Factores que explican la innovación en microempresarios agropecuarios en el estado de Puebla, México

Innovation is a development factor that has been at the center of the discussion in México during the last two decades, as an element that contributes to generate dynamics of entrepreneurialism. This induces to empirically revise models that attempt to describe the dynamics of innovation and their explicative factors. The objective of this research was to analyze the factors that explain the innovative behavior of small agricultural/livestock micro-entrepreneurs in Valle de Puebla, México. The data used were generated through a structured interview applied to a statistical sample. In order to value the relationship between innovative micro-entrepreneurs and their determinants, an innovation index was built from five variables related to innovative behavior, and it was related to possible explicative variables by using a correlation analysis, difference of means tests, and linear regression. It was found that training is an important factor in the development of new products. The factors related to the market are a source of changes and development of new products that drive innovation. In the regression model, the variables schooling, experience, propensity for risk, social relations and wholesale sales were statistically significant.La innovación es un factor de desarrollo que en las últimas dos décadas en México ha estado en el centro de la discusión, como elemento que coadyuva a generar dinámicas de emprendedurismo. Esto induce a revisar empíricamente modelos que intentan describir la dinámica de la innovación y sus factores explicativos. El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar los factores que explican la conducta innovadora de los pequeños microempresarios agropecuarios del Valle de Puebla, México. Los datos utilizados se generaron mediante una entrevista estructurada, aplicada a una muestra estadística. Para valorar la relación entre microempresarios innovadores y sus determinantes, se construyó un índice de innovación a partir de cinco variables relacionadas con la conducta innovadora, y se relacionó con posibles variables explicativas usando análisis de correlación, pruebas de diferencia de medias, y regresión lineal. Se encontró que la capacitación es un factor importante en el desarrollo de nuevos productos. Los factores relacionados con el mercado son una fuente de cambios y desarrollo de productos nuevos que impulsan la innovación. En el modelo de regresión, las variables escolaridad, experiencia, propensión al riesgo, relaciones sociales, y venta al mayoreo fueron estadísticamente significativas

Perenial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) yield as a response to fitoregulators produced in digestates

Objective: Determine the effect on ballico perenne (Lolium perenne) in response to phytoregulators produced in digestates obtained from the anaerobic digestion of cow manure at different initial pH values. Design / methodology: Anaerobic digestions of cow manure were mounted at different initial pH values: 5, 6.5, 7.5 and 8.5 at 4, 8 and 20 days of digestion; gibberellic acid (AG3) and indole acetic acid (IAA) were quantified. These digestates were applied in pots: in plants of ballico with 6 months of established, applying all the digestates and in plants of ballico of 45 days of established with digestates at 4 days of digestion. The variables measured were height, fresh and dry matter and number of stems. Results: The initial pH of the digestion influenced the production of phytoregulators, being higher at pH 5.5 and 6.5; no IAA production was recorded at basic pH. The application of the digestates had a different effect according to the age of the pasture, this was greater in the leaf weight variable, in 6 months ballico plants the increase was between 21 and 24%; in 45 days ballico plants it was 48 to 115% higher compared to the control. Likewise, there were between 50 and 60% greater number of stems than in the control, applying digestate at 4 days of digestion. Limitations / implications: The study was carried out in ballico perenne, it would be interesting to evaluate it in other crops. Findings / Conclusions: The initial pH of the manure has a greater effect on the properties of the digestate than the digestion time. Digestates can be a good fertilizer for ballico perenne, its effect is better in young grasses. The digestate even with only 4 days of digestion has a positive effect on the development of ryegrass.Objective: To assess the effect on ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) as a response tophytoregulators produced in digestates obtained from the anaerobic digestion of cow manure, at different initial Ph.Design / methodology: Anaerobic cow manure digestions were set up at differentinitial 5, 6.5, 7.5 and 8.5 pH values and 4, 8 and 20 days of digestion, from these, gibberellic acid (AG 3 ) and indole acetic acid (IAA) were quantified. Thesedigestates were applied to ryegrass grown in containers: on 6 months pasturesapplying all the digestates and in 45 days pastures digestates at 4 days of digestion. The assessed variables were height, fresh and dry weight and number of. The control was developed on unfertilized soil. Results: The initial pH of the digestion influenced the production ofphytoregulators, being higher at pH 5.5 and 6.5; no IAA production was recorded atbasic pH. The application of the digestates had a different effect depending on thepastures age, was greater on the leaf weight variable. In 6 months pastures the increase was between 21 and 24%, in young pastures from 48 to 115% respect to the control. Likewise, there were between 50 and 60% greater number of stems than in the control, applying digestate at 4 days of digestion.Limitations / Implications: The study took place on ryegrass, it would be of interest in the area to evaluate it in other crops .Findings / Conclusions: The initial manure pH has a higher effect on the digestates properties the those of the time of digestion. Digestates can be a fertilizer for ryegrass, its effect is better in young grasses. The digestate even with 4 days of digestion has a positive effect on ryegrass development

