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The metals present in freshwater have a toxic profile with bioaccumulation and are biomagnified along the aquatic food chain. The metals induce high sensitivity in most aquatic organisms, while others, such as some microalgae species, evolve towards resistance. Therefore, this research predicted through the Combination Index method the binary interaction exposed to divalent metals by inhibiting population growth in a Cd-resistant strain (DcRCd100) compared to the wild-type strain (Dc1Mwt) of Dictyosphaerium chlorelloides and evaluate the specific resistance level obtained by DcRCd100 to Cd relative to other divalent metals.The results showed that DcRCd100 presents resistance compared to Dc1Mwt in individual exposure in the order of Fe2+ > Ni2+ > Cd2+ > Co2+ > Zn2+ > Cu2+ > Hg2+ with 50% inhibitory concentration at 72 h of exposure (IC50(72)) values 1253, 644.4, 423, 162.7, 141.3, 35.1, and 9.9 µM, respectively. It induces cross-resistance with high antagonistic rates (Combination Index (CI); CI > > 1) in the Cd/Zn and Cd/Cu. Cd/Ni, its initial response, is antagonistic, and it ends in an additive (CI = 1). DcRCd100 showed a lower resistance in Co, and Cd/Fe resistance was reduced individually. The interaction with Hg increased its resistance ten times more than individually.This research highlights the use of the CI as a highly efficient prediction method of the binary metal interactions in wild-type and Cd-resistant strains of D. chlorelloides. It may have the potential for metal accumulation, allowing the development of new methods of bioremediation of metals in effluents, and to monitor the concentration of metals in wastewater, its relative availability, transport, and mechanisms on resistant strains of microalgae.

Spiders are among the most diversified and abundant predators in terrestrial ecosystems across the world, but information on their prey is limited. Particularly, there is paucity of data for prey-specialised species, such as palpimanid spiders. Here we investigated the trophic strategy of four palpimanid species (Diaphorocellus biplagiatus, Otiothops birabeni, Palpimanus gibbulus, and P. potteri) representing all three subfamilies (Chediminae, Otiothopinae, Palpimaninae) and three geographic areas (Mediterranean, South America, South Africa) in order to infer a trophic strategy for the entire family Palpimanidae. We predicted that all palpimanids are specialised araneophagous predators. We used molecular gut-content analysis, combined with comparative analysis of morphological trophic traits. We found all four species to catch spiders more than insects. All species captured spiders belonging to several families, but predominantly those of the cursorial guild. The diet composition did not differ between sexes and juveniles. The breadth of trophic niche was narrow for all species, suggesting stenophagy. Using comparative analysis of morphological traits (thick cuticle, stout forelegs, scopulae on forelegs, and stridulatory apparatus) and araneophagy, we estimated that preying on spiders combined with the morphological traits is ancestral state for the entire family. We suggest that the whole family Palpimanidae includes araneophagous species.

We describe a new species of Selvasaura from the montane forests of the eastern slopes of the Andes in northern Peru, based on external and hemipenial morphological characters and previous phylogenetic analyses. The new species can be differentiated from the other two Selvasaura species in having keeled dorsal scales usually flanked by longitudinal striations, in adults and juveniles; adult males with a yellow vertebral stripe bordered by broad dark brown stripes on each side and a unilobed hemipenis surrounded by the branches of the sulcus spermaticus. The description of the new species contributes information about new states of diagnostic characters of Selvasaura and natural history.

El Bisfenol A [4'4'-dihidroxi-2,2 difenilpropano] (BFA) es un compuesto orgánico utilizado en una amplia gama de productos de uso doméstico. EL BFA es considerado como un potente disruptor endócrino que pone en riesgo la salud humana. En esta investigación se evaluó el crecimiento de Pleurotus ostreatus en presencia de 50 y 75 mg/L de BFA en fermentación sumergida, evaluando la; velocidad específica de crecimiento (µ), biomasa máxima (Xmáx), consumo de glucosa, porcentaje (%) y constante de biodegradación (k) del BFA, actividad enzimática de lacasas (U/L), y algunos de sus parámetros cinéticos enzimáticos. Los valores más alto con respecto a los parámetros cinéticos de crecimiento y producción de lacasas, se obtuvieron en el medio con 75 mg/L de BFA. P. ostreatus mostró valores de pH neuro-básicos en los medios adicionados con BFA. El consumo de glucosa fue del 100 % en todos los medios. Durante las primeras 100 h de crecimiento, este hongo degradó más del 50 % de ambas concentraciones. Esta investigación es la primara en México que demuestra la eficiencia degradativa de P. ostreatus BE01 al degradar una concentración de BFA que no ha sido reportada anteriormente y que es superior a las reportadas en diversas matrices ambientales.

In the present study, we sought to identify causal relationships between obesity and other complex traits and conditions using a data-driven hypothesis-free approach that uses genetic data to infer causal associations. We leveraged available summary-based genetic data from genome-wide association studies on 1498 phenotypes and applied the latent causal variable method (LCV) between obesity and all traits. We identified 110 traits causally associated with obesity. Of those, 109 were causal outcomes of obesity, while only leg pain in calves was a causal determinant of obesity. Causal outcomes of obesity included 26 phenotypes associated with cardiovascular diseases, 22 anthropometric measurements, nine with the musculoskeletal system, nine with behavioural or lifestyle factors including loneliness or isolation, six with respiratory diseases, five with body bioelectric impedances, four with psychiatric phenotypes, four related to the nervous system, four with disabilities or long-standing illness, three with the gastrointestinal system, three with use of analgesics, two with metabolic diseases, one with inflammatory response and one with the neurodevelopmental disorder ADHD, among others. In particular, some causal outcomes of obesity included hypertension, stroke, ever having a period of extreme irritability, low forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diabetes, carpal tunnel syndrome, loneliness or isolation, high leukocyte count, and ADHD. Our results indicate that obesity causally affects a wide range of traits and comorbid diseases, thus providing an overview of the metabolic, physiological, and neuropsychiatric impact of obesity on human health.

After Candida albicans, Candida glabrata is one of the most common fungal species associated with candidemia in nosocomial infections. Rapid acquisition of nutrients from the host is important for the survival of pathogens which possess the metabolic flexibility to assimilate different carbon and nitrogen compounds. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, nitrogen assimilation is controlled through a mechanism known as Nitrogen Catabolite Repression (NCR). NCR is coordinated by the action of four GATA factors; two positive regulators, Gat1 and Gln3, and two negative regulators, Gzf3 and Dal80. A mechanism in C. glabrata similar to NCR in S. cerevisiae has not been broadly studied. We previously showed that in C. glabrata, Gln3, and not Gat1, has a major role in nitrogen assimilation as opposed to what has been observed in S. cerevisiae in which both factors regulate NCR-sensitive genes. Here, we expand the knowledge about the role of Gln3 from C. glabrata through the transcriptional analysis of BG14 and gln3Δ strains. Approximately, 53.5% of the detected genes were differentially expressed (DEG). From these DEG, amino acid metabolism and ABC transporters were two of the most enriched KEGG categories in our analysis (Up-DEG and Down-DEG, respectively). Furthermore, a positive role of Gln3 in AAA assimilation was described, as was its role in the transcriptional regulation of ARO8. Finally, an unexpected negative role of Gln3 in the gene regulation of ABC transporters CDR1 and CDR2 and its associated transcriptional regulator PDR1 was found. This observation was confirmed by a decreased susceptibility of the gln3Δ strain to fluconazole.

Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans has been used in bioleaching processes, being recognized for its high metal leaching ability from industrial wastes. In the present work, the sulfur-oxidizing activity of A. thiooxidans DSM 26636, adapted to increasing concentrations of ore was assessed, finding that at 28 days with 3% (w/v) of ore sample, the culture produces high amounts of the sulfate ion (SO4−2) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and causes a decrease in the pH value, compared to the negative control. Also, there was observed a net removal of As, Zn, Fe, Al, Cu, and Au in concentrations of 48.23 ± 3.11, 264.02 ± 26.27, 9055.81 ± 210.39, 605.29 ± 30.26, 2158 ± 359.04, and 0.99 ± 0.37 mg/kg, respectively. Thus, the present work shows the potential of A. thiooxidans DSM 26636 to be used for the extraction of metals contained in ores, especially for those containing Cu, Zn, As, Fe, and Al.

Objectives To evaluate if local delivery of boron can accelerate bone healing and examine if the bioactive salt impacts the osteogenic response of bone-derived osteoclasts and osteoblasts by the regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Methods Bilateral femoral cortical defects were created in 32 skeletally mature C57 mice. On the experimental side, boric acid (8 mg/kg concentration) was injected locally, whereas on the control side, saline was used. Mice were euthanized at 7, 14, and 28 days. MicroCT was used to quantify bone regeneration at the defect. Histological staining for alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase was used to quantify osteoblast and osteoclast activity, respectively. Immunohistochemical antibodies, β-catenin, and CD34 were used to quantify active β-catenin levels and angiogenesis, respectively. Results The boron group exhibited higher bone volume and trabecular thickness at 28 days on microCT. Both alkaline phosphatase activity and β-catenin activity was significantly higher in the boron group at 7 days. In addition, CD34 staining revealed increased angiogenesis at 14 days in boron-treated groups. We found boron to have no association with osteoclast activity. Conclusions This study shows that local delivery of boron is associated with an increase in osteoblast activity at early phases of healing. The corresponding increase in β-catenin likely supports that boron increases osteoblast activity by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Increased angiogenesis at 14 days could be a separate mechanism of increasing bone formation that is independent of Wnt/β-catenin activation.

Introduction The dose of thiopurine drugs in combined treatments with anti-TNF in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been clearly established. The purpose of this study is to assess whether the dose of azathioprine influences clinical and biochemical response/remission rates, and anti-TNF drug levels/antibody formation. Material and methods Patients with IBD on combined maintenance treatment with azathioprine and infliximab or adalimumab were selected. Based on the dose of azathioprine, two groups were defined (standard: 2–2.5 mg/kg/day; and decreased: less than 2 mg/kg/day). Results In the IFX group, there were no statistically significant differences (p = 0.204) in the rates of remission (39% vs 41.3%), response (10% vs 21.7%) or failure (51.5% vs 37%) depending on the dose of thiopurine drugs. No differences were found between AZA-dose dependent IFX levels (2.46 vs 3.21 μg/mL; p = 0.211). In the adalimumab group, there were no statistically significant differences (p = 0.83) in the rates of remission (66% vs 56%), response without remission (15.38% vs 25%) or failure (18% vs 18%) depending on the dose of thiopurines. With respect to ADA-levels, no differences were found in both groups (7.69 vs 8.23 μg/mL; p = 0.37). Conclusion In our experience, no statistically significant differences were found in either anti-TNF levels or clinical-biological response/remission rates based on doses of azathioprine.

Hydrocolloids are a class of functional ingredients that are widely used in the development of food structures. The hydrocolloids are mainly polysaccharides and some proteins that are applied in various food products. For this reason, natural sources that are friendly to the environment must be sought for their extraction. Therefore, this study aimed to extract hydrocolloids from butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) peels—HBSP—and determine the proximal composition and rheological properties as well as their use effect in a microstructure product like fruit jam from Carica papaya. Hydrocolloids were obtained from butternut squash at pH 3, 7, and 10 and at different temperatures, presenting higher yield values at 80 °C with higher carbohydrate and protein contents and non-Newtonian flow behavior type shear-thinning. In order to analyze the influence of HBSP on the rheological properties of the microstructured product, the samples were employed as a partial substitute of pectin in C. papaya jam (CPJ), showing a positive effect on the jam matrix due to the addition of hydrocolloids. The physicochemical properties of jams did not present significant differences. CPJ presents non-Newtonian behavior type shear-thinning adjusting to the Herschel–Bulkley model. The dynamic viscoelastic rheological test characterized the jam as a gel-like state when the storage modulus values were higher than the loss modulus values in the frequency ranges studied. Regarding the addition of HBSP, this modified the color parameter, presenting a reddish color with an increase in tonality, and the sensory evaluation showed that the M3 sample was better than the other products, with a higher level of satisfaction. The obtained results show that butternut squash peel is suitable for the obtention of hydrocolloids, and they can be used as a raw material in the development and formulation of food products, as well as their byproducts can be used to solve problems with organic waste from the agroindustry in an environmentally friendly way.

We describe a new species of marsupial frog, genus Gastrotheca, using morphological characters and molecular data as lines of evidence. The new species was discovered in the páramo and the ecotone between páramo and humid montane forest of Cordillera de Colán, at elevations between 3136 and 3179 m a.s.l., in northeastern Peru. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners by the combination of the following characters: coarsely granular skin on dorsum, a green dorsal coloration without pattern, finger I shorter than finger II, turquoise iris, and a venter without blotches, flecks or dots. Furthermore, we include a detailed osteological description of the new Gastrotheca species based on Micro-CT scanning. Based on our phylogenetic analyses, the new species belongs to the Gastrotheca marsupiata species group, is sister to G. oresbios and closely related to G. psychrophila, G. spectabilis, G. stictopleura and one undescribed species. Additionally, we test for the presence of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). No Bd infection was detected for G. gemma sp. nov. specimens but Bd prevalence was detected among syntopic frogs.

We provide information on the distribution, natural history, and conservation status of Nymphargus mixomaculatus (Guayasamin, Lehr, Rodriguez & Aguilar, 2006), a species from central Peru which is currently considered as Critically Endangered. We report four new localities and extend the altitudinal distribution by 430 m and the geographic range by 513 km in a straight line northwest of the previous, only known locality. Furthermore, based on our new data and following the criteria and categories of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, we suggest that N. mixomaculatus should be recategorized as Vulnerable.

