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The spread of sargassum on beaches in Africa, Brazil, Central America, and the Caribbean has increased to become a social, environmental, and economic problem. In recent years, the presence of biomass on the coasts of the Mexican Caribbean has been recorded as ≈2360 m3 Km−1, reaching up to 200 m wide in the northern part of the coasts. Its removal from the coast and, later, the continent is one of the strategies implemented to mitigate its impact on land. Several studies have reported the seasonality of and geographic variation in sorbed metals in sargasso. However, it is unknown whether these metals can mobilize or remain in sargassum tissue once they reach accumulation sites. This study included seawater, sargassum tissue as a consortium, and S. natans and S. fluitans, as well as the leachate generated in the process of degradation per se and percolated by rain. Of the 10 metals evaluated (As, B, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cd, Al, Ni, Cu, and Pb for water, tissue, and leachate), only B is recurrent in water from the north of the Mexican Caribbean, in addition to traces of Al and Fe. Meanwhile, in tissue, the results coincide with those of previous studies, where As is recurrent, although its concentration varies with the mentioned variability. The leachate showed that four to eight metals of those present in the tissue were detected, including As, Fe, and Al, which represent a potential impact on coastal systems and infiltration into shallow water table areas.

The present article investigates the potentialities of photo-elicitation as a technique in teacher professional development. This study analyses the process of eliciting dilemmas in four primary teachers, whose solution has proved to contribute to the teachers' education. To this end, the effect of different types of external observers' intervention in dilemma generation, participating in sessions developed with a specific photo-elicitation procedure, is explored. The knowledge pursued in order to meet the study objectives concerned inconsistencies between goals and practices and teachers' dilemmas. These inconsistencies and dilemmas are tacit and with multiple possible interpretations, and are therefore not measurable. They consequently require an interpretative research approach using a qualitative method of inquiry based on collective case studies. The results show that the inconsistencies introduced to the teachers, by questioning their teaching practice, are enough but not necessary to pose professional dilemmas. Solving these dilemmas led the teachers to change their conceptual and processual beliefs, as well as their teaching activities.

Las algas rojas coralinas (rodofitas) habitan las costas, coloreando estas regiones con una hermosa tonalidad roja o rosada, y son tan duras y afiladas que, de ser pisadas, causarían dolor al pie descalzo. Entre sus diminutas ramas, muchos organismos se desarrollan y encuentran refugio. La fotosíntesis de las algas coralinas conduce a la formación de estructuras de carbonatos con una arquitectura fascinante. Pero tanto el alga como sus microorganismos asociados (microbiota) participan en la formación de estos biominerales, que se acumulan y cementan los materiales que forman las playas y las costas. Los carbonatos son susceptibles a la química ácido-base, por lo tanto, su estabilidad estructural y su disolución dependen del pH del medio que los rodea. Por tanto, estos biominerales y los organismos marinos que los forman (como algas, corales, moluscos o equinodermos) son vulnerables a la acidificación del océano. La curiosidad por ver lo que nuestros ojos no pueden nos llevó a entender que las delicadas ramitas de las algas coralinas esconden una asombrosa fortaleza estructural donde la microestructura y la química son elementos clave, pues encontramos que minerales con una gran estabilidad estructural y térmica constituyen el cuerpo, o talo, de las algas. Hoy en día las algas rojas y verdes coralinas son modelos vivos de gran interés para la ciencia básica, para capturar carbono en estructuras estables. Así, esta área de investigación puede inspirar el desarrollo de estrategias para mitigar el cambio climático.

