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This article examines digital communication in the workplace and its association with wellbeing at work. The analysis is based mainly on workshop discussions and is complemented with log data (N = 36). Content analysis was applied to the workshop discussions, while the log data were analyzed by quantifying frequencies. Six themes were found to affect wellbeing at work: the volume of digital communication, expectations of constant connectivity, the quality of the messages, adaptation of new tools, technical problems, and flexibility in communication. In relation to wellbeing at work, digital communication was mostly perceived as demanding. However, some of the factors perceived as demanding could also provide flexibility, which was seen as enhancing wellbeing by increasing autonomy and control. Social factors, such as work habits, practices, and conventions in the workplace, seem to play an important role in the manifestation and management of the digital communication-induced load at work.

The recent epidemic in the Americas caused by Zika virus (ZIKV), Asian lineage, spurred the research towards a better understanding of how ZIKV infection affects the host immune response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Asian and East African ZIKV strain infection on the induction of IFN and proinflammatory and Th2 cytokines in human PBMC. We reported a slight modulation of type II IFN in PBMC exposed to Asian strain, but not to African strain, and a complete lack of type I and III IFN induction by both strains, suggesting the ability of ZIKV to evade the IFN system not only inhibiting the antiviral IFN response but also IFN production. Moreover, we highlighted a polyfunctional immune activation only in PBMC exposed to Asian strain, due to the induction of an inflammatory profile (IL-6, IL-8) and of a Th9 (IL-9) response. Overall, our data show a different ability of the ZIKV Asian strain, with respect to the African strain, to activate host immune response that may have pathogenetic implications for virus spread in vivo, including mother-to-child transmission and induction of severe fetal complications, as birth defects and neurological disorders.

In many animals, the germ plasm segregates germline from soma during early development. Oskar protein is known for its ability to induce germ plasm formation and germ cells in Drosophila. However, the molecular basis of germ plasm formation remains unclear. Here, we show that Oskar is an RNA-binding protein in vivo, crosslinking to nanos, polar granule component, and germ cell-less mRNAs, each of which has a role in germline formation. Furthermore, we present high-resolution crystal structures of the two Oskar domains. RNA-binding maps in vitro to the C-terminal domain, which shows structural similarity to SGNH hydrolases. The highly conserved N-terminal LOTUS domain forms dimers and mediates Oskar interaction with the germline-specific RNA helicase Vasa in vitro. Our findings suggest a dual function of Oskar in RNA and Vasa binding, providing molecular clues to its germ plasm function.

The long-term variability in stratospheric ozone mass mixing ratio (O3) and temperature (T) from 1979 to 2013 is investigated using the latest reanalysis product delivered by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), i.e., ERA-Interim. Moreover, using the Mg II index time series for the same time period, the response of the stratosphere to the 11-year Schwabe solar cycle is investigated. Results reveal the following features: (i) upward (downward) trends characterize zonally averaged O3 anomalies in the upper (middle to lower stratosphere) stratosphere, while prevailing downward trends affect the T field. Mg II index data exhibit a weaker 24th solar cycle (though not complete) when compared with the previous two; (ii) correlations between O3 and Mg II, T and Mg II, and O3 and T are consistent with photochemical reactions occurring in the stratosphere and large-scale transport; and (iii) wavelet cross-spectra between O3 and Mg II index show common power for the 11-year period, particularly in tropical regions around 30–50 hPa, and different relative phase in the upper and lower stratosphere. A comprehensive insight into the actual processes accounting for the observed correlation between ozone and solar UV variability would be gained from an improved bias correction of ozone measurements provided by different satellite instruments, and from the observations of the time behavior of the solar spectral irradiance.

En México el maíz es un recurso de profunda importancia social, cultural y alimentaria, cuya producción rige la vida familiar y comunitaria de campesinos tradicionales en crisis, incrementada por los cambio de clima. Este trabajo muestra cómo los campesinos de Ahuihuiyuco, comunidad rural en la Región Centro del estado de Guerrero en México, enfrentan los cambios de clima y la incertidumbre que afecta el cultivo de maíz. La metodología aplicada es de tipo mixto, las herramientas cualitativas fueron observación participante, recorridos en parcelas, 17 entrevistas en profundidad y tres sesiones grupales, además, una encuesta socioeconómica de relevancia cuantitativa aplicada por técnica barrido a 212 familias. Los resultados evidencian la centralidad del maíz para estas familias con pequeñas parcelas en laderas, que usan semillas nativas, técnicas tradicionales y modernas para enfrentar incrementos de temperatura, cambios en el temporal, sequía, vientos o inundaciones, cuyas explicaciones varían según género y escolaridad. Se concluye que estas familias afrontan las eventualidades con estrategias adaptativas y prácticas acompañadas de pequeñas modificaciones en cada ciclo agrícola, tales como: cambiar fecha de siembra, acriollar, estercolar, usar semillas de ciclo corto y rituales de petición y agradecimiento de lluvia y buenas cosechas, sostenidas en la experiencia y conocimiento campesino.