El objetivo es analizar cómo los sesgos cognitivos influyen en la percepción e interpretación de falacias en textos argumentativos para elucidar una metodología que permita subsanar estas situaciones en la interpretación. Así, para explorar la pregunta ¿de qué forma los sesgos inciden en la identificación e interpretación de falacias en estudiantes? se discuten los resultados de una prueba inserta en un proyecto académico que, a lo largo de cuatro semestres, ha permitido confrontar resultados entre grupos de estudiantes de las distintas licenciaturas de la Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, unidad Morelia, de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Adicionalmente, los resultados se comparan con una aplicación de la misma prueba a un grupo de juristas activos en su ámbito profesional, con la intención de reconocer rasgos compartidos con una población que no está asociada cotidianamente al contexto académico universitario. Los resultados muestran que evidenciar los sesgos es necesario para que el interlocutor de un texto argumentativo sea capaz de detectar las falacias que, de otra manera, pasan desapercibidas. Es pertinente el desarrollo de investigaciones adicionales en distintos niveles educativos y ambientes profesionales que permitieran obtener resultados que contribuyan a la interpretación de los textos argumentativos desde los distintos elementos que inciden en ellos: sesgos, heurísticas, estrategias argumentativas y falacias. This article aims to highlight how cognitive biases influence the perception and interpretation of fallacies in argumentative processes on the assumption that, if biases can be detected and there is conscious training, it is feasible to correct these situations in the interpretation. This article intends to answer the question: How do biases affect the interpretation of fallacies in students? The results from a test inserted in an academic project during four semesters are discussed and compared among group of students enrolled in different degrees at Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Morelia, from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Additionally, these results are compared with the results obtained for the same test by a group of lawyers, all active in their professional field, with the intention of recognizing shared traits with a population that is not associated on a daily basis with the university academic context. The results show that for the interlocutor to detect fallacies in argumentative writing, it is necessary to make biases visible, otherwise, fallacies would be left unnoticed. Additional research seems to be necessary at different levels to further contribute to the interpretation of argumentative texts from its constituting elements such as biases, heuristics, argumentative strategies and fallacies. L’objectif est de rendre compte comment les biais cognitifs influencent la perception et l’interprétation des erreurs placées intentionnellement dans des processus argumentatifs, puisque si des biais peuvent être détectés et il y a un entraînement conscient et il serait possible de pallier ces situations dans le cadre de l’interprétation. Ainsi, à la question de savoir comment les biais affectent l’identification et l’interprétation des erreurs chez les étudiants, nous pouvons y répondre à travers une expérience réalisée lors d’un projet universitaire qui, au cours de quatre semestres, a permis de confronter les résultats entre des groupes d’étudiants de différentes licences de l’École Nationale d’Études Supérieures, unité Morélia, et de l’Université Nationale Autonome de México. De plus, les résultats sont comparés avec une application du même test à un groupe de professionnels du droit, tous actifs dans leur domaine professionnel, avec l’intention de reconnaître des caractéristiques communes avec une population qui n’est pas quotidiennement associée au contexte académique universitaire. Les résultats montrent que mettre en évidence les biais cognitifs est nécessaire pour que l’interlocuteur d’un texte argumentatif soit capable de détecter des erreurs qui, autrement, passent inaperçues. Il serait pertinent d’approfondir les recherches dans différents niveaux éducatifs et milieux professionnels, ce qui permettrait d’obtenir des résultats qui contribuent à l’interprétation des textes argumentatifs depuis les différents éléments qui les affectent: biais cognitifs, heuristiques, stratégies argumentatives et erreurs.

Colombian Paso horses have been classified into four categories based on gait performance: Colombian Paso Fino, Colombian Trocha, Colombian Trocha and Gallop, and Colombian Trot and Gallop. Selective breeding has led to the emergence of the Colombian Paso Fino as a distinct population. We describe the split of the Colombian Paso Horse breed into two genetic and phenotypic differentiated groups using 220,000 pedigree records, 132,637 microsatellites genotypes, 198 mtDNA d-loop haplotypes, and several conformation measurements from 178 horses. The first category, the Colombian Paso Fino subgroup was recognized as a new breed by the Colombian breeders and government since 2017 and the second category consists of the other three subgroups of Colombian Paso horses that perform different gaits and have different conformation traits. The breed splitting has been carried out through increased genetic differentiation between these two populations, mainly by intensive artificial selection on gaits and some anatomical conformation traits related to performance and is revealed by analysis of 30 years of traced genetic data, 60 years of pedigree records, and phenotypic differences. In addition, our phylogenetic reconstruction showed that the Colombian Paso horses have shared an evolutionary history that led to a complex breed origin. Some haplotypes represent an old Iberian haplogroup, even older than the domestication of horses. Finally, this study shows support for the designation of a distinct breed based on the use of genetic information as scientific support to breeding associations and governments for decision making about breeding management, genetic conservation, and genetic improvement.

Hydrocolloids play a fundamental role in the design of new food products in their structure and functionality due to the interaction with the components of complex food matrices; for this reason, natural sources that are friendly to the environment must be sought for their extraction. A microstructure product such as mayonnaise is an oil-in-water-type emulsion design with the components of the complex varying from egg yolk, additives, spices, sugar, and other optional ingredients to improve its stabilities and organoleptic characteristics. The main objective of the study was to design and characterize the physicochemical, bromatological, and sensory analyses and rheological properties of the mayonnaise-type sauce formulated with hydrocolloids obtained from the epidermis of butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata) and xanthan gum. The rheological study allowed us to obtain a behavior of a non-Newtonian flow of the shear-thinning type for all the samples, and flow curves could be well described by the Carreau model (R2 ≥ 0.993). The samples exhibit a more elastic than viscous behavior, with a higher storage modulus than the loss modulus (G' > G″) in the evaluated frequency range. When performing the physicochemical analysis, pH values (4.02-4.28), titratable acidity (0.40-0.48), peroxide index (12.5-20 meq), and a stable behavior were achieved in all the formulations except for MS2, which showed instability. Regarding the sensory evaluation, the MS3 sample reflected the closest values to the control sample, with a higher level of satisfaction. On the other hand, the bromatological analysis of MS3 presented a humidity value of 55.3 ± 0.27; carbohydrates, 7.66 ± 0.42; protein, 0.87 ± 0.02; fiber, 0.94 ± 0.05; and ash, 0.54 ± 0.05. The development of this product contributes to the transformation and agro-industrial use of the butternut squash (C. moschata); likewise, it allows us to obtain a mayonnaise-type sauce with organoleptic and nutritional characteristics for human consumption.

Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-28T19:42:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-01-01 We describe two new species of terrestrial-breeding frogs from the Cordillera de Colán, in northeastern Peru. We used Parsimony and Maximum Likelihood approaches to infer a molecular phylogeny on a dataset composed of 75 terminals, including three terminals representing the new species, and 4202 bp of concatenated mtDNA and nuDNA fragments. Our phylogenetic analyses support the placement of the two new species in Lynchius and Oreobates, respectively. The new species of Lynchius occurs in two localities from 1,977 to 2,006 m a.s.l., and is characterized by having a dorsum covered by conical tubercles and a brown dorsal coloration lacking a pattern of blotches on the hidden surfaces of flanks and hindlimbs. The new species of Oreobates is only known from one location at 2608 m a.s.l. and is characterized by the absence of axillary and inguinal glands, and the presence of white or cream blotches on the dark brown hidden surfaces of the body. Instituto Peruano de Herpetología (IPH) División de Herpetología Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad (CORBIDI) Huarango Nature – Conservamos Ica (CÓNICA). Ica Department of Biological Sciences Florida International University Departamento de Biodiversidade Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) Departamento de Biodiversidade Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)

Gastrointestinal helminths of migratory waterfowl can cause several lesions that may affect the health and even the survival of their hosts. As part of an ongoing project that aims to inventory the helminth species that infect this group of birds, as well as the histopathologic lesion they cause, a total of 200 digestive tracts of nine species of anatid birds (Spatula discors, S. cyanoptera, S. clypeata, Mareca strepera, M. americana, Anas crecca, A. acuta, A. platyrhynchos diazi, and Oxyura jamaicensis) were collected in the Atarasquillo marsh of Lerma, in the State of Mexico. The present work had a twofold goal: to determine the taxonomic identity of the helminth species present in waterfowl as well as their infection levels and to describe the lesions caused by gastrointestinal parasites in migratory and resident anatids in Atarasquillo marsh, State of Mexico. The specimens were examined using routine helminthological and histopathological techniques. A total of 23 helminths were identified: six trematodes (Zygocotyle lunata, Notocotylus triserialis, Notocotylus seineti, Psilochasmus oxyurus, Australapatemon burti and Cotylurus magniacetabulus), four cestodes (Cloacotaenia megalops, Fimbriaria fasciolaris, Gatrotaenia cygni and Diorchis sp.), eleven nematodes (Echinuria uncinata, Tetrameres sp., Tetrameres fissispina, Hystrichis sp., Streptocara sp., Amidostomum sp., Epomidiostomum uncinatum, Capillaria sp., Capillaria contorta, Ascaridia sp. and Heterakis sp.) and two acanthocephalans (Pseudocorynosoma constrictum and Filicollis sp.). At the proventriculus level, Echinuria uncinata caused the most severe lesions; in the gizzard, Amidostomum sp. and E. uncinatum produced hemorrhages and necrosis. Finally, the main lesions found in the intestine (necrosis, heterophilic granulomas and the formation of lumps on the serosa) were caused by the implantation of the acanthocephalans’ proboscis. Eleven species of gastrointestinal helminths found are new records for the Lerma marshes, as well as the first record in Mexico of the nematode Capillaria contorta and the acanthocephalan Filicollis sp., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Gastrointestinal helminths in waterfowls are common and diverse. • Helminths recorded: 6 trematodes, 4 cestodes, 11 nematodes, and 2 acanthocephalans. • New records of gastrointestinal helminths (11 spp.) for Central of Mexico. • We present the first record of Capillaria contorta and Filicollis sp. in Mexico. • The most severe lesions were caused by the implantation of the acanthocephalans' proboscis.

