Phenological variations of avocado cv. Hass and their relationship with thermal time under tropical conditions.

In recent years, the avocado has been one of the most dynamic fruits in the world market. In particular, cv. Hass stands out due to its productivity, nutritional quality, and acceptance. Under tropical conditions, weather elements, especially air temperature, and precipitation, affect the productivity and quality of cv. Hass. However, in tropical environments, many relationships between weather and phenological aspects of this cultivar are still unknown. Given this situation, our aim was to identify the variation and degree of association between the phenology of avocado cv. Hass and thermal time (TT) under low-latitude conditions. Eight commercial fields planted with cv. Hass grafted onto Antillean genotypes, located in an altitudinal transect between 1,700 and 2,500 m, were evaluated. The evaluation was carried out for three years and was focused on determining the differences in avocado phenological patterns associated with different environmental variables monitored by weather stations at each location. Air temperature data were used to calculate the base temperature (BT) using different methods for all phenological stages. Later the TT was determined for each stage and all locations. The results show that the duration of each phenological stage varies as a function of elevation (air temperature) and that the phenological stages overlap at the regional, crop field, and plant levels at different periods of the year, generating a high phenological variability but with specific patterns associated with temperature and precipitation. The BT for each phenological stage varied between 0.3 and 7.5 °C, and TT was found to vary depending on the method of calculation. Our work suggests that the generalization of a BT of 10 °C is not applicable for avocado cv. Hass crops under tropical conditions, specifically in the case of Colombia. Detailed studies of phenological relationships with respect to climatic variables will allow a better approximation of the productive behavior of avocado cv. Hass.

Physicochemical Parameters, Antioxidant Capacity, and Antimicrobial Activity of Honeys from Tropical Forests of Colombia: Apis mellifera and Melipona eburnea.

Honey is a functional food used worldwide and recognized for its multiple health benefits. In the present study, the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of honey produced by two species of bees (Melipona eburnea and Apis mellifera) in two seasons were evaluated. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of honey against three bacterial strains was studied. The quality of honey analyzed by LDA (linear discriminant analysis) showed four clusters mediated by the interaction, the bee species, and the collection season resulting from a multivariate function of discrimination. The physicochemical properties of the honey produced by A. mellifera met the requirements of the Codex Alimentarius, while the M. eburnea honey had moisture values outside the established ranges of the Codex. Antioxidant activity was higher in the honey of A. mellifera, and both kinds of honey showed inhibitory activity against S. typhimurium ATCC 14028 and L. monocytogenes ATCC 9118. E. coli ATCC 25922 showed resistance to the analyzed honey.

Towards Bioprospection of Commercial Materials of Mentha spicata L. Using a Combined Strategy of Metabolomics and Biological Activity Analyses.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) has been widely studied for its diversity of compounds for product generation. However, studies describing the chemical and biological characteristics of commercial spearmint materials from different origins are scarce. For this reason, this research aimed to bioprospecting spearmint from three origins: Colombia (Col), Mexico (Mex), and Egypt (Eg). We performed a biological activity analysis, such as FRAP, DPPH, and ABTS, inhibition potential of S. pyogenes, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, P. aeuroginosa, S. aureus, S aureus Methicillin-Resistant, and E. faecalis. Furthermore, we performed chemical assays, such as total polyphenol and rosmarinic acid, and untargeted metabolomics via HPLC-MS/MS. Finally, we developed a causality analysis to integrate biological activities with chemical analyses. We found significant differences between the samples for the total polyphenol and rosmarinic acid contents, FRAP, and inhibition analyses for Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus and E. faecalis. Also, clear metabolic differentiation was observed among the three commercial materials evaluated. These results allow us to propose data-driven uses for the three spearmint materials available in current markets.

Plasma Metabolome Profiling by High-Performance Chemical Isotope-Labelling LC-MS after Acute and Medium-Term Intervention with Golden Berry Fruit (Physalis peruviana L.), Confirming Its Impact on Insulin-Associated Signaling Pathways.

