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A network of agronomists, researchers, and practitioners associated with cacao farming provided open access to their independent field trials across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). A centralized dataset was assembled using qualitative and quantitative data from 25 experimental field trials (hereafter referred to as “CacaoFIT”) spanning several LAC agroecosystems. This dataset was used to document the main traits and agroclimatic attributes of the cacao cultivation model being tested within the CacaoFIT network. By synthesizing data from an entire network of cacao trials, this study aimed to highlight specific design features and management practices that may contribute to better cacao farming sustainability. The CacaoFIT network comprises 200 ha of field trials testing over 150 cacao genotypes and set up under different shade canopy design, management, and research goals. Small-sized trials were common across Mesoamerica, whereas medium to large-size trials were distinct to South America. Cacao trials were 15 years old (on average) and ranged from 3 to 25 years of establishment. Most cacao trials were managed conventionally (i.e., 55%), while 20% were under organic practices, and the remaining 25% presented both conventional and organic management approaches. Most field trials (ca. 60%) planted an average of 10 international clones or national cultivars at high (1,230–1,500 plants ha−1) and medium density (833–1,111 plants ha−1). Mixed shade canopies were the dominant agroforestry model, while timber vs. leguminous shade canopies were also common. The diversity and depth of research domains examined across the CacaoFIT network varied widely. Agronomy and agroforestry topics dominated the research agenda across all trials, followed by environmental services domains. Cacao physiology and financial performance were researched to a lesser extent within the network. Five featured field trials from CacaoFIT offered technical guidelines to inform cacao farming within similar contexts. This collaborative work is a scaffold to encourage public–private partnerships, capacity building, and data sharing amongst cacao researchers across the tropics.

The twelve cranial nerves play a crucial role in the nervous system, orchestrating a myriad of functions vital for our everyday life. These nerves are each specialized for particular tasks. Cranial nerve I, known as the olfactory nerve, is responsible for our sense of smell, allowing us to perceive and distinguish various scents. Cranial nerve II, or the optic nerve, is dedicated to vision, transmitting visual information from the eyes to the brain. Eye movements are governed by cranial nerves III, IV, and VI, ensuring our ability to track objects and focus. Cranial nerve V controls facial sensations and jaw movements, while cranial nerve VII, the facial nerve, facilitates facial expressions and taste perception. Cranial nerve VIII, or the vestibulocochlear nerve, plays a critical role in hearing and balance. Cranial nerve IX, the glossopharyngeal nerve, affects throat sensations and taste perception. Cranial nerve X, the vagus nerve, is a far-reaching nerve, influencing numerous internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, and digestive system. Cranial nerve XI, the accessory nerve, is responsible for neck muscle control, contributing to head movements. Finally, cranial nerve XII, the hypoglossal nerve, manages tongue movements, essential for speaking, swallowing, and breathing. Understanding these cranial nerves is fundamental in comprehending the intricate workings of our nervous system and the functions that sustain our daily lives.

Os “cursinhos” populares são uma modalidade de educação popular destinada a alunos egressos do Ensino Médio de escolas públicas com intenção de prestarem exames vestibulares. Sendo um sistema educativo informal, torna-se um espaço propício para “ousar” metodologias educacionais alternativas, no sentido de potencializar a capacidade de ensino e aprendizagem dos estudantes que em geral apresentam defasagens de conteúdo. O método pedagógico denominado “Pedagogia Sintrópica” consiste em um procedimento que se espelha metaforicamente no método de cultivo da agricultura sintrópica, ou seja, o consórcio agroecológico em que as plantas interagem em um sistema produtivo. A Pedagogia Sintrópica visa integrar as diferentes áreas do conhecimento com as condições de aprendizado dos alunos da mesma forma que em um sistema agroflorestal interagem-se elementos como luz solar, umidade, fertilidade do solo e consócio integrado de plantio. No sistema pedagógico sintrópico, os conhecimentos devem ser conectados processados pelos próprios alunos a parir de sua realidade social, emocional e cognitiva. Acredita-se, a partir de experiências anteriores, que este procedimento didático-pedagógico seja mais adequado ao público ao qual se destina os cursinhos populares justamente por seu formato de integrar conhecimentos e incentivar o protagonismo dos estudantes, sempre na perspectiva de uma educação emancipadora.