To investigate the postoperative morbidity of laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) for endometriosis/adenomyosis in terms of operative outcomes and complications. Retrospective multicentric cohort study. Eight European minimally invasive referral centers. Data from 995 patients with pathologically confirmed endometriosis and/or adenomyosis who underwent LH without concomitant urological and/or gastroenterological procedures from January 2010 to December 2020. Total LH. Demographic patients' characteristics, surgical outcomes, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were evaluated. We considered major postoperative surgical-related complications, any grade 2 or more events (Clavien-Dindo score) that occurred within 30 days from surgery. Univariate analysis and multivariable models fit with logistic regression were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) for major complications. Median age at surgery was 44 years (28–54), and about half of them (505, 50.7%) were on medical treatment (estro-progestins, progestin, or Gonadotropin hormone-releasing hormone-analogues) at the time of surgery. In association with LH, posterior adhesiolysis was performed in 387 (38.9%) cases and deep nodule resection in 302 (30.0%). Intraoperative complications occurred in 3% of the patients, and major postoperative complications were registered in 93 (9.3%). The multivariable analysis showed an inverse correlation between the occurrence of Clavien-Dindo >2 complications and age (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.90–0.99), while previous surgery for endometriosis (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.01–2.60) and intraoperative complications (OR 6.49, 95% CI 2.65–16.87) were found as predictors of major events. Medical treatment at the time of surgery has emerged as a protective factor (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.31–0.81). LH for endometriosis/adenomyosis is associated with non-negligible morbidity. Knowing the factors associated with higher risks of complications might be used for risk stratification and could help clinicians during preoperative counseling. The administration of estro-progestin or progesterone preoperatively might reduce the risks of postoperative complications following surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Este estudio visibiliza la participación femenina en las estructuras de los Comités Comunitarios de Agua Potable de Toluca (CCAPT), mediante la perspectiva de género. A partir de trabajo de campo etnográfico, aplicación de entrevistas a profundidad e historias de vida de 26 mujeres de 15 CCAPT, se identificó que el mayor empoderamiento femenino se da en las mujeres que ocupan el cargo de tesoreras. Esto se explica por el cuidado de las finanzas en el hogar, tarea asignada tradicionalmente a ellas y extendida a los ámbitos públicos que procuran el bien común. Ello ha revalorizado el cargo de tesorera, de tal forma que éstas juegan un papel estratégico para favorecer una convivencia pacífica en la comunidad. Generalmente, las mujeres que han desempeñado este cargo, lo hacen poniendo en el centro el aspecto ético, la transparencia y la rendición de cuentas, lo que mejora la gobernanza de los CCAPT.

El objetivo de este texto consiste en reflexionar sobre los aportes feministas teóricos y empíricos que permitieron posicionamientos de rupturas epistémicas para revelar otras perspectivas de las realidades sociales y humanas. Se consideraron cinco rupturas epistémicas que desconstruyen una realidad unidimensional y racional, para dar cabida a otra compleja, que alcanzaría al espacio político de la educación transversalizada de género: biologicista, tecnocientífica, binarista, heterosexual y la separación objeto-sujeto. Se concluyó que los estudios de género pueden promover una educación des-universalizada, para dar lugar al pensamiento complejo que transciende las disciplinas y la misma conciencia humana.

