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Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). To precisely define the inflammatory mediators, we examined the transcriptomic profile of human retinal endothelial cells exposed to advanced glycation end products, which revealed the neutrophil chemoattractant chemokine CXCL1 as one of the top genes upregulated. The effect of neutrophils in the alteration of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) was further assessed in wild-type C57BL/6J mice intravitreally injected with recombinant CXCL1 as well as in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Both intravitreally CXCL1-injected and diabetic animals showed significantly increased retinal vascular permeability, with significant increase in infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes in retinas and increased expression of chemokines and their receptors, proteases, and adhesion molecules. Treatment with Ly6G antibody for neutrophil depletion in both diabetic mice as well as CXCL1-injected animals showed significantly decreased retinal vascular permeability accompanied by decreased infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes and decreased expression of cytokines and proteases. CXCL1 level was significantly increased in the serum samples of patients with DR compared with samples of those without diabetes. These data reveal a novel mechanism by which the chemokine CXCL1, through neutrophil recruitment, alters the BRB in DR and, thus, serves as a potential novel therapeutic target. Article Highlights Intravitreal CXCL1 injection and diabetes result in increased retinal vascular permeability with neutrophil and monocyte recruitment. Ly6G antibody treatment for neutrophil depletion in both animal models showed decreased retinal permeability and decreased cytokine expression. CXCL1 is produced by retinal endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes. CXCL1 level is significantly increased in serum samples of patients with diabetic retinopathy. CXCL1, through neutrophil recruitment, alters the blood-retinal barrier in diabetic retinopathy and, thus, may be used as a therapeutic target.

Introducción: la fuerza muscular puede disminuir en los pacientes con insuficiencia renal crónica por diversas causas. Objetivos: determinar las variables antropométricas, clínicas y la fuerza muscular en pacientes adultos con insuficiencia renal crónica. Metodología: se aplicó un diseño observacional, descriptivo, transversal. Se incluyeron varones y mujeres, mayores de 17 años, portadores de insuficiencia renal crónica que asistían al Hospital Nacional (Itauguá) y Hospital Militar (Asunción), Paraguay, entre abril y noviembre 2021. Se determinaron variables antropométricas, clínicas y laboratoriales. La fuerza muscular se midió con un dinamómetro de mano. Se utilizó un grupo de sujetos jóvenes sanos como grupo control para la comparación de la fuerza muscular. Se aplicó estadística descriptiva con el programa estadístico Epi Info 7™. La investigación fue aprobada por el Comité de Ética de la Universidad Privada del Este, Paraguay. Resultados: ingresaron al estudio 119 sujetos, siendo 62 (52%) del sexo masculino con edad media 56±15 años y 57 (48%) del sexo femenino, con edad media 51±16 años. La media de la depuración de creatinina fue 16,4±17,9 mL/min. La etiología más común fue la asociación de hipertensión arterial y diabetes mellitus (45%). Actuaron de grupo control 99 mujeres con edad media 25±5 años y 51 varones con edad media 26±5 años. Al comparar la fuerza entre los pacientes y los sujetos sanos se halló 66,4% de fuerza muscular disminuida entre los portadores de insuficiencia renal crónica. Conclusión: la fuerza muscular se halla disminuida en 66,4% de los pacientes insuficiencia renal crónica. Se recomienda la detección oportuna y el tratamiento precoz del déficit de la fuerza muscular en este grupo de pacientes.

Studies of cetacean evolution using genetics and other biomolecules have come a long way—from the use of allozymes and short sequences of mitochondrial or nuclear DNA to the assembly of full nuclear genomes and characterization of proteins and lipids. Cetacean research has also advanced from using only contemporary samples to analyzing samples dating back thousands of years, and to retrieving data from indirect environmental sources, including water or sediments. Combined, these studies have profoundly deepened our understanding of the origin of cetaceans; their adaptation and speciation processes; and of the past population change, migration, and admixture events that gave rise to the diversity of cetaceans found today.

The World Health Organization reported that tuberculosis remains on the list of the top ten threats to public health worldwide. Among the main causes is the limited effectiveness of treatments due to the emergence of resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. One of the main drug targets studied to combat M. tuberculosis is DNA gyrase, the only enzyme responsible for regulating DNA topology in this specie and considered essential in all bacteria. In this context, the present work tested the ability of 2824 anthraquinones retrieved from the PubChem database to act as competitive inhibitors through interaction with the ATP-binding pocket of DNA gyrase B of M. tuberculosis. Virtual screening results based on molecular docking identified 7122772 (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-9,10-dioxoanthracene-2-sulfonamide) as the best-scored ligand. From this anthraquinone, a new derivative was designed harbouring an aminotriazole moiety, which exhibited higher binding energy calculated by molecular docking scoring and free energy calculation from molecular dynamics simulations. In addition, in these last analyses, this ligand showed to be stable in complex with the enzyme and further predictions indicated a low probability of cytotoxic and off-target effects, as well as an acceptable pharmacokinetic profile. Taken together, the presented results show a new synthetically accessible anthraquinone with promising potential to inhibit the GyrB of M. tuberculosis.