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the pelvic plexus and its regulation across various mammalian species, including rats, cats, dogs, and pigs. The pelvic and hypogastric nerves play crucial roles in regulating pelvic functions such as micturition, defecation, and erection. The anatomical organization of these nerves varies, forming either well-defined ganglia or complex plexuses. Despite these variations, the neurons within these structures are consistently regulated by key neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and acetylcholine. These neurons also possess receptors for testosterone and prolactin, particularly in rats, indicating the significant role of these hormones in neuronal function and development. Moreover, neuropeptides such as vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P, neuropeptide Y (NPY), somatostatin (SOM), galanin (GAL), and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are co-released with neurotransmitters to modulate pelvic functions. This review highlights the complex interplay between neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and hormones in regulating pelvic physiology and emphasizes the importance of hormonal regulation in maintaining the functionality and health of the pelvic plexus across different species.

Autism in humans is a lifelong behavioral disorder that typically manifests in early infancy, primarily affecting boys. It arises from neurodevelopmental changes that significantly impact social behavior, with the cerebellum being one of the principal affected regions. In this study, we investigated the cerebellum in an autism animal model, recording the multiunit activity of cerebellar vermis lobules 6 and 7 (L6 and L7) in male rats with autism-like behavior induced by postnatal valproate treatment. Two groups were formed: control (Ctrl) and experimental (VPA) males, which were further divided based on their living conditions into standard (Std) or enriched environments (EE). Social arenas were used for recording purposes. Both groups and lobules showed increased multiunit amplitude during social interaction (SI) and vertical exploration (VE), with higher amplitudes observed in VPA males. Interestingly, the EE significantly reduced the amplitude during SI, suggesting that EE promotes neural plasticity, resulting in improved social responses with fewer activated neurons, meaning improved activity with less energy consumption. Consequently, EE proves to be a valuable strategy for addressing the challenges associated with autism behavior.

La educación superior demanda nuevos modelos educativos para la formación integral del estudiante en donde están presentes el empleo de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación, los procesos creativos y la innovación. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la percepción de los estudiantes universitarios sobre el papel que juegan la creatividad y la innovación en la construcción de sus conocimientos, a partir del empleo de recursos digitales. El enfoque empleado fue cuantitativo, con un diseño no experimental transaccional descriptivo. Se adaptó el cuestionario para el estudio de la Competencia Digital del Alumnado de la Educación Superior (CDAES). La recolección de datos se realizó mediante un formulario en Google Drive, a 150 estudiantes universitarios, mediante un muestreo aleatorio simple. Entre los principales hallazgos se identifican aspectos referidos a la adaptación a nuevas situaciones al integrar herramientas y recursos digitales que promueven otro tipo de entornos, que enriquecen el aprendizaje, promueven la creatividad, la originalidad de los trabajos como resultado del empleo efectivo de las TIC, donde el diseño de actividades educativas permite descubrir el talento y promover la creatividad en la entrega de evidencias de aprendizaje.

During the transition period, dairy cows exhibit heightened energy requirements to sustain fetal growth and lactogenesis. The mammary gland and the growing fetus increase their demand for glucose, leading to the mobilization of lipids to support the function of tissues that can use fatty acids as energy substrates. These physiological adaptations lead to negative energy balance, metabolic inflammation, and transient insulin resistance (IR), processes that are part of the normal homeorhetic adaptations related to parturition and subsequent lactation. Insulin resistance is characterized by a reduced biological response of insulin-sensitive tissues to normal physiological concentrations of insulin. Metabolic inflammation is characterized by a chronic, low-level inflammatory state that is strongly associated with metabolic disorders. The relationship between IR and metabolic inflammation in transitioning cows is intricate and mutually influential. On one hand, IR may play a role in the initiation of metabolic inflammation by promoting lipolysis in adipose tissue and increasing the release of free fatty acids. Metabolic inflammation, conversely, triggers inflammatory signaling pathways by pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby leading to impaired insulin signaling. The interaction of these factors results in a harmful cycle in which IR and metabolic inflammation mutually reinforce each other. This article offers a comprehensive review of recent advancements in the research on IR, metabolic inflammation, and their intricate interrelationship. The text delves into multiple facets of physiological regulation, pathogenesis, and their consequent impacts.

