Analyzing store features for online order picking in grocery retailing: an experimental study

[EN] The digital transformation is having a major impact on the consumer product market, pushing food retailers to foster online sales. To avoid large investments, e-grocers are tending to use their existing physical stores to undertake the online order picking process. In this context, these companies must choose in which traditional stores must prepare online orders. The aim of this study is to identify which store features affect order preparation times. The action research approach has been used at a Spanish e-grocer to analyze the characteristics that differentiate picking stores from each other; furthermore, the preparation times for a sample of online orders have been measured. The data were analyzed statistically using one-way ANOVA to define the optimal store in terms of size, assortment, backroom and congestion. The study shows that three of the four characteristics are significant on the preparation time. Therefore, e-grocers using a store-based model can use this information to focus their efforts on optimizing this process, assigning online order picking to the most appropriate stores. The approach used allows the study to be suitable for different retail context. Moreover, the results serve as support for strategic decision-making of researchers and e-grocers seeking to become more competitive in this continually growing market.Vazquez-Noguerol, M.; Riveiro-Sanroman, S.; Portela-Caramés, I.; Prado-Prado, JC. (2022). Analyzing store features for online order picking in grocery retailing: an experimental study. International Journal of Production Management and Engineering. 10(2):183-193. https://doi.org/10.4995/ijpme.2022.1720718319310

Decreased serum levels of proBDNF, but not mature BDNF during adolescent oxycodone intoxication preceding long-term social neglect and harsh environmental conditions

Background: Adolescent opioid addiction is a global problem with a significant social and economic burden in the United States. Several studies have suggested that BDNF (mature BDNF) and its precursor play an essential role in alcohol dependence. However, the roles of the mBDNF/proBDNF pathway during adolescent opioid use are not clearly understood. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a role in synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection. Furthermore, BDNF has well-established pro-survival effects, whereas its precursor protein, proBDNF, induces apoptosis. Thus, it has been suggested that the proBDNF/BDNF ratio could indicate neuronal health. Meta-analyses have identified serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a potential biomarker for psychiatric disorders in an adult population. However, the lack of information on baseline circulating levels of BDNF and its precursor during the adolescent-onset is still unknown.Aims: Therefore, this study aimed to determine blood (serum) levels circulating in adolescent drug naïve adolescent rats compared to levels expressed in oxycodone-treated rats.Methods: Adolescent Sprague Dawley male and female rats were housed in an enriched environment (EE), standard environment (SC), or socially isolated environment (IC). We established oxycodone dependence using a repeated passive injection model. Rats were injected subcutaneously with incremental doses of oxycodone (OXY) (0.5, 1, 3, and 5mg/kg). After 2 hours of the last injection, the behavior of the animals was recorded for 20 minutes. Brains and truncal blood were collected to analyze brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF). ELISA immunoassay was employed to determine the concentrations for pro and mature BDNF.Results: oxycodone intoxication increased by 37% in proBDNF levels and decreased without significantly changed mature BDNF concentrations. Regardless of oxycodone, long-term exposure to an enriched environment propelled a 3-fold increase in mature BDNF levels. Moreover, continuous environmental enrichment reduced 23.3% proBDNF concentrations.Conclusions: Our results suggested that the ratio of adolescents circulating proBDNF/mBDNF is significantly changed by oxycodone intoxication and environmental enrichment. More importantly, longterm exposure to social, cognitive, and visual stimulation shifts and increases circulating levels of matureBDNF in the adolescent rat

