción cutánea postinyección (3), uveítis (3), neoplasia (2) y otros (3). La supervivencia estimada de ETN al ano de tratamiento ˜ fue del 64% (IC del 95%, 54-74), a los dos anos del 59% (48-69 ˜ ) y a los 5 anos del 43% (30-52), y la del resto ˜ de TB fue del 61% (51-68), el 47,5% (40-55) y el 23% (10,5-32), respectivamente. Los tests estadísticos revelaron diferencias significativas (log-rank: p = 0,024; Breslow: p = 0,068; Tarone-Ware: p = 0,040). Conclusiones: En nuestra cohorte de pacientes la supervivencia estimada de ETN en el primero, segundo y quinto de ano de tratamiento es superior a la obtenida con el resto de TB, siendo la diferencia significativa ˜ a los 5 anos. ˜ © 2011 Elsevier Espana, S.L. Todos los derechos reservados.Senabre-Gallego, JM.; Rosas, J.; Santos-Soler, G.; Santos Ramirez, C.; Sánchez-Barrioluengo, M.; Salas, E.; Barber, X.... (2011). Duración del tratamiento con etanercept y razones de discontinuación en una cohorte de pacientes con patología reumática. Reumatología Clínica. 7(6):385-388. doi:10.1016/j.reuma.2011.06.005S3853887