Introduction: Ischemic colitis is a common manifestation of intestinal ischemia and is potentially a surgical emergency. Although such surgical emergencies were historically approached via open exploration, it is uncertain if there is a role for minimally invasive techniques. This study compares open vs laparoscopic colectomy techniques in the management of ischemic colitis. Methods: Using the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, patients with ischemic colitis undergoing colectomy from 2005 to 2019 were compared. The primary outcome of interest was 30-day mortality. Additional outcomes of interest were procedure related readmission, procedure related reoperation, length of stay, surgical site infections (SSI), septic shock, and other complications. Outcomes of interest were compared using multivariate logistic regression. Results: 7,928 patients had ischemic colitis with 7,209 undergoing open colectomy and 719 undergoing laparoscopic colectomy. The mortality rate was significantly lower using a laparoscopic approach compared to open (6.4% vs 26%, p=

El impacto que a nivel global ha tenido el movimiento de ciencia abierta, está vinculado al desarrollo tecnológico y al educativo, donde resulta destacable contar con recursos digitales para favorecer el trabajo de mediación que realiza un docente cuya misión es formar en investigación a estudiantes universitarios. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar la contribución de los Recursos Educativos Abiertos al desarrollo de conocimientos y habilidades investigativas, a través de los cuales se facilita el acercamiento a la ciencia y al quehacer científico. Para ello y como parte de la metodología, se toman como referencia dos investigaciones en las que han participado quienes firman este artículo; estudios que permiten reconocer en los resultados, la importancia de concientizar a las comunidades académicas universitarias sobre el empleo de los Recursos Educativos Abiertos, en especial a quienes tienen la responsabilidad de formar en la investigación. /// The impact of the open science movement has had on a global scale can be linked to technological and educational development. Thus, it is necessary to have digital resources in favor of mediating work carried out by a teacher whose purpose is to train university students in research. The objective of this article is to analyze the contribution Open Educational Resources has had on the development of knowledge and investigative skills, and how this approach has helped facilitate scientific knowledge as well as scientific work. Studies that allow to recognize in the results, the importance of making the university academic communities aware of the use of Open Educational Resources, especially those who have the responsibility of training in research.

For years, the biochemical processes that are triggered by harmful and non-harmful stimuli at the central nervous system level have been extensively studied by the scientific community through numerous techniques and animal models. For example, one of these techniques is the use of immediate expression genes, which is a useful, accessible, and reliable method for observing and quantifying cell activation. It has been shown that both the c-fos gene and its protein c-Fos have rapid activation after stimulus, with the length of time that they remain active depending on the type of stimulus and the activation time depending on the stimulus and the structure studied. Fos requires the participation of other genes (such as c-jun) for its expression (during hetero-dimer forming). c-Fos dimerizes with c-Jun protein to form factor AP-1, which promotes the transcription of various genes. The production and removal of c-Fos is part of cellular homeostasis, but its overexpression results in increased cell proliferation. Although Fos has been used as a marker of cellular activity since the 1990s, which molecular mechanism participates in the regulation of the expression of this protein is still unknown because the gene and the protein are not specific to neurons or glial cells. For these reasons, this work has the objective of gathering information about this protein and its use in neuroscience.

Quantitative global phosphotyrosine proteomics of two mouse models of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy reveals that tyrosine kinase inhibitors may be a future therapeutic approach for treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Colombia, se destaca como país productor de cacao fino y de aroma, por lo cual, resulta de gran importancia explorar las características físicas y sensoriales de la diversidad genética existente. Para el presente estudio, se seleccionaron 22 genotipos de colecciones de trabajo con atributos productivos sobresalientes y dos testigos comerciales, reconocidos por su productividad y calidad sensorial; las muestras evaluadas fueron tomadas, de acuerdo con un muestreo aleatorio simple y se realizó un proceso de poscosecha homogéneo, controlado e independiente por genotipo, para obtener muestras de cacao seco individuales. Se realizaron análisis físicos al grano de cada genotipo y se preparó licor de cacao con cada una de las muestras obtenidas. Posteriormente, se evaluó cada licor por medio del panel de evaluación sensorial entrenado, donde se identificó y cuantificó la intensidad de atributos básicos, atributos especiales y atributos adquiridos, característicos de cada muestra. La información fue analizada mediante estadística descriptiva y análisis de componentes principales, lo que permitió la identificación de tres genotipos sobresalientes por el índice de grano y el porcentaje de cascarilla. El análisis sensorial evidenció que, en diecisiete genotipos, predominaron los atributos especiales, como herbal, floral, frutal, frutos secos y dulce. Estos resultados son un aporte importante para la selección de nuevas variedades de alta productividad, con características sensoriales de interés para la comercialización, que pueden ser evaluadas en diferentes regiones, para aumentar la disponibilidad genética en futuros programas de renovación y siembra de cacao que está en expansión, en los distintos territorios del país.