The importance of vision-reliant defensive traits (e.g. warning colours) in mimicry studies is well established, but their effectiveness is limited by visibility. In low light conditions, for instance, acoustic or tactile channels may be more effective. The juvenile and adult stages of the nocturnal hunting Palpimanus spiders audibly stridulate when harassed. Given this we hypothesized that the sound produced by Palpimanus has a defensive role against interspecific predators. Palpimanus though are poorly defended especially against something as large as a gecko. Hence we hypothesized that the stridulation is effective because the spider mimics co-occurring mutillid wasps. We staged predator feeding experiments in which mutillid wasps, sham-operated Palpimanus, silenced Palpimanus and a nonstridulating spider were offered to Eusparassus spiders and geckoes. Stridulating spiders had significantly greater survival against both predators than the nonstridulating treatments and comparable survival to the mutillid wasps. This result represents the first confirmed case of a spider using stridulation against an interspecific predator. Stridulation deterred Eusparasus spiders, while in geckoes stridulation acted postcapture as they dropped the prey instead of attempting to swallow them. For mutillid wasps this dropping response was typically more rapid than with Palpimanus but attempts to swallow silenced individuals were more frequent than sham-operated individuals, which were more likely to be dropped before any attempt to swallow. Analyses of stridulation characteristics of Palpimanus showed they were similar to acoustic signals of four of the co-occurring mutillid wasps and far more so than distress signals of control insects. Our study overall supports the notion that Palpimanus spiders are Batesian mimics of sympatrically occurring mutillids through the use of an aposematic acoustic signal and not just an example of a startle response.

The tropical Andes are known to be the richest and most diverse place on earth. This mountainous region covers almost one third of the Peruvian territory, and its herpetofauna remains poorly known. The lizard genusStenocercusDuméril & Bibron, 1837 contains 69 species and most of them occur in the tropical Andes, although some exist as high as 4000 m a.s.l. The examination of newly collected material from the Andes of northern Peru in the Department of Amazonas reveals four new species ofStenocercuswhich we describe below. Of these four new species, three inhabit the ecoregion of Peruvian Yungas at elevations of 1460 to 2370 m a.s.l., and one the Marañón dry forest ecoregion at elevations of 1340 to 1470 m a.s.l. Additionally, we provide new data about coloration, natural history and distribution of the poorly knownS. aculeatusO’Shaughnessy, 1879; and discuss the identity of some populations ofS. prionotusCadle, 2001 andS. scapularisBoulenger, 1901.

Se evaluó el efecto del aceite esencial de orégano (AEO) y bagazo de orégano (BO) incorporados en la dieta sobre los parámetros productivos, variables de sacrificio y calidad de la carne de conejos. Un total de 100 conejos (30 d de edad) fueron distribuidos en seis tratamientos T1: control, T2: 0.25 g/kg de AEO, T3: 0.40 g/kg de AEO, T4: 20% de BO, T5: 0.25 g/kg de AEO + 20% de BO y T6: 0.40 g / kg de AE + 20% de BO. El mayor peso vivo fue el T6 (P˂0.0001). En 37, 44 y 51 días, T3 presentó el menor consumo de alimento (P=0.0089) y T6 tuvo la mejor ganancia de peso (P=0.0172). La conversión alimenticia fue mejor (P=0.0138) en T5 a los 37 días. El rendimiento de la canal fría y lomo fue más alto en T2, T4 y T5 (P

The study of durability is very important because buildings are expected to last; since durability is attributed to the materials used in construction, the study of such materials is required. Among them, stones play a fundamental role as part of the structures, as well as stone aggregates in the elaboration of asphalt blends and concrete blends. Bearing this facts in mind, quarry stones of volcanic and crushed materials were studied in the mexican state of Michoacán.In this work, the Id2, density, and absorption data were correlated to obtain a mathematical model that helps predict Id2 and verify the relationship between the variables. On the other hand, logistic regression was used to classify rock quarries according to their durability index.

BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a global health issue that affects 350 million people of all ages. Although between 2% and 5.6% of affected individuals are adolescents, research on young patients is limited. The inflammatory response contributes to the onset of depression, and in adult MDD patients, symptom severity has been linked to chemokine levels. AIM To determine the differences in circulatory levels of chemokines in healthy volunteers (HVs) and adolescents with MDD, and assess the changes induced by fluoxetine consume. METHODS The 22 adolescents with MDD were monitored during the first 8 wk of clinical follow-up and clinical psychiatric evaluation was done using the Hamilton depresión rating scale (HDRS). The serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, interleukin (IL)-8, interferon gamma-induced protein (IP)-10, and eotaxin were measured in patients and HVs. RESULTS In all cases, significant differences were detected in circulating chemokine levels between patients before treatment and HVs (P < 0.0001). All chemokines decreased at 4 wk, but only MCP-1 and IL-8 significantly differed (P < 0.05) between 0 wk and 4 wk. In the patients, all chemokines rose to their initial concentrations by 8 wk vs 0 wk, but only IP-10 did so significantly (P < 0.05). All patients experienced a significant decrease in HDRS scores at 4 wk (P < 0.0001) and 8 wk (P < 0.0001) compared with 0 wk. CONCLUSION Despite the consumption of fluoxetine, patients had significantly higher chemokine levels, even after considering the improvement in HDRS score. The high levels of eotaxin, IP-10, and IL-8 partially explain certain aspects that are affected in MDD such as cognition, memory, and learning.

This paper presents the case study of an SME whose main turn is the spraying and encapsulation of the Moringa oleifera leaf through the handmade production system. The SME markets the product in five presentations and produces 6200 capsules in ten hours with a total of one multifunctional operator per shift. Its supply chain is represented in four echelons: raw material preparation, manufacturing, marketing, and the final consumer. The encapsulation process of Moringa oleifera was analyzed, and the problems related to the excess inventory in the process, milligram per capsule difference, lack of standards to perform processes such as weight verification were detected. As a logistics strategy, the Demand Flow Technology methodology together with the operations diagrams and Value Stream Mapping to eliminate activities that do not add value to the product was applied. As a result, the correct assignment of tasks to workers and the increment of the production line productivity were achieved.

