Corruption and entrepreneurship: A bibliometric analysis

The impact of corruption on entrepreneurial dynamics became an attractive topic for scholars after the appearance of public scandals that led to the delegitimization of many governments in the last 40 years. The research that explored the relationship between corruption and entrepreneurship has produced controversial results. It appears that the interaction of these two constructs is influenced by contextual factors both at an individual and national level of analysis. By using a bibliometric methodology and a fractional counting method to analyse the scientific literature on corruption and entrepreneurship, this paper identifies and analyses 180 articles recorded in the Scopus database. It represents a contribution by showing the state of the art of research on corruption and entrepreneurship and proposes future lines of research. Important results have been found about the evolution of the volume of articles and citations on this topic over time. Significant academic interest in this field commenced in the 21st century, and more specifically in the last ten years. This work also provides findings about the most prolific journals, institutions and authors, as well as the most relevant countries, with the United States and United Kingdom leading in terms of the number of publications. In addition, an in-depth analysis of authors' keywords has identified different trends, such as institutions, economic growth, shadow economy, regulation, Africa, culture, economic development, business environment, and informal economy. Finally, some future research lines are proposed, such as institutional theory, tax morale, corruption perceptions, European regions, risk aversion and institutional entrepreneurship

Muerte neural temprana: un proceso inadvertido en el desarrollo del sistema nervioso.

15 p.-7 fig.[EN]During the development of the vertebrate nervous system, multiple physiological processes are involved in the generation of its complex cytoarchitecture and functionality. Among them, programmed cell death has been recognized as a key process that affects connecting neurons. By contrast, there is limited information available regarding the cell death that affects neuroepithelial cells, and recently born neurons and glia, hindering the comprehensive understanding of neural development. We have demonstrated that exquisitely regulated PCD occurs during early stages of neural development such as neurulation and neurogenesis. We have characterized how survival signals from proteins like proinsulin/insulin, c-Raf, and HSC70 counteract caspase-dependent apoptosis, which affects neuroepithelial cells proliferation and the generation of retinal ganglion cells. Furthermore, the characterization of these physiological signals during retinal neurogenesis has the potential to provide new therapeutic tools to attenuate retinal neurodegeneration.[ES]Durante el desarrollo del sistema nervioso de vertebrados, múltiples procesos fisiológicos participan en la generación de su compleja arquitectura celular y funcionalidad. Entre ellos, la muerte celular programada que afecta a neuronas de conexión está reconocido como un proceso fundamental. Por otro lado, hay escasa información disponible acerca de la muerte celular que afecta a células neuroepiteliales y a neuronas y glía recién nacidas, lo que impide que tengamos una noción completa sobre el desarrollo neural. Los estudios de nuestro laboratorio han demostrado que la muerte celular programada se encuentra finamente regulada y ocurre en etapas tan tempranas del desarrollo como la neurulación o la neurogénesis. Hemos caracterizado el papel que moléculas de supervivencia, como la proinsulina/insulina, c-Raf o HSC70, desempeñan bloqueando la apoptosis dependiente de caspasas, proceso que afecta a células neuroepiteliales proliferativas, así como a la generación de las células ganglionares de la retina. Es más, la caracterización de estas señales fisiológicas originadas durante la neurogénesis de la retina nos ha proporcionado una nueva herramienta terapéutica potencial para el tratamiento y atenuación de las neurodegeneraciones retinianas.Research in the laboratory is funded by grants-in-aid from the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (SAF2007-66175-C02-01 to EJdlR, BFU2007-61055/BMC to FdP, and BFU2006-00508 to PB).Peer reviewe

Polymorphisms in DNA-repair genes in a cohort of prostate cancer patients from different areas in Spain: heterogeneity between populations as a confounding factor in association studies