El propósito de este trabajo es conocer las actitudes, valores sociales y tácticas actuales que mujeres y hombres matlatzincas recrean en su vida cotidiana frente al dilema de seguir produciendo maíz nativo como parte de su seguridad alimentaria, al transitar hacia modos de vida urbanos, o bien una combinación de ambos. Es un estudio cualitativo basado en la etnografía feminista que busca la comprensión de la interseccionalidad género-etnia en la producción de maíz nativo. Como técnica de investigación se realizaron veintidós entrevistas semiestructuradas, aplicadas a siete hombres y quince mujeres, miembros de la comunidad de San Francisco Oxtotilpan, Estado de México, que participan en actividades agrícolas relacionadas con los maíces nativos. Los resultados agrupan tres preocupaciones: variabilidad climática, perspectivas de mejora de la situación socioeconómica y arribo de nuevos paquetes biotecnológicos. Asimismo, se discuten las perspectivas sobre el futuro del maíz nativo. Se concluye que para el pueblo matlatzinca el maíz nativo es eje de identidad, y a la vez un recurso de control económico y social, que para ser preservado requiere que los principios de igualdad de género y etnia permanezcan.

Recent decades have revealed the shape changes of mitochondria and their regulators to be main players in a plethora of physiological cell processes. Mitochondria are extremely dynamic organelles whose highly controlled morphological changes respond to specific and diverse pathophysiological needs. Thus, their qualitative control is crucial for the determination of cell function and fate. Moreover, ever-new metabolic changes, mainly attributable to mitochondrial (dys)functions, are strongly connected to cancer and its microenvironment. For this reason, the aspects controlling mitochondria activity and status are in the oncological spotlight. In this review, we elucidate the most intriguing discoveries related to two apparently independent but strictly interconnected processes crucial for the organelle functionality and fate, mitochondrial dynamics, and mitophagy. We will mostly focus on their metabolic interconnections and regulations that can causally foster a tumoral context.

An unprecedented Ebola virus (EBOV) epidemic occurred in 2013-2016 in West Africa. Over this time the epidemic exponentially grew and moved to Europe and North America, with several imported cases and many Health Care Workers (HCW) infected. Better understanding of EBOV infection patterns in different body compartments is mandatory to develop new countermeasures, as well as to fully comprehend the pathways of human-to-human transmission. We have longitudinally explored the persistence of EBOV-specific negative sense genomic RNA (neg-RNA) and the presence of positive sense RNA (pos-RNA), including both replication intermediate (antigenomic-RNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, in the upper and lower respiratory tract, as compared to plasma, in a HCW infected with EBOV in Sierra Leone, who was hospitalized in the high isolation facility of the National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani" (INMI), Rome, Italy. We observed persistence of pos-RNA and neg-RNAs in longitudinally collected specimens of the lower respiratory tract, even after viral clearance from plasma, suggesting possible local replication. The purpose of the present study is to enhance the knowledge on the biological features of EBOV that can contribute to the human-to-human transmissibility and to develop effective intervention strategies. However, further investigation is needed in order to better understand the clinical meaning of viral replication and shedding in the respiratory tract.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative environmental species and an opportunistic microorganism, establishing itself in vulnerable patients, such as those with cystic fibrosis (CF) or those hospitalized in intensive care units (ICU). It has become a major cause of nosocomial infections worldwide and a serious threat to Public Health because of overuse and misuse of antibiotics that have selected highly resistant strains against which very few therapeutic options exist. Herein is illustrated the intraclonal evolution of the genome of sequential isolates collected in a single CF patient from the early phase of pulmonary colonization to the fatal outcome. We also examined at the whole genome scale a pair of genotypically-related strains made of a drug susceptible, environmental isolate recovered from an ICU sink and of its multidrug resistant counterpart found to infect an ICU patient. Multiple genetic changes accumulated in the CF isolates over the disease time course including SNPs, deletion events and reduction of whole genome size. The strain isolated from the ICU patient displayed an increase in the genome size of 4.8% with major genetic rearrangements as compared to the initial environmental strain. The annotated genomes are given in free access in an interactive web application WallGene designed to facilitate large-scale comparative analysis and thus allowing investigators to explore homologies and syntenies between P. aeruginosa strains, here PAO1 and the five clinical strains described.