This study assessed the immunoprotective effect in lambs of a native excreted/secreted 15-kDa protein and two synthesised S28 peptides derived from the infective transitory larvae (xL3) and adult stages (AS) of Haemonchus contortus. Twenty-two Pelibuey lambs were divided into negative and positive control groups, as well as immunised lamb groups, with 100 µg of the 15-kDa native protein (15kDaNP) and S28 peptides (S28P). The eggs per gram (EPG) and haematocrit were measured, and AS were counted and morphologically measured. To assess the immunoprotection in lambs, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and relative expression analyses of immune cytokines were performed using serum and abomasal samples. Our results showed a 72.28% reduction in adult worms (AW) in the 15kDaNP-immunised group, achieving a high clinical response with 41% haematocrit and low EPG values (436 ± 661). Conversely, the S28P group achieved the highest IgG levels (2.125 ± 0.880 OD), with AW exhibiting the greatest body length (p > 0.05) and upregulation of the IL5 and FCεR1A genes associated with nematode control. The 15kDaNP group showed increased expression of genes related to nematode control and anti-inflammatory responses, including IL4, IL5, IL6, and IL13 (p < 0.05). The S28P and 15kDaNP should be explored as potential vaccines against sheep haemonchosis.

Background: Arthrobotrys species are nematophagous fungi that secrete extracellular nematocidal products (ECP). The individual and combined effects of ECP from Arthrobotrys oligospora (Ao) and A. musiformis (Am) growth in liquid media against Haemonchus contortus L3 (HcL3) were assessed. Methods: The isolation, morphological (MI) and molecular identification (Mol-I), assessment of nematocidal activity (NA) of fungal liquid culture filtrates (LCF) in two liquid media alone and in combination and the myco-compound profile identification (MCP) were performed. Results: The MI suggested that the fungi corresponded to the species Ao and Am. This result was confirmed by PCR analysis followed by sequencing, alignment and a phylogenetic analysis. Likewise, the highest Hc mortalities were 91.4% with individual LCF of Am and 86.2% with those of Ao at the highest concentration (100 mg/mL) in Czapek-Dox Broth. The combination of both LCF resulted in a similarly high larval mortality with no statistical differences in relation to individual activity (p > 0.05). The MCP showed the presence of alkaloids in both fungi. Coumarins, sterols and saponins were found only in Ao. Main conclusions: Both fungi produced ECP with a high NA that could be identified and assessed in future studies as potential natural anthelmintic compounds.

Coralline algae are worldwide carbonate builders, considered to be foundational species and biodiversity hotspots. Coralline habitats face increasing pressure from human activities and effects related to Global Change, yet their ecological properties and adaptive responses remain poorly understood. The relationships of the algal microbiota with the mineral bioconstructions, as well as plasticity and resilience of coralline holobionts in a changing environment, are of particular interest. In the Gulf of California, Neogoniolithon trichotomum (Rhodophyta) is the main carbonate builder in tidal pools. We performed a multi-disciplinary assessment of the N. trichotomum microstructure using XRD, SEM microscopy and SR-FTIR spectromicroscopy. In the algal perithallus, magnesium-calcite and aragonite were spatially segregated and embedded in a polysaccharide matrix (rich in sulfated polysaccharides). Mg-calcites (18-19 mol% Mg) were the main mineral components of the thallus overall, followed by iron carbonates related to dolomite (ankerite) and siderite. Minerals of late evaporitic sequences (sylvite and bischofite) were also present, suggesting potential halophilic microenvironments within the algal thalli. The diverse set of abundant halophilic, halotolerant and oligotrophic taxa, whose abundance increase in the summer, further suggests this condition. We created an integrated model, based on environmental parameters and the microbiota distribution, that identified temperature and nutrient availability (particularly nitrate and silicate) as the main parameters related to specific taxa patterns. Among these, Hahella, Granulossicoccus, Ferrimonas, Spongiibacteraceae and cyanobacterial Xenococcaceae and Nostocaceae change significantly between seasons. These bacterial components might play relevant roles in algal plasticity and adaptive responses to a changing environment. This study contributes to the understanding of the interplay of the prokaryotic microbiota with the mineral microenvironments of coralline algae. Because of their carbonates with potential resistance to dissolution in a higher pCO2 world and their seasonally dynamic bacteria, coralline algae are relevant targets to study coastal resilience and carbonated systems responses to changing environments.

