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Cancer risk is modulated by hereditary and somatic mutations, exposures, age, sex, and gender. The mechanisms by which sex and gender work alone and in combination with other cancer risk factors remain underexplored. In general, cancers that occur in both the male and female sexes occur more commonly in XY compared with XX individuals, regardless of genetic ancestry, geographic location, and age. Moreover, XY individuals are less frequently cured of their cancers, highlighting the need for a greater understanding of sex and gender effects in oncology. This will be necessary for optimal laboratory and clinical cancer investigations. To that end, we review the epigenetics of sexual differentiation and its effect on cancer hallmark pathways throughout life. Specifically, we will touch on how sex differences in metabolism, immunity, pluripotency, and tumor suppressor functions are patterned through the epigenetic effects of imprinting, sex chromosome complement, X inactivation, genes escaping X inactivation, sex hormones, and life history., In humans, cancer occurs more commonly in males, and males die more rapidly of their disease compared with females (1). When we observe significant sex differences such as these, they [...]

Correct species identification is critical for studies on biodiversity, ecology, and conservation. Determining Opuntia s.s. species is difficult because they have similar traits and are phenotypically plastic. Taxonomic keys are based on vegetative traits rather than reproductive ones such as flowers, because they are assumed to be too similar. We analyzed morphometric characteristics of flowers and cladodes over 6 years to determine which of these is most useful for differentiating Opuntia species from the Chihuahuan Desert. For each species (Opuntia robusta H.L. Wendl. ex Pfeiff., O. cantabrigiensis Lynch, O. tomentosa Salm-Dyck, and O. streptacantha Lem.), we tagged 20 hermaphroditic and 40 dioecious plants (totaling 100) from 2014 to 2020 to complete the sample size of flowers and cladodes. Seventeen morphometric characters were measured for new cladodes and 15 for flowers, and discriminant analysis was applied to determine which traits enabled species delimitation. Six of the 17 cladode characteristics combined explained 89% of the variation, while 9 floral characteristics combined explained 94% of the variation. Floral morphometrics proved to be very useful to accurately differentiate species and should be included, in addition to cladodes, in future taxonomic studies. Here, we provide the first taxonomic key that includes floral traits to identify Opuntia and a new description of each studied species. Key words: cladodes, floral morphometry, Opuntia, taxonomic key, Introduction Opuntia s.s. (Cactaceae) are an important source of food and shelter for a variety of vertebrate (Illoldi-Rangel et al. 2012) and invertebrate (Mandujano et al. 1996; Reyes-Aguero et al. [...]

Adolescence is a period when both mental health (MH) and wellbeing start deteriorating, which raises the question of how the two phenomena are linked and whether deterioration in one might be used to flag problematic developments in the other. While research shows that wellbeing and MH are associated, the direction of the association is not clear and longitudinal analyses, that might help disentangle the cause and effect, are scarce. Moreover, few studies have investigated the directional relation between MH and wellbeing early in the life course. In emerging adulthood, evidence indicates reciprocal associations and no gender differences, whereas, in early and middle adolescence, results are mixed and differ across gender. Thus, we investigated the relationship between MH and wellbeing and the moderating effect of gender in the crucial developmental transition from middle adolescence to emerging adulthood. We undertake a cross-lagged longitudinal data analysis from a pooled sample of six pseudo-cohorts, including information from 661 young people who participated in the UK Household Longitudinal Study at ages 17, 19, and 21. Using a 7-points overall life satisfaction (LS) scale as an index of wellbeing and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire as a measure of MH, we found no associations between LS and MH in the 17-19 transition and bidirectional associations in the 19-21 transition. There were no substantial gender differences in either transition. We conclude that LS and MH predict each other in the transition from late adolescence (age 19) to emerging adulthood (age 21) for both males and females., Author(s): Jose Marquez [sup.1] , Ioannis Katsantonis [sup.2] , Ruth Sellers [sup.3] [sup.4] , Gundi Knies [sup.5] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/027m9bs27, grid.5379.8, 0000 0001 2166 2407, Manchester Institute of Education, [...]

This essay reviews the following works: The Trade in the Living: The Formation of Brazil in the South Atlantic, Sixteenth to Seventeenth Centuries. By Luiz Felipe de Alencastro. Translated by [...]

Dengue virus (DENV) is a vectorborne tropical disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes. Globally, an estimated 390 million cases occur per year, and 3.9 billion persons are [...]

Monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) from blood circulation infiltrate glioblastoma (GBM) and promote growth. Here, we show that PDGFS-driven GBM cells induce the expression of the potent proinflammatory cytokine IL- 1[beta] in MDM, which engages IL-1R1 in tumor cells, activates the NF-[kappa]B pathway, and subsequently leads to induction of monocyte chemoattractant proteins (MCPs). Thus, a feedforward paracrine circuit of IL-1[beta]/IL-1R1 between tumors and MDM creates an interdependence driving PDGFS-driven GBM progression. Genetic loss or locally antagonizing IL-1[beta]/IL-1R1 leads to reduced MDM infiltration, diminished tumor growth, and reduced exhausted [CD8.sup.+] T cells and thereby extends the survival of tumor-bearing mice. In contrast to IL-1[beta], IL-1[alpha] exhibits antitumor effects. Genetic deletion of ll1a/b is associated with decreased recruitment of lymphoid cells and loss-of-interferon signaling in various immune populations and subsets of malignant cells and is associated with decreased survival time of PDGFS-driven tumor-bearing mice. In contrast to PDGFB-driven GBM, Nf1-silenced tumors have a constitutively active NF-[kappa]B pathway, which drives the expression of MCPs to recruit monocytes into tumors. These results indicate local antagonism of IL-1[beta] could be considered as an effective therapy specifically for proneural GBM., Introduction Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent and aggressive primary brain tumor in children and adults and has poor overall survival rates. Numerous therapies have entered clinical trials, with only [...]

Background: Prenatal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) may disrupt normal fetal and postnatal growth. Studies have mainly focused on individual aspects of growth at specific time points using single chemical exposure models. However, humans are exposed to multiple EDCs simultaneously, and growth is a dynamic process. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between prenatal exposure to EDCs and children's body mass index (BMI) growth trajectories using single exposure and mixture modeling approaches. Methods: Using data from the INfancia y Medio Ambiente (INMA) Spanish birth cohort (n = 1,911), prenatal exposure to persistent chemicals [hexachlorobenzene (HCB), 4-4'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-138, -150, and -180), 4 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)] and nonpersistent chemicals (8 phthalate metabolites, 7 phenols) was assessed using blood and spot urine concentrations. BMI growth trajectories were calculated from birth to 9 years of age using latent class growth analysis. Multinomial regression was used to assess associations for single exposures, and Bayesian weighted quantile sum (BWQS) regression was used to evaluate the EDC mixture's association with child growth trajectories. Results: In single exposure models exposure to HCB, DDE, PCBs, and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) were associated with increased risk of belonging to a trajectory of lower birth size followed by accelerated BMI gain by 19%-32%, compared with a trajectory of average birth size and subsequent slower BMI gain [e.g., relative risk ratio (RRR) per doubling in DDE concentration = 1.19 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.35); RRR for PFNA= 1.32 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.66)]. HCB and DDE exposure were also associated with higher probability of belonging to a trajectory of higher birth size and accelerated BMI gain. Results from the BWQS regression showed the mixture was positively associated with increased odds of belonging to a BMI trajectory of lower birth size and accelerated BMI gain (odds ratio per 1-quantile increase of the mixture = 1.70; credible interval: 1.03, 2.61), with HCB, DDE, and PCBs contributing the most. Discussion: This study provides evidence that prenatal EDC exposure, particularly persistent EDCs, may lead to BMI trajectories in childhood characterized by accelerated BMI gain. Given that accelerated growth is linked to a higher disease risk in later life, continued research is important. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11103, Introduction Infant and early childhood growth and adiposity status are important factors in promoting healthy childhood development and well-being during adulthood. (1) Children with overweight or obesity are more likely [...]