Background: Differences in the distribution of genotypes between individuals of the same ethnicity are an important confounder factor commonly undervalued in typical association studies conducted in radiogenomics. Objective: To evaluate the genotypic distribution of SNPs in a wide set of Spanish prostate cancer patients for determine the homogeneity of the population and to disclose potential bias. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 601 prostate cancer patients from Andalusia, Basque Country, Canary and Catalonia were genotyped for 10 SNPs located in 6 different genes associated to DNA repair: XRCC1 (rs25487, rs25489, rs1799782), ERCC2 (rs13181), ERCC1 (rs11615), LIG4 (rs1805388, rs1805386), ATM (rs17503908, rs1800057) and P53 (rs1042522). The SNP genotyping was made in a Biotrove OpenArrayH NT Cycler. Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: Comparisons of genotypic and allelic frequencies among populations, as well as haplotype analyses were determined using the web-based environment SNPator. Principal component analysis was made using the SnpMatrix and XSnpMatrix classes and methods implemented as an R package. Non-supervised hierarchical cluster of SNP was made using MultiExperiment Viewer. Results and Limitations: We observed that genotype distribution of 4 out 10 SNPs was statistically different among the studied populations, showing the greatest differences between Andalusia and Catalonia. These observations were confirmed in cluster analysis, principal component analysis and in the differential distribution of haplotypes among the populations. Because tumor characteristics have not been taken into account, it is possible that some polymorphisms may influence tumor characteristics in the same way that it may pose a risk factor for other disease characteristics. Conclusion: Differences in distribution of genotypes within different populations of the same ethnicity could be an important confounding factor responsible for the lack of validation of SNPs associated with radiation-induced toxicity, especially when extensive meta-analysis with subjects from different countries are carried out

Posición competitiva de las exportaciones españolas de tomate en la Unión Europea

This paper examines the export performance of Spanish tomatoes in the European Union (EU). The origins and destinations of Spanish tomato exports are examined: Almería is the main exporting province and Germany the biggest client. The performance of Spains North African competitors in the tomato market (mainly Morocco) is also examined, and the structural competitiveness of the countries that export tomatoes to the EU is analysed. Spain has the greatest advantage in this respect, and the largest inter-industry trade. An export model is developed. This model shows that the export of tomatoes from Almería is not much influenced by shipments from Morocco.En este artículo se estudió el comportamiento de las exportaciones de tomate españolas en el entorno de la Unión Europea (UE). En primer lugar se analizaron los orígenes provinciales, así como los destinos de las exportaciones de tomate, siendo Almería la principal provincia exportadora, y Alemania el mayor cliente de los envíos de esta hortaliza. En segundo lugar se estudiaron los países que compiten con las exportaciones españolas, que son los procedentes de los países de la Cuenca del Mediterráneo, sobre todo Marruecos. También se analizó la competitividad estructural de las distintas exportaciones de tomate a la UE, teniendo España la mayor ventaja comparativa, así como un comercio de tipo interindustrial. Por último, se realizó un modelo de exportación en donde se aprecia cómo los envíos de tomate marroquí no parecen influir en la exportación de tomate de la principal provincia exportadora