PURPOSE: Golden berry (Physalis peruviana L.) is an exotic fruit exported from Colombia to different countries around the world. A review of the literature tends to demonstrate a hypoglycaemic effect with an improvement in insulin sensitivity after oral ingestion of fruit extracts in animal models. However, little is known about their potential effects in humans, and very little is known about the mechanisms involved. This study aimed at identifying discriminant metabolites after acute and chronic intake of golden berry. METHOD: An untargeted metabolomics strategy using high-performance chemical isotope-labelling LC-MS was applied. The blood samples of eighteen healthy adults were analysed at baseline, at 6 h after the intake of 250 g of golden berry (acute intervention), and after 19 days of daily consumption of 150 g (medium-term intervention). RESULTS: Forty-nine and 36 discriminant metabolites were identified with high confidence, respectively, after the acute and medium-term interventions. Taking into account up- and downregulated metabolites, three biological networks mainly involving insulin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The biological intracellular networks identified are highly interconnected with the insulin signalling pathway, showing that berry intake may be associated with insulin signalling, which could reduce some risk factors related to metabolic syndrome. Primary registry of WHO.

Machine Learning Applications and Optimization of Clustering Methods Improve the Selection of Descriptors in Blackberry Germplasm Banks.

Machine learning (ML) and its multiple applications have comparative advantages for improving the interpretation of knowledge on different agricultural processes. However, there are challenges that impede proper usage, as can be seen in phenotypic characterizations of germplasm banks. The objective of this research was to test and optimize different analysis methods based on ML for the prioritization and selection of morphological descriptors of Rubus spp. 55 descriptors were evaluated in 26 genotypes and the weight of each one and its ability to discriminating capacity was determined. ML methods as random forest (RF), support vector machines, in the linear and radial forms, and neural networks were optimized and compared. Subsequently, the results were validated with two discriminating methods and their variants: hierarchical agglomerative clustering and K-means. The results indicated that RF presented the highest accuracy (0.768) of the methods evaluated, selecting 11 descriptors based on the purity (Gini index), importance, number of connected trees, and significance (p value < 0.05). Additionally, K-means method with optimized descriptors based on RF had greater discriminating power on Rubus spp., accessions according to evaluated statistics. This study presents one application of ML for the optimization of specific morphological variables for plant germplasm bank characterization.

Postharvest diseases and disorders in avocado cv. Hass and their relationship to preharvest management practices.

Postharvest diseases and disorders are two of the most important parameters associated with the quality of avocado fruit. The aim of this study was to identify postharvest diseases and disorders in Hass avocado plots and to evaluate their relationships with different preharvest agronomical practices. This work was developed in 20 commercial plots of Hass avocado dedicated to production for national and export markets. The first part of this work was associated with the identification and characterization of diseases and disorders related with postharvest of avocado. In addition, it was determined the incidence of each disease and disorder based on simulation of postharvest scenarios for the national and export markets. Using a multinomial logistic regression model, it was possible to determine that the presence of each disease and disorder were related to crop management practices, soil and leaf and fruit nutrients levels. Most relevant postharvest disease and disorders were anthracnose, stem-end rot, chilling injury, and lenticel damage. Additionally, variables such as dry matter, plant pruning, and tissue concentration of Ca+2 were related with some pathologies and disorders. This work presents an advance in the recognition of postharvest diseases and disorders in avocado under tropical conditions, besides determining the main edaphic and anthropogenic associated factors.

Mitigation of the Adverse Effects of the El Niño (El Niño, La Niña) Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Phenomenon and the Most Important Diseases in Avocado cv. Hass Crops.

Areas cultivated with Hass avocado crops in Colombia have growth rapidly. One of the major limitations is the avocado wilt complex disease (AWC) caused by biotic and abiotic factors which have increased under the El Niño southern oscillation ENSO phenomenon (El Niño, La Niña). The objective of this study was to evaluate different strategies for mitigating the adverse effects associated with the ENSO phenomenon and AWC in avocado crops. We evaluated native materials, mulches, and parameters associated with the production of seedlings and planting practices in the field. The response variables tested were plant development, incidence, severity, mortality, and microbial dynamics, among others. The results indicated that native genotypes of Persea americana had different levels of adaptability to drought and flooding conditions. These genotypes also showed some degree of resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi and Verticillium sp. infection with several degrees of rootstock-scion incompatibility with the Hass cultivar. In addition, mulch reduced the variability of soil moisture and temperature in the soil profile. Adequate selection of genotypes and new tools for planting have decreased the susceptibility to adverse effects associated with the ENSO phenomenon and the incidence and mortality caused by diseases under drought and flooding conditions. This work presents alternatives to mitigate adverse effects of climate variability in avocado crops under tropical conditions.