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to <90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], >300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

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

El trabajo en equipo, una competencia a potenciar en la Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad de Alcalá

El Grupo de Innovación Docente en Ciencias Ambientales analizó la competencia «trabajo en equipo» en la Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales de la Universidad de Alcalá. Para ello realizó una encuesta al profesorado de la Licenciatura y del Grado, para obtener información sobre el tipo de actividades que los docentes llevaron a cabo re¬lacionadas con esta competencia. Se recibieron encuestas sobre 28 asignaturas, 17 de asignatu¬ras del Grado y 11 de la Licenciatura. En el 88% de las asignaturas del Grado de las que se tuvo información se realizó alguna actividad de trabajo en equipo, porcentaje que ascendió al 91% en la Licenciatura. El 71% de los profesores de Grado encuestados y el 64% de los de la Licenciatura consideraron que los estudiantes no saben desa¬rrollar adecuadamente esta competencia. El 65% de los profesores del Grado y el 74% de los de la Licenciatura opinan que la adquisición de conoci¬mientos utilizando este método con respecto a la clase magistral es mejor. The «Environmental Sciences Teaching Innovation Group» analyzed the teamwork com-petence of the Faculty of Environmental Sciences of the University of Alcalá. Thus, a survey among lecturers was carried out to obtain information re¬garding the activities they implemented to promote this competence. 28 questionnaires were re¬ceived, 17 from the from Degree in Environmental Sciences and 11 from the from Licenciatura (five-year studies) subjects. Teamwork was used in 88% of the Degree subjects from which we obtained information, whereas this percentage rose to 91% in Licenciatura studies. 71% of the surveyed lecturers of the Degree and 64% of Licenciatura studies believe that students do not use teamwork adequately. 65% of the lecturers of the Degree and 74% of Licenciatura studies consider that learning with this method is better than standard lecturing

The complete mitochondrial and plastid genomes of Corallina chilensis (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) from Tomales Bay, California, USA

Genomic analysis of the marine alga Corallina chilensis from Tomales Bay, California, USA, resulted in the assembly of its complete mitogenome (GenBank accession number MK598844) and plastid genome (GenBank MK598845). The mitogenome is 25,895 bp in length and contains 50 genes. The plastid genome is 178,350 bp and contains 233 genes. The organellar genomes share a high-level of gene synteny to other Corallinales. Comparison of rbcL and cox1 gene sequences of C. chilensis from Tomales Bay reveals it is identical to three specimens from British Columbia, Canada and very similar to a specimen of C. chilensis from southern California. These genetic data confirm that C. chilensis is distributed in Pacific North America

Drug resistance phenotypes and genotypes in Mexico in representative gram-negative species: Results from the infivar network.

AimThis report presents phenotypic and genetic data on the prevalence and characteristics of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and representative carbapenemases-producing Gram-negative species in Mexico.Material and methodsA total of 52 centers participated, 43 hospital-based laboratories and 9 external laboratories. The distribution of antimicrobial resistance data for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae complex, Acinetobacter baumannii complex, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in selected clinical specimens from January 1 to March 31, 2020 was analyzed using the WHONET 5.6 platform. The following clinical isolates recovered from selected specimens were included: carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, ESBL or carbapenem-resistant E. coli, and K. pneumoniae, carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii complex, and P. aeruginosa. Strains were genotyped to detect ESBL and/or carbapenemase-encoding genes.ResultsAmong blood isolates, A. baumannii complex showed more than 68% resistance for all antibiotics tested, and among Enterobacteria, E. cloacae complex showed higher resistance to carbapenems. A. baumannii complex showed a higher resistance pattern for respiratory specimens, with only amikacin having a resistance lower than 70%. Among K. pneumoniae isolates, blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX were detected in 68.79%, 72.3%, and 91.9% of isolates, respectively. Among E. coli isolates, blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX were detected in 20.8%, 4.53%, and 85.7% isolates, respectively. For both species, the most frequent genotype was blaCTX-M-15. Among Enterobacteriaceae, the most frequently detected carbapenemase-encoding gene was blaNDM-1 (81.5%), followed by blaOXA-232 (14.8%) and blaoxa-181(7.4%), in A. baumannii was blaOXA-24 (76%) and in P. aeruginosa, was blaIMP (25.3%), followed by blaGES and blaVIM (13.1% each).ConclusionOur study reports that NDM-1 is the most frequent carbapenemase-encoding gene in Mexico in Enterobacteriaceae with the circulation of the oxacillinase genes 181 and 232. KPC, in contrast to other countries in Latin America and the USA, is a rare occurrence. Additionally, a high circulation of ESBL blaCTX-M-15 exists in both E. coli and K. pneumoniae