Breast cancer (BC) has one of the highest incidences and mortality worldwide. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TOX3 rs3803662 and MMP7 rs1943779 have been associated with susceptibility to BC. In this case-control study, we evaluated the association of rs3803662 (TOX3)/rs1943779 (MMP7) SNPs with clinical features, immunohistochemical reactivity, and risk association with BC in women from northeastern Mexico. We compared 212 BC cases and 212 controls. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood to perform the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay. We calculated genotype frequencies, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals. We found that CT (Cytocine–Thymine) and TT (Thymine –Thymine) genotypes, and T alleles of TOX3 rs3803662, were associated with BC risk (p = 0.034, p = 0.011, respectively). SNP TOX3 rs3803662 was associated with positive progesterone receptors (PR) and triple-negative BC (TNBC) but not with estrogen receptor (ER) or HER2 reactivity. CT and TT genotypes (p = 0.006) and T alleles (p = 0.002) of SNP MMP7 rs1943779 were associated with risk of BC. We found that T alleles of TOX3 rs3803662 and MMP7 rs1943779 SNPs are associated with BC risk. These findings contribute to personalized medicine in Mexican women.

Abstract. Objective:. To quantify patient preferences towards time to return to driving relative to compromised reaction time and potential complication risks. Design:. Cross-sectional discrete choice experiment. Setting:. Academic trauma center. Patients:. Ninety-six adult patients with an operative lower extremity fracture from December 2019 through December 2020. Intervention:. None. Main Outcome Measurement:. Patient completed a discrete choice experiment survey consisting of 12 hypothetical return to driving scenarios with varied attributes: time to return to driving (range: 1 to 6 months), risk of implant failure (range: 1% to 12%), pain upon driving return (range: none to severe), and driving safety measured by braking distance (range: 0 to 40 feet at 60 mph). The relative importance of each attribute is reported on a scale of 0% to 100%. Results:. Patients most valued a reduced pain level when resuming driving (62%), followed by the risk of implant failure (17%), time to return to driving (13%), and braking safety (8%). Patients were indifferent to returning to driving at 1 month (median utility: 28, interquartile range [IQR] −31 to 80) or 2 months (median utility: 59, IQR: 41 to 91) postinjury. Conclusion:. Patients with lower extremity injuries demonstrated a willingness to forego earlier return to driving if it might mean a decrease in their pain level. Patients are least concerned about their driving safety, instead placing higher value on their own pain level and chance of implant failure. The findings of this study are the first to rigorously quantify patient preferences toward a return to driving and heterogeneity in patient preferences. Level of Evidence:. V

Parkinson’s disease is currently a global public health challenge due to the rapid growth of aging populations. To understand its pathophysiology is necessary to study the functional correlation between the basal ganglia (BG) and the cerebellum, which are involved in motor control. Herein, we explored multiunit electrical activity (MUA) in the cerebellum of rats with induced Parkinsonism as a result of lesions following bilateral placement of electrodes and passing of current in the ventrolateral striatum (VLS). In one control group, the electrodes descended without electrical current, and another group was left intact in VLS. MUA was recorded in Sim B and Crus II lobes, and in the dentate nucleus (DN) during the execution of exploration behaviors (horizontal and vertical) and grooming. The lesioned and sham groups showed a decrease in MUA amplitude in the Crus II lobe compared to the intact group in all recorded behaviors. However, Sim B and DN did not express differences. Both electrical and physical insults to the VLS induced Parkinsonism, which results in less MUA in Crus II during the execution of motor behaviors. Thus, this type of Parkinsonism is associated with a decrease in the amplitude of Crus II.