[Construction of a development index for young people aged 14 - 26 in Medellín, Colombia]. / Construcción de un índice de desarrollo para jóvenes de 14 a 26 años, Medellín, Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To construct and validate a Medellín youth development index (IDJM, for its Spanish acronym) covering young people aged 14 - 26 residing in the city's comunas and corregimientos, thus contributing scientific evidence for the development of intervention strategies. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a random representative sample of 8 001 young people residing in Medellín, Colombia, was conducted, to whom a validated instrument was applied whose dimensions provide information on youth development. The Prinqual method for processing qualitative variables through optimal quantification was used. The first main component, the IDJM, was selected by means of a categorical analysis of the main components. The index was validated and disaggregated by sex, age group, and each dimension studied. RESULTS: The average IDJM score was 74.4 (SD=9.8; CI95%: 74.2 - 74.6). The 14 - 17-year-old age group had the highest score, with females exhibiting slightly higher scores than their male counterparts. The analysis likewise showed that scores increased with socioeconomic level and decreased as the age of the study population increased. Education was the dimension that contributed the most to the index, followed by Goods and Services, while Democracy and Participation and Labor contributed the least across all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: A Medellín youth development index was constructed and validated. It should prove to be a very useful tool, especially for decision-making regarding public policies that target young people. It is essential that the IDJM be updated regularly to ensure accurate assessment of the interventions' impact, especially in the dimensions that contributed lower scores.

Construcción de un índice de desarrollo para jóvenes de 14 a 26 años, Medellín, Colombia / Construction of a development index for young people aged 14 - 26 in Medellín, Colombia

OBJETIVO: Construir y validar un índice de desarrollo de la juventud de Medellín (IDJM) para jóvenes de entre 14 y 26 años provenientes de las comunas y corregimientos de la ciudad, aportando conocimiento científico para desarrollar estrategias de intervención. MÉTODOS: Se desarrolló un estudio transversal en una muestra aleatoria y representativa de 8 001 jóvenes de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia, a quienes se les aplicó un instrumento validado cuyas dimensiones informan sobre el desarrollo juvenil. Se utilizó el método Prinqual para procesar las variables cualitativas mediante cuantificación óptima. La primera componente principal, el IDJM, fue elegido a partir de un análisis de componentes principales categórico. El índice fue validado y descrito según sexo, grupos de edad y cada una de las dimensiones estudiadas. RESULTADOS: El puntaje promedio del IDJM fue de 74,4 (DE = 9,8; IC95%: 74,2 - 74,6), registrando la mayor puntuación el grupo de jóvenes de 14 a 17 años, con leve predominio en los puntajes de la jóvenes mujeres. Asimismo, el análisis informó que el puntaje aumentaba al ascender de nivel socioeconómico y disminuía con el incremento de la edad de la población estudiada. La dimensión Educación fue la que más aportó al índice, seguida de Bienes y servicios, mientras que Democracia y participación y Trabajo fueron las que aportaron menos en todos los grupos de edad. CONCLUSIONES: Se construyó y validó un índice de desarrollo de la juventud de Medellín que representa una herramienta muy útil, en particular para la toma de decisiones en materia de políticas públicas dirigidas a población juvenil. Es fundamental que el IDJM sea actualizado con regularidad para valorar adecuadamente el impacto de las intervenciones, en especial en las dimensiones que aportaron menores puntajes.

OBJECTIVE: To construct and validate a Medellín youth development index (IDJM, for its Spanish acronym) covering young people aged 14 - 26 residing in the city's comunas and corregimientos, thus contributing scientific evidence for the development of intervention strategies. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of a random representative sample of 8 001 young people residing in Medellín, Colombia, was conducted, to whom a validated instrument was applied whose dimensions provide information on youth development. The Prinqual method for processing qualitative variables through optimal quantification was used. The first main component, the IDJM, was selected by means of a categorical analysis of the main components. The index was validated and disaggregated by sex, age group, and each dimension studied. RESULTS: The average IDJM score was 74.4 (SD=9.8; CI95%: 74.2 - 74.6). The 14 - 17-year-old age group had the highest score, with females exhibiting slightly higher scores than their male counterparts. The analysis likewise showed that scores increased with socioeconomic level and decreased as the age of the study population increased. Education was the dimension that contributed the most to the index, followed by Goods and Services, while Democracy and Participation and Labor contributed the least across all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: A Medellín youth development index was constructed and validated. It should prove to be a very useful tool, especially for decision-making regarding public policies that target young people. It is essential that the IDJM be updated regularly to ensure accurate assessment of the interventions' impact, especially in the dimensions that contributed lower scores.