In this study, we evaluate the degradation by Sargassum spp. as a consortium in 2020 and 2021, and by species during 2021, collected at different distances from a coastline and in land deposits. The year 2021 had the largest leachate volume and the offshore site with the highest volume (60 mL/day) among five sites of collection. In relation to species’ leachate generation, S. fluitans reached 47.67 mL/day as its peak, which is earlier than S. natans (41.67 mL/day 14 days after S. fluitans). pH shows alkaline behavior and EC reflects the saline condition in the leachate, the consortium and species reaching values of pH 7.5 to 8.3 and 80 to 150 mS/cm of EC; the results do not show significant differences among sites, or between species. Despite a BOD/COD ratio of less than 0.1, the degradation process occurs as evidenced by the presence of leachate. The results confirm the existence of a variability in leachate production and the composition of Sargassum under the influence of factors such as the periodicity, site of collection, and proportions of species. Thus, even though these results emphasize leachate generation, knowing the limitations of leachate generation is crucial information for decision making on Sargassum storage and environmental management.

Voisin Grazing (VG) promueve la gestión armonizada del ganado, las plantas, el agua y el suelo, induciendo cambios positivos en las propiedades del suelo que se han perdido debido a la gestión del pastoreo extensivo. Así, el objetivo de esta investigación es evaluar algunas propiedades físico-químicas y biológicas de suelos sometidos a pastoreo extensivo mediante la implementación de VG en dos ambientes de pastoreo. Se eligieron dos potreros dominados por vegetación secundaria temprana de bosque seco (SecVeg) y dos potreros dominados por Hyparrhenia rufa (GraMon) (todos sitios sometidos a pastoreo extensivo). Un potrero de cada ambiente continuó bajo pastoreo extensivo (14 meses) mientras que en los otros potreros se implementó VG (14 meses). Se recogieron muestras de suelo y hojarasca al principio y al final del estudio. Algunas propiedades físicas y químicas variaron debido al tiempo de muestreo (P < 0. 05). La densidad aparente (BD), el nitrógeno total (TN), la materia orgánica (MO) y el carbono orgánico (OC) mejoraron al final del estudio, mientras que el potasio disponible (K) aumentó marginalmente. Las propiedades del suelo también variaron debido al manejo anidado en ambiente de pastoreo (P < 0.05). En SecVeg, BD (P < 0,05) y P disponible (P < 0,05) mejoraron con VG, pero permanecieron iguales en GraMon. En GraMon, MO (P < 0.05) y OC (P < 0.05) aumentaron solo con pastoreo extensivo (P < 0.05). La abundancia y riqueza de morfoespecies de macrofauna aumentó con VG en ambos ambientes de pastoreo (P < 0.05), donde dominó el orden Isoptera. Después de 14 meses de implementar VG, algunas propiedades físicas, químicas y biológicas del suelo habían comenzado a regenerarse. la materia orgánica (MO) y el carbono orgánico (OC) mejoraron al final del estudio, mientras que el potasio disponible (K) aumentó marginalmente. Las propiedades del suelo también variaron debido al manejo anidado en ambiente de pastoreo (P < 0.05). En SecVeg, BD (P < 0,05) y P disponible (P < 0,05) mejoraron con VG, pero permanecieron iguales en GraMon. En GraMon, MO (P < 0.05) y OC (P < 0.05) aumentaron solo con pastoreo extensivo (P < 0.05). La abundancia y riqueza de morfoespecies de macrofauna aumentó con VG en ambos ambientes de pastoreo (P < 0.05), donde dominó el orden Isoptera. Después de 14 meses de implementar VG, algunas propiedades físicas, químicas y biológicas del suelo habían comenzado a regenerarse. la materia orgánica (MO) y el carbono orgánico (OC) mejoraron al final del estudio, mientras que el potasio disponible (K) aumentó marginalmente. Las propiedades del suelo también variaron debido al manejo anidado en ambiente de pastoreo (P < 0.05). En SecVeg, BD (P < 0,05) y P disponible (P < 0,05) mejoraron con VG, pero permanecieron iguales en GraMon. En GraMon, MO (P < 0.05) y OC (P < 0.05) aumentaron solo con pastoreo extensivo (P < 0.05). La abundancia y riqueza de morfoespecies de macrofauna aumentó con VG en ambos ambientes de pastoreo (P < 0.05), donde dominó el orden Isoptera. Después de 14 meses de implementar VG, algunas propiedades físicas, químicas y biológicas del suelo habían comenzado a regenerarse. 05). En SecVeg, BD (P < 0,05) y P disponible (P < 0,05) mejoraron con VG, pero permanecieron iguales en GraMon. En GraMon, MO (P < 0.05) y OC (P < 0.05) aumentaron solo con pastoreo extensivo (P < 0.05). La abundancia y riqueza de morfoespecies de macrofauna aumentó con VG en ambos ambientes de pastoreo (P < 0.05), donde dominó el orden Isoptera. Después de 14 meses de implementar VG, algunas propiedades físicas, químicas y biológicas del suelo habían comenzado a regenerarse. 05). En SecVeg, BD (P < 0,05) y P disponible (P < 0,05) mejoraron con VG, pero permanecieron iguales en GraMon. En GraMon, MO (P < 0.05) y OC (P < 0.05) aumentaron solo con pastoreo extensivo (P < 0.05). La abundancia y riqueza de morfoespecies de macrofauna aumentó con VG en ambos ambientes de pastoreo (P < 0.05), donde dominó el orden Isoptera. Después de 14 meses de implementar VG, algunas propiedades físicas, químicas y biológicas del suelo habían comenzado a regenerarse.