Neutralizing antibodies (NAs) are key immunological markers and are part of the humoral response of the adaptive immune system. NA assays determine the presence of functional antibodies to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed a real-world evidence study to detect NAs that confer protection against SARS-CoV-2 after the application of five vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Moderna, and CanSino) in the Mexican population. Side effects of COVID-19 vaccines and clinical and demographic factors associated with low immunogenicity were also evaluated. A total of 242 SARS-CoV-2-vaccinated subjects were recruited. Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna proved the highest percentage of inhibition in a mono-vaccine scheme. Muscular pain, headache, and fatigue were the most common adverse events. None of the patients reported severe adverse events. We found an estimated contagion-free time of 207 (IQR: 182–231) and 187 (IQR: 184–189) days for Pfizer/BioNTech and CanSino in 12 cases in each group. On the basis of our results, we consider that the emerging vaccination strategy in Mexico is effective and safe.

Autism is a complex alteration in children’s developing nervous system that manifests in behavioral patterns that do not match those of typical subjects. Moreover, starting at puberty, these children may encounter problems regarding social interaction related to sexual encounters. As studies are scarce, we used the valproate model of autism in the zebrafish to contribute to the knowledge related to sexual behavior in this disorder. Young zebrafish were reproduced, embryos collected, and organized in groups of control or treated with valproic acid, as the autism model. Sexual behavior was recorded in fish from these embryos as they became sexually active. The results show that the zebrafish’s sexual behavior is organized into appetitive, preconsummatory, and consummatory behaviors, as in other vertebrates. In the autism model, the patterns of sexual behavior are present but with significant modifications. The behavior of males was the most affected, while in females, the most affected parameter was oviposition. These results show that, in the autism model of zebrafish, sexual behavior is not suppressed, but it seems that critical changes occur in the neuroendocrine system that reduces reproductive success. Furthermore, the enriched environment was beneficial in maintaining the consummatory behaviors of females and males with autism-like behaviors.

Se calculan funciones de tributación con sacrificio equitativo para los impuestos federales agregados y para Impuesto Sobre la Renta (ISR), Impuesto al Valor Agregado (IVA) e Impuesto Especial sobre Producción y Servicios (IEPS) por separado, utilizando microdatos de la Encuesta Nacional de Ingresos y Gastos de los Hogares 2018. Con resultados de diferentes coeficientes de aversión a la desigualdad para ISR, IVA y IEPS; el sistema tributario mexicano tiene una alta desigualdad por deciles, no sigue el principio de sacrificio equitativo y el alto valor del coeficiente debe ser interpretado como el deseo de la sociedad hacia una tributación más justa.

Among the different species of mammals, the expression of maternal behavior varies considerably, although the end points of nurturance and protection are the same. Females may display passive or active responses of acceptance, recognition, rejection/fear, or motivation to care for the offspring. Each type of response may indicate different levels of neural activation. Different natural stimuli can trigger the expression of maternal and paternal behavior in both pregnant or virgin females and males, such as hormone priming during pregnancy, vagino-cervical stimulation during parturition, mating, exposure to pups, previous experience, or environmental enrichment. Herein, we discuss how the olfactory pathways and the interconnections of the medial preoptic area (mPOA) with structures such as nucleus accumbens, ventral tegmental area, amygdala, and bed nucleus of stria terminalis mediate maternal behavior. We also discuss how the triggering stimuli activate oxytocin, vasopressin, dopamine, galanin, and opioids in neurocircuitries that mediate acceptance, recognition, maternal motivation, and rejection/fear.

El vólvulo gástrico es una entidad clínica de observación extremadamente rara por cuanto se encuentran en la literatura mundial no más de 500 casos; de ahí que habitualmente no se piense en esta patología y la demora diagnóstica puede ser de consecuencias fatales. Se presentan 2 casos diagnosticados e intervenidos en el Hospital Universitario de Cartagena; ambos, adultos jóvenes: mujer de 23 y hombre de 30 años, los cuales consultaron por dolor epigástrico, vómitos y distensión abdominal, en uno de ellos. La radiografía del tórax en la mujer evidenció neumoperitoneo masivo; la del abdomen simple mostró marcada dilatación gástrica con imagen sugestiva de vólvulo gástrico. En el hombre, la radiografía del tórax sugirió alteración diafragmática que, sumada al antecedente de trauma torácico 1 año atrás, llevó a la práctica de una serie gastroduodenal con bario, que mostró una imagen compatible con dicho diagnóstico. En ambos pacientes se usó la vía de acceso por la línea media, comprobándose el válvulo organoaxial, asociado en la mujer a relajación de los ligamentos de sostén del estómago y a una hernia diafragmática izquierda en el hombre, de la cual formaban parte el fondo y un segmento del cuerpo gástrico que se hallaban intratorácicos; en los 2 casos se produjo perforación gástrica sobre la curvatura menor. La técnica quirúrgica, además de la destorsión del vólvulo, incluyó rafia de la perforacián gástrica, gastropexia y corrección del defecto diafragmático en el caso que se comprobó. Los pacientes fueron dados de alta a los 10 días bajo controles posteriores, sin alteraciones. Se realiza una revisión de los aspectos clínicos, diagnósticos y terapéuticos más notables.

