Evaluación de la política comercial sobre el mercado del sorgo en México, 2000

La fuerte dependencia de las importaciones desde Estados Unidos y la reciente polémica en relación con los efectos negativos del Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte, justifican la evaluación del impacto de políticas comerciales alternativas sobre el mercado del sorgo (Sorghum vulgare Pers) en México. Para analizar estos efectos se validó un modelo de programación cuadrática para producción, consumo e importaciones del grano de mayo de 1999 a abril de 2000. Los resultados del modelo validado indican que en 1999/2000, la producción, las importaciones y el consumo de sorgo fueron 6.1, 4.6 y 10.7 millones t. Si en 1999/2000 se hubiera permitido la importación de sólo 2.5 millones t, la producción y el consumo de sorgo hubieran sido mayor y menor en 1.4 y 0.7 millones de t, en relación con los niveles observados en ese año. Por el contrario, si se hubiera permitido el libre comercio, la producción hubiera sido 5.4 millones t, en tanto el consumo y las importaciones habrían aumentando en 0.3 y 1.0 millones t, en relación con los niveles de 1999/2000. Los beneficiados con la política de restricción de las importaciones habrían sido los productores, y los perjudicados los importadores y los consumidores. Con la política de libre comercio los beneficiados hubieran sido los consumidores e importadores, en tanto que los productores habrían resultado menos perjudicados

Failure Diagnosis on Photovoltaic Modules Using Thermography, Electroluminescence, Rgb and I-V Techniques

Different techniques can be used to detect and quantify PV modules anomalies, as visual inspections, electrical tests like the I-V curve test, infrared thermography (IRT) or electroluminescence (EL). PV plants operators usually apply only one or two of them within the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) activities. Additionally, researchers usually studied them separately. However, these methods provide complementary results, glimpsing interesting information about the PV site state. The main strength of the research performed is the simultaneous study of all these inspection techniques, studying the correlation between them. Results confirm that, EL and IRT under current injection on modules are closely correlated, while IRT under normal operation (sun exposure) reveals complementary information not detected in EL but existing in the visible spectrum. In conclusion, it is advisable using as many techniques as possible to characterize the actual state of the module and to explain its I-V curve.Proyecto de Investigación ENE2017-89561-C4-3-R (MCIN)Proyecto de Investigación RTC-2017-6712-3 (MCIN)Proyecto de Investigación VA283P18 (Junta de Castilla y León

The Adverse Effects of Radiotherapy on the Structure of Dental Hard Tissues and Longevity of Dental Restoration

Purpose: The main goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of different ionizing radiation doses on the mineral (carbonate/phosphate ratio, crystallinity index [CI]) and organic (amide III/phosphate, amide I sub-band ratios) structures, as well as the microhardness, of enamel and dentin, along with their influence on the bonding strength stability of the etch-and-rinse (ER) and self-etch (SE) dental adhesive strategies. Materials and methods: Enamel and dentin human tissue specimens were irradiated (with 0, 20, 40, and 70 Gy radiation doses, respectively) and sectioned to perform an attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform IR spectroscopy assay (ATR-FTIR) and the Vickers microhardness (VHN) test to conduct a biochemical and biomechanical evaluation of the tissues. Regarding the adhesive properties, restored enamel and dentin specimens exposed to the same radiation doses were submitted to microshear bond strength (μSBS) tests for enamel in immediate time (IM) and to microtensile bond strength (μTBS) tests after for IM and 12-month (12 M) period of time, Mann–Whitney U tests were implemented, using the ATR-FTIR data for significant differences (α \u3c 0.05), and three- and two-way analyses of variance, along with post-testing, were performed on the μTBS and μSBS data (MPa), respectively (Tukey post hoc test at α = 0.05). Results: The ATR-FTIR results showed a significant decrease (p Conclusions: It is possible to conclude that structural alterations of enamel and dentin are generated by all radiation doses, decreasing the microhardness of dental hard tissues and influencing bond strength over time, starting at 40 Gy radiation dose. The etch-and-rinse strategy demonstrates better adhesive performance but generates cohesive fractures in the enamel

Reframing the link between metabolism and NLRP3 inflammasome: therapeutic opportunities