Background: The frequency with which patients with high Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores undergo liver transplantation has been increasing. Canadian literature regarding the outcomes of liver transplantation in recipients with high MELD scores is limited. The primary objective of this study was to assess patient and graft survival among recipients with high (> 35) and low ([less than or equal to] 35) MELD scores. Secondary objectives were to potentially identify independent predictors of graft failure and patient mortality. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients undergoing liver transplantation at a single Canadian centre from 2012 to 2017. Results: A total of 332 patients were included in the study: 280 patients had a MELD score of 35 or lower, and 52 had a MELD score above 35. Patients with high MELD scores had higher rates of pretransplant acute kidney injury and dialysis (p < 0.001), admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) or intubation (p < 0.001), intraoperative blood product transfusions (p < 0.001) and posttransplantation acute kidney injury and dialysis (p < 0.001), as well as longer ICU (p < 0.001) and hospital stays (p = 0.002). One- and 3-year patient survival in recipients with MELD scores of 35 or lower was 93.1% and 84.9% versus 85.0% and 80.0% in recipients with MELD scores above 35 (p = 0.37). One- and 3-year graft survival in recipients with MELD scores of 35 or lower was 91.7% and 90.9% versus 77.2% and 72.8% in recipients with MELD scores above 35 (p < 0.001). Prior liver transplant was an independent predictor of patient mortality, and no independent predictors of graft failure were identified. When MELD was replaced with D-MELD (donor age * recipient MELD), it predicted graft failure but not patient survival. Conclusion: No difference in patient mortality was found between MELD groups. Graft survival was significantly lower in recipients with MELD scores above 35. D-MELD may potentially be used as an adjunct in determining risk of graft failure in recipients with high MELD scores. Contexte : Les greffes de foie chez les patients ayant un score MELD (Model for End-Stage Liver Disease) eleve sont de plus en plus frequentes, mais le corpus de publications canadiennes concernant les resultats de ces greffes est limite. Cette etude visait principalement a mesurer le taux de survie des receveurs ayant un score MELD eleve (> 35) et faible ([less than or equal to] 35) ainsi que le taux de survie du greffon pour chaque categorie. Les objectifs secondaires consistaient a possiblement determiner des predicteurs independants de defaillance du greffon et de mortalite du patient. Methodes : Nous avons mene un examen retrospectif des dossiers de patients ayant subi une greffe de foie dans le meme etablissement canadien entre 2012 et 2017. Resultats : L'etude portait sur 332 patients : 280 avaient un score MELD de 35 ou moins, et 52 avaient un score MELD superieur a 35. Ces derniers presentaient des taux plus eleves d'insuffisance renale aigue avec dialyse avant la transplantation (p < 0,001), d'admission en soins intensifs ou d'intubation (p < 0,001), de transfusions peroperatoires de produits sanguins (p < 0,001) et d'insuffisance renale aigue avec dia lyse apres la transplantation (p < 0,001); ils sejournaient aussi plus longtemps aux soins intensifs (p < 0,001) et a l'hopital (p = 0,002). Le taux de survie a 1 et a 3 ans des receveurs ayant un score MELD inferieur ou egal a 35 etait respectivement de 93,1 % et de 84,9 %, contre 85,0 % et 80,0 % chez ceux dont le score MELD etait superieur a 35 (p = 0,37). Le taux de survie du greffon a 1 et a 3 ans chez les receveurs ayant un score MELD inferieur ou egal a 35 etait respectivement de 91,7 % et de 90,9 %, contre 77,2 % et 72,8 % chez ceux ayant un score MELD superieur a 35 (p < 0,001). Les antecedents de greffe de foie etaient un predicteur independant de mortalite, tandis qu'aucun predicteur independant de defaillance du greffon n'a ete trouve. L'utilisation du score D-MELD (age du donneur * score MELD du receveur) au lieu du score MELD permettait de predire la defaillance du greffon, mais non la survie du patient. Conclusion : Concernant la mortalite, aucune difference n'a ete constatee entre les categories de scores MELD. Le taux de survie du greffon s'est avere considerablement plus faible chez les receveurs ayant un score MELD superieur a 35. Le score D-MELD pourrait possiblement servir d'indice complementaire pour determiner le risque de defaillance du greffon chez les receveurs ayant un score MELD eleve., In 2002, the United States introduced the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score as an organ allocation tool to help prioritize liver transplant (LT) candidates on LT wait lists. [...]

The geography and oceanographic characteristics of the Gulf of California (GOC) provide a highly productive area that supports some of the largest fisheries in Mexico. As a result, the GOC [...]

Some genera of bivalve molluscs have an iconic ancestral history that predominates in the culture of a civilization through time. The Pacific thorny oyster Spondylus crassisquama is a living example of this. This study presents the description of the early life cycle until obtaining juveniles; and, for the latter, different types of substrates were evaluated. Larval culture was developed under laboratory conditions, chronologically recording the changes in larval morphology and behavior. The thorny oyster presents the first cell cleavage at 50 min postfertilization (PF). The transition between trochophore phase and the first D-veliger larvae was observed around 20-24 h PF. Above 75% of the larvae with presence of a serrate double ring showed ocular eyespot on the 16th day PF. Between the 16th and 18th days PF, the formation of the foot of the larvae was observed. The first postlarvae were observed on the 20th day with a total length of 553.0 [+ or -] 150.10 [micro]m, distinguished by the appearance of the dissoconch. After 30 days PF, the first settled juveniles were observed with sizes of 1.6 [+ or -] 0.41 mm. Finally, the animals showed a preference for settlement on stones and concrete, and to a lesser extent on broken shells of S. crassisquama. This study shows that juvenile production is feasible under laboratory conditions; however, this requires more research to optimize the nursery process. KEY WORDS: Spondylidae, culture, early life, juvenile, settlement, INTRODUCTION The Pacific thorny oyster, Spondylus crassisquama Lamark, 1819 was previously referred to as Spondylus princeps Broderip, 1833. It is distributed in the American Pacific coast from Baja California, Mexico [...]