Mexico is a center of diversification for the Cactaceae family, with 69% of the species recorded as endemic. Certain members of the Cactaceae family have been chemically analyzed to relate their medicinal use with their phytochemistry. Here, the phytochemistry and bioactivity of ethanol extracts of Ferocactus echidne, F. latispinus, and Mammillaria geminispina were evaluated. A preliminary phytochemical analysis was performed, detecting the presence of saponins, tannins, cardiotonic glycosides, and sesquiterpene lactones. The presence of nicotinic acid in F. echidne and F. latispinus was identified by GC-MS. Other compounds found in the extracts of these three species were gentisic acid, diosmetin, chlorogenic acid, N-methyltyramide, and hordenine. The antioxidant activity was estimated with the DPPH free radical scavenging test. To determine the toxicity of the extracts, the in vivo model of Artemia spp. was used. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the extract was tested on C6, HaCaT, THP-1, and U937 cell lines, while the inflammatory activity was tested by measuring the secretion of cytokines using macrophage cells. The three species showed different bioactivities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities. To the best of our knowledge, the results presented here are the first described for these species.

Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone expressed in lactotrophs cells of the pituitary gland in primates. Extra pituitary expression of PRL has been reported, including the eye; however, expression in the developing eye of primates is limited. The aim of the study was determining the expression of PRL and PRL receptor (PRLR) (mRNAs and proteins) in adult and fetal baboon (Papio hamadryas) ocular tissues. Methods: We analyzed PRL and PRLR in baboon eyes tissues by immunofluorescence. The mRNAs of PRL and PRLR were detected by RT-PCR, cDNA was cloned, and sequenced. Furthermore, we performed a phylogenetic analysis to identify the evolutionary forces that underlie the divergence of PRL and PRLR primate genes. Results: We observed the expression of PRL and PRLR (mRNAs and proteins) in all retinal cell lineages of fetal and adult baboon. PRL and PRLR fit the hypothesis of evolutionary purifying gene selection. Conclusions: mRNA and protein of PRL and PRLR are expressed in fetal and adult baboon retinal tissue. PRL may trigger autocrine and paracrine-specific actions in retinal cell lines.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder is an alteration of neurodevelopment with a conspicuous display of behaviors in children between 2 and 3 years of age. Basic behavioral manifestations are social isolation, language impairment, and motor problems. However, there are also manifestations related to sensory perception, although knowledge about tactile stimulation is yet poorly understood. Objective: We aimed to determine changes in the cutaneous sensitivity of autistic boys following a program of tactile and emotional stimulation. Methods: Sensory stimulation was applied as therapy to six autistic boys 5-12 years old. As stimuli, we used bubble paper and a skin massager twice a week for 1 year. During stimulation, kids were allowed to walk in socks during 2 min on a 2 × 2 m carpet made of bubble paper and asked to burst the bubbles. In addition, a handheld massager was used to stimulate the skin on the forearm and face cheek with level 2 of intensity for 2 min. Following stimulation, the cutaneous sensitivity threshold was obtained using von Frey fibers on the forearm and face cheek. Kids were asked to keep their eyes closed and to indicate their perception by pointing with a finger toward the stimulated area. Results: Our data indicate that kids were capable of perceiving smaller fibers with consecutive therapy sessions. Conclusion: Tactile and sensory stimulation to autistic children modifies cutaneous sensitivity, perhaps with an improved perception of the general environment and consequently social behavior. Antecedentes: El trastorno del espectro autista es una alteración del neurodesarrollo con manifestaciones conductuales particulares en niños entre los 2-3 años de edad. Las conductas básicas son el aislamiento social, alteraciones del lenguaje y problemas motores. Sin embargo, existen también modificaciones relacionadas con la percepción sensorial, aunque el conocimiento sobre ello es aún pobre. Objetivo: Tuvimos el propósito de determinar la sensibilidad cutánea de niños con autismo siguiendo un programa de estimulación táctil y emocional. Métodos: Aplicamos dos estímulos sensoriales a 6 niños con autismo de 5 a 12 años de edad. Los estímulos utilizados fueron papel burbuja y un masajeador, dos veces por semana durante un año. Un cuadro de 2 x 2 m de papel burbuja se colocó en el piso y la prueba consistió en que cada niño caminara en calcetas por dos minutos tratando de reventar las burbujas. Un masajeador manual fue utilizado para estimular la piel del antebrazo y la mejilla a un nivel 2 de intensidad por dos minutos. Después de los estímulos, el umbral a la sensibilidad cutánea se obtuvo usando fibras de von Fray sobre el antebrazo y la mejilla, pidiendo a los niños mantener los ojos cerrados y señalando la percepción con un dedo el área estimulada. Resultados: A medida que la terapia se aplicó continuamente, cada niño fue capaz de percibir fibras más pequeñas. Conclusiones: Una estimulación enriquecida táctil y sensorial de niños con autismo modifica la sensibilidad cutánea, probablemente con una percepción mejorada del ambiente en general y consecuentemente de la conducta social.