Inflammasomes are multiprotein signaling platforms in the cytosol that senses exogenous and endogenous danger signals and respond with the maturation and secretion of IL-1β and IL-18 and pyroptosis to induce inflammation and protect the host. The inflammasome best studied is the Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. It is activated in a two-step process: the priming and the activation, leading to sensor NLRP3 oligomerization and recruitment of both adaptor ASC and executioner pro-caspase 1, which is activated by cleavage. Moreover, NLRP3 inflammasome activation is regulated by posttranslational modifications, including ubiquitination/deubiquitination, phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, acetylation/deacetylation, SUMOylation and nitrosylation, and interaction with NLPR3 protein binding partners. Moreover, the connection between it and metabolism is receiving increasing attention in this field. In this review, we present the structure, functions, activation, and regulation of NLRP3, with special emphasis on regulation by mitochondrial dysfunction-mtROS production and metabolic signals, i.e., metabolites as well as enzymes. By understanding the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, specific inhibitors can be rationally designed for the treatment and prevention of various immune- or metabolic-based diseases. Lastly, we review current NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors and their mechanism of action

Improving air quality in metropolitan Mexico City : an economic valuation

Mexico City has for years experienced high levels of ozone and particulate air pollution. In 1995-99 the entire population of the Mexico City metropolitan area was exposed to annual average concentrations of fine particulate pollution (particulates with a diameter of less than 10micrometers, or PM10) exceeding 50 micrograms per cubic meter, the annual average standard in both Mexico and the United States. Two million people were exposed to annual average PM10 levels of more than 75 micrograms per cubic meter. The daily maximum one-hour ozone standard was exceeded at least 300 days a year. The Mexico Air Quality Management Team documents population-weighted exposures to ozone and PM10 between 1995 and 1999, project exposures in 2010, and computes the value of four scenarios for 2010: A 10 percent reduction in PM10 and ozone. A 20 percent reduction in PM10 and ozone. Achievement of ambient air quality standards across the metropolitan area. A 68 percent reduction in ozone and a 47 percent reduction in PM10 across the metropolitan area. The authors calculate the health benefits of reducing ozone and PM10 for each scenario using dose-response functions from the peer-reviewed literature. They value cases of morbidity and premature mortality avoided using three approaches: Cost of illness and forgone earnings only (low estimate). Cost of illness, forgone earnings, and willingness to pay for avoided morbidity (central case estimate). Cost of illness, forgone earnings, willingness to pay for avoided morbidity, and willingness to pay for avoided mortality (high estimate). The results suggest that the benefits of a 10 percent reduction in ozone and PM10 in 2010 are about $760 million (in 1999 U.S. dollars) annually in the central case. The benefits of a 20 percent reduction in ozone and PM10 are about$1.49 billion annually. In each case the benefits of reducing ozone amount to about 15 percent of the total benefits. By estimating the magnitude of the benefits from air pollution control, the authors provide motivation for examining specific policies that could achieve the air pollution reductions that they value. They also provide unit values for the benefits from reductions in ambient air pollution (for example, per microgram of PM10) that could be used as inputs into a full cost-benefit analysisof air pollution control strategies.Montreal Protocol,Public Health Promotion,Global Environment Facility,Air Quality&Clean Air,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Montreal Protocol,Air Quality&Clean Air,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Global Environment Facility,Transport and Environment

Critically short telomeres and toxicity of chemotherapy in early breast cancer

Cumulative toxicity from weekly paclitaxel (myalgia, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue) compromises long-term administration. Preclinical data suggest that the burden of critically short telomeres ( 21.9% CSTs) had 2-fold higher number of neuropathy (P = 0.04) or fatigue (P = 0.019) episodes and >3-fold higher number of myalgia episodes (P = 0.005). The average telomere length was unrelated to the incidence of side effects.The percentage of CSTs, but not the average telomere size, is associated with weekly paclitaxel-derived toxicity.This work was supported by the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria [FIS PI10/00288 and FIS PI13/00430]; AECC Scientific Foundation [Beca de Retorno-2010, to MQF]; Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness Projects [SAF2013-45111-R]; Madrid Regional Government Projects [S2010/BMD- 2303]; AXA Research Found; Fundación Botin; AVON Spain; and Boehringer-Ingelheim Spain.S

Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease with a Mediterranean diet