Se estudia la mejora de la docencia universitaria mediante la materialización fotográfica de percepciones del alumnado durante situaciones de enseñanza. Se indaga si dichas fotografías ayudan al profesorado a evocar el contenido de sus imágenes experienciales y a generar dudas que lleven a algún cambio en su trabajo docente. La naturaleza experiencial, íntima y tácita de los datos requeridos para responder a los objetivos de conocimiento, exigió un diseño de corte interpretativo basado en un estudio de caso múltiple. La recogida de datos se hizo mediante fotografías y procesos de foto-elicitación. Los resultados obtenidos en un grupo de discusión, mediante codificaciones soportadas en datos, muestran que los estudiantes participaron para valorar la metodología seguida en las asignaturas. Aunque su nivel de alfabetización fotográfica era diferente, han usado el plano de conjunto, para mostrar las interacciones humanas, y el de detalle para enfocar elementos relevantes de la misma. El profesorado planteó algunos cambios en su práctica que son consecuencia de ciertas valoraciones que hicieron sus alumnos sobre su trabajo; concretamente, aquellas cuyo contenido era discrepante con sus imágenes experienciales. La baja tasa de cambios aconseja una revisión del procedimiento de foto-elicitación seguido, para promover dilemas docentes cuya resolución mejore su práctica de enseñanza.

This is the first record of the fungus Flavocillium subprimulinum in Mexico. The isolate was taxonomically characterised and cultured in potato dextrose broth (PDB), Czapek–Dox broth (CzDoxB), and sweet potato dextrose broth (SPDB) to obtain its filtrates (FLCF). The nematocidal activity (NA) of three FLCF concentrations was assessed against Haemonchus contortus L3. Protease activity (PA) was assessed with SDS-PAGE, followed by a zymogram. The NA of the FLCF reached 94.43% in PDB and 95.82% in CzDoxB, respectively, at 100 mg/mL. Lower mortality (64%) was found in SPDB at 100 mg/mL. SDS-PAGE showed bands (in PBS) of ~25, ~40, and ~55 kDa. The zymogram showed protein bands (PBs) with PA in the media, including PBs of ~14, ~40, and ~55 kDa. This study establishes the basis for exploring the potential use of this fungus against H. contortus, which is considered the most pathogenic parasite affecting lambs.