Chilecomadia valdiviana (Lepidoptera, Cossidae), locally known as "Gusano del Tebo", is a polyphagous pest that, in its larval stage, feeds on the wood of the host species. C. valdiviana is distributed in the southern region of Chile and Argentina and its larvae mainly attack eucalyptus and fruit trees. Previous research has reported the identification of the volatile compounds produced by this species in its larval stage. In this work, the effects of two dietary conditions on these volatile compounds were described: groups of individuals fed with wood vs. others without food. The results obtained provide empirical evidence that C. valdiviana modulates the emission of the compounds according to the effect of stimulus. Chilecomadia valdiviana (Lepidoptera, Cossidae), locally known as "Gusano del Tebo", is a polyphagous pest that, in its larval stage, feeds on the wood of the host species. C. valdiviana is distributed in the southern region of Chile and Argentina and its larvae mainly attack eucalyptus and fruit trees. Previous research has reported the identification of the volatile compounds produced by this species in its larval stage. In this work, the effects of two dietary conditions on these volatile compounds were described: groups of individuals fed with wood vs. others without food. The results obtained provide empirical evidence that C. valdiviana modulates the emission of the compounds according to the effect of stimulus.

BackgroundMitochondrial progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO) encompasses a broad spectrum of clinical and genetic disorders. We describe the phenotypic subtypes of PEO and its correlation with molecular defects and propose a diagnostic algorithm.MethodsRetrospective analysis of the clinical, pathological and genetic features of 89 cases.ResultsThree main phenotypes were found: ‘pure PEO’ (42%), consisting of isolated palpebral ptosis with ophthalmoparesis; Kearns-Sayre syndrome (10%); and ‘PEO plus’, which associates extraocular symptoms, distinguishing the following subtypes: : myopathic (33%), bulbar (12%) and others (3%). Muscle biopsy was the most accurate test, showing mitochondrial changes in 95%. Genetic diagnosis was achieved in 96% of the patients. Single large-scale mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion was the most frequent finding (63%), followed by multiple mtDNA deletions (26%) due to mutations in TWNK (n=8), POLG (n=7), TK2 (n=6) or RRM2B (n=2) genes, and point mtDNA mutations (7%). Three new likely pathogenic mutations were identified in the TWNK and MT-TN genes.ConclusionsPhenotype–genotype correlations cannot be brought in mitochondrial PEO. Muscle biopsy should be the first step in the diagnostic flow of PEO when mitochondrial aetiology is suspected since it also enables the study of mtDNA rearrangements. If no mtDNA deletions are identified, whole mtDNA sequencing should be performed.

The potential distribution of the Greater Grison, Galictis vittata, reaches east-central Mexico including the southern portion of Tamaulipas state. However, there are no geographical records that confirm this potential range limit. Our study documents the first record of the Greater Grison photographed by camera traps at “El Cielo” Biosphere Reserve, Tamaulipas State, Mexico. We installed 26 camera traps at “El Cielo” Biosphere Reserve. The cameras were programmed to take pictures and with the date and hour of each photo recorded automatically. Also, we created a map, which combined the Greater Grison’s potential distribution and published occurrence records, to overlay on our new sightings in “El Cielo”. One camera trap recorded two photos of a Greater Grison at “El Cielo” Biosphere Reserve, within a preserved pine-oak forest environment. These two records represent the only confirmed sightings of the Greater Grison in Tamaulipas state and they are located 64.4 km northwest of the nearest estimated potential distribution and 186 km north of the northern-most sighting in southern San Luis Potosi. The record of our study expand both the original potential distribution and the known distribution of this species toward the northwest and north, respectively. The sightings also increase the known elevation limit of the species in Mexico from 1,500 to 1,790 m. We believe that the occurrence of Greater Grison at “El Cielo” is not unusual because this site has the conditions and habitat that are suitable to the distribution of this species.

Actinobacteria are the main producers of bioactive natural products essential for human health. Although their diversity in the atmosphere remains largely unexplored, using a multidisciplinary approach, we studied here 27 antibiotic producing Actinobacteria strains, isolated from 13 different precipitation events at three locations in Northern and Southern Spain. Rain samples were collected throughout 2013–2016, from events with prevailing Western winds. NOAA HYSPLIT meteorological analyses were used to estimate the sources and trajectories of the air-mass that caused the rainfall events. Five-day backward air masses trajectories of the diverse events reveals a main oceanic source from the North Atlantic Ocean, and in some events long range transport from the Pacific and the Arctic Oceans; terrestrial sources from continental North America and Western Europe were also estimated. Different strains were isolated depending on the precipitation event and the latitude of the sampling site. Taxonomic identification by 16S rRNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed these strains to belong to two Actinobacteria genera. Most of the isolates belong to the genusStreptomyces, thus increasing the number of species of this genus isolated from the atmosphere. Furthermore, five strains belonging to the rare Actinobacterial genusNocardiopsiswere isolated in some events. These results reinforce our previousStreptomycesatmospheric dispersion model, which we extend herein to the genusNocardiopsis.Production of bioactive secondary metabolites was analyzed by LC-UV-MS. Comparative analyses ofStreptomycesandNocardiopsismetabolites with natural product databases led to the identification of multiple, chemically diverse, compounds. Among bioactive natural products identified 55% are antibiotics, both antibacterial and antifungal, and 23% have antitumor or cytotoxic properties; also compounds with antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, antiviral, insecticidal, neuroprotective, anti-arthritic activities were found. Our findings suggest that over time, through samples collected from different precipitation events, and space, in different sampling places, we can have access to a great diversity of Actinobacteria producing an extraordinary reservoir of bioactive natural products, from remote and very distant origins, thus highlighting the atmosphere as a contrasted source for the discovery of novel compounds of relevance in medicine and biotechnology.

BackgroundAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of immature lymphocytes, in whose development involves both environmental and genetic factors. It is well known that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in coding and noncoding genes contribute to the susceptibility to ALL. This study aims to determine whether SNPs in miR-146a, miR-196a-2, miR-499a, and miR-612 genes are associated with the risk to ALL in pediatric Mexican population.MethodsA multicenter case-control study was carried out including patients with de novo diagnosis of ALL and healthy subjects as control group. The DNA samples were obtained from saliva and peripheral blood, and the genotyping of rs2910164, rs12803915, rs11614913, and rs3746444 was performed using the 5′exonuclease technique. Gene-gene interaction was evaluated by the multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) software.ResultsmiR-499a rs3746444 showed significant differences among cases and controls. The rs3746444G allele was found as a risk factor to ALL (OR, 1.6 [95% CI, 1.05–2.5]; p = 0.028). The homozygous GG genotype of rs3746444 confers higher risk to ALL than the AA genotype (OR, 5.3 [95% CI, 1.23–23.4]; p = 0.01). Moreover, GG genotype highly increases the risk to ALL in male group (OR, 17.6 [95% CI, 1.04–298.9]; p = 0.00393). In addition, an association in a gender-dependent manner among SNPs located in miR-146a and miR-196a-2 genes and ALL susceptibility was found.ConclusionOur findings suggest that SNP located in miR-499a, miR-146a, and miR-196a-2 genes confer risk to ALL in Mexican children. Experimental analysis to decipher the role of these SNPs in human hematopoiesis could improve our understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying the development of ALL.

