Scientific evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility. A bibliometric analysis with mapping analysis tools.

When the term Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is heard today, a multitude of concepts such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Social Responsibility, Sustainable Development or Sustainability comes to mind where, without losing the essence of what its implementation entails, it implies not the existence of a consensus that unifies everything into a theory. The objective of this study is to obtain a better understanding of the current situation and trends in this area of research. Thus, in this paper, bibliometrics is used to evaluate performance and productivity in CSR, and scientific maps to extract and classify the most important research topics in this area. The results obtained when analyzing the period 1978-2017 show the conceptual evolution of CSR research, demonstrating the growth potential of CSR, as well as its great development, being the main thematic areas identified: Financial Performance, Corporate Reputation, Ethics, Consumers, Employees and Risk.

Disclosure of gender policies: do they affect business performance?

Disclosure of gender equality policies and their effect on business profitability is a relevant area of research due to the existence of a gap in the academic literature and the need to decrease the gender gap in companies (5th Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations). To demonstrate the effect of disclosure of gender policies on business profitability, this study analyses the Social Responsibility Reports of 91 companies listed on the Spanish stock exchange for the period 2016-2018. Information on gender equality policies is extracted by using the content analysis technique. A positive association between disclosure of gender equality policies and the accounting profitability obtained by companies is confirmed by applying a panel data approach. Therefore, this research confirms that it is not only necessary to reduce inequalities, but it also has positive financial effects for companies and is a source of competitive advantage. The findings obtained have significant implications for business management.

How to manage pes cavus in children and adolescents?

Pes cavus in its different forms is not a pathological entity, but rather the manifestation of multiple diseases.Cavovarus, a form of cavus foot, should never be considered a physiological deformity. A neurological condition should always be excluded.The evolution of pes cavovarus is unpredictable because of the large number of conditions involved in its aetiology, as well as their variable degree of expression. About 66% of cavovarus feet are the result of subtle neurological diseases, which only become evident later in life.Although surgery may not change quality of life, recent studies suggest that it may improve foot posture and reduce walking instability.The aim of treatment is to preserve a painless, plantigrade, mobile foot. Management consists of correcting bone deformity while preserving movement, and the wise use of rebalancing techniques. Arthrodesis should only be a salvage procedure. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:510-517. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210021.

Intra-articular Radial Head Fractures: A Deceptive Type of Injury.

BACKGROUND: Isolated intra-articular radial head (IARH) fractures in skeletally immature patients represent a rare injury. Despite their initial benign radiologic appearance, these fractures are at risk for progressive radial head subluxation and may end with degenerative irreversible changes of the radiocapitellar joint. The aim of this study is to highlight the seriousness of these injuries and the importance of early diagnosis and a proper follow-up to achieve optimal outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 6 patients with IARH fractures treated at our institution between 2011 and 2016. All patients presented with Salter-Harris types III or IV fracture. Five of 6 fractures were initially undisplaced. Treatment, clinical, and radiographic results were analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to treatment: patients included in group A were treated conservatively, whereas patients of group B were treated with early surgery. The final functional outcome was assessed using the Oxford Elbow Score (OES). The Broberg-Morrey classification was used for the radiographic results. RESULTS: Group A included 3 patients (average age, 11±2 y). They developed an initially missed posterior subluxation of the radiocapitellar joint that caused to all of them a painful elbow and limited range of motion (ROM). Despite rescue surgery, they all presented with limited ROM at the final follow-up, although no functional limitations (OES, 46.3±2.9). The radiographs showed early degenerative changes. Group B included 3 patients (average age, 11±1 y) all treated surgically within 1 week from the injury. They showed no limitation of ROM and good functional (OES, 47.7) and radiologic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: IARH fractures in skeletally immature children are deceptive injuries which are often underestimated. Surgeons should be aware of these fractures, especially when a discrepancy between the clinical signs and symptoms, and the radiologic appearance exists, as this may be the only red flag that allows their identification in the acute setting. An early and accurate diagnosis followed by prompt and more aggressive treatment when necessary is mandatory for successful results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV-case series.

Enveloped and non-enveloped viral-like particles in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes.