BACKGROUND: Observational cohort studies and a secondary prevention trial have shown an inverse association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular risk. We conducted a randomized trial of this diet pattern for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events. METHODS: In a multicenter trial in Spain, we randomly assigned participants who were at high cardiovascular risk, but with no cardiovascular disease at enrollment, to one of three diets: a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with mixed nuts, or a control diet (advice to reduce dietary fat). Participants received quarterly individual and group educational sessions and, depending on group assignment, free provision of extra-virgin olive oil, mixed nuts, or small nonfood gifts. The primary end point was the rate of major cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes). On the basis of the results of an interim analysis, the trial was stopped after a median follow-up of 4.8 years. RESULTS: A total of 7447 persons were enrolled (age range, 55 to 80 years); 57% were women. The two Mediterranean-diet groups had good adherence to the intervention, according to self-reported intake and biomarker analyses. A primary end-point event occurred in 288 participants. The multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios were 0.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54 to 0.92) and 0.72 (95% CI, 0.54 to 0.96) for the group assigned to a Mediterranean diet with extra-virgin olive oil (96 events) and the group assigned to a Mediterranean diet with nuts (83 events), respectively, versus the control group (109 events). No diet-related adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Among persons at high cardiovascular risk, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events

Oseltamivir-Resistant Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Virus, Mexico

During May 2009–April 2010, we analyzed 692 samples of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus from patients in Mexico. We detected the H275Y substitution of the neuraminidase gene in a specimen from an infant with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 who was treated with oseltamivir. This virus was susceptible to zanamivir and resistant to adamantanes and oseltamivir

Modulation of KV4.3-KChIP2 Channels by IQM-266: Role of DPP6 and KCNE2

The transient outward potassium current (Itof) is generated by the activation of KV4 chan- nels assembled with KChIP2 and other accessory subunits (DPP6 and KCNE2). To test the hypothesis that these subunits modify the channel pharmacology, we analyzed the electrophysiological effects of (3-(2-(3-phenoxyphenyl)acetamido)-2-naphthoic acid) (IQM-266), a new KChIP2 ligand, on the currents generated by KV4.3/KChIP2, KV4.3/KChIP2/DPP6 and KV4.3/KChIP2/KCNE2 channels. CHO cells were transiently transfected with cDNAs codifying for different proteins (KV4.3/KChIP2, KV4.3/KChIP2/DPP6 or KV4.3/KChIP2/KCNE2), and the potassium currents were recorded using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. IQM-266 decreased the maximum peak of KV4.3/KChIP2, KV4.3/KChIP2/DPP6 and KV4.3/KChIP2/KCNE2 currents, slowing their time course of inactivation in a concentration-, voltage-, time- and use-dependent manner. IQM-266 produced an increase in the charge in KV4.3/KChIP2 channels that was intensified when DPP6 was present and abolished in the presence of KCNE2. IQM-266 induced an activation unblocking effect during the applica- tion of trains of pulses to cells expressing KV4.3/KChIP2 and KV4.3/KChIP2/KCNE2, but not in KV4.3/KChIP2/DPP6 channels. Overall, all these results are consistent with a preferential IQM-266 binding to an active closed state of Kv4.3/KChIP2 and Kv4.3/KChIP2/KCNE2 channels, whereas in the presence of DPP6, IQM-266 binds preferentially to an inactivated state. In conclusion, DPP6 and KCNE2 modify the pharmacological response of KV4.3/KChIP2 channels to IQM-266.This publication is the results of the: Grants SAF2016-75021-R (to C.V.), RTI2018-097189-B- C22 (to M.M.-M.) and BIO2017-89523-R (to A.A.) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ERDF A way of making Europe”; Grants PID2019-104366RB-C21 (to C.V.), PID2019-104366RB- C22 (to M.G.-R.), PID2020-114256RB-I00 (to A.O. and J.A.G.-V.), PID2020-119805RB-I00 (to A.A.) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033; Grant A-FQM-386-UGR20 funded by FEDER/Junta de Andalucía-Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento (to J.A.G.-V.); Grant CB/11/00222 funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III CIBERCV (to C.V.); Grants PIE202180E073 (to M.M.-M. and M.G.-R.), PIE201820E104 and 2019AEP148 (to C.V.) funded by Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Grants BES-2017-080184 (to A.d.B.-B.), BES-2010-036573 (to P.C.), PRE2018- 083280 (to M.D.-M.) and RYC2018-023837-I (to A.P.-L.) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by “ESF Investing in your future”; Grant FPU17/02731 (to P.G.S.) funded by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.Peer reviewe