Background Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Compounds including a sulfur-containing scaffold have been shown to be key scaffolds in various antituberculosis agents. Interestingly, the 3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-prop-2-enedithioic acids 11a-j have, to the best of our knowledge, not been previously described as antituberculosis agents. Purpose In the present study, we investigated the role of substituents attached to the phenyl ring of a 3-hydroxy-3-phenyl-prop-2-enedithioic acid scaffold (compounds 11a–j) in inhibiting the growth of M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv. Methods (Z)-3-hydroxy-3-(4-R-phenyl)-prop-2-enedithioic acids 11b–j, with R groups including various electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups, were designed by structurally modifying the lead compound 11a. The syntheses of 11a–j involved each one-step procedure starting from the corresponding substituted acetophenone. Compounds 11a–j were tested against M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv to evaluate their bacterial growth inhibitory activities. ADMET profiles were predicted by employing three different methods. In addition, molecular docking studies were carried out, based on the molecular similarities of the synthesized compounds with ethionamide (5), on the active site of the M. tuberculosis H37Rv (3R)-hydroxyacyl-ACP (HadAB) dehydratase heterodimer. Results The antituberculosis activities of compounds 11a–j could be explained in terms of the presence of electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituents on the aromatic ring of the substituted 3-hydroxy-3-phenyl)-prop-2-enedithioic acid core. The activity and selectivity index (SI) value of (Z)-3-hydroxy-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-prop-2-enedithioic acid 11e suggested that this compound could be used for the design of novel antituberculosis agents. Most of the synthesized molecules showed an acceptable ADME profile and a low probability of being toxic. Docking studies of 11d and 11e showed them forming hydrogen bonds with the ACys61 residue of the HadAB enzyme. Conclusion Our results suggested that the antituberculosis compound 11e could be used for the design of novel antituberculosis agents., Graphical Abstract

Consumption of insects as food usually is related to intake of proteins and other nutrients. Insects also can provide components, especially antioxidants, with nutraceutical potential. Development of food products based on insects should consider these properties. Two types of mezcal were supplemented with two insect pests (Tenebrio molitor L. and Schistocerca piceifrons Walker). By using colorimetric assays, contents of phenolic compounds, free radical-scavenging capacity against the radical generated from 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and radicals 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and antioxidant capacity were determined. T. molitor after 30 days of storage, provided 0.995 mg of gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry weight (mg GAE/g DW) in young mezcal, 153.527 mM TE/g DW for scavenging capacity against ABTS using rested mezcal, 20.711 mM TE/g DW for scavenging capacity against DPPH in rested mezcal, and 65.276 mM TE/g DW for antioxidant capacity in young mezcal. S. piceifrons did not contribute as much as T. molitor. This supports use of insects to supplement mezcal and provided evidence of antioxidant potential from insects that remain after storage.

Equine fertilization cannot be performed in the laboratory as equine spermatozoa do not cross the oocyte's zona pellucida in vitro. Hence, a more profound study of equine oviductal fluid (OF) composition at the pre-ovulatory and post-ovulatory stages could help in understanding what components are required to achieve fertilization in horses. Our work aimed to elucidate the proteomic composition of equine OF at both stages. To do this, OF was obtained postmortem from oviducts of slaughtered mares ipsilateral to a pre-ovulatory follicle (n = 4) or a recent ovulation (n = 4); the samples were kept at −80°C until analysis. After protein extraction and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) labeling, the samples were analyzed by nano-liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The analysis of the spectra resulted in the identification of a total of 1,173 proteins present in pre-ovulatory and post-ovulatory samples; among these, 691 were unique for Equus caballus. Proteins from post-ovulatory oviductal fluid were compared with the proteins from pre-ovulatory oviductal fluid and were categorized as upregulated (positive log fold change) or downregulated (negative log fold change). Fifteen proteins were found to be downregulated in the post-ovulatory fluid and 156 were upregulated in the post-ovulatory OF compared to the pre-ovulatory fluid; among the upregulated proteins, 87 were included in the metabolism of proteins pathway. The identified proteins were related to sperm–oviduct interaction, fertilization, and metabolism, among others. Our data reveal consistent differences in the proteome of equine OF prior to and after ovulation, helping to increase our understanding in the factors that promote fertilization and early embryo development in horses.

We describe a new species of Rhinella from montane forests between 1788 and 2305 m a.s.l. in the Departamentos Amazonas and San Martín, Peru. We tentatively assign the new species to the Rhinella festae species Group based on morphological similarities with its other 19 members. It is characterised by large size (maximum SVL 91.6 mm in females), a pointed and protruding snout that is posteroventrally inclined, absence of a visible tympanic annulus and tympanic membrane, long parotoid glands in contact with upper eyelid, presence of a dorsolateral row of enlarged tubercles, outer dorsolateral tarsus surface with a subconical ridge of fused tubercles, and absence of subgular vocal sac and vocal slits in males. One specimen from Departamento Amazonas tested positive for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis.

We acknowledge that a derivation reported in Phys. Rev. Lett. 125, 040601 (2020)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.125.040601 is incorrect as pointed out by Cusumano and Rudnicki. We respond by giving a correct proof of the claim "fluctuations in the free energy operator upper bound the charging power of a quantum battery" that we made in the Letter.

Jaguars, Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758), and pumas, Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) are the largest felids in the neotropics. Both can overlap in niche axes (time, space and prey), and are therefore potentially competing species. Segregation mechanisms presented by a low overlap in one of these axes of niche can facilitate the coexistence. Our aim was to analyze jaguar and puma temporal and spatial overlap for understanding their segregation mechanisms. Between 2015 and 2017, twenty-six camera trap stations were located in five habitat types of El Cielo Biosphere Reserve (ECBR) in northeastern Mexico. Temporal activity was analyzed using circular statistics and time overlap analysis. Spatial overlap was calculated with the Pianka index and a selectivity habitat analysis. Our results showed that jaguars and pumas were nocturnal and that the temporal overlap was high (∆4 = 0.77). We found an intermediate spatial overlap (Pianka index = 0.61). Jaguars were more selective and preferred the deciduous forest. In comparison, pumas preferred oak-pine forest, but also used oak and deciduous forest. Our results indicate that spatial segregation best explains the coexistence of jaguars and pumas in our study area, probably due to both habitat diversity in the reserve and the generalist habits of the puma.

Short-term cold exposure induces the integrated stress response (ISR) and its main effector, the activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Furthermore, induction of ATF4 in BAT in response to mitochondrial stress is required for systemic metabolic adaptations mediated by BATokine secretion. To test the hypothesis that ATF4 in BAT is required for cold-induced thermogenesis and to promote BATokine secretion, we selectively deleted ATF4 in BAT by crossing Atf4 floxed mice with mice harboring the Cre recombinase under the control of the Ucp1 promoter (ATF4 BAT KO). KO mice experienced a significant reduction in core body temperature after 3 days of cold exposure relative to wild type (WT) mice. Impaired thermogenesis correlated with reduced BAT mass, and decreased UCP1 and tyrosine hydroxylase protein levels. In addition, KO mice had impaired cold-induced browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) and reduced expression of fibroblast growth factor 21 (Fgf21) and growth and differentiation factor 15 (Gdf15), BATokines shown to be induced in response to BAT thermogenic activation. Surprisingly, although KO mice had equivalent weight gain and fat mass relative to WT mice after 12 weeks of high-fat feeding, glucose and insulin intolerance were ameliorated, and fasting insulin levels were significantly reduced, indicating increased insulin sensitivity. Improved glucose clearance correlated with increased levels of glucose transporters 1 and 4 (GLUT1 and GLUT4) in BAT, but not in WAT or skeletal muscle. Taken together, our data indicate that Atf4 expression is required for full thermogenic activation of BAT and to regulate FGF21 and GDF15 release as BATokines, likely coordinating BAT thermogenesis with systemic adaptations. Finally, our data suggest that in diet-induced obesity, ATF4 downregulation may increase glucose utilization in BAT, contributing to improved glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Disclosure S. Bjorkman: None. A. A. Marti: None. E. T. Weatherford: None. L. M. García-peña: None. M. J. Potthoff: None. E. D. Abel: Board Member; Self; MyoKardia, Other Relationship; Self; AstraZeneca. R. Pereira: None. Funding National Institutes of Health (R01DK125405)