Competitividad internacional de la cereza

[EN] The international trade of cherries sweet is led by Chile, the United States, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Spain and Azerbaijan as the main ones. However, in the period 2013 to 2017 the countries with the hig‑hest annual growth in their exports are Azerbai‑jan (21,9%), Chile (19,2%), Uzbekistan (18,8%), Ar‑gentina (16,6%), New Zealand (15,6%) and South Africa (10,5%). International demand grows at an annual 8,7% on average, while the dynamics are more intense in the southern hemisphere (18,6%) compared to the northern hemisphere (4,8%). If this trend continues, the southern hemisphere would increase its global share from 24% in 2013 to 51,3% in 2023. International trade appears to us as a complex model, with notable dieren‑ces in export competitiveness maps of the main producing countries. At some point, the rate of increase in Chinese demand will decrease and the impact of Brexit is incalculable today. But we intuit that turbulent years will come with price cri‑ses, although we do not know when. It is neces‑sary an urgent resilience to the changes to come in the technological, logistics and commercial.[ES] El comercio internacional de cerezas dulces está liderado por Chile, Estados Unidos, Turquía, Uzbe‑kistán, España y Azerbaiyán como los principales. Sin embargo, en el periodo 2013 a 2017 los países de mayor crecimiento anual en su exportación son Azerbaiyán (21,9%), Chile (19,2%), Uzbekis‑tán (18,8%), Argentina (16,6%), Nueva Zelanda (15,6%) y Sudáfrica (10,5%). La demanda interna‑cional crece al 8,7% anual en promedio, mientras que la dinámica presenta con mayor intensidad al hemisferio sur (18,6%) en comparación con el hemisferio norte (4,8%). De continuar esta ten‑dencia el hemisferio sur aumentaría su participa‑ción mundial del 24% en 2013 al 51,3% en 2023. El comercio internacional nos aparece como un modelo complejo, con diferencias notables en los mapas de competitividad en la exportación de los principales países productores. En algún momento, el ritmo de incremento de la demanda china disminuirá y es incalculable hoy el impacto del Brexit. Pero intuimos que se acercarán años turbulentos con crisis de precios, aunque no sabemos cuándo. Es necesario una urgente resi‑liencia a los cambios por venir en lo tecnológico, logística y comercial.Peer reviewe

Proinsulin/insulin is synthesized locally and prevents caspase- and cathepsin-mediated cell death in the embryonic mouse retina

Programmed cell death is an essential, highly regulated process in neural development. Although the role of insulin-like growth factor I in supporting the survival of neural cells has been well characterized, studies on proinsulin/insulin are scarce. Here, we characterize proinsulin/insulin effects on cell death in embryonic day 15.5 mouse retina. Both proinsulin mRNA and proinsulin/insulin immunoreactivity were found in the developing retina. Organotypic embryonic day 15.5 retinas cultured under growth factor deprivation showed an increase in cell death that was reversed by proinsulin, insulin and insulin-like growth factor I, with similar median effective concentration values via phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase activation. Although insulin and insulin-like growth factor I provoked a sustained Akt phosphorylation, proinsulin-induced phosphorylation of Akt was not found. Analysis of the growth factor deprivation-induced cell death mechanisms, using caspase and cathepsin inhibitors, demonstrated that both protease families were required for the effective execution of cell death. The insulin survival effect, which decreased the extent and distribution of cell death to levels similar to those found in vivo, was not enhanced by simultaneous treatment with caspase and cathepsin inhibitors, suggesting that insulin interferes with these protease pathways in the embryonic mouse retina. The mechanisms characterized in this study provide new details on early neural cell death and its genuine regulation by insulin/proinsulinThis research was supported by grants from the Comunidad de Madrid (08.5-0019.1/2001 to EJdlR and 08.5-0069.1/2000 to PdlV), Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (SAF2004-05870 to EJdlR and PdlV, and BFU2004-02352 to FdP) and Red de Grupos RGDM G03/212 from the Instituto de Salud Carlos IIII. AIV was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Comunidad de Madrid and SC by a postgraduate fellowship from the Ministerio de Educación y CienciaPeer Reviewe

Programmed cell death in the neurulating embryo is prevented by the chaperone Hsc70

9 páginas, 5 figuras -- PAGS nros. 1646-1654Neuronal cell death is a genuine developmental process, with precise regulation and defined roles. In striking contrast, characterization of cell death that occurs at early stages of neural development is very limited. We previously showed that embryonic proinsulin increases the level of the chaperone heat shock cognate 70 (Hsc70) and reduces the incidence of apoptosis in the neurulating chick embryo [de la Rosa, et al. (1998), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 95, 9950]. We now demonstrate that Hsc70 is directly involved in cell survival during neurulation, as specific downregulation of endogenous Hsc70 by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide interference provoked an increase in apoptosis both in vitro and in ovo. In parallel, activation of caspase-3 was increased after hsc70 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide treatment. Dead cells were located mostly in the developing nervous system, distributed in areas where the incidence of cell death was high. These areas coincided both in vivo and under different death-inducing conditions, including antisense interference and growth factor deprivation. Hsc70 immunostaining was strong in at least some areas of high cell death. Apoptotic cells within these areas presented undetectable Hsc70 levels, however, suggesting that this protein acts as an intrinsic protector of neuroepithelial and neural precursor cellsThis study was funded by grants PM99-0094 to E.J. de la R. from the Dirección General de Investigación (Spain) and FIS 01/0952 to F. de P. from Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (Spain). Fellowships were awarded by the Ministerio de Educación (E.R.), Comunidad de Madrid (A.I.V.) and Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (C.S.)Peer reviewe