The Arctic is among the most climatically sensitive environments on Earth, and the disappearance of multiyear sea-ice in the Arctic Ocean is predicted within decades. As apex predators, polar bears are sentinel species for addressing the impact of environmental variability on Arctic marine ecosystems. By integrating genomics, isotopic analysis, morphometrics, and ecological modelling, we investigate how Holocene environmental changes affected the evolutionary ecology of polar bears around Greenland. We show that throughout the last ∼11,000 years, Greenlandic polar bears have been heavily influenced by changes in sea-surface temperature (SST) and sea-ice cover. Most notable are major reductions in effective population size at the beginning of the Holocene and during the Holocene Thermal Maximum ∼6 kya, which coincide with increases in annual mean SST, reduction in sea-ice covers, declines in suitable habitat, and shifts in suitable habitat northwards. Furthermore, we show how individuals sampled from west and east Greenland are genetically, morphologically, and ecologically distinct. We find bears sampled in west Greenland to be larger, more genetically diverse and have diets dominated by ringed seals, whereas bears from east Greenland are smaller and less diverse with more varied diets, putatively driven by regional biotic differences. Taken together, we provide novel insights into the vulnerability of polar bears to environmental change, and how the Arctic marine ecosystem plays a vital role in shaping the evolutionary and ecological trajectories of its inhabitants.TeaserMultivariate investigations of the environment’s role in the evolutionary ecology of Greenlandic polar bears.

The World Health Organization reported that tuberculosis remains on the list of the top ten threats to public health worldwide. Among the main causes is the limited effectiveness of treatments due to the emergence of a diverse spectrum of resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of the disease. One of the main drug targets studied to combat M. tuberculosis is DNA gyrase, the only enzyme responsible for regulating DNA topology in this specie and considered essential in all bacteria. In this context, the present work tested the ability of 2,824 anthraquinones retrieved from the PubChem database to act as competitive inhibitors through interaction with ATP-binding pocket of DNA gyrase B of M. tuberculosis. Virtual screening results based on molecular docking identified 7122772 (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-9,10-dioxoanthracene-2-sulfonamide) as the best-scored ligand. From this anthraquinone, a new derivative was designed harbouring an aminotriazole moiety, which exhibited higher binding energy calculated by molecular docking scoring and free energy calculation from molecular dynamics simulations. In addition, in these last analyses, this ligand showed to be stable in complex with the enzyme and further predictions indicated an acceptable pharmacokinetic profile. Taken together, the presented results show a new anthraquinone synthetically accessible and with promising potential to inhibit the GyrB of M. tuberculosis.

Una de las herramientas de comunicación más utilizada es WhatsApp, la cual incrementó su uso a causa de la covid-19, junto a otras redes sociales. En el ámbito educativo, los estudiantes adoptan mayormente esta aplicación desde sus computadoras, denominada WhatsApp Web, con fines académicos; sin embargo, se necesita un conocimiento más amplio sobre los factores que influyen en la aceptación y el uso de esta red social. El propósito de este estudio es comprender, desde la perspectiva de los estudiantes, los factores de aceptación y uso de WhatsApp Web con fines académicos durante la pandemia de la covid-19. Se empleó una metodología cualitativa para alcanzar este objetivo, por medio de catorce entrevistas semiestructuradas con estudiantes de diversas disciplinas y universidades. Los hallazgos de este estudio se analizaron con la teoría unificada de aceptación y uso de tecnología (UTAUT), en la cual se incorporó un quinto factor: el trabajo en equipo, adicional a los factores existentes en la teoría (la expectativa de desempeño, la expectativa de esfuerzo, la influencia social y las condiciones facilitadoras). Este estudio aporta nuevos conocimientos al ser una investigación pionera que emplea la UTAUT para interpretar la aceptación y el uso de WhatsApp Web con fines académicos.