La fragilidad y la vulnerabilidad que han observado algunas prácticas y hábitos frente al consumo mediático y el uso de las tecnologías por parte de los mexicanos obliga a la discusión sobre la ausencia de políticas educativas orientadas a la educación en medios y la alfabetización digital; un asunto que, históricamente, ha estado pendiente en la agenda pública y entre las comunidades académicas en los últimos años. Este artículo parte de una experiencia vivida en el estado de Veracruz, que desencadenó una serie de eventos reveladores de la vulnerabilidad en el consumo y uso de las TIC que afecta a sus ciudadanos. Para ello se recuperan algunos aspectos teóricos que contribuyen a dimen­sionar la importancia de educar en medios y en el uso responsable de las tecnologías en un país como México, pues situaciones afines a aquella experiencia siguen presentán­dose hasta nuestros días, con resultados lamentables.

Introduction: Obesity and psychosocial stress (PS) co-exist in individuals of Western society. Nevertheless, how PS impacts cardiac and hippocampal phenotype in obese subjects is still unknown. Nor is it clear whether changes in local brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) account, at least in part, for myocardial and behavioral abnormalities in obese experiencing PS. Methods: In adult male WT mice, obesity was induced via a high-fat diet (HFD). The resident-intruder paradigm was superimposed to trigger PS. In vivo left ventricular (LV) performance was evaluated by echocardiography and pressure-volume loops. Behaviour was indagated by elevated plus maze (EPM) and Y-maze. LV myocardium was assayed for apoptosis, fibrosis, vessel density and oxidative stress. Hippocampus was analyzed for volume, neurogenesis, GABAergic markers and astrogliosis. Cardiac and hippocampal BDNF and TrkB levels were measured by ELISA and WB. We investigated the pathogenetic role played by BDNF signaling in additional cardiac-selective TrkB (cTrkB) KO mice. Findings: When combined, obesity and PS jeopardized LV performance, causing prominent apoptosis, fibrosis, oxidative stress and remodeling of the larger coronary branches, along with lower BDNF and TrkB levels. HFD/PS weakened LV function similarly in WT and cTrkB KO mice. The latter exhibited elevated LV ROS emission already at baseline. Obesity/PS augmented anxiety-like behaviour and impaired spatial memory. These changes were coupled to reduced hippocampal volume, neurogenesis, local BDNF and TrkB content and augmented astrogliosis. Interpretation: PS and obesity synergistically deteriorate myocardial structure and function by depleting cardiac BDNF/TrkB content, leading to augmented oxidative stress. This comorbidity triggers behavioral deficits and induces hippocampal remodeling, potentially via lower BDNF and TrkB levels. Fund: J.A. was in part supported by Rotary Foundation Global Study Scholarship. G.K. was supported by T32 National Institute of Health (NIH) training grant under award number 1T32AG058527. S.C. was funded by American Heart Association Career Development Award (19CDA34760185). G.A.R.C. was funded by NIH (K01HL133368-01). APB was funded by a Grant from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region entitled: “Heart failure as the Alzheimer disease of the heart; therapeutic and diagnostic opportunities”. M.C. was supported by PRONAT project (CNR). N.P. was funded by NIH (R01 HL136918) and by the Magic-That-Matters fund (JHU). V.L. was in part supported by institutional funds from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna (Pisa, Italy), by the TIM-Telecom Italia (WHITE Lab, Pisa, Italy), by a research grant from Pastificio Attilio Mastromauro Granoro s.r.l. (Corato, Italy) and in part by ETHERNA project (Prog. n. 161/16, Fondazione Pisa, Italy). Funding source had no such involvement in study design, in the collection, analysis, interpretation of data, in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the paper for publication. Keywords: Brain-heart axis, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Obesity, Psychosocial stress, Left ventricle, Hippocampus, Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), Oxidative stress

