MARKETING WINTER VEGETABLES FROM MEXICO

The North American winter-vegetable industry is highly integrated, with Mexican production supplying a large part of U.S. winter consumption needs. Imports from Mexico undergo a rigorous inspection procedure before entering the United States. In addition to Mexican firms, many U.S. firms are also involved in sourcing winter vegetables from Mexico. To compete well, both U.S. and Mexican firms must adapt to the changing market pressures, which reward firms that can source from many locations to provide a year-round supply and vertically integrated or coordinated firms that can control quality and pursue aggressive marketing.Marketing,

The Culture of Nondisclosure of Sexual Abuse

The existing understanding of the culture of nondisclosure of sexual abuse is almost entirely absent. It lacks a theoretical framework, an empirical exploration into how it occurs in family relationships, and little is known about disclosure barriers in practice. This dissertation will address these three areas through three separate but related papers. First, the researcher will present a new cohesive theoretical framework that integrates and expands on existing theories for nondisclosure and that incorporates how individual decision-making is nested within social and familial contexts. Second, the researcher will report on an exploratory research study about sibling relationships regarding sexual abuse disclosure. Finally, the researcher will present an interview guide for practitioners that aims to transform survivors’ consciousness around barriers to disclosure. This dissertation seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of nondisclosure of sexual abuse that addresses theory, research, and practice, in three separate but related papers. The culmination of these items elucidates the culture of nondisclosure of sexual abuse

The American Dream eludes many urban youth of color. And they think it's their own fault.

Segregation is not a thing of the past for young people of color in the US; many attend under-resourced and segregated school districts. Despite these disadvantages, America's leaders tell young people of color that they can achieve the "American Dream" via hard work and determination. In new research, David T. Lardier Jr., Kathryn G. Herr, Veronica R. Barrios, Pauline Garcia-Reid ..

First complete genome sequence of potato leafroll virus from Argentina

In this study, we determined for the first time the complete genomic sequence of an Argentinian isolate of Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), the type species of the genus Polerovirus. The isolate sequenced came from a Solanum tuberosum plant that had been naturally infected with the virus. Isolate PLRV-AR had a nucleotide sequence identity between 94.4 and 97.3% with several known PLRV isolates worldwide.Inst. de BiotecnologíaFil: Barrios Baron, Maria Pilar. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Agrofoglio, Yamila Carla. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Delfosse, Veronica Cecilia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Nahirñak, Vanesa. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez De Urreta, Martin Salvador. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Almasia, Natalia Ines. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Vazquez Rovere, Cecilia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; ArgentinaFil: Sabio Y Garcia, Julia Verónica. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentin

Xantoma verruciforme da gengiva: relato de caso

Oral verruciform xanthoma is a benign inflammatory lesion of unknown etiology. It is a reactive, non-tumorous lesion affecting the oral mucosa, the semi-mucosa, and the skin of the extremities. Its clinical presentation consists of a single, elevated lesion with an irregular surface. Its microscopic characteristic is the accumulation of lipid-containing macrophages in the papillae of the connective tissue between the epithelial ridges. This report reviews the literature and presents a case of this pathology. The patient is an 11-year-old female who came for consultation with her guardian. Clinically, a single pale pink lesion approximately 4 mm in length, oval in shape with defined borders, rough, keratinized surface, firm consistency, and a base adhered to the tissue was observed. An excisional biopsy and histopathological study were performed. In conclusion, the diagnosis of verruciform xanthoma is complex. Despite being a benign lesion, it can be confused with other malignant differential diagnoses. Therefore, we recommend evaluating the patient's medical history, risk factors, and establishing an accurate treatment plan.El xantoma verruciforme oral es una lesión inflamatoria benigna, de etiología desconocida. Es una lesión reactiva, no tumoral, que afecta a la mucosa oral, las semimucosas y la piel de extremidades. Su presentación clínica consiste en una lesión única, elevada, de superficie irregular. Su característica microscópica es la acumulación de macrófagos con lípidos en las papilas del tejido conectivo entre las crestas epiteliales. En el presente reporte se revisa la literatura y un caso de esta patología. Se trata de una paciente de sexo femenino de 11 años de edad, que acude a consulta con su tutor. Clínicamente, se observa una lesión única de color rosa pálido, de 4 mm de longitud aproximadamente, de forma ovalada con bordes definidos, superficie rugosa, queratinizada, de consistencia firme y base adherida al tejido. Se realiza biopsia excisional y estudio histopatológico. Se concluye que diagnosticar el xantoma verruciforme es complejo; aunque es una lesión benigna, se puede confundir con otros diagnósticos diferenciales malignos, por lo cual recomendamos evaluar la anamnesis, los factores de riesgo y establecer un plan de tratamiento acertado.O xantoma verruciforme oral é uma lesão reativa não tumoral que afeta a mucosa oral, a semimucosa e a pele das extremidades. Clinicamente, apresenta-se como uma única lesão elevada de superfície irregular e cor rosa-clara. Sua característica microscópica é a presença de macrófagos ricos em lipídios nas papilas do tecido conjuntivo entre as cristas epiteliais. No caso discutido, a paciente, uma menina de 11 anos, procurou a clínica acompanhada de seu responsável. A lesão apresentava características típicas: cor rosa-clara, formato oval, cerca de 4 mm de comprimento, bordas distintas, superfície áspera e queratinizada, consistência firme e base aderente ao tecido. Uma biópsia excisional foi realizada e o estudo histopatológico confirmou o diagnóstico de xantoma verruciforme. Conclui-se que o diagnóstico de xantoma verruciforme é complexo, uma vez que, embora seja uma lesão benigna, pode ser confundido com outras patologias malignas. Portanto, é recomendado uma avaliação detalhada da anamnese, fatores de risco e a formulação de um plano de tratamento preciso para garantir um diagnóstico e tratamento adequados

Degradation of GSPT1 causes TP53-independent cell death in leukemia whilst sparing normal hematopoietic stem cells

Targeted protein degradation is a rapidly advancing and expanding therapeutic approach. Drugs that degrade GSPT1 via the CRL4CRBN ubiquitin ligase are a new class of cancer therapy in active clinical development with evidence of activity against acute myeloid leukemia in early phase trials. However, other than activation of the integrated stress response, the downstream effects of GSPT1 degradation leading to cell death are largely undefined, and no murine models are available to study these agents. We identified the domains of GSPT1 essential for cell survival and show that GSPT1 degradation leads to impaired translation termination, activation of the integrated stress response pathway, and TP53-independent cell death. CRISPR-Cas9 screens implicated decreased translation initiation as protective to GSPT1 degradation, suggesting that cells with higher levels of translation are more susceptible to GSPT1 degradation. We defined two Crbn amino acids that prevent Gspt1 degradation in mice, generated a knock-in mouse with alteration of these residues, and demonstrated the efficacy of GSPT1-degrading drugs in vivo with relative sparing of numbers and function of long-term hematopoietic stem cells. Our results provide a mechanistic basis for the use of GSPT1 degraders for the treatment of cancer, including TP53-mutant AML

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Data synthesis of multiple on-farm trials to generate regional variety recommendations: the case of common bean in Central America

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a main food crop in Central America. Several improved varieties have been developed and released by different crop improvement programs in the region but many of these varieties are not used widely by farmers. One limitation is the lack of information about which are the best adapted varieties for each area within the region, even though on-farm testing of varieties is widely done by different organizations. Data synthesis of existing on-farm trial data can help to predict the suitability of varieties to areas within the region where trials were not conducted. Data synthesis is facilitated by a new participatory on-farm testing approach, triadic comparison of technologies (tricot). This approach involves the participation of farmers as citizen scientists at scale and ensures data are collected digitally, facilitating data synthesis. From 2015 to 2018, more than 2,000 tricot trial plots were established in Central America by different organizations, including agricultural research centers, universities, NGOs, and farmer’s associations. The trials tested landraces, experimental lines, and improved varieties created with both conventional and participatory breeding approaches. We applied an innovative data synthesis method to analyze the tricot trial data jointly, including seasonal climate and soil covariates to assess environmental adaptation. The results showed that the method was able to predict farmers’ overall appreciation of varieties in unsampled areas.Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a main food crop in Central America. Several improved varieties have been developed and released by different crop improvement programs in the region but many of these varieties are not used widely by farmers. One limitation is the lack of information about which are the best adapted varieties for each area within the region, even though on-farm testing of varieties is widely done by different organizations. Data synthesis of existing on-farm trial data can help to predict the suitability of varieties to areas within the region where trials were not conducted. Data synthesis is facilitated by a new participatory on-farm testing approach, triadic comparison of technologies (tricot). This approach involves the participation of farmers as citizen scientists at scale and ensures data are collected digitally, facilitating data synthesis. From 2015 to 2018, more than 2,000 tricot trial plots were established in Central America by different organizations, including agricultural research centers, universities, NGOs, and farmer’s associations. The trials tested landraces, experimental lines, and improved varieties created with both conventional and participatory breeding approaches. We applied an innovative data synthesis method to analyze the tricot trial data jointly, including seasonal climate and soil covariates to assess environmental adaptation. The results showed that the method was able to predict farmers’ overall appreciation of varieties in unsampled areas