Full mitochondrial genomes were assembled for 12 recently sampled animals from the Svalbard bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) stock via high-throughput sequencing data, facilitating analysis of the demographic history of the population for the first time. The Svalbard population has retained noticeable amounts of mitochondrial genome diversity despite extreme historical harvest levels. Haplotype and nucleotide diversities were similar to those estimated earlier for other bowhead whale populations. The reconstructed demographic history was in accordance with a boom–bust scenario, combining a slight Pleistocene population growth 25 000–35 000 years ago and a Holocene decline. Employing a mutation rate of 3.418 × 10–8 substitutions per site per year, the time to the most recent common ancestor for the mitochondrial genomes of the contemporary Svalbard bowhead whales was estimated to be 68 782 (54 353–83 216) years before the present. Based on 370 bp fragments of the D-loop region, significant genetic differentiation was detected between all extant bowhead whale populations across the circumpolar Arctic. Thus, the Svalbard bowhead whales can be regarded as a population with its own genetic legacy.

The endangered giant root-rat (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus, also known as giant mole rat) is a fossorial rodent endemic to the afro-alpine grasslands of the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia. The species is an important ecosystem engineer with the majority of the global population found within 1000 km(2). Here, we present the first complete mitochondrial genome of the giant root-rat and the genus Tachyoryctes, recovered using shotgun sequencing and iterative mapping. A phylogenetic analysis including 15 other representatives of the family Spalacidae placed Tachyoryctes as sister genus to Rhizomys with high support. This position is in accordance with a recent study revealing the topology of the Spalacidae family. The full mitochondrial genome of the giant root-rat presents an important resource for further population genetic studies.

Nitrogen (N) is a central mineral nutrient essential for plant development and growth. It is usually scarcely found in soils, so the knowledge of the overall plant N metabolism deserves substantial attention. Polyamines (PAs) are N-containing low-molecular-weight compounds of polycationic nature involved in essential processes all throughout the life of plants whereas nitric oxide (NO) is a gaseous free radical involved in signalling cascades related to many physiological events. PAs and NO share signalling functions and interact with each other in several biological functions, mainly in stress responses. Biosynthesis pathways of PAs and NO are overlapped; PAs induce NO formation, but it is still not completely defined whether PAs act as substrates, cofactors, or signals for promoting NO synthesis and also, which are the mechanisms involved in NO regulation of PAs metabolism. Polyamine levels are of vital importance in the regulation of the network of N-metabolising pathways in plants, as they are components of the core of the overall N metabolism. In light of the importance of improving the efficiency of N uptake and distribution, it is time to elucidate the intricate relationship among N as a nutrient with PAs and NO as emerging signalling molecules. The close cooperation among these players in the whole N metabolism is an interesting target for the development of biotechnological tools for sustainable agriculture. Fil: Recalde, Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Gómez Mansur, Nabila María. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Cabrera, Andrea Veronica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Matayoshi, Carolina Lucila. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Gallego, Susana Mabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Groppa, María Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Benavides, Maria Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentina

The research aimed to recognize the effects of strengthening self-regulated learning in argumentation. The methodology was qualitative and used the parameters of action research. The work unit was made up of twenty-seven Law students at the University of Atacama–Chile. The results show that significant progress was made regarding the creation of arguments and thephases of self-regulated learning. It is concluded that self-regulated learning contributes to the improvement of argumentation, so it is necessary to continue building and applying strategies for its strengthening.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the aging population. Yet no therapies exist for ~85% of all AMD patients who have the dry form that is marked by degeneration of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) and underlying choroidal vasculature. As the choroidal vessels are crucial for RPE development and maintenance, understanding how they degenerate may lead to effective therapies for dry AMD. One likely causative factor for choroidal vascular loss is the cytolytic membrane attack complex (MAC) of the complement pathway that is abundant on choroidal vessels of humans with early dry AMD. To examine this possibility, we studied the effect of complement activation on choroidal endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from a rhesus monkey model of early AMD that, we report, exhibits MAC deposition and choriocapillaris endothelial loss similar to that seen in human early AMD. Treatment of choroidal ECs from AMD eyes with complement-competent normal human serum caused extensive actin cytoskeletal injury that was significantly less pronounced in choroidal ECs from young normal monkey eyes. We further show that ECs from AMD eyes are significantly stiffer than their younger counterparts and exhibit peripheral actin organization that is distinct from the longitudinal stress fibers in young ECs. Finally, these differences in complement susceptibility and mechanostructural properties were found to be regulated by the differential activity of the small GTPases Rac and Rho, because Rac inhibition in AMD cells led to simultaneous reduction in stiffness and complement susceptibility, while Rho inhibition in young cells exacerbated complement injury. Thus, by identifying cell stiffness and cytoskeletal regulators Rac and Rho as important determinants of complement susceptibility, the current findings offer a new mechanistic insight into choroidal vascular loss in early AMD that warrants further investigation for assessment of translational potential. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Accurate sex identification is crucial for elucidating the biology of a species. In the absence of directly observable sexual characteristics, sex identification of wild fauna can be challenging, if not impossible. Molecular sexing offers a powerful alternative to morphological sexing approaches. Here, we present SeXY, a novel sex-identification pipeline, for very low-coverage shotgun sequencing data from a single individual. SeXY was designed to utilise low-effort screening data for sex identification and does not require a conspecific sex-chromosome assembly as reference. We assess the accuracy of our pipeline to data quantity by downsampling sequencing data from 100,000 to 1,000 mapped reads, and to reference genome selection by mapping to a variety of reference genomes of various qualities and phylogenetic distance. We show that our method is 100% accurate when mapping to a high-quality (highly contiguous N50 > 30 Mb) conspecific genome, even down to 1,000 mapped reads. For lower-quality reference assemblies (N50 < 30 Mb), our method is 100% accurate with 50,000 mapped reads, regardless of reference assembly quality or phylogenetic distance. The SeXY pipeline provides several advantages over previously implemented methods; SeXY (i) requires sequencing data from only a single individual, (ii) does not require assembled conspecific sex-chromosomes, or even a conspecific reference assembly, (iii) takes into account variation in coverage across the genome, and (iv) is accurate with only 1,000 mapped reads in many cases.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the aging population. Yet, no therapies exist for ∼85% of all AMD patients who have the dry form that is marked by degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and underlying choroidal vasculature. As the choroidal vessels are crucial for RPE development and maintenance, understanding how they degenerate may lead to effective therapies for dry AMD. One likely causative factor for choroidal vascular loss is the cytolytic membrane attack complex (MAC) of the complement pathway that is abundant on choroidal vessels of humans with early dry AMD. To examine this possibility, we studied the effect of complement activation on choroidal endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from a rhesus monkey model of early AMD that, we report, exhibits MAC deposition and choriocapillaris endothelial loss similar to that seen in human early AMD. Treatment of choroidal ECs from AMD eyes with complement-competent normal human serum caused extensive actin cytoskeletal injury that was significantly less pronounced in choroidal ECs from young normal monkey eyes. We further show that ECs from AMD eyes are significantly stiffer than their younger counterparts and exhibit peripheral actin organization that is distinct from the longitudinal stress fibers in young ECs. Finally, these differences in complement susceptibility and mechanostructural properties were found to be regulated by the differential activity of small GTPases Rac and Rho because Rac inhibition in AMD cells led to simultaneous reduction in stiffness and complement susceptibility while Rho inhibition in young cells exacerbated complement injury. Thus, by identifying cell stiffness and cytoskeletal regulators Rac and Rho as important determinants of complement susceptibility, the current findings offer a new mechanistic insight into choroidal vascular loss in early AMD that warrants further investigation for assessment of translational potential.