Archaea in mammalian gut microbiomes

Background: Archaea are the most enigmatic domain of the three domains of life. Archaea are unique in that they share some characteristics with bacteria and others with eukaryotes while they are also distinct from these two domains. Mostarchaea are extremophiles that are found in highly acidic, high salt, or high- temperature environments. However, recent microbiome research has revealed that these prokaryotes are also a part of the gut microbiota, albeit their functional roles in gut health or disease are unclear. Archaea could be keystone species in the gut that engage in important syntrophic relationships with other gut microbes. The recent proposal of archaeal strains as a new class of probiotics (archaebiotics) could be of interest for improving gut pathophysiology and overall human health. The main aim of this study is to mine extant microbiome data sets in our laboratory for the presence of archaeal sequences.Method: Metagenomic data sets from mammalian microbiome studies (e.g., mouse, rat, prairie voles) based on 16S rRNA amplicon or whole-genome shotgun sequencing approaches are screened for archaeal sequences. Taxonomic profiling workflows in the Qiagen CLC Genomics Workbench and other bioinformatics software such as MetaPhlan are used to elucidate the relative abundances of these enigmatic microorganisms.Results: Archaeal sequences have been found in DNA isolated from digesta and feces at relatively low abundances. Most sequence variants are derived from methanogens, a subgroup of archaea, while we also found indications for the presence of halophilic archaea.Conclusion: Our experiments demonstrate that archaeal sequences, specifically from methanogens and halophiles, are found in our mammalian gut microbiome data sets. Future studies will include confirmation of archaeal presence using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and, if possible, in vitro culture. Predictions on the functional roles of archaea in the gut will also be conducted to help characterizethe impact of these microorganisms on gut healt

Comparative analysis of opioid-induced microbiome alterations in rat small intestine, cecum, and colon

Background: Trillions of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses comprise the animal microbiome and virome. The composition and diversity of these complex communities have a profound impact on the health of their animal host. Conversely, microbiome profiles can be affected by multiple host factors such as diet, health, or medication. Embedded in these communities might be groupings such as individual bacterial species/strains or consortia that have key roles and could serve as biomarkers for host health and disease.Methods: We have been collecting microbiota and/or microbiome profiles from rat small intestine, cecum, and colon after chronic oxycodone administration to assess the impact of the drug on the resident microbial communities and identify such specific markers. Next-generation sequencing systems are used for 16S ribosomal RNA analyses and whole-genome shotgun metagenomics to determine taxonomic profiles and predict functional profiles of the microbial communities.Results: Alpha and beta diversity analyses of the microbiota showed differences in the gastrointestinal regions when using location, sex, or treatment as metadata. Differential abundance analyses of datasets from control and oxycodone-treated animals revealed specific alterations in the microbiota composition within these experimental groups. Examples of workflows and bioinformatic approaches are presented that illustrate how biomarker discovery within different gastrointestinal regions could lead to deeper understanding of the impact oxycodone has on the animal and human microbiomes.Conclusions: Correlation of microbiome profiles with host metadata will aid in the identification of potential biomarkers of oxycodone use in the different host organ environments. The resulting biomarker discoveries may aid in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of drug-induced gastrointestinal dysbiosis

"Cerebellar Challenge" for Older Adults: Evaluation of a Home-Based Internet Intervention

There is converging evidence that maintenance of function in the multiple connectivity networks involving the cerebellum is a key requirement for healthy aging. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of a home-based, internet-administered “cerebellar challenge” intervention designed to create progressive challenges to vestibular function, multi-tasking, and dynamic coordination. Participants (n = 98, mean age 68.2, SD 6.6) were randomly allocated to either intervention (the cerebellar challenge training for 10 weeks) or no intervention. All participants undertook an initial series of pre-tests, and then an identical set of post-tests following the intervention period. The test battery comprised five suites of tests designed to evaluate cognitive-sensori-motor-affective functions, including Physical Coordination, Memory, Language Dexterity, Fluid Thinking and Affect. The intervention group showed significant pre- to post improvements in 9 of the 18 tests, whereas the controls improved significantly on one only. Furthermore, the intervention group showed significantly greater improvement than the controls on the “Physical Coordination” suite of tests, with evidence also of differential improvement on the Delayed Picture Recall test. Frequency of intervention use correlated significantly with the improvement in balance and in peg-moving speed. It is concluded that an internet-based cerebellar challenge programme for older adults can lead to benefits in balance, coordination and declarative memory. Limitations and directions for further research are outlined