Imported lumber of Norway spruce called European spruce (Picea abies L.) from Russia have a variety of applications. However, the presence of fungal agents in this wood, their application is limited. In addition, some the fungi associated with these woods are able to cause disease in human. In order to identify the presence of such fungi in the imported woods from Russia, samples were collected from Asalem region. Isolation and preparation of pure colonies of fungi grown on woods was done using ascosporic or conidial mass suspensions and single spore method. The morphological characteristics of fungi grown on wood pieces and on culture media were studied using light microscope. The results showed that Ophiostoma piceae in sexual phase and Sporothrix sp. and Graphium spp. in asexual phase are present in these woods. In the culture, Ophiostoma sp. with asexual stage of Sporothrix sp. and Ceratocystis sp. with asexual stage of Chalara spp. was identified. The results of microscopic examination of woods in cross and radial sections showed that fungal hypha penetrated the resin canals, the ray parenchyma, tracheids, and cross-field areas

La diabetes mellitus es un problema epidemiológico nacional poco tratado en los estudios de género. La obesidad, la inadecuada alimentación y el sedentarismo son factores de riesgo de esta patología que se diagnostica con mayor frecuencia a edades más tempranas, impactando en el equilibrio de las familias. Aunque esta enfermedad se presenta en ambos géneros, la prevalencia es más elevada en mujeres. Se realizó un estudio de diseño transversal con una muestra no probabilística de 239 personas de dos comunidades del Estado de México, a quienes previo consentimiento informado se aplicó un cuestionario para analizar el género como factor de riesgo para el autocuidado en diabetes mellitus tipo 2. El estudio da a conocer los factores no clínicos que pueden considerarse como diferenciales de género. La prevención considera aspectos educativos de autocuidado con un abordaje transdisciplinario e incorporando a la familia para el cuidado de la salud, por sus creencias, saberes y prácticas.

Celluzzi A, Paolini A, D’Oria V, et al. Int J Nanomedicine. 2017;13:1–18.On page 13, an Acknowledgment section was missing. This should have read as:AcknowledgmentThis work received funding from the Italian Ministry of Health (Progetto Ricerca Finalizzata PE-2011–02347026).Read the original article.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a re-emerging mosquito-borne virus that displays a large cell and organ tropism, and causes a broad range of clinical symptoms in humans. It is maintained in nature through both urban and sylvatic cycles, involving mosquito vectors and human or vertebrate animal hosts. Although CHIKV was first isolated in 1953, its pathogenesis was only more extensively studied after its re-emergence in 2004. The unexpected spread of CHIKV to novel tropical and non-tropical areas, in some instances driven by newly competent vectors, evidenced the vulnerability of new territories to this infectious agent and its associated diseases. The comprehension of the exact CHIKV target cells and organs, mechanisms of pathogenesis, and spectrum of both competitive vectors and animal hosts is pivotal for the design of effective therapeutic strategies, vector control measures, and eradication actions.

En México, la obesidad infantil es un grave problema de salud pública relacionado con las consecuencias de la globalización y de los mercados agroalimentarios. Esta situación ha alcanzado a los infantes indígenas otomíes y mazahuas, quienes viven una constante reformulación de sus contextos étnicos, locales y familiares intrínsecamente interconectados con los procesos de globalización y que traen como consecuencia desigualdades sociales. Para saber cómo las identidades indígenas de los infantes con edad escolar se han reformulado, este artículo presenta un estudio sobre los contextos en los que los infantes viven su cotidianeidad junto con las variables de género, etnia, pobreza y cuerpo. Se empleó una metodología cualitativa junto con datos estadístico-descriptivos obtenidos de dos comunidades indígenas: Mazahua y Otomí. Se concluye que tanto el género como la pertenencia a una etnia y la situación de pobreza hacen que se discrimine a esta población infantil, y que se le estigmatice. Así, resulta incorrecto responsabilizar sólo a las madres o a los infantes mismos por las condiciones nutricionales en que viven, ya que sus decisiones alimentarias están determinadas por instituciones gubernamentales y no gubernamentales, así como nacionales e internacionales y de empresas de alimentos nacionales y globales.

En este estudio presentamos los resultados de una investigación sobre el trabajo doméstico o reproductivo y las relaciones de género en la región indígena mazahua del Estado de México, en el contexto de migración nacional e internacional. En los tres poblados estudiados, encontramos un proceso de refuncionalización de la dominación androcéntrica tradicional: las madres de familia tienen más responsabilidades en ausencia de sus cónyuges, pero no siempre más autonomía. La experiencia migratoria de jóvenes mujeres ha traído pocos cambios significativos cuando ellas se reincorporan a las comunidades. En suma, las actividades cotidianas tanto de las mujeres que emigran y se reintegran como las que se quedan rebasan con creces las fronteras del trabajo reproductivo tradicionalmente definido. Muchas de estas actividades son consideradas para la producción social, pero al pasar al dominio femenino, pierden su valor y se asumen como nuevas tareas reproductivas.