The spread of sargassum on beaches in Africa, Brazil, Central America, and the Caribbean has increased to become a social, environmental, and economic problem. In recent years, the presence of biomass on the coasts of the Mexican Caribbean has been recorded as ≈2360 m3 Km−1, reaching up to 200 m wide in the northern part of the coasts. Its removal from the coast and, later, the continent is one of the strategies implemented to mitigate its impact on land. Several studies have reported the seasonality of and geographic variation in sorbed metals in sargasso. However, it is unknown whether these metals can mobilize or remain in sargassum tissue once they reach accumulation sites. This study included seawater, sargassum tissue as a consortium, and S. natans and S. fluitans, as well as the leachate generated in the process of degradation per se and percolated by rain. Of the 10 metals evaluated (As, B, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cd, Al, Ni, Cu, and Pb for water, tissue, and leachate), only B is recurrent in water from the north of the Mexican Caribbean, in addition to traces of Al and Fe. Meanwhile, in tissue, the results coincide with those of previous studies, where As is recurrent, although its concentration varies with the mentioned variability. The leachate showed that four to eight metals of those present in the tissue were detected, including As, Fe, and Al, which represent a potential impact on coastal systems and infiltration into shallow water table areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Toxocara canis can produce or exacerbate asthma, and the detection of anti‐T. canis immunoglobulin G (IgG) does not discriminate between recent infection or active larva migrans. In this study, we searched for T. canis third‐stage larval antigens (L3TES) and anti‐T. canis antibodies in children with different severities of asthma, controlled or uncontrolled. Methods A total of 145 patients with asthma who were previously diagnosed using the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines were included. The asthma control was evaluated with the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ). Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was performed for the detection of L3TES; IgG was detected using sera preadsorbed with Ascaris antigens (native kit), and a commercial kit (IgG) was used as the gold standard. Results L3TES was found in 2 patients (1.37%). One had L3TES and anti‐T. canis IgG, suggesting active larva migrans. In the other patient, only L3TES was detected, likely because an infection had begun. The seroprevalence with the commercial kit and native kit was 6.2% and 17.93%, respectively. There was no significant association among asthma severity, ACQ and T. canis seroprevalence (p > .05). Conclusion It is possible to detect L3TES in patients with asthma. Two complementary techniques that can determine the infection status with T. canis and rule out cross‐reactions involve the detection of L3TES and IgG using sera preadsorbed with Ascaris antigen. There was no significant association among asthma severity, ACQ and T. canis seroprevalence.

This study assessed the immunoprotective effect in lambs of a native excreted/secreted 15-kDa protein and two synthesised S28 peptides derived from the infective transitory larvae (xL3) and adult stages (AS) of Haemonchus contortus. Twenty-two Pelibuey lambs were divided into negative and positive control groups, as well as immunised lamb groups, with 100 µg of the 15-kDa native protein (15kDaNP) and S28 peptides (S28P). The eggs per gram (EPG) and haematocrit were measured, and AS were counted and morphologically measured. To assess the immunoprotection in lambs, indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and relative expression analyses of immune cytokines were performed using serum and abomasal samples. Our results showed a 72.28% reduction in adult worms (AW) in the 15kDaNP-immunised group, achieving a high clinical response with 41% haematocrit and low EPG values (436 ± 661). Conversely, the S28P group achieved the highest IgG levels (2.125 ± 0.880 OD), with AW exhibiting the greatest body length (p > 0.05) and upregulation of the IL5 and FCεR1A genes associated with nematode control. The 15kDaNP group showed increased expression of genes related to nematode control and anti-inflammatory responses, including IL4, IL5, IL6, and IL13 (p < 0.05). The S28P and 15kDaNP should be explored as potential vaccines against sheep haemonchosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La foto-elicitación y la indagación narrativa visual son procesos metodológicos novedosos con un desarrollo escaso en España, siendo introducidos en el ámbito de la educación por el grupo de investigación Desarrollo Tecnológico, Exclusión Social y Educación que realiza su actividad en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid (España). Presentamos una delimitación conceptual y metodológica de los mismos, mostramos su aplicación en dos estudios de caso en los que hay presencia de discusión grupal. Analizamos las potencialidades de ambos procedimientos para la investigación con estudio de casos y grupos de discusión, y las limitaciones. Su aportación de información más profunda con experiencias, pasadas y presentes, sentimientos y recuerdos, unido a la indagación colaborativa que ellos hacen posible, les confiere un valor metodológico en la investigación y las prácticas profesionales de los docentes. Concluimos, destacando su valor y contribución al campo de la educación, a su conocimiento pedagógico y a la mejora de la práctica educativa

