Neuroprotective effects of green coffee bean extract against Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease: a mini review

Renalison Farias-Pereira(Renalison Farias-Pereira ),Lynnea Young(Lynnea Young),Yeonhwa Park(Yeonhwa Park) 한국축산식품학회 2021 Food and Life Vol.2021 No.1

Green coffee bean extract (GCBE) is known as an anti-obesity dietary supplement, but its neuroprotective effects have been recently reported. Since GCBE and its main phenolic acids, chlorogenic acids (CGA), share similar physiological effects, this mini review summarizes the most current research of the neurobiological effects of GCBE and CGA. GCBE and/or CGA act on acetylcholine, glutamate, and insulin signaling pathways to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by reducing amyloid-β proteins (Aβ) and tau proteins in the brain of rodents. Clinical trials, although limited, further suggest that CGA improves cognition, which was associated with changes in blood Aβ levels. In addition, CGA modulates the dopamine metabolism to reduce neurotoxicity in animal models of Parkinson’s disease, although there is no direct association between GCBE and Parkinson’s disease in humans. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of GCBE and CGA are suggested to be the underlying mechanisms that help to protect from the development of these diseases. GCBE and CGA have potential benefits to prevent the development of neurodegenerative diseases, but there is still a great need to further investigate their effects on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Infrastructure Investment, Labor Productivity, and International Competitiveness: The Case of Portugal

Alfredo Marvão Pereira,Rui Manuel Pereira 중앙대학교 경제연구소 2020 Journal of Economic Development Vol.45 No.2

This study analyzes the effects of infrastructure investment on labor productivity at the industry level using a new data set for Portugal. We consider twenty-two sectors and twelve infrastructure assets. We focus on the differential effects on traded and non-traded sectors. We find, first, that investment in national roads have positive effects, particularly large for public services, while the effects of investments in municipal roads are mixed, and investments in highways have mostly benefited non-traded sectors. Second, we find that railroad investments, and, to a lesser extent, airports have gains clearly biased toward non-traded sectors, while the effects of port investments are more muted and mixed. Third, for social infrastructures, the effects tend to be large and again particularly favorable to non-traded sectors. Fourth, for public utilities the effects are in general small, with the exception of telecommunications, which have large positive effects mainly on non-traded sectors. We conclude that infrastructure investments have contributed to the growth of labor productivity but have done so in a way that has benefited mostly non-traded goods sectors. This may be a matter of concern for a small open economy in a currency union and with a development model greatly reliant on exports.

RAILROAD INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE ANTEBELLUM UNITED STATES

RUI MANUEL PEREIRA,ALFREDO MARVÃO PEREIRA,WILLIAM J. HAUSMAN 중앙대학교 경제연구소 2017 Journal of Economic Development Vol.42 No.3

We measure the overall impact of railroad investment on economic development in the antebellum period in the United States using a vector autoregressive approach. Our results can be summarized as follows. First, we find bidirectional causality between railroad infrastructure investment and GDP. Second, we estimate a marginal product of $4.2 for railroad investment which corresponds to a 15.5% rate of return when considering a 10–year lifetime for railroad capital. While about two-thirds of this effect stems from the supply side, short run demand side effects also are substantial. Third, given the low effective tax rates practiced in the 1830s and the magnitude of the effects of railroad investment we estimate, it is very likely that these investments were not self-financing and may, therefore, have contributed to the high levels of public indebtedness observed in the period.

On the Macroeconomic and Distributional Effects of the Regulated Closure of Coal-Operated Power Plants

Alfredo Marvão Pereira,Rui Manuel Pereira 중앙대학교 경제연구소 2021 Journal of Economic Development Vol.46 No.4

This article examines the economic, distributional and environmental impacts of the regulated early closure of coal-fired power plants in Portugal using a multi-sector and multi-household dynamic computable general equilibrium model. The closure of the power plants has positive and significant environmental effects. It results, however, in an increase in electricity prices, which, in turn, leads to detrimental macroeconomic and distributional effects. We argue that a carbon tax with the same environmental impact would have substantial conceptual, pragmatic and pedagogical advantages over regulated early plant closures. It would generate the tax revenues necessary to mitigate or reverse the adverse macroeconomic and distributional effects. Regulated early closures could be a good second best alternative if there is no political will for or consensus on the implementation of a proper carbon tax with adequate revenue recycling. In any case, these plant closures are far from leading to the reductions in emissions established by the IPCC and adopted by the Portuguese authorities.