Resumen En el presente trabajo se evaluó la degradación fotocatalítica del herbicida glifosato en solución acuosa con un catalizador comercial (TiO2 Degussa P25) y un catalizador sintetizado a partir de TiO2 dopado con manganeso (TiO2-Mn), soportados en anillos de borosilicato de diámetro interno y externo de 6,52 mm y 7,59 mm, respectivamente, y una longitud aproximada de 9,43 mm, mediante el uso de un reactor continuo de lecho empacado. El catalizador fue caracterizado por FTIR, SEM-EDS y AFM, con lo cual se determinaron algunas propiedades físicas y químicas del mismo. Las condiciones de operación del reactor fueron un caudal de alimentación de 4,25 mL min-1 de una solución de glifosato de pH natural de 4,45 y un tiempo de retención de 1 h y 25 min, en el cual se llevaron a cabo ensayos de fotocatálisis heterogénea, fotólisis y adsorción por un tiempo de 150 min. De lo anterior, se obtuvieron los porcentajes de remoción y el orden de la reacción fotocatalítica para el catalizador soportado en los anillos. A partir de los estudios de degradación realizados, con el TiO2-Mn soportado en los anillos, se logró un porcentaje máximo de degradación de 39.19%, mientras que, con el catalizador comercial TiO2 Degussa P25, se alcanzó un 28.6% de remoción. El modelo de reacción que sigue la degradación del glifosato es de difusión intrapartícula, debido a los procesos difusivos en los que la molécula de glifosato es adsorbida en los poros del catalizador para luego ser degradada. Abstract In this work, the photocatalytic degradation of the herbicide glyphosate in aqueous solution was evaluated. Assays were performed on a commercial catalyst (TiO2 Degussa P25) and a catalyst synthesized from TiO2 doped with manganese (TiO2-Mn) supported on borosilicate rings, with an internal and external diameter of 6.52 mm and 7.59 mm respectively, and an approximate length of 9.43 mm, using a continuous packed bed reactor. The synthesized catalyst was characterized with techniques as FTIR, SEM-EDS, and AFM, which allowed to evaluating its chemical and physical properties. The reactor operating conditions were a feed flow rate of 4.25 mL min-1 of a pH 4.45 glyphosate solution and retention time of 1 h and 25 min. In such experiments, heterogeneous photocatalysis, photolysis, and adsorption test were carried out for 150 min, obtaining results of degradation percentages and the order of photocatalytic reaction for the catalyst supported in the rings and the powder in suspension. From the removal studies, a maximum degradation percentage of 39.19% was reached with TiO2-Mn supported in the rings. In contrast, the commercial catalyst TiO2 Degussa P25 had a 28.6% of removal. The glyphosate degradation follows an intraparticle diffusion model due to a diffusive process, where the glyphosate molecule is adsorbed in the catalyst pores and then degraded. Resumo Neste trabalho, a degradação fotocatalítica de glifosato em solução aquosa foi avaliada com um catalisador comercial (TiO2 Degussa P25) e sintetizado a partir de TiO2 dopado com manganês (Mn-TiO2) com suporte em anéis de borosilicato de diâmetro interno e externo de catalisador 6,52 mm e 7,59 mm, respectivamente e um comprimento de aproximadamente 9,43 mm, usando um leito empacotado reator contínuo. O catalisador sintetizado foi caracterizado com FTIR, SEM-EDS and AFM, o que permitiu a sua morfologia e composição. As condições de operação do reactor foi alimentada à velocidade de 4,25 mL min-1 de uma solução de pH natural de 4,45 glifosato e um tempo de retenção de 1 hora e 25 minutos; em que foram realizados ensaios de fotocatálise heterogénea, fotólise, tempo de adsorção de 150 minutos, obtendo-se como percentagens resultados de remoção e com a reação fotocatalítica para o catalisador suportado em anéis. A partir dos estudos, foi obtido uma taxa máxima de degradação com TiO2-Mn suportado em anéis de 39,19% em comparação com o catalisador comercial de TiO2 Degussa P25 com os quais obtiveram porcentagens de degradação de 28,6%. A degradação do glifosato segue um modelo de difusão intrapartícula devido ao processo difusivo em que a molécula de glifosato é adsorvida no catalisador poros logo a ser degradada.

Frida Kahlo fue una gran artista que formó parte de la generación del renacer mexicano, que desde muy joven descubrió que su mayor pasión y habilidad era pintar. Pero no cualquier clase de pintura, sino la visión y sentir personal de ver el mundo desde sus ojos. Para ello, en este texto conoceremos la vida que tuvo la artista, analizaremos el contexto que le tocó vivir para así lograr comprender sus obras surrealistas que representan un “art folck” o arte para el pueblo, en donde logró plasmar al México popular. Nos adentraremos a un mundo pictórico autobiográfico que no se había visto antes y menos en manos de una mujer como lo fue Frida Kahlo.

The deep oceans of the Southern Hemisphere are home to several elusive and poorly studied marine megafauna. In the absence of robust observational data for these species, genetic data can aid inferences on population connectivity, demography and ecology. A previous investigation of genetic diversity and population structure in Gray's beaked whale ( Mesoplodon grayi ) from Western Australia and New Zealand found high levels of mtDNA diversity, no geographic structure and stable demographic history. To further investigate phylogeographic and demographic patterns across their range, we generated complete mitochondrial and partial nuclear genomes of 16 of the individuals previously analysed and included additional samples from South Africa ( n = 2) and South Australia ( n = 4), greatly expanding the spatial range of genomic data for the species. Gray's beaked whales are highly elusive and rarely observed, and our data represents a unique and geographically broad dataset. We find relatively high levels of diversity in the mitochondrial genome, despite an absence of population structure at the mitochondrial and nuclear level. Demographic analyses suggest these whales existed at stable levels over at least the past 1.1 million years, with an approximately twofold increase in female effective population size approximately 250 thousand years ago, coinciding with a period of increased Southern Ocean productivity, sea surface temperature and a potential expansion of suitable habitat. Our results suggest that Gray's beaked whales are likely to be resilient to near-future ecosystem changes, facilitating their conservation. Our study demonstrates the utility of low-effort shotgun sequencing in providing ecological information on highly elusive species.

Objective: to describe the experiences lived in clinical simulation by nursing students at the University of Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile, in relation to the use of clinical simulation as a learning methodology for the achievement of skills for nursing care. Method: the simulation by the students was carried out in 2017, while they attended the seventh and eighth semester of professional training. The study carried out was qualitative, exploratory descriptive, in which eight students participated using the semi-structured interview instrument applied during the second semester of 2018. Results: it was observed that the simulation experience was good and very good. It stands out that the main points of discussion for the participants were that the clinical simulation gave them tools that allowed them to acquire professional identity, empowerment of the professional role, clinical reasoning, professional practice and organization. On the other hand, it also allowed them to apply theoretical knowledge. Conclusion: although this experience allowed the students to acquire comprehensive skills, it also has the limitation that feelings of fear and anxiety emerge that may make it impossible to develop it. RESUMO Objetivo: descrever as experiências vividas em simulação clínica por estudantes de enfermagem da Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile, em relação ao uso da simulação clínica como metodologia de aprendizagem para o alcance de competências para o cuidado de enfermagem. Método: a simulação pelos alunos foi realizada em 2017, enquanto eles cursavam o sétimo e o oitavo semestres de formação profissional. O estudo realizado foi qualitativo, exploratório descritivo, no qual participaram oito alunos por meio do instrumento de entrevista semiestruturada aplicado durante o segundo semestre de 2018. Resultados: observou-se que a experiência de simulação foi boa e muito boa. Destaca-se que os principais pontos de discussão para os participantes foram que a simulação clínica lhes deu ferramentas que lhes permitiram adquirir identidade profissional, empoderamento do papel profissional, raciocínio clínico, prática profissional e organização. Por outro lado, também lhes permitiu aplicar conhecimentos teóricos. Conclusões: embora esta vivência tenha permitido aos alunos adquirir competências abrangentes, também tem como limitação o surgimento de sentimentos de medo e ansiedade que podem impossibilitar o seu desenvolvimento. RESUMEN Objetivo: describir las experiencias vividas en simulación clínica por los estudiantes de enfermería de la Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile, en relación al uso de la simulación clínica como metodología de aprendizaje para el logro de habilidades para el cuidado en Enfermería. Método: la simulación por los estudiantes se realizó el año 2017, mientras cursaron séptimo y octavo semestre de formación profesional. El estudio realizado fue cualitativo, exploratorio descriptivo, en el cual participaron ocho estudiantes utilizando el instrumento de entrevista semiestructurada aplicada durante el segundo semestre año 2018. Resultados: se observó que la experiencia en simulación fue bueno y muy bueno. Destaca que los principales puntos de discusión para los participantes fue que la simulación clínica les entrego herramientas que les permitió adquirir identidad profesional, empoderamiento del rol profesional, razonamiento clínico, práctica profesional y organización. Por otra parte, también les permitió aplicar los conocimientos teóricos. Conclusiones: si bien esta experiencia les permitió a los estudiantes adquirir habilidades integrales también posee la limitante que afloran sentimientos de temor, ansiedad que pueden imposibilitar el desarrollo de la misma.

El presente artículo detalla la metodología para cumplir con los objetivos propuestos en la investigación. Los cuales ayudaron a identificar saberes ncestrales sobre el uso de plantas, para conocer y describir el proceso de elaboración de tintes naturales y artificiales en la comunidad de Chincheros (Cusco), que aún conserva en su memoria la sabiduría ancestral sobre las plantas y técnicas tintóreas. La pérdida cultural se debe, sobre todo, a la modernización y la no valorización de los conocimientos tradicionales; por tanto, si no se registran adecuadamente, corren el riesgo de perderse y extinguirse de la identidad étnica. El estudio reconstruye las técnicas tintóreas tradicionales usadas en la comunidad Andina del Perú, para su preservación y uso en la artesanía e industria textil contemporánea. La metodología propuesta incluye la evaluación de plantas con potencial tintóreo al igual que el uso de tintes artificiales, observando las cualidades de ambos. El proceso de teñido consta de cuatro fases ejecutadas de manera consecutiva. Como paso previo a la obtención del tinte, la preparación de la fibra es fundamental en el acabado del producto. Se experimentó con especies vegetales, de lo cual se obtuvieron diversas gamas de colores, extraídos de las plantas utilizadas por los pobladores de la comunidad Warmi Maki. Se concluye que el uso de plantas tintóreas en comunidades andinas aún se conserva en el contexto de su cultura tradicional.