Transgenic tobacco (N. tabacum cv. Xanthi nc) expressing Capsicum chinense CchGLP gene that encodes an Mn-SOD, constitutively produces hydrogen peroxide that increase endogenous ROS levels. Previous studies using these plants against geminivirus infections as well as drought stress confirmed that CchGLP expression conferred resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. Cadmium (Cd) and Aluminium (Al) contamination in soils are a major ecological concern since they are two of the most widespread toxic elements in terrestrial environments. Trying to explore additional possible tolerance to another stresses in these plants, the aim of this work was to analyse the response to cadmium and aluminium salts during germination and early stages of plantlet development and a differential transcriptome of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression in expressing CchGLP transgenic lines and an azygote non-CchGLP expressing line. Plants were grown in vitro with addition of CdCl2 and AlCl3 at three different concentrations: 100, 300 and 500 μM and 50, 150 and 300 μM, respectively. The results showed higher tolerance to Cd and Al salts evaluated in two CchGLP-expressing transgenic lines L8 and L26 in comparison with the azygous non-CchGLP expressing line L1. Interestingly, L8 under Al stress presented vigorous roots and development of radicular hairs in comparison with azygous control (L1). Differentially expressed miRNAs in the comparison between L8 and L1 were associated with up and down-regulation of target genes related with structural molecule activity and ribosome constituents, as well as down-regulation in proton-transporting V-type ATPase (Vacuolar ATPase or V-ATPase). Moreover, KEGG analysis of the target genes for the differentially expressed miRNAs, led to identification of genes related with metabolic pathways and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. One possible explanation of the tolerance to Cd and Al displayed in the transgenic tobaccos evaluated, might involve the fact that several down-regulated miRNAs, were found associated with target genes expressing V-ATPase. Specifically, miR7904-5p was down regulated and related with the up-regulation of one V-ATPase. The expression levels of these genes was confirmed by qRT-PCR assays, thus suggesting that a cation transport activity driven by the V-ATPases-dependent proton motive force, might significantly contribute as one mechanism for Cd and Al detoxification by vacuolar compartmentation in these transgenic tobacco plants.

Fourteen names of North African taxa belonging to Biscutella ser. Biscutella (= ser. Lyratae Malin.), and described by Candolle, Willdenow and Maire, are typified here as a first step towards a taxonomic revision of that series. Lectotypes are designated from syntypes and original material conserved in the herbaria B and MPU: additionally, two epitypes are also designated. Furthermore, some historical comments are reported to support each type selection.

This paper describes histological findings in the liver of Lutjanus guttatus after an acute mortality event in fish cultivated by river fishermen from Colima, Mexico, who were making their first attempt to cultivate this species. During 187 days, divided into two stages, 20,000 juveniles (6 g) were randomly distributed in three floating cages (125 m3). During the first 110 days (pre-fattening), the fish were fed commercial feed. From days 111 to 180 (fattening), the fish were given a test feed, high in fat (20.4%) and low in protein (30.2%). At the end of the first stage, the fish showed good biometric parameters as well as normal behavior and healthy appearance. During the second stage, starting on day 175, a strange behavior was observed followed by an acute mortality event; this alarmed the group of fishermen, who requested our intervention. In the necropsy and the histopathological analysis, the liver of the fish showed clear evidence of hepatocellular steatosis, possibly as a result of the nutritional stress to which they were subjected during cultivation. The present work can serve as a basis for future research, given the scarce information of this pathology in this fish species.

Background: Escherichia coli is the main bacterium associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs), including cystitis and pyelonephritis. Uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) harbors numerous genes that encode diverse virulence factors contributing to its pathogenicity. The treatment of UTIs has become complicated due to the natural selection of E. coli strains that are multiresistant to several groups of antibiotics regularly used in clinical settings such as hospitals. Genomic reports of the global composition and distribution of the antibiotic resistance and virulence genes of these pathogenic strains are lacking in the Mexican population. Purpose and methods: The aim of this study was to globally characterize the genomes of a group of UPEC strains by massive parallel sequencing to determine the prevalence and distribution of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes associated with different serotypes and phylogenetic groups. Results: The strains exhibited 138-197 virulence genes and 29 antibiotic resistance genes related to antibiotics that are commonly used in clinical practice. Conclusions: These findings are relevant to the definition of new strategies for treating urinary tract infections in public hospitals and private practice. To further define the epidemiological distribution and composition of these virulence and antibiotic resistance genes, larger studies are needed.

Multi-drug resistant cervicovaginal Escherichia coli (CVEC) infections are a serious health problem. The aim of this study is to determine the patterns of virulence genes, antibiotic resistance and O-serogroups of CVEC isolated in Mexico. Two hundred strains of CVEC were isolated from women attending two Clinics at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. E. coli O-serogroups and virulence markers were identified by PCR. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method. Serogroups O25 (50%), O75 (9%) and O15 (7.5%) were the most frequent among the CVEC strains isolated. The frequencies for antibiotic resistance were ampicillin 97%, (n = 194); carbenicillin 93.5%, (n = 187); cefalotin 77%, (n = 154); and nitrofurantoin 71%, (n = 142). The frequency of multiresistant isolates (3–12 drugs) was 197 (98.5%). The most frequent virulence genes found were feoB (91.5%), fimH (89.5%), kpsMT11 (75%), iutA (66%), and iroN (59%). One hundred and four distinct patterns of virulence markers with antibiotic-resistance genes associated with O-serogroups were identified amongst CVEC isolates. In conclusion: most CVEC strains isolated were multiresistant to antibiotics, belonged to three O-serogroups, and possessed a battery of virulence factors. This knowledge may lead to improved guidelines and standards for treating cervicovaginal infections.

The black merino variety is an emerging fine-wool merino breed variety of sheep. Their flocks have been reared in Portugal and Spain under different criteria regarding the selection for scrapie resistance haplotypes. This study was aimed to report for the first time in the black merino the prion protein (PRNP) haplotype frequency distribution using sequencing. A sample of 120 sheep belonging to four flocks was analyzed in this study. Three unselected flocks from Portugal and one selected for ARR/ARR genotypes from Spain. The number of polymorphism sites was extended here from three positions (136, 154 and 171) to five by adding the positions 141 and 143 due to both to show its current intermediate frequency in Portuguese sheep and to study the genetic relationship among haplotypes using networks analysis. In this way susceptibility to classical and atypical scrapie can be elucidated. Eight haplotypes could be reported in the black merino as follows: ALHRR, ALHRQ, ALRRQ, ALHHQ, AFHRQ, ALHRH, VLHRQ and T112ALHRQ but the last was a singleton haplotype. The results showed high genetic differentiation among flocks due to an unbalanced frequency distribution of haplotypes suggesting scarce genetic flow among them in Portugal. After collapse haplotypes to three positions (136, 154 and 171) the black merino from Portugal showed similar haplotype frequencies than in previous study except for the VRQ haplotypes with higher frequency in this study. The finding of AFHRQ was interesting because it was associated to atypical scrapie being the only cases declared in Portugal of this disease. In conclusion, we reported high richness in haplotypes in this sheep, but its distribution critically depends on the studied flock. This genetic richness enables to analyze different scenarios before implemented breeding programmes. In this way the application of a breeding programme to control scrapie appears to be a less challenging task.