The present article investigates the potentialities of photo-elicitation as a technique in teacher professional development. This study analyses the process of eliciting dilemmas in four primary teachers, whose solution has proved to contribute to the teachers´ education. To this end, the effect of different types of external observers' intervention in dilemma generation, participating in sessions developed with a specific photo-elicitation procedure, is explored. The knowledge pursued in order to meet the study objectives concerned inconsistencies between goals and practices and teachers’ dilemmas. These inconsistencies and dilemmas are tacit and with multiple possible interpretations, and are therefore not measurable. They consequently require an interpretative research approach using a qualitative method of inquiry based on collective case studies. The results show that the inconsistencies introduced to the teachers, by questioning their teaching practice, are enough but not necessary to pose professional dilemmas. Solving these dilemmas led the teachers to change their conceptual and processual beliefs, as well as their teaching activities.

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disease, is caused by variants in both alleles of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. A new assay based on allele-specific polymerase chain reaction and high-resolution melting analysis was developed for the detection of 18 CF-causing CFTR variants previously identified in Cuba and Latin America. The assay is also useful for zygosity determination of mutated alleles and includes internal controls. The reaction mixtures were normalized and evaluated using blood samples collected on filter paper. The evaluation of analytical parameters demonstrated the specificity and sensitivity of the method to detect the included CFTR variants. Internal and external validations yielded a 100% agreement between the new assay and the used reference tests. This assay can complement CF newborn screening not only in Cuba but also in Latin America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The titanium nitride (Ti2N) films have good mechanical properties, such as high hardness and chemical stability, giving Ti2N good resistance to wear and corrosion. The properties of films deposited by PVD techniques are determined by their structure, microstructure, composition, and morphology that depend on the deposition parameters, such as substrate temperature, vacuum pressure, and the distance between the target and the substrate. The influence of these parameters has been studied individually. This work studied the structure, morphology, composition, and electrochemical behavior of Ti/Ti2N films deposited by RF-magnetron sputtering on carbon steel, such as a function of the power of the RF source, substrate temperature, and the target to substrate distance and the Ar/N2 ratio. The film structure was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), the morphology of cross-section by SEM, the semi-quantitative composition by EDS, and the electrochemical properties was studied by open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The films showed two phases of Ti and Ti2N. The SEM-EDS exhibited a morphology according to the Stranski–Krastanov or layer-plus-island growth model. The substrate temperature of 450 °C strongly influences the electrochemical properties.