Effect of intracanal medications on the interfacial properties of reparative cements

Pereira, Andrea Cardoso,Pallone, Mariana Valerio,Marciano, Marina Angelica,Cortellazzi, Karine Laura,Frozoni, Marcos,Gomes, Brenda P.F.A.,de Almeida, Jose Flavio Affonso,de Jesus Soares, Adriana The Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry 2019 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.44 No.2

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of calcium hydroxide with 2% chlorhexidine gel (HCX) or distilled water (HCA) compared to triple antibiotic paste (TAP) on push-out bond strength and the cement/dentin interface in canals sealed with White MTA Angelus (WMTA) or Biodentine (BD). Materials and Methods: A total of 70 extracted human lower premolars were endodontically prepared and randomly divided into 4 groups according to the intracanal medication, as follows: group 1, HCX; group 2, TAP; group 3, HCA; and group 4, control (without intracanal medication). After 7 days, the medications were removed and the cervical third of the specimens was sectioned into five 1-mm sections. The sections were then sealed with WMTA or BD as a reparative material. After 7 days in 100% humidity, a push-out bond strength test was performed. Elemental analysis was performed at the interface, using energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance and the Tukey test (p < 0.05). Results: BD presented a higher bond strength than WMTA (p < 0.05). BD or WMTA in canals treated with calcium hydroxide intracanal medications had the highest bond strength values, with a statistically significant difference compared to TAP in the WMTA group (p < 0.05). There were small amounts of phosphorus in samples exposed to triple antibiotic paste, regardless of the coronal sealing. Conclusions: The use of intracanal medications did not affect the bond strength of WMTA and BD, except when TAP was used with WMTA.

Hypertension and the Risk of Breast Cancer in Chilean Women: a Case-control Study

Pereira, Ana,Garmendia, Maria Luisa,Alvarado, Maria Elena,Albala, Cecilia Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.11

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Although different metabolic factors have been implicated in breast cancer development, the relationship between hypertension and breast cancer has not been elucidated. Aim: To evaluate hypertension as a risk factor for breast cancer in Chilean women of low and middle socio-economic status. Methods: We conducted an age-matched (1:1) case-control study in 3 hospitals in Santiago, Chile. Breast cancer cases (n=170) were histopathologically confirmed. Controls had been classified as Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System I (negative) or II (benign findings) within 6 months of recruitment. Blood pressure was measured using a mercury sphygmomanometer and standardized procedures. We used 2 hypertension cut-off points: blood pressures of ${\geq}140/90$ mmHg and ${\geq}130/85$ mmHg. Fasting insulin and glucose levels were assessed, and anthropometric, sociodemographic, and behavioral information were collected. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for the entire sample and restricted to postmenopausal women using multivariable conditional logistic regression models. Results: Hypertension (${\geq}140/90$ mmHg) was significantly higher in cases (37.1%) than controls (17.1%) for the entire sample and in postmenopausal pairs (44.0% compared to 23.8%). In crude and adjusted models, hypertensive women had a 4-fold increased risk of breast cancer (adjusted odds ratio: 4.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.8; 9.6) compared to non-hypertensive women in the entire sample. We found a similar association in the postmenopausal group (adjusted odds ratio: 2.8; 95% confidence interval: 1.1; 7.4). A significant effect was also observed when hypertension was defined as blood pressure of ${\geq}130/85$ mmHg. Conclusion: A significant association was found between hypertension and breast cancer over the entire sample and when restricted to postmenopausal women. Hypertension is highly prevalent in Latin America and may be a modifiable risk factor for breast cancer; therefore, a small association between hypertension and breast cancer may have broad implications.

Infrastructure Sharing Between Electric Utilities and Telecommunications Operators in Developing Countries

Pereira Beloward Edson,유송희,김영진,김윤선 연세대학교(미래캠퍼스) 빈곤문제국제개발연구원 2021 地域發展硏究 Vol.30 No.1

This research aims to build a theory for Cross-Sector Infrastructure Sharing (CIS), chiefly between electric utilities and telecommunications operators. The study is to develop a framework that can be used as a guideline in selecting or assessing a CIS business model between electric utilities and telecommunications operators, or as an overview to understand CIS. A literature review was conducted to identify main concepts and categorize them structure a framework. The resulting framework is divided into three sections: the CIS environment that induces the CIS, the electric sector reform, financial and other incentives, and regulation, law, and policy; the infrastructure subject sharing such as corridors, conduits, ducts, towers, and poles, dark fiber, and land and facilities; and last, the business models that vary from joint planning and construction to provision of space and ancillary services. The framework was validated with CIS case studies, and can be used by practitioners in assessing the CIS business model.

