Evaluaci?n de la competitividad del arroz colombiano frente al estadounidense: un an?lisis de la seguridad alimentaria en el marco del TLC

229 P?ginasRecurso Electr?nicoEn este estudio se evalu? la competitividad del sector arrocero colombiano y estadounidense por medio de los indicadores de competitividad revelada y las cuasi rentas, con el objetivo de evaluar el impacto del Tratado de Libre Comercio suscrito entre Colombia y Estados Unidos, en la producci?n arrocera colombiana y en la seguridad alimentaria del pa?s. Ambos tipos de indicadores reflejaron para el sector arrocero colombiano un muy bajo nivel de competitividad, mientras Estados Unidos mostr? en todos los indicadores analizados altos niveles de competitividad. Para comprender los resultados de los indicadores de competitividad se valoraron factores econ?micos y no econ?micos; las variables m?s influyentes son los rendimientos, costos de producci?n, precios al productor y subsidios otorgados para la producci?n arrocera, en todos los casos los factores evaluados tienen un significativo mejor comportamiento en la producci?n de arroz en los Estados Unidos. Los resultados muestran a los Estados Unidos como un competidor muy fuerte que amenaza la permanencia de la producci?n nacional colombiana, toda vez que posee ventajas competitivas fundamentadas en su eficiencia t?cnica (altos rendimientos producto de un fuerte uso de la tecnolog?a) y econ?mica (costos de producci?n mucho m?s bajos). En el marco del TLC entre Colombia y Estados Unidos, 20 mil productores podr?an quedar en situaci?n de inseguridad alimentaria y se perder?n puestos de trabajo; igualmente la poblaci?n colombiana de menor ingreso estar? en riesgo de inseguridad alimentaria en coyunturas de altos precios, porque se dar? una mayor dependencia de las importaciones de arroz.ABSTRACT This study compares the rice production system between USA and Colombia performing an evaluation of the relative competitiveness at farm level through revealed competitiveness indicators and the quasi-rents method, in order to estimate the impact of Free Trade Agreement between Colombia and USA on Colombia's rice farms incomes and the food security of the country. Both type of indicators reflects that Colombian rice growers have a lower level of competitiveness compare to growers from USA. The evaluation of the competitiveness include the assessment of economic and non-economic factors. Results shown USA as a strong competitor who threaten the Colombian rice production continuity because of its competitive advantages based on technical and economic efficiency (higher yields per acre and lower costs). In the context of FTA between Colombia and USA, in the left hand twenty thousand rice farmers would be in an insecurity food situation if they get forced to move to a different economic activities, and in the right hand lower incomes Colombian consumers might be in the same situation in an scenario where the national demand of rice become more dependent on imports and higher international prices of rice come together.INTRODUCCI?N 14 1. OBJETIVOS 17 1.1. OBJETIVOS GENERALES 17 1.2. OBJETIVOS ESPEC?FICOS 17 2. DISE?O METODOL?GICO 18 2.1. REVISI?N DE LITERATURA 18 2.2. EVALUACI?N DE LA COMPETITIVIDAD 18 2.2.1. Factores determinantes de la competitividad. 20 2.3. AN?LISIS DE LA SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA 20 3. COMPETITIVIDAD: DEFINICIONES Y MEDICI?N 21 3.1. GLOBALIZACI?N DE LA ECONOM?A 21 3.2. LA COMPETITIVIDAD 23 3.2.1. Definici?n de la competitividad. 23 3.2.2. Medici?n de la competitividad. 28 3.3. COMPETITIVIDAD DEL ARROZ COLOMBIANO EN EL MARCO DEL TLC 39 4. AN?LISIS SOCIECON?MICO DE LA PRODUCCI?N ARROCERA 46 4.1. REGIONES PRODUCTORAS 52 4.2. ?REA SEMBRADA 55 4 4.3. PRODUCCIONES 61 4.4. RENDIMIENTOS 63 4.5. COSTOS DE PRODUCCI?N 66 4.6. PRECIOS 75 4.7. CONSUMO 81 4.7.1. La demanda de arroz paddy verde en Colombia. 85 4.7.2. La demanda de arroz blanco en Colombia. 85 4.8. BALANZA COMERCIAL RELATIVA 86 4.9. MERCADO MUNDIAL DEL ARROZ 89 4.10. COMERCIALIZACI?N DEL ARROZ EN COLOMBIA 90 5. TECNOLOG?AS DE LA PRODUCCI?N DE ARROZ EN COLOMBIA Y ESTADOS UNIDOS 94 5.1. PREPARACI?N DE SUELOS, Y RIEGO. 96 5.2. SIEMBRA Y SEMILLA 98 5.3. MANEJO DE LA NUTRICI?N 110 5.4. MANEJO DE PLAGAS 117 5.5. MANEJO DE ENFERMEDADES 125 5.6. MANEJO DE MALEZAS 133 6. POL?TICAS SECTORIALES Y SUBSIDIOS OTORGADOS PARA LA PRODUCCI?N DE ARROZ EN ESTADOS UNIDOS Y COLOMBIA 136 6.1. POL?TICAS SECTORIALES Y TRANSFERENCIAS DE SUBSIDIOS AL ARROZ EN COLOMBIA 138 6.1.1. Instrumentos de pol?tica para el sector arrocero. 140 5 6.2. POL?TICAS SECTORIALES Y TRANSFERENCIAS DE SUBSIDIOS AL ARROZ EN ESTADOS UNIDOS 146 6.2.1. Subsidios otorgados al sector arrocero estadounidense en la Ley Agr?cola de 2008 (The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act Of 2008). 153 6.3. CONSECUENCIAS DEL PROGRAMA ARROCERO DE ESTADOS UNIDOS PARA COLOMBIA. 161 7. EVALUACI?N DE LA COMPETITIVIDAD 165 7.1. INDICADORES DE COMPETITIVIDAD REVELADA 165 7.1.1. Balanza comercial relativa. 166 7.1.2. Indicador de transabilidad. 167 7.1.3. Grado de apertura exportadora. 169 7.1.4. Grado de penetraci?n de importaciones. 170 7.1.5. Indicador de especializaci?n internacional. 172 7.1.6. Modo de inserci?n al mercado. 173 7.2. INDICADORES DE CUASI-RENTAS 178 8. IMPACTO DEL TRATADO DE LIBRE COMERCIO CON ESTADOS UNIDOS EN LA SEGURIDAD ALIMENTARIA DE COLOMBIA 202 9. CONCLUSIONES 211 RECOMENDACIONES 214 REFERENCIAS BIBLIOGR?FICAS 21

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy (4th edition)

In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field