Selective pericyte loss, the histological hallmark of early diabetic retinopathy (DR), enhances the breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) in diabetes. However, the role of pericytes on BRB alteration in diabetes and the signaling pathways involved in their effects are currently unknown. To understand the role of diabetes-induced molecular alteration of pericytes, we performed transcriptomic analysis of sorted retinal pericytes from mice model of diabetes. Retinal tissue from non-diabetic and diabetic (duration 3 months) mouse eyes (n = 10 in each group) were used to isolate pericytes through fluorescent activated cell sorting (FACS) using pericyte specific fluorescent antibodies, PDGFRb-APC. For RNA sequencing and qPCR analysis, a cDNA library was generated using template switching oligo and the resulting libraries were sequenced using paired-end Illumina sequencing. Molecular functional pathways were analyzed using differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Differential expression analysis revealed 217 genes significantly upregulated and 495 genes downregulated, in pericytes isolated from diabetic animals. These analyses revealed a core set of differentially expressed genes that could potentially contribute to the pericyte dysfunction in diabetes and highlighted the pattern of functional connectivity between key candidate genes and blood retinal barrier alteration mechanisms. The top up-regulated gene list included: Ext2, B3gat3, Gpc6, Pip5k1c and Pten and down-regulated genes included: Notch3, Xbp1, Gpc4, Atp1a2 and AKT3. Out of these genes, we further validated one of the down regulated genes, Notch 3 and its role in BRB alteration in diabetic retinopathy. We confirmed the downregulation of Notch3 expression in human retinal pericytes exposed to Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) treatment mimicking the chronic hyperglycemia effect. Exploration of pericyte-conditioned media demonstrated that loss of NOTCH3 in pericyte led to increased permeability of endothelial cell monolayers. Collectively, we identify a role for NOTCH3 in pericyte dysfunction in diabetes. Further validation of other DEGs to identify cell specific molecular change through whole transcriptomic approach in diabetic retina will provide novel insight into the pathogenesis of DR and novel therapeutic targets.

The purpose of the present work was to study the effect of the nitrogen source (NO3 - vs NH4 +) on cadmium (Cd) uptake, translocation and partition and its associated toxicity in hydroponically-grown Arabidopsis plants. After a short growth period on a complete Hoagland nutrient solution, Arabidopsis seedlings continued in the same growth medium (NA) or were switched to NO3 – (N) or NH4 + (A) as sole N sources and supplied with 2.5 μM Cd. Unrelated to the nitrogen source, Cd reached higher levels in roots than in leaves. However, when ammonium was the source of nitrogen, Cd accumulation in roots was lower than in N or NA medium and the metal translocation to the aerial part was restricted, reaching values 25%–35% below the levels observed in plants grown with N or NA. Cadmium negatively affected chlorophyll content and PSII quantum yield, independently of the nitrogen source, with the highest decrease (35%) under NA treatment. Proline content increased, either with NA, N or A supplied in the presence of Cd, whereas a rise in total anthocyanin content was clearly favored when ammonium was the source of nitrogen, with or without Cd. In leaves, while NIA1 and NIA2 expression was markedly reduced by Cd in the presence of N or NA, ammonium source slightly reduced NIA1 expression but greatly upregulated NIA2 expression upon Cd exposure. The decay in NR activity was independent of the nitrogen source when Cd was applied and this decay was accompanied by a great increase in NH4 + levels either with nitrates or ammonium in the medium in the presence of Cd. Only NIA1 was detected in roots and its expression, together with NR activity and nitrates levels, was the highest in N medium devoid of Cd. The possibility of reducing Cd health risks through nitrogen fertilization practices is discussed. Fil: Vazquez, Analia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Recalde, Laura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Química Biológica; Argentina Fil: Cabrera, Andrea. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Química Biológica; Argentina Fil: Groppa, María Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentina Fil: Benavides, Maria Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas "Prof. Alejandro C. Paladini". Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Química y Físico-Química Biológicas; Argentina

Currently, three stocks of sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis) are defined in the North Atlantic; the Nova Scotian, Iceland-Denmark Strait and Eastern North Atlantic stocks, which are mainly based upon historical catch and sighting data. We analyzed mitochondrial control region DNA (mtDNA) sequences and genotypes from 7 to 11 microsatellite loci in 87 samples from three sites in the North Atlantic; Iceland, the Gulf of Maine and the Azores, and compared against the North Pacific using 489 previously published samples. No statistically significant deviations from homogeneity were detected among the North Atlantic samples at mtDNA or microsatellite loci. The genealogy estimated from the mtDNA sequences revealed a clear division of the haplotypes into a North Atlantic and a North Pacific clade, with the exception of one haplotype detected in a single sample from the Azores, which was included in the North Pacific clade. Significant genetic divergence between the North Atlantic and North Pacific Oceans was detected (mtDNA ΦST = 0.72, microsatellite Weir and Cockerham’s ϴ = 0.20; p