El objetivo de la investigación fue conocer la contribución de los pozos tradicionales en el suministro de agua a la población rural vis a vis las redes de agua potable en cinco comunidades rurales de bajos ingresos en el poniente del Estado de México. La información se obtuvo mediante trabajo de campo, entrevistas a informantes clave y usuarios. Se encontró que, en la mayoría de las localidades, los pozos tradicionales se han convertido en la principal fuente de abastecimiento para uso doméstico y que ayudan a resolver la grave crisis del agua. Si bien los pozos son un patrimonio familiar, cumplen una función social más ya que por lo regular son compartidos de manera gratuita con vecinos. La tecnología y el costo en de construcción y operación están al alcance de las familias rurales. Los pozos contribuyen a brindar seguridad en el suministro de agua durante el año.

In response to environmental changes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is able to switch from a planktonic (free swimming) to a sessile (biofilm) lifestyle. The two-component system (TCS) GacS/GacA activates the production of two small non-coding RNAs, RsmY and RsmZ, but four histidine kinases (HKs), RetS, GacS, LadS and PA1611, are instrumental in this process. RetS hybrid HK blocks GacS unorthodox HK autophosphorylation through the formation of a heterodimer. PA1611 hybrid HK, which is structurally related to GacS, interacts with RetS in P. aeruginosa in a very similar manner to GacS. LadS hybrid HK phenotypically antagonizes the function of RetS by a mechanism that has never been investigated. The four sensors are found in most Pseudomonas species but their characteristics and mode of signaling may differ from one species to another. Here, we demonstrated in P. aeruginosa that LadS controls both rsmY and rsmZ gene expression and that this regulation occurs through the GacS/GacA TCS. We additionally evidenced that in contrast to RetS, LadS signals through GacS/GacA without forming heterodimers, either with GacS or with RetS. Instead, we demonstrated that LadS is involved in a genuine phosphorelay, which requires both transmitter and receiver LadS domains. LadS signaling ultimately requires the alternative histidine-phosphotransfer domain of GacS, which is here used as an Hpt relay by the hybrid kinase. LadS HK thus forms, with the GacS/GacA TCS, a multicomponent signal transduction system with an original phosphorelay cascade, i.e. H1LadS→D1LadS→H2GacS→D2GacA. This highlights an original strategy in which a unique output, i.e. the modulation of sRNA levels, is controlled by a complex multi-sensing network to fine-tune an adapted biofilm and virulence response.

El objetivo del artículo es identificar y explicar el conflicto surgido en el Sistema de Riego Tepetitlán, Estado de México, a partir de la trasferencia de los distritos de riego a los usuarios, en 1993, consistente en la entrega de obras de infraestructura. El Sistema de Riego Tepetitlán fue trasferido según la modalidad de unidad de riego, poco conocida en los estudios en México. Aquí se analiza este sistema bajo la lente del conflicto; se identifica y examina los momentos coyunturales que lo propician en las organizaciones de regantes, y se explica la situación actual de administración, operación y manejo del regadío.

Este artículo parte de un objetivo que consistió en diagnosticar el estado nutricional y detectar la incidencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en preescolares y escolares de 4 a 16 años de edad de una comunidad periurbana de origen otomí del municipio de Toluca, Estado de México. Para determinar la prevalencia, se obtuvo el Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC) de 2208 preescolares y escolares de tres escuelas de diferentes niveles académicos, primaria y secundaria. En los tres niveles se analizaron las variables de sexo/género y edad, y solo en el nivel de secundaria se introdujo la variable étnica. Los resultados muestran que existen grados escolares de alerta (final de cada nivel escolar), donde la prevalencia de sobre peso aumenta, significativamente, para hombres escolares hasta la edad de 12 años. A nivel de secundaria, las mujeres son las que presentan mayor incidencia de sobrepeso y obesidad, pero el riesgo es mayor cuando no se tienen orígenes otomíes. Se concluye que el IMC puede ser un indicador útil para establecer medidas de prevención antes de los 16 años de edad, pero no suficiente. Es necesario incluir la circunferencia de cintura en la vigilancia nutricional desde la edad preescolar para tamizar a aquellos individuos con obesidad central como marcador de riesgo de enfermedad cardiovascular.

To determine the lineage of West Nile virus that caused outbreaks in Italy in 2008 and 2009, several West Nile virus strains were isolated from human specimens and sequenced. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses, the strains isolated constitute a distinct group within the western Mediterranean cluster.