Water requirement and crop coefficient of sugarcane cultivated in Nicaragua

Pereira Rafael Menezes,Schwerz Felipe,Diotto Adriano Valentim,Sandoval Marlon Daniel Vargas,Aguirre Milton Javier Alvarado 한국작물학회 2024 Journal of crop science and biotechnology Vol.27 No.1

Sugarcane is one of the main agro-industrial crops in Nicaragua and Central America and one of the crops with the highest evapotranspiration rates. The lack of information related to sugarcane evapotranspiration as well as the crop coefficient (Kc) has limited productivity and water resources in Nicaragua. The knowledge of crop coefficient and water requirement for sugarcane, developed locally, will guide companies, farmers, and technicians for better irrigation management. In this context, this study aimed to determine the crop evapotranspiration and Kc for sugarcane in Nicaragua and to compare the results with those suggested by FAO. The study was performed in a field experiment at the Casur Sugarcane mill in Nicaragua, where the sugarcane was cultivated in a vertisol with a furrow irrigation method. The reference evapotranspiration was estimated using the Penman–Monteith FAO approach, and the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) was determined using the field water balance method. During the crop season, the total ETc was 1346.6 mm, resulting in a 0.90 average of Kc. The determined Kc for initial, tillering, grand growth and maturity was 0.37, 0.91, 1.11, and 0.71, respectively. The Kc proposed by FAO showed values 11.11% higher than that obtained in this study. These results highlight the importance of determining the Kc values at a local scale, parameters that guide irrigation management to use the water resources efficiently.

Prediction of 305 Days Milk Production from Early Records in Dairy Cattle Using an Empirical Bayes Method

Pereira, J.A.C.,Suzuki, M.,Hagiya, K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2001 Animal Bioscience Vol.14 No.11

A prediction of 305 d milk production from early records using an empirical Bayes method (EBM) was performed. The EBM was compared with the best predicted estimation (BPE), test interval method (TIM), and the linearized Wood's model (LWM). Daily milk yields were obtained from 606 first lactation Japanese Holstein cows in three herds. From each file of 305 daily records, 10 random test day records with an interval of approximately one month were taken. The accuracies of these methods were compared using the absolute difference (AD) and the standard deviation (SD) of the differences between the actual and the estimated 305 d milk production. The results showed that in the early stage of the lactation, EBM was superior in obtaining the prediction with high accuracy. When all the herds were analyzed jointly, the AD during the first 5 test day records were on average 373, 590, 917 and 1,042 kg for EBM, BPE, TIM, and LWM, respectively. Corresponding SD for EBM, BPE, TIM, and LWM were on average 488, 733, 747 and 1,605 kg. When the herds were analyzed separately, the EBM predictions retained high accuracy. When more information on the actual lactation was added to the prediction, TIM and LWM gradually achieved better accuracies. Finally, in the last period of the lactation, the accuracy of both of the methods exceeded EBM and BPM. The AD for the last 2 samples analyzing all the herds jointly were on average 141, 142, 164, and 214 kg for LWM, TIM, EBM, and BPE, respectively. In the current practices of collecting monthly records, early prediction of future milk production may be more accurate using EBM. Alternatively, if enough information of the actual lactation is accumulated, TIM may obtain better accuracy in the latter stage of lactation.

Pretreatment of normal responders in fresh in vitro fertilization cycles: A comparison of transdermal estradiol and oral contraceptive pills

Pereira, Nigel,Petrini, Allison C.,Zhou, Zhen N.,Lekovich, Jovana P.,Kligman, Isaac,Rosenwaks, Zev The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2016 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.43 No.4

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of pretreatment with transdermal estradiol ($E_2$) compared to oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) on controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) response in normal responders undergoing fresh in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET) cycles. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed of normal responders undergoing fresh IVF-ET cycles who received pretreatment with transdermal $E_2$ versus OCPs prior to fresh IVF-ET. The total days of ovarian stimulation, total dosage of gonadotropins, total number of oocytes, and mature oocytes retrieved were noted. Pregnancy outcomes after ET were also recorded. Results: A total of 2,092 patients met the inclusion criteria: 1,057 and 1,035 patients in the transdermal $E_2$ and OCP groups, respectively. Patients in the OCP group had a longer duration of COS ($10.7{\pm}1.63days$, p< 0.01) than the $E_2$ group ($9.92{\pm}1.94days$). Patients in the OCP group also required higher cumulative doses of gonadotropins ($2,657.3{\pm}1,187.9IU$) than those in the $E_2$ group ($2,550.1{\pm}1,270.2IU$, p= 0.002). No statistically significant differences were found in the total and mature oocytes retrieved or in the rates of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, spontaneous miscarriage, and live birth between the groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that compared to OCPs, pretreatment with transdermal $E_2$ is associated with a shorter duration of ovarian stimulation and lower gonadotropin utilization, without compromising the oocyte yield or pregnancy outcomes in normal-responder patients undergoing fresh IVF.