The changes associated with condemned lungs in cattle with chronic pleural lesions of the caudal lobes were characterized by histology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Fibroproliferative pleural lesions were microscopically confirmed. Occasionally, the pleural lesions also included adipose, chondroid, and osseous metaplasia that were covered by mesothelial cells, mostly in the absence of inflammation. Other lungs also showed fibrosis in the subpleural interstitium and interlobular septa. In both condemned and noncondemned lungs, immunoreactivity to Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) was normally observed on surface mesothelial cells but not on the submesothelial fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. Conversely, the myofibroblasts beneath the pleura, but not the mesothelial cells, showed immunoreactivity to alpha smooth muscle actin and calponin. However, in the lungs with myofibroblastic foci in the pleura, the proliferated cells maintained WT1 immunoreactivity similar to those of some metaplastic cells. These findings may reflect the plasticity of mesothelial cells in vivo.

Two haemoparasites, Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, cause equine piroplasmosis (EP), one of the most prevalent tick-borne diseases in horses. The main aim of the present study was to develop and evaluate a multinested PCR (mn-PCR) for simultaneous detection of the equine piroplasmids T. equi and B. caballi, by amplification of five genetic markers (18S rRNA, β-tubulin, cytB, EMA-1 and RAP-1). This novel assay detected a high prevalence of equine piroplasmids in 235 horse blood samples collected in Castilla-León and Extremadura, Spain. The overall prevalence of infection with equine piroplasmids by mn-PCR was 72.8% (171/235), with 66.0% (155/235) of the animals positive for T. equi and 29.4% (69/235) positive for B. caballi. The seroprevalence obtained by cELISA for the same set of samples was lower than the infection prevalence recorded by mn-PCR, for either of the two equine piroplasmids (62.6%) as well as for T. equi alone (61.7%) or B. caballi alone (3.8%). There was high agreement among the mn-PCR and cELISA assays for diagnosis of EP caused by T. equi (κ = 0.83) but not for B. caballi (κ = 0.06). A phylogenetic analysis based on the RAP-1 gene of B. caballi showed that the strains from Spain clustered with those from Israel.

Diclofenaco es un fármaco de variado uso por su libre venta en todos los países. Es un derivado de fenil-acético con propiedades analgésicas, antiinflamatorias y antipiréticas, debido a su mecánismo de acción: inhibición de las ciclooxigenasas con mediana selectividad hacia la ciclooxigenasa. Su principal indicación es para dolor de leve a moderado. El tiempo de uso del diclofenaco dependerá de la forma y objetivo de aplicación; los efectos adversos están estrechamente relacionados con el tiempo de uso y la idiosincrasia de cada persona. Algunas de las consecuencias destacables se manifies- tan en el sistema gastrointestinal, hematoló- gico, hepático, cardiaco, renal, sistema nervioso central y piel. El uso prescrito del diclofenaco, es de 3 - 5 días y se relaciona con la inducción de dispepsia, esofagitis, náuseas, vómitos, cefaleas e hipercoagulabilidad, mientras que el uso crónico, alrededor de 90 días, puede inducir el desarrollo de hipertensión arterial, accidente cerebro vascular, infarto agudo al miocardio, hepatitis fulminante, hemorragias gástricas, úlce- ras pépticas, fallo renal agudo, entre otras. El síndrome de Steven-Johnson y la necrólisis epidérmica tóxica, son reacciones de hipersensibilidad relacionados con el tiempo de uso de este fármaco. Entre otros efectos del diclofenaco encontramos el bloqueo de los canales de sodio, calcio y potasio dependientes de voltaje, mecanismo por el cual causa analgesia sin la inhibición de la formación de prostaglandinas. Palabras clave Antiinflamatorios no esteroideos, Diclofenaco, Efectos colaterales y Reacciones Adversas Relacionados con Medicamentos

Thiopurines are classically used in Crohn’s disease (CD). Treatment fails in a proportion of patients either due to adverse events (AE) or lack of efficacy. Increasing use of anti-TNFα biologic drugs may have had impact on thiopurines usage. To evaluate the evolving use of azathioprine (AZA) monotherapy in the era of biologics. The study retrospectively analyzed clinical records of all CD patients who started treatment with AZA monotherapy at our center since 1990. Dates of starting AZA and treatment failure (TF) were collected. We defined AZA TF if it was withdrawn due to lack of efficacy or AE, or biologics were added. A total of 383 patients were included: 46.5% were males and mean age was 31 (range 17–84) years. Median follow-up was 43 (range 0.2–289) months. Overall, 147 patients (38%) experienced TF. Median cumulative survival time of AZA was 126 (95% CI 105–147) months. Proportion of patients with AZA TF increased along time: 7 patients in 1990–1995 (4.7% of all TF); 8 in 1996–2000 (5.4%); 22 in 2001–2005(15%); 41 in 2006–2010 (28%); 69 in 2011–2014 (47%) (p = 0.04). 7%, 21%, 4%, 45%, and 33.3% of patients moved to biologics in each period, respectively (χ2 = 13.07; p

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a plant widely consumed as infusion due to its beneficial health properties that are related to its phytochemical profile, which has been shown to improve with the foliar application of salicylic acid to the plants during their cultivation. However, analysis of transcriptome changes induced by the application of salicylic acid in peppermint, have not been previously reported. In order to identify the genes involved in salicylic acid signaling, the RNA sequencing strategy was employed to evaluate the transcriptional profiles in peppermint. Results showed 178,723,476 high-quality reads, of which, 77.89% corresponded to the salicylic acid elicited peppermint, whereas the remaining 22.11% was from controls plants. We found that foliar treatment with salicylic acid in peppermint plants had an important influence in many relevant biological processes, mainly photosynthesis, light response, transport of protons and phenylpropanoid pathway. Therefore, these results might explain the improvement of the bioactive metabolites concentration and nutraceutical properties induced by salicylic acid in peppermint observed in previous studies.

Adrenergic stimulation of brown adipocytes alters mitochondrial dynamics, including the mitochondrial fusion protein optic atrophy 1 (OPA1). However, direct mechanisms linking OPA1 to brown adipose tissue (BAT) physiology are incompletely understood. We utilized a mouse model of selective OPA1 deletion in BAT (OPA1 BAT KO) to investigate the role of OPA1 in thermogenesis. OPA1 is required for cold-induced activation of thermogenic genes in BAT. Unexpectedly, OPA1 deficiency induced fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) as a BATokine in an activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-dependent manner. BAT-derived FGF21 mediates an adaptive response by inducing browning of white adipose tissue, increasing resting metabolic rates, and improving thermoregulation. However, mechanisms independent of FGF21, but dependent on ATF4 induction, promote resistance to diet-induced obesity in OPA1 BAT KO mice. These findings uncover a homeostatic mechanism of BAT-mediated metabolic protection governed in part by an ATF4-FGF21 axis, which is activated independently of BAT thermogenic function.

Correct management of the feeding regime in shrimp aquaculture has been beneficial. Still, when looking for improvement in shrimp performance, the results have been contradictory, and the limits between better growth and independent growth as a function of the feeding regime are not clear. In this study, trypsin and α-amylase activity, as well as an interpretation of the energy utilized for enzyme production, were evaluated in shrimp weighing 1 g. Four feeding groups were set to feed one, two, four, or eight times per day over a month, after which trypsin and α-amylase activities were evaluated during 29 h. Results indicated that the group fed once per day ingested 90% of the feed, whereas the other groups ingested 100%. The α-amylase was not consumed during the daytime in all groups, unlike trypsin. Total trypsin activity was not significantly different between feeding groups, but α-amylase was significantly different. Shrimp fed eight times had an elevated α-amylase activity level that was 2.6 times greater than those fed only once, and 0.8 and 0.5 times greater than those fed four and twice per day, respectively. Feeding more frequently generates a higher use of energy that may or may not be reflected in growth but could be essential for all the energy-dependent metabolic processes required by shrimp.