Electron microscopy is routinely used to identify viral infections in protozoan parasites. These viruses have been described as non-enveloped and icosahedral structures with a diameter of 30-60 nm. Most of them are classified within the non-segmented dsRNA Totiviridae family. We observed virus-like particles (VLPs) through transmission electron microscopy in the cytoplasm of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes grown in cultures. Clusters of electrodense enveloped VLPs having a diameter of 48 nm were also observed. These clusters appear to have been released from distended Golgi cisternae. Furthermore, a paracrystalline array of electrodense, non-enveloped VLPs (with a diameter of 32 nm) were found in distended Golgi cisternae or as smaller clusters at a distance from the RE or Golgi. We cannot rule out that the 48 nm enveloped VLPs belong to the ssRNA Flaviviridae family because they are within its size range. The localization of enveloped VLPs is consistent with the replication strategy of these viruses that transit through the Golgi to be released at the cell surface. Due to the size and shape of the 32 nm non-enveloped VLPs, we propose that they belong to the dsRNA Totiviridae family. This is the first description of cytoplasmic enveloped and non-enveloped VLPs in T. cruzi epimastigotes.

Immunization with a neural-derived peptide protects the spinal cord from apoptosis after traumatic injury.

Apoptosis is one of the most destructive mechanisms that develop after spinal cord (SC) injury. Immunization with neural-derived peptides (INDPs) such as A91 has shown to reduce the deleterious proinflammatory response and the amount of harmful compounds produced after SC injury. With the notion that the aforementioned elements are apoptotic inducers, we hypothesized that INDPs would reduce apoptosis after SC injury. In order to test this assumption, adult rats were subjected to SC contusion and immunized either with A91 or phosphate buffered saline (PBS; control group). Seven days after injury, animals were euthanized to evaluate the number of apoptotic cells at the injury site. Apoptosis was evaluated using DAPI and TUNEL techniques; caspase-3 activity was also evaluated. To further elucidate the mechanisms through which A91 exerts this antiapoptotic effects we quantified tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). To also demonstrate that the decrease in apoptotic cells correlated with a functional improvement, locomotor recovery was evaluated. Immunization with A91 significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells and decreased caspase-3 activity and TNF-α concentration. Immunization with A91 also improved the functional recovery of injured rats. The present study shows the beneficial effect of INDPs on preventing apoptosis and provides more evidence on the neuroprotective mechanisms exerted by this strategy.

Taenia crassiceps: A secretion-substance of low molecular weight leads to disruption and apoptosis of seminiferous epithelium cells in male mice.

The present research was performed to isolate and study the effects of a low molecular weight (<1300Da) parasite-associated substance, obtained from peritoneal fluids of female mice infected with Taenia crassiceps cysticerci, on seminiferous epithelium cells of male mice testis. The results showed an intense disruption of Sertoli cells and germ cells within the seminiferous tubules of experimental mice, along with the destruction of their gap junction (GJ). Significant generalized apoptosis of germ cells within seminiferous tubules was determined by TUNEL staining (P=0.0159). In addition, a significant number of infiltrating macrophages were found in the luminal space of these seminiferous tubules (P<0.0001). Finally, electron microscopy studies revealed structural and morphological abnormalities in the somatic cells (Sertoli and Leydig cells) and in the germ cells, primarily in the round and elongate spermatids.

Taenia crassiceps: infections of male mice lead to severe disruption of seminiferous tubule cells and increased apoptosis.

This research was carried out to study the effects of infection with Taenia crassiceps cysticerci on the seminiferous epithelium histoarchitecture in the testes of male mice. Our results showed a severe disruption of the histoarchitecture of the testis epithelium in infected mice. In these animals, a significant infiltration of macrophages within seminiferous tubules was observed (P < 0.001). Generalized apoptosis of germ cells within the seminiferous tubules was observed, as assessed by TUNEL assay and apoptotic nuclei were quantified. The total number of fluorescent objects (DNA) (including clusters, singles, and objects in clusters) was significantly higher in the infected cells than in the control group (P = 0.0286). Observation of the interstitial tissue showed disorder and deterioration of many Leydig cells of infected mice, as well as intense vacuolization and destruction of their inter-cellular junctions. Several ultrastructural abnormalities were observed through electron microscopy as well. The observed pathology could lead to a state of infertility.

Decrease of peritoneal inflammatory CD4(+), CD8(+), CD19(+) lymphocytes and apoptosis of eosinophils in a murine Taenia crassiceps infection.

After an intraperitoneal infection of mice with Taenia crassiceps metacestodes, peritoneal inflammatory cells labeled with fluoresceinated MoAb anti-mouse were analyzed by flow cytometry. Apoptosis was studied by annexin A/PI, TUNEL assays, DNA laddering, caspase-3 activity, and electron microscopy. An important continuous decrease of CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ lymphocytes, and an increase of eosinophils and macrophages throughout the observation time were found. Apoptosis of eosinophils was quantified during the observation period with a peak at 6 days post-infection (67.27%). In an additional experiment at 12 days post-infection using TUNEL staining, a high level of apoptosis of eosinophil (92.3%) and a significant decrease of CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ lymphocytes were confirmed. Caspase-3 activity in peritoneal fluid, peritoneal cells' DNA fragmentation, and apoptosis of eosinophils and monocytes were found. The dramatic decrease of peritoneal inflammatory T and B cells and the high level of apoptosis of inflammatory eosinophils induced in mice by infection with T. crassiceps cysticerci may be important factors of the immunosuppression observed in cysticercosis.

Specific antibodies induce apoptosis in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes.

The susceptibility of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes to lysis by normal or immune sera in a complement-dependent reaction has been reported. Mouse immune sera depleted complement-induced damage in epimastigotes characterized by morphological changes and death. The purpose of this work was to study the mechanism of death in epimastigotes exposed to decomplemented mouse immune serum. Epimastigotes were maintained in RPMI medium. Immune sera were prepared in mice by immunization with whole crude epimastigote extracts. Viable epimastigotes were incubated with decomplemented normal or immune sera at 37 degrees C. By electron microscopy, agglutinated parasites showed characteristic patterns of membrane fusion between two or more parasites; this fusion also produced interdigitation of the subpellicular microtubules. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and annexin V assays. Nuclear features were examined by 4'-,6-diamidino-2'-phenylindole diHCI cytochemistry that demonstrated apoptotic nuclear condensation. Caspase activity was also measured. TUNEL results showed that parasites incubated with decomplemented immune sera took up 26% of specific fluorescence as compared to 1.3% in parasites incubated with decomplemented normal sera. The Annexin-V-Fluos staining kit revealed that epimastigotes incubated with decomplemented immune sera exposed phosphatidylserine on the external leaflet of the plasma membrane. The incubation of parasites with immune sera showed caspase 3 activity. We conclude that specific antibodies are able to induce agglutination and apoptosis in epimastigotes, although the pathway is not elucidated.

Presencia de rotavirus durante un proceso de compostaje. Abonos como vectores de contaminación viral / Rotavirus presence in a waste composting process. Organic fertilizers as vehicles for viral contamination / Presença de rotavírus durante um processo de compostagem. Adubos como vetores de contaminação viral

Objetivo: Demostrar la presencia de Rotavirus en las diferentes fases de un proceso de compostaje: matrices utilizadas como materia prima, mezcla a compostar y producto terminado. Materiales y métodos. El Rotavirus se determinó durante los tres procesos de compostaje. La detección viral se realizó por inmunocromatografía, ELISA y RT- PCR. Resultados. Se evidenció presencia viral en el primer proceso de compostaje, ausencia viral en el segundo y en el tercer proceso de compostaje, se presentaron interferencias que dificultaron interpretar los resultados de la PCR, lo cual impidió llegar a un resultado concluyente de su presencia en el abono. Conclusiones. Los abonos orgánicos pueden ser portadores de virus motivo por el cual se deben implementar pruebas de calidad para evitar que este material contribuya con la diseminación viral. Dentro de estos abonos existen sustancias capaces de interferir en las pruebas de detección.

Objective. To show the presence of rotavirus in different stages of a composting process: matrices used as raw material, mixture to be composted and the final product. Materials and methods. Immunochromatography, ELISA and RT-PCR were used for viral detection. Results. Rotavirus was found in the first composting step, no virus was found in the second step, and some inhibitory substances were found in the third step that posed difficulties in interpreting the PCR results and therefore providing a concluding result on rotavirus presence in the final product. Conclusions. Organic fertilizers can be vectors of human pathogenic viruses; therefore quality control tests must be implemented to avoid further viral dissemination. There are inhibitory substances present in organic fertilizers capable of interfering with the detection tests.

Objetivo. Demonstrar a presença de Rotavírus nas diferentes fases de um processo de compostagem: matrizes utilizadas como matéria-prima, mistura de composto e produto final. Materiais e métodos: A determinação do Rotavírus foi realizada nos três processos de compostagem. A detecção viral foi realizada por imunocromatografia, ELISA e RT-PCR. Resultados. Evidenciou-se a presença viral no primeiro processo de compostagem, ausência de vírus no segundo, e no terceiro processo de compostagem, apresentaram-se interferências que dificultaram a interpre tação dos resultados da PCR, tornando impossível chegar a um resultado conclusivo de sua presença no adubo. Conclusões. Os adubos orgânicos podem abrigar o vírus é por isso que se devem implementar provas de qualidade para evitar que esse material contribuía com a disseminação viral. Dentro desses fertilizantes existem substâncias capazes de interferir nas provas de detecção.