Extending Epigenesis: From Phenotypic Plasticity to the Bio-Cultural Feedback

The paper aims at proposing an extended notion of epigenesis acknowledging an actual causal import to the phenotypic dimension for the evolutionary diversification of life forms. Section 1 offers introductory remarks on the issue of epigenesis contrasting it with ancient and modern preformationist views. In Section 2 we propose to intend epigenesis as a process of phenotypic formation and diversification a) dependent on environmental influences, b) independent of changes in the genomic nucleotide sequence, and c) occurring during the whole life span. Then, Section 3 focuses on phenotypic plasticity and offers an overview of basic properties (like robustness, modularity and degeneracy) that allows biological systems to be evolvable – i.e. to have the potentiality of producing phenotypic variation. Successively (Section 4), the emphasis is put on environmentally-induced modification in the regulation of gene expression giving rise to phenotypic variation and diversification. After some brief considerations on the debated issue of epigenetic inheritance (Section 5), the issue of culture (kept in the background of the preceding sections) is considered. The key point is that, in the case of humans and of the evolutionary history of the genus Homo at least, the environment is also, importantly, the cultural environment. Thus, Section 6 argues that a bio-cultural feedback should be acknowledged in the “epigenic” processes leading to phenotypic diversification and innovation in Homo evolution. Finally, Section 7 introduces the notion of “cultural neural reuse”, which refers to phenotypic/neural modifications induced by specific features of the cultural environment that are effective in human cultural evolution without involving genetic changes. Therefore, cultural neural reuse may be regarded as a key instance of the bio-cultural feedback and ultimately of the extended notion of epigenesis proposed in this work

Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Nicotine Pharmacology and Dependence.

Tobacco dependence is a leading cause of preventable disease and death worldwide. Nicotine, the main psychoactive component in tobacco cigarettes, has also been garnering increased popularity in its vaporized form, as derived from e-cigarette devices. Thus, an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying nicotine pharmacology and dependence is required to ascertain novel approaches to treat drug dependence. In this chapter, we review the field's current understanding of nicotine's actions in the brain, the neurocircuitry underlying drug dependence, factors that modulate the function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and the role of specific genes in mitigating the vulnerability to develop nicotine dependence. In addition to nicotine's direct actions in the brain, other constituents in nicotine and tobacco products have also been found to alter drug use, and thus, evidence is provided to highlight this issue. Finally, currently available pharmacotherapeutic strategies are discussed, along with an outlook for future therapeutic directions to achieve to the goal of long-term nicotine cessation

BDNF levels affected by the synthetic cannabinoid WIN55,212-2 in adolescent rats

Cannabinoids are molecules that bind to endocannabinoid receptors (eCBRs) CB1 and CB2 present in the central and peripheral nervous system. The synthetic CB1 receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 (WIN) emulates the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component of cannabis. Interestingly, endocannabinoids and neurotrophins, play critical roles in mood, immune and endocrine homeostasis, stress/anxiety response, and neuroplasticity. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) and neurotrophins, particularly brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are potent neuromodulators that play critical roles in many behavioral and physiological processes. Disruption of either BDNF or endocannabinoid signaling is associated with an overlapping set of neurologic and psychiatric diseases. The chronic use of synthetic cannabinoids during adolescence, a vulnerable stage for brain development may affect or alter the homeostasis and neuroplasticity dependent on BDNF. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of adolescent exposure to WIN on blood and brain [periaqueductal gray (PAG), prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, and cerebellum] concentration levels of BDNF.Methods: adolescent rats received 5 twice-daily injections of saline (1 mL/kg i.p.) or WIN55,212-2 (0.8 mg/kg i.p.) every other day. Brains and truncal blood were collected, and ELISA immunoassay was used to determine pro and mature BDNF levels.Results: One way ANOVA revealed that WIN increased proBDNF [F 1,11= 12.57, p<0.05] and mBDNF levels [F 1,11= 2.63, p<0.05] in the dorsolateral PAG and periphery [F 1,11= 5.15, p<0.05]. PFC, hippocampus, and cerebellum results are being processed.Discussion: The chronic exposure of synthetic cannabinoid WIN during adolescence modifies the proBDNF/mBDNF ratio in the dorsal PAG and periphery, suggesting that proBDNF/mBDNF ratio are involved in endocannabinoid-mediated adolescence brain plasticity