Cetacean strandings constitute one of the most important sources of information for studying cetacean diversity and obtaining basic biological data. The Guatemalan Pacific Ocean supports a high diversity of cetaceans, with at least 19 confirmed species records. However, little is known about cetacean strandings in Guatemala and their association with anthropogenic activities. We reviewed the occurrence of cetacean strandings on the Pacific coastline of Guatemala between 2007 and 2021. Stranding records were obtained from publications and citizen science such as sporadic reports from third parties, local and social media. In total, 39 stranding events from 12 species were recorded over the 15-year period examined. Stranded species belong to five families: Delphinidae, Kogiidae, Ziphiidae, Balaenopteridae and Eschrichtiidae. The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba, n = 6), bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, n = 6), spinner dolphin (S. longirostris, n = 5), spotted dolphin (S. attenuata, n = 4), and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae, n = 4) were the most frequently stranded species. For three of the stranded species, the melon-headed whale (Peponocephala electra), Blainville's beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), and gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), these stranding records represent the first confirmed report of the species in Guatemalan waters. Although we could not determine the cause of stranding in most cases, at least 15% of stranded individuals presented marks or injuries that could be associated with anthropogenic activities, such as fisheries or vessel strikes. This study highlights the importance of stranding data and the need to create a national network to allow timely response to stranding events and to enable improved data collection protocols. A well-curated cetacean stranding database is crucial for scientific research as well as to implement management and conservation measures to protect these species in the region.

Improved technology facilitates the acceptance of telemedicine. The aim was to analyze the effectiveness of telephone follow-up to detect severe SARS-CoV-2 cases that progressed to pneumonia. A prospective cohort study with 2-week telephone follow-up was carried out March 1 to May 4, 2020, in a primary healthcare center in Barcelona. Individuals aged ≥15 years with symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 were included. Outpatients with non-severe disease were called on days 2, 4, 7, 10 and 14 after diagnosis, patients with risk factors for pneumonia received daily calls through day 5 and then the regularly scheduled calls. Patients hospitalized due to pneumonia received calls on days 1, 3, 7 and 14 post-discharge. Of the 453 included patients, 435 (96%) were first attended to at a primary healthcare center. The 14-day follow-up was completed in 430 patients (99%), with 1798 calls performed. Of the 99 cases of pneumonia detected (incidence rate 20.8%), one-third appeared 7 to 10 days after onset of SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. Ten deaths due to pneumonia were recorded. Telephone follow-up by a primary healthcare center was effective to detect SARS-CoV-2 pneumonias and to monitor related complications. Thus, telephone appointments between a patient and their health care practitioner benefit both health outcomes and convenience.

HighlightsMitochondrial monophyly is commonly employed to define evolutionary significant units.Monophyly may be caused by insufficient sampling or a recent common ancestor.Mitogenomic studies are generally based on few samples and prone to sampling issues.Expanded mitogenome sampling negates previous monophyly in fin whales.AbstractThe advent of massive parallel sequencing technologies has resulted in an increase of studies based upon complete mitochondrial genome DNA sequences that revisit the taxonomic status within and among species. Spatially distinct monophyly in mitogenomic genealogies, i.e., the sharing of a recent common ancestor among con-specific samples collected in the same region has been viewed as evidence for subspecies. Several recent studies in cetaceans have employed this criterion to suggest subsequent intraspecific taxonomic revisions. We reason that employing intra-specific, spatially distinct monophyly at non-recombining, clonally inherited genomes is an unsatisfactory criterion for defining subspecies based upon theoretical (genetic drift) and practical (sampling effort) arguments. This point is illustrated by a re-analysis of a global mitogenomic assessment of fin whales,Balaenoptera physalusspp., published by Archer et al. (2013) which proposed to further subdivide the Northern Hemisphere fin whale subspecies,B. p. physalus. The proposed revision was based upon the detection of spatially distinct monophyly among North Atlantic and North Pacific fin whales in a genealogy based upon complete mitochondrial genome DNA sequences. The extended analysis conducted in this study (1,676 mitochondrial control region, 162 complete mitochondrial genome DNA sequences and 20 microsatellite loci genotyped in 358 samples) revealed that the apparent monophyly among North Atlantic fin whales reported by Archer et al. (2013) to be due to low sample sizes. In conclusion, defining sub-species from monophyly (i.e., the absence of para-or polyphyly) can lead to erroneous conclusions due to relatively “trivial” aspects, such as sampling. Basic population genetic processes (i.e., genetic drift and migration) also affect the time to most recent common ancestor and hence the probability that individuals in a sample are monophyletic.