Lymphocyte apoptosis in the inflammatory reaction around Taenia solium metacestodes in porcine cysticercosis.

In the current research, we report apoptosis of lymphocytes in the inflammatory reaction around metacestodes in muscle tissue from cysticercotic pigs. Two events, high metacestode viability (100%) and high cysteine protease activity were found to be closely related to a high phosphatydilserine expression by inflammatory lymphocytes (56%). Testing the RPMI medium used for washing away inflammatory cells from metacestodes with 100% viability, with the fluorescent substrate Z-Phe-Ala-AFC for measuring cysteine protease activity, significant fluorescent values were found. In contrast, tests performed with RPMI medium used for washing away inflammatory cells from metacestodes with 90% viability or less, showed low fluorescence values. Flow cytometry analyses of inflammatory cells obtained from four naturally cysticercotic pigs, and stained with Annexin-V/PI, showed lymphocytes expressing phosphatidylserine with values of 0, 6, 41 and 56% on their outer surfaces. Electron microscopy studies of inflammatory cells from metacestodes with 100% viability, showed lymphocytes with strangled and fragmented nuclei, and heterochromatin displaced to the nuclear periphery. In addition, DNA from these cells showed fragmentation in electrophoresis assays. Apoptosis of lymphocytes in the inflammatory reaction around Taenia solium metacestodes, might have been induced by the parasite cysteine protease, and may be involved in impairing cell-mediated immune responses in human and porcine cysticercosis.

The implantation of Taenia solium metacestodes in mice induces down-modulation of T-cell proliferation and cytokine production.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the implantation of Taenia solium metacestodes and the treatment with suppressive metacestode factor (F1) on the ability of spleen cells from Balb/c mice to produce cytokines. Cytokine production was estimated 12 days following the implantation or 4 days after the last dose of F1 (five doses) by RT-PCR and flow cytometry analyses. Spleen cells were obtained from metacestode-implanted, F1-treated and control mice. They were stimulated with concanavalin A (ConA) ex vivo and used for RT-PCR studies and for CD25 expression and intracellular cytokine production estimations using specific monoclonal antibodies labeled with phycoerithrin or fluorescein. Results of the RT-PCR showed that all cells expressed IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-4 mRNAs. IL-10 mRNA was not expressed in any case. Flow cytometry analyses showed that both spleen CD4+ and CD8+ cells from metacestode-implanted or treated-F1 mice expressed significantly diminished percentages of CD25 when compared with control cells (P<0.05). The estimation of intracellular cytokines showed that the production of IL-2 and IL-4 in CD8+ cells, and of IFN-gamma in CD4+ cells from mice implanted with metacestodes was significantly impaired when compared with the values from control cells (P<0.05).

Taenia solium metacestode antigens which are protective for pigs induce Th1/Th2 mixed responses in mice.

The purpose of this study was to determine the Th1 and Th2 cytokine responses induced by Taenia solium metacestode antigens in mice and correlate them with the immune responses elicited in vivo. To assess this aim, mice were inoculated with metacestode antigens. RNA was obtained from spleen cells of immunized or control mice incubated with metacestode antigens and used to determine the cytokine profile. Peripheral blood eosinophilia was measured daily in each mouse and specific serum antibody levels were determined. Results showed that metacestode antigens induce the synthesis of IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma mRNAs in spleen cells. They also induced peripheral blood eosinophilia and elicited specific IgE and IgG antibodies, especially IgG1. Three antigens were recognized by all IgG subclasses and by IgE (104, 88 and 7 kDa), and a 57-kDa protein was recognized by IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgE. IgG1 and IgG2b recognized 52, 30 and 20 kDa antigens. Immune responses elicited in vivo and the cytokine profile showed good correlation.

Conocimiento y utilización de los servicios odontológicos por parte de los usuarios de la medicina prepagada respecto a la ley 100 / Knowledge and utilization of the odontological services by the users of prepaid medicine with respect to th 100 law

Se realizó un estudio de tipo descriptivo con un diseño metodológico no experimental. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar si los servicios odontológicos ofrecidos por la medicina prepagada con respecto a la ley 100, fueron utilizados por los usuarios de ésta y si realmente han sido informados de los beneficios que esta nueva ley les brinda.