The arid regions in Mexico are excluded from the benefits of the Payment for Environmental Services (PES) scheme of the National Forestry Commission, due to the low forest cover they have. The objective of the work is to carry out an identification at the regional level of those potential payment zones for environmental services in the Mezquital Valley, Hidalgo State. The limitation of the arid zone is the main justification for generating proposals as alternatives to try to include these regions in the PSA. The identification of eligible or priority areas for the PSA was based on the methodologies of the Physiographic Survey, to delimit the environmental areas or units and, for the analysis of decision-making, the Multicriteria. Priority areas for payment for environmental services equivalent to 911 ha were identified, with high and very high risk characteristics of losing the ecosystem services provided by the conservation of biodiversity.

Fimbriae play an important role in adhesion and are therefore essential for the interaction of bacteria with the environments they encounter. Most of them are expressed in vivo but not in vitro, thus making difficult the full characterization of these fimbriae. Here, we characterized the silencing of plasmid-encoded fimbriae (Pef) expression, encoded by the pef operon, in the worldwide pathogen Salmonella Typhimurium. We demonstrated that the nucleoid-associated proteins H-NS and Hha, and their respective paralogs StpA and YdgT, negatively regulate at pH 5.1 and pH 7.1 the transcription of the pef operon. Two promoters, PpefB and PpefA, direct the transcription of this operon. All the nucleoid-associated proteins silence the PpefB promoter and H-NS also targets the PpefA promoter. While Hha and YdgT are mainly considered as acting primarily through H-NS to modulate gene transcription, our results strongly suggest that Hha and YdgT silence pef transcription at acidic pH either by interacting with StpA or independently of H-NS and StpA. We also confirmed the previously described post-transcriptional repression of Pef fimbriae by CsrA titration via the fim mRNA and CsrB and CsrC sRNA. Finally, among all these regulators, H-NS clearly appeared as the major repressor of Pef expression. These results open new avenues of research to better characterize the regulation of these bacterial adhesive proteins and to clarify their role in the virulence of pathogens.

In recent times, insects have gained attention because of their nutritional characteristics as well as the environmental advantages of their production. In this research, the effect of the diet of grasshoppers (Sphenarium purpurascens) under controlled conditions on their chemical and nutritional content was studied. The insects were divided into two groups: maize leaf-fed grasshoppers (MFG) and soy sprout-fed grasshoppers (SFG). To evaluate the changes in composition, chemical analysis (protein, fiber, fat, ashes, and chitin) was carried out in triplicate according to AOAC procedures, and a Student’s t-test was used to determine any significant differences. The results showed a higher content of crude protein, in vitro protein digestibility percentage, and sum of non-essential amino acids (NEAAs) in the MFG samples compared with the SFG samples. The total dietary fiber, insoluble dietary fiber, soluble dietary fiber, sum of the EAA, non-essential amino acid percentage (EAA%), and biological value percentage (BV%) were higher in the SFG than the MFG, while in the amino acid profile and chitin content, no significant differences were obtained, although an increase in oleic acid in the SFG was observed. In FTIR, a β-sheet appeared in the SFG, which could be related to the low in vitro protein digestibility. The use of a soy sprout diet caused changes in the chemical composition and nutritional content of grasshoