BACKGROUND:Physical activity alleviates menopausal symptoms in women whose menopause occurs after the age of 45; however, its effect in primary ovarian insufficiency, which occurs before the age of 40, remains unknown. OBJECTIVE:To examine the association between physical activity, menopausal symptoms, and the use of menopausal hormone therapy in women with primary ovarian insufficiency. METHODS:We analysed data from 4708 participants from two studies conducted in 12 Latin American countries. After applying eligibility criteria, 564 women with primary ovarian insufficiency (351 idiopathic and 213 surgical) were included. Menopausal symptoms were assessed using a validated scale, and severe symptoms were defined according to established cut-offs. Physical activity was classified according to international recommendations for moderate-intensity activity. Logistic regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle variables. RESULTS:The prevalence of severe menopausal symptoms was 39.2%, with no significant difference between idiopathic and surgical primary ovarian insufficiency. Women with severe symptoms were less likely to meet recommended levels of physical activity or to be current users of menopausal hormone therapy. In adjusted models, regular physical activity (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.45-0.94) and current use of menopausal hormone therapy (OR 0.27; 0.17-0.42) were associated with a lower likelihood of severe symptoms, whereas obesity and use of psychotropic medication were associated with a higher likelihood. CONCLUSIONS:Women with primary ovarian insufficiency who engage in regular physical activity or currently use menopausal hormone therapy report less severe menopausal symptoms. Regular exercise may be an important non-hormonal option for women who cannot or prefer not to use hormone therapy.
This study examines how R&D capitalization, eco-efficiency intensity, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions interact in shaping corporate value creation among S&P 500 firms. Using financial and environmental data from Bloomberg over the period 2010-2024, the analysis employs complementary econometric approaches to assess both direct and moderating effects. The results show that R&D capitalization has a positive and significant impact on value creation, while eco-efficiency intensity strengthens this relationship by enhancing resource productivity. In contrast, higher GHG emissions weaken the value relevance of R&D investments, suggesting that environmental inefficiencies reduce the effectiveness of innovation strategies. These findings highlight the critical role of integrating sustainability metrics into financial decision-making. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the conditional effects of environmental performance on the R&D-value creation nexus, offering relevant implications for investors, managers, and policymakers.
BackgroundTegumentary leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease endemic in the Americas. Its clinical management and control rely on early and accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment. PCR-based molecular diagnostics offer high sensitivity and specificity over microscopy or culture but are less accessible in low-resource settings. New molecular tools for detecting Leishmania infections are needed in rural endemic regions. A promising tool harnessing CRISPR-Cas technology enables highly specific and sensitive detection of nucleic acid targets, offering an exciting potential for portable molecular diagnostics. Previously, we developed CRISPR-Cas12a-based assays coupled to PCR preamplification for Leishmania detection. Here, we adapted our assays, which target the multicopy 18S rDNA and kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) minicircles, by replacing PCR with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP).Methodology/principal findingsLAMP-coupled CRISPR assays were optimized for fluorescence-based and lateral flow readouts. The assays could detect as low as 0.2 genome equivalents per reaction using L. braziliensis M2904 strain genomic DNA. The kDNA assay reliably detected all tested species of the L. (Viannia) subgenus, while the 18S assay showed pan-Leishmania detection capability. There was no cross-reactivity with other protozoan (Trypanosoma cruzi and Plasmodium falciparum) and bacterial (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) pathogen DNA, nor with human DNA. When applied to 90 clinical samples (skin lesions) from the Cusco region of Peru and compared to kDNA real-time PCR, LAMP-CRISPR assays with a fluorescence readout achieved a sensitivity of 90.9% (95% CI: 80.1-97.0%) for kDNA and 72.7% (95% CI: 59.0-83.9%) for 18S rDNA, both with 100% (95% CI: 90-100%) specificity. Overall, lateral flow strip results agreed with fluorescence-based detection in 18 tested samples, with one discrepancy observed in the 18S assay associated with low parasite load.Conclusions/significanceThese new proof-of-concept LAMP-CRISPR assays, combining high sensitivity, multiple Leishmania species detection capability, and a portable lateral flow readout, hold promise as next-generation molecular tools to improve leishmaniasis diagnosis and surveillance, supporting One Health strategies for disease control.
Early establishment is a critical filter in restoration plantings, especially when seedlings must face seasonal water limitation after outplanting. This study evaluated whether nursery-derived functional trait profiles are associated with early field performance of Pinus devoniana Lindl. seedlings in restoration plantings. Six profile codes were built from contrasting combinations of rooting space, nutrient supply, and water regime. Seedling traits were grouped into structural development, belowground investment, allocation quality, nutritional status, stress expression, and field establishment. Functional scores were calculated from standardized variables, and profile responses were examined through conservative comparisons, descriptive principal component analysis, and trait–performance associations. The large-rooting-space, fertilized, continuously irrigated profile (LFI) showed the most balanced pattern, combining positive structural development, high belowground investment, favorable allocation quality, low stress expression, and the highest survival. The large-rooting-space, fertilized, reduced-irrigation profile (LFR) reached the highest field establishment score, but this response was accompanied by stronger stress expression. The large-rooting-space, non-fertilized, reduced-irrigation profile (LNR) had the highest nutritional status, although this did not translate into superior establishment. Under the evaluated conditions, larger rooting space and coordinated belowground investment, allocation quality, and low stress expression were most consistently associated with better early field performance.
El presente capítulo analiza la compleja interrelación entre la exposición temprana a la violencia familiar y el desarrollo de trayectorias de criminalidad a lo largo del ciclo vital. A través de una revisión narrativa crítica, se examina la interrelación entre la victimización temprana y el comportamiento delictivo, y se evalúan las políticas públicas de prevención e intervención en el Perú, contrastándolas con modelos internacionales exitosos implementados en España, Canadá, Australia, Colombia y México. La evidencia científica señala que el maltrato en el entorno familiar actúa como un factor de riesgo crítico para la futura conducta antisocial y la reincidencia, afectando de manera desproporcionada a mujeres, niños y adolescentes. A pesar de los importantes avances normativos peruanos, como la promulgación de la Ley N.° 30364, la respuesta del sistema judicial e institucional sigue enfrentando deficiencias debido a su enfoque reactivo, su compartimentación y la persistencia de estereotipos de género. Se concluye que la erradicación de la violencia requiere abandonar la visión fragmentada del delito para adoptar un cambio de paradigma orientado a la prevención estratégica a largo plazo. En consecuencia, se propone un modelo de atención especializada para el Perú que integra una gobernanza multinivel con planes decenales, un sistema judicial enfocado en trayectorias criminales mediante un Protocolo de Evaluación de Riesgo, intervenciones tempranas centradas en el trauma para la niñez y la adolescencia, y el fortalecimiento de casas refugio integrales.