Las producciones Disney han marcado, no solo la educación estética de una generación, sino también la ideológica. Han conformado una percepción de la realidad que se ha ido transmitiendo durante décadas y las protagonistas femeninas de estas películas han sido el medio más eficaz para promoverla. Son mujeres obedientes, sumisas, delicadas, jóvenes cuya máxima aspiración es el amor romántico. Sin embargo, la visión del mundo que ha imperado en estos materiales (películas, libros, productos publicitarios) no puede sostenerse en la sociedad actual en la que tanto han cambiado las relaciones y a la que preocupan valores como la educación igualitaria de niños y niñas, el compromiso con el entorno, la solidaridad o la tolerancia. La industria Disney así lo ha entendido, hecho que se percibe en su apuesta por nuevas heroínas con motivaciones y características acordes a los nuevos tiempos. En este trabajo partimos del análisis de las nuevas protagonistas y de sus antecesoras, pero también nos preguntamos si ha cambiado la percepción que niños y niñas tienen de cómo deben ser las princesas, de ahí que nos detengamos en conocer sus opiniones y en investigar nuevos libros e historias que complementen las de las películas con las que tanto disfrutan.

RESUMEN Introducción: el envejecimiento como fenómeno social es resultado de los avances alcanzados en la ciencia y la tecnología, que contribuyen a prolongar la esperanza de vida, proceso característico de los países desarrollados del cual no escapa Cuba como uno de los más envejecidos de América Latina. Objetivo: elaborar acciones para favorecer las representaciones sociales del envejecimiento en los adultos mayores de la comunidad Latinoamericano. Método: se empleó la metodología cualitativa, se reconocieron las funciones, misiones y objetivos de los implicados en el proceso de integración y su condicionamiento por el contexto en que actúan, así como la relación horizontal que se establece entre los sujetos participantes, elementos que permitió aplicar la investigación - acción – participativa. Resultados: se elaboró una intervención que modificó la visión de los sujetos investigados, se realizaron acciones intersectoriales que desde la comunidad promueve una nueva visión: continuidad de la vida y no fin de la vida. Conclusiones: se aplicaron técnicas para la recogida de información que permitieron conocer necesidades sentidas y la creación de un imaginario instituyente como expresión de cambio. ABSTRACT Introduction: aging as a social phenomenon is a result of the advances made in science and technology, which contributes to prolong life expectancy, a characteristic process of developed countries from which Cuba does not escape as one of the oldest in Latin America. Objective: to develop actions to promote social representations of aging in the elderly in the Latin American community. Method: the qualitative methodology was used, the functions, missions and objectives of those involved in the integration process were acknowledged and their conditioning by the context in which they operate, as well as the horizontal relationship established among the participants, elements that allowed applying participatory research - action. Results: an intervention was elaborated that modified the vision of the investigated subjects, intersectorial actions were carried out that from the community promotes a new vision: continuity of life and not end of life. Conclusions: techniques were applied for the collection of information that allowed knowing felt needs and the creation of an institutional imaginary as an expression of change.

El presente artículo versa sobre el papel que cumple la fotografía en el desarrollo profesional de docentes en ejercicio. Se exponen los primeros resultados del pro- yecto de investigación llevado a cabo con tres maestras y una directora de tres CEIP, durante dos cursos académicos. Las profe- soras utilizan la fotografía para representar sus principales preocupaciones, dilemas profesionales y situaciones relevantes que observan en su día a día. Cuestiones que, posteriormente, fueron puestas en común y debatidas en el equipo de trabajo me- diante sesiones de foto-elicitación. El refe- rente teórico que fundamenta este estudio es que la reflexión en torno a la práctica en el aula de un docente hace emerger su posicionamiento profesional, su conoci- miento teórico-práctico y las emociones que experimentan. Se analiza y discute la relación existente entre la imagen mental de las maestras en dichas situaciones y cómo la materializan mediante fotografías. En los resultados se muestra el papel rele- vante que tienen las figuras retóricas, en especial la metonimia, para entender el proceso semiótico de conceptualización y significación de objetos y eventos de la realidad vivida en las aulas y su represena- ción fotográfica. Pero además, el análisis y deliberación durante la foto-elicitación sobre las imágenes tomadas, ha permitido que las docentes lleven a cabo un proceso deliberativo y de reasignación de signifi- cados sobre su acción en las aulas que, a su vez, conlleva una cambio y transforma- ción de su práctica docente que, en buena medida, es un aspecto clave de su desa- rrollo profesional.