Abstract. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) belong to a family of transcription factors of which three isotypes, PPARα, PPARδ (ß) and PPARγ, are known. These play a central role in regulating intermediate metabolism and in incidences of inflammation. In recent years, a greater understanding of their mechanisms of action and their effects, principally in the management of cardiovascular disease, has been achieved. PPAR agonists, catalysts and agents have been used since the 1990s, when it was confirmed that fibrates possess lipid modifying properties when selectively activating PPARα. In addition, thiazolidinediones, structures analogous to fibrates, showed PPARγ activity with an insulin-sensitizing effect, leading to their use in the control and even prevention of diabetes mellitus type 2. Currently, studies are oriented to the development of agents that activate multiple PPAR isoforms -not only dual (PPARα/γ), but also PPAR pan-agonists (α/γ/δ). The purpose of this review is to explain the mechanisms of the molecular action and the effects of PPAR agonists, and also to analyze existing and current studies concerning their use in cardiovascular and metabolic illnesses.

The concept of National Innovation Systems (NIS) has extensively been applied to biotechnology and shaped the industry. This chapter aims to analyze and discuss the concept, its structure, configuration and prescriptive character, as well as the underlying competitive and comparative advantage assumptions. Its purpose is to provide a factual account of deployment efforts, and to highlight the challenges encountered with its implementation. To this end, an in-depth exploratory study of the berries sector in the Maule Region has been performed. Data were collected from NIS actors (academia, industry and government), inputs (funding R&D projects), outcomes of innovation activities (academic publications) and exports. The open source software VOSviewer version 1.5.4 was used to extract and analyze scientific publications on berries from Web of Science®. The relevance of links, interactions and implications are highlighted. Also, theoretical and prescriptive approaches to NIS implementation and deployment are bridged.