Differential, age-dependent MEK-ERK and PI3K-Akt activation by insulin acting as a survival factor during embryonic retinal development

Programmed cell death is a genuine developmental process of the nervous system, affecting not only projecting neurons but also proliferative neuroepithelial cells and young neuroblasts. The embryonic chick retina has been employed to correlate in vivo and in vitro studies on cell death regulation. We characterize here the role of two major signaling pathways, PI3K-Akt and MEK-ERK, in controlled retinal organotypic cultures from embryonic day 5 (E5) and E9, when cell death preferentially affects proliferating neuroepithelial cells and ganglion cell neurons, respectively. The relative density of programmed cell death in vivo was much higher in the proliferative and early neurogenic stages of retinal development (E3-E5) than during neuronal maturation and synaptogenesis (E8-E19). In organotypic cultures from E5 and E9 retinas, insulin, as the only growth factor added, was able to completely prevent cell death induced by growth factor deprivation. Insulin activated both the PI3K-Akt and the MEK-ERK pathways. Insulin survival effect, however, was differentially blocked at the two stages. At E5, the effect was blocked by MEK inhibitors, whereas at E9 it was blocked by PI3K inhibitors. The cells which were found to be dependent on insulin activation of the MEK-ERK pathway at E5 were mostly proliferative neuroepithelial cells. These observations support a remarkable specificity in the regulation of early neural cell death. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia. Grant Numbers: BMC2003-07751, BFU2004-02352 Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo. Grant Numbers: RETIC RD-06, PI04/2364 Generalitat de Catalunya (Suport als Grups de Recerca Consolidats) Comunidad de MadridPeer Reviewe

Differential, age-dependent MEK-ERK and PI3K-Akt activation by insulin acting as a survival factor during embryonic retinal development

Programmed cell death is a genuine developmental process of the nervous system, affecting not only projecting neurons but also proliferative neuroepithelial cells and young neuroblasts. The embryonic chick retina has been employed to correlate in vivo and in vitro studies on cell death regulation. We characterize here the role of two major signaling pathways, PI3K-Akt and MEK-ERK, in controlled retinal organotypic cultures from embryonic day 5 (E5) and E9, when cell death preferentially affects proliferating neuroepithelial cells and ganglion cell neurons, respectively. The relative density of programmed cell death in vivo was much higher in the proliferative and early neurogenic stages of retinal development (E3-E5) than during neuronal maturation and synaptogenesis (E8-E19). In organotypic cultures from E5 and E9 retinas, insulin, as the only growth factor added, was able to completely prevent cell death induced by growth factor deprivation. Insulin activated both the PI3K-Akt and the MEK-ERK pathways. Insulin survival effect, however, was differentially blocked at the two stages. At E5, the effect was blocked by MEK inhibitors, whereas at E9 it was blocked by PI3K inhibitors. The cells which were found to be dependent on insulin activation of the MEK-ERK pathway at E5 were mostly proliferative neuroepithelial cells. These observations support a remarkable specificity in the regulation of early neural cell death. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia. Grant Numbers: BMC2003-07751, BFU2004-02352 Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo. Grant Numbers: RETIC RD-06, PI04/2364 Generalitat de Catalunya (Suport als Grups de Recerca Consolidats) Comunidad de MadridPeer Reviewe

The Spanish Tomato Export Sector of the Almeria Region: An Econometric Approach

Trade, Vegetables, Competitiveness, Cooperatives, L10, O50, Q00, R10,