Association of Candidate Gene Polymorphisms With Chronic Kidney Disease: Results of a Case-Control Analysis in the Nefrona Cohort

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major risk factor for end-stage renal disease, cardiovascular disease and premature death. Despite classical clinical risk factors for CKD and some genetic risk factors have been identified, the residual risk observed in prediction models is still high. Therefore, new risk factors need to be identified in order to better predict the risk of CKD in the population. Here, we analyzed the genetic association of 79 SNPs of proteins associated with mineral metabolism disturbances with CKD in a cohort that includes 2, 445 CKD cases and 559 controls. Genotyping was performed with matrix assisted laser desorption ionizationtime of flight mass spectrometry. We used logistic regression models considering different genetic inheritance models to assess the association of the SNPs with the prevalence of CKD, adjusting for known risk factors. Eight SNPs (rs1126616, rs35068180, rs2238135, rs1800247, rs385564, rs4236, rs2248359, and rs1564858) were associated with CKD even after adjusting by sex, age and race. A model containing five of these SNPs (rs1126616, rs35068180, rs1800247, rs4236, and rs2248359), diabetes and hypertension showed better performance than models considering only clinical risk factors, significantly increasing the area under the curve of the model without polymorphisms. Furthermore, one of the SNPs (the rs2248359) showed an interaction with hypertension, being the risk genotype affecting only hypertensive patients. We conclude that 5 SNPs related to proteins implicated in mineral metabolism disturbances (Osteopontin, osteocalcin, matrix gla protein, matrix metalloprotease 3 and 24 hydroxylase) are associated to an increased risk of suffering CKD

Recovery of dialysis patients with COVID-19 : health outcomes 3 months after diagnosis in ERACODA

Background. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related short-term mortality is high in dialysis patients, but longer-term outcomes are largely unknown. We therefore assessed patient recovery in a large cohort of dialysis patients 3 months after their COVID-19 diagnosis. Methods. We analyzed data on dialysis patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from 1 February 2020 to 31 March 2021 from the European Renal Association COVID-19 Database (ERACODA). The outcomes studied were patient survival, residence and functional and mental health status (estimated by their treating physician) 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. Complete follow-up data were available for 854 surviving patients. Patient characteristics associated with recovery were analyzed using logistic regression. Results. In 2449 hemodialysis patients (mean ± SD age 67.5 ± 14.4 years, 62% male), survival probabilities at 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis were 90% for nonhospitalized patients (n = 1087), 73% for patients admitted to the hospital but not to an intensive care unit (ICU) (n = 1165) and 40% for those admitted to an ICU (n = 197). Patient survival hardly decreased between 28 days and 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis. At 3 months, 87% functioned at their pre-existent functional and 94% at their pre-existent mental level. Only few of the surviving patients were still admitted to the hospital (0.8-6.3%) or a nursing home (∼5%). A higher age and frailty score at presentation and ICU admission were associated with worse functional outcome. Conclusions. Mortality between 28 days and 3 months after COVID-19 diagnosis was low and the majority of patients who survived COVID-19 recovered to their pre-existent functional and mental health level at 3 months after diagnosis