Synthetic cannabinoid, WIN 55212-2, leads to changes of proBDNF/BDNF ratio levels in the periaqueductal gray and blood concentrations in the adolescent rat

Background: The hemp plant Cannabis sativa—marijuana and hashish are among the most commonly used illicit substances in adolescents and young adults. The synthetic CB1 agonist WIN 55212-2 (WIN) administration to rats and mice during adolescence leads to long-lasting deficits. Endocannabinoids and neurotrophins, particularly brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF), are potent neuromodulators that play critical roles in many behavioral and physiological processes. Disruption of either BDNF or endocannabinoid signaling is associated with an overlapping set of neurologic and psychiatric diseases. The key to understanding the relationship between stress/anxiety and the endocannabinoid system may not lie in the anxiolytic or anxiogenic properties of various CB1 receptor ligands but in the ability of the endocannabinoid system to modulate the reactivity of affective or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) processes. Hence, the periaqueductal gray (PAG), a midbrain structure that regulates anxiety, is key to understanding the relationship between stress/anxiety and the endocannabinoid system. Also, neurons within the PAG are a release-site for BDNF and are involved in analgesic agents, including opioids. This neurotrophin plays a role in synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection.Furthermore, BDNF has well-established pro-survival effects, whereas its precursor protein, proBDNF, induces apoptosis. Thus, it has been suggested that the proBDNF/BDNF ratio could indicate neuronal health; however, the roles of the mBDNF/proBDNF after synthetic cannabinoids during this critical period is not clearly understood. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of adolescent exposure to WIN on the proBDNF/BDNF ratio levels in the PAG and blood concentrations in the adolescent rat.Methods: Adolescent rats received five daily injections of either vehicle (1 mL/kg i.p.) or the cannabinoid (CB1 and CB2 receptor) agonist, WIN 55212-2 (0.2 mg/kg i.p. every other day). The PAG and nucleus accumbens were dissected and truncal blood samples were collected to analyze. Brain tissue and serum were used in an ELISA immunoassay to determine the concentrations for pro and mature BDNF.Results: Chronic exposure of the synthetic CB1 agonist modified the proBDNF/BDNF ratio drastically, increasing 33% proBDNF levels and 47% BDNF in the dorsal PAG. Interestingly, only proBDNF blood concentrations were significantly increased (47%) compared to drug-naïve rats.Conclusions: Our study revealed that synthetic CB1 receptors during adolescence significantly increased proBDNF levels in brain tissue and blood, demonstrating that the PAG and proBDNF/BDNF ratio are involved in endocannabinoid mediated neurotransmission

Effect of breathwalk on body composition, metabolic and mood state in chronic hepatitis C patients with insulin resistance syndrome

Aim: To identify the anthropometric, metabolic and mood state in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients from the west of Mexico and to evaluate the effect of Breathwalk (BW), a combination of walking, synchronized breathing and focussed attention, on those patients. Methods: In an experimental study, 17 patients with serological and molecular diagnosis of HCV, not receiving pharmacological treatment, were studied. One hour sessions of BW were practiced 3 times at week for six months. Body composition was assessed by electric impedance. Biochemical profiles and insulin resistance (IR) risk was assessed by conventional methods. Mood state was evaluated with specific and open questions at the beginning and at the end of the program. Results: Seventy percent of patients were overweight or obese, and 77% of the patients presented with IR at the beginning of the study. Improvements were observed at the 3rd mo, and statistically significant differences were recorded at the 6th mo using the fitness score (76 vs 83, P < 0.01), in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (106 ± 93 U/L vs 59 ± 32 U/L, P < 0.01), total bilirubin (0.09 ± 1 mg/ dL vs 0.62 ± 0.2 mg/dL, P < 0.01), ALT/AST ratio (1.04 vs 0.70, P < 0.01), triglycerides (165 ± 86 mg/dL vs 124 ± 49 mg/dL, P < 0.01) and the IR risk (4.0 vs 2.7). Most patients (88%) indicated to feel better at the end of BW (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Breathwalk has an important effect on body composition, lipid profile and liver enzymes. It is also easy, inexpensive and has a beneficial effect on metabolic and mood state in HCV patients. © 2007 WJG. All rights reserved