The Aztec Thrush (Ridgwayia pinicola) is an understudied species. Many aspects of its basic biology are unknown, including its food and foraging preferences. Here, we describe observations of Aztec Thrush consuming fruits of the tree Ilex hrundegeeana and flowers of the bromeliad Tillandsia hourgaei in the pine-oak forest of the highlands of Jalisco in western Mexico. These observations provide information about the diet of this species and its possible ecological role in regenerating and structuring processes of this forest. Received - June 2021. Accepted I October 2021. Keywords: Aquifoliaceac, bromeliad, flower consumption, thrushes, Turdidae. El mirlo azteca (Ridgwayia pinicola) es una espeeie poco estudiada. Se desconoecn muchos aspectos dc su biologia. incluyendo sus preferencias de alimentation y forrajeo. En csta nota describimos observaciones del mirlo azteca consumiendo trutos del arbol Ilex brtintlegeeana y flores de la bronielia Tillamlsia hourgaei cn un bosquc de pino-encino de las serranias de Jalisco en el oeste dc Mexico. Estas observaciones brindan informacion acerca de la dicta de esta especie y su posible papel ccologico en los procesos de rcgeneracion \ estructuracion de este bosque. Palabras clave: Aquifoliaceae, bromelia, consumo de flores, mirlos. Turdidae., In Mexico, the Turdidae family is composed of 7 genera that group 25 species (Chesser et al. 2020). The Aztec Thrush (Ridgwayia pinicoia) is one of the less-studied species of [...]

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a severe and potentially deadly tickborne disease caused by Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria, occurs throughout the Americas. The classic epidemiology of RMSF is characterized by isolated [...]

Caregivers of people with dementia who endorse dysfunctional beliefs about caregiving are at high risk of experiencing higher levels of distress. These dysfunctional beliefs are presented in the form of rules, verbal statements that specify what responsibilities one should expect in order to be a 'good caregiver,' and are characterized as rigid, unrealistic, or highly demanding. Previous studies relied exclusively on self-report measures when assessing such dysfunctional beliefs about caregiving. The objectives of this study were: 1) to develop and validate an Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) to measure implicit dysfunctional beliefs about caregiving (CARE-IRAP), and 2) considering the relatively high age of the sample, to analyze the adaptation of the IRAP for older adults, comparing the IRAP performance between older adult caregivers and middle- aged caregivers. Participants were 123 dementia family caregivers with a mean age of 62.24 [+ or -] 12.89. Adaptations were made to the IRAP by adjusting the accuracy and response time criteria. The sample was split into middle-aged caregivers (below 60 years) and older adult caregivers (60 or older). The CARE-IRAP scores presented significant positive correlations with explicit measures of dysfunctional beliefs about caregiving and experiential avoidance in caregiving. A similar pattern of results was observed across the two age groups. The results revealed that caregivers endorse implicit dysfunctional beliefs about caregiving and offer preliminary support for the use of the IRAP as a valid measure of implicit caregiving beliefs. This exploratory study is the first to adapt the IRAP criteria to older adults, and future studies should further explore criteria suitable for this population. Keywords Caregivers * Dementia * Dysfunctional beliefs * Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure, Caregiving of elderly persons with dementia can lead to chronic stress, resulting in negative psychological and physical consequences (e.g., Sallim, Sayampanathan, Cuttilan, & Ho, 2015). Substantial research has been conducted [...]

Abstract--The aim of this study was to use a Bayesian approach to estimate age and growth parameters for the golden cownose ray (Rhinoptera steindachneri) in the southern Gulf of California [...]

Abstract--The fishery for Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) was established in the northern Gulf of California (NGC) in Mexico in 2000. To describe relevant features of the fishery and biology of [...]

Abstract--Median length at maturity was determined for Pacific angel sharks (Squatina californica) captured incidentally in the artisanal elasmobranch fishery in the Gulf of California in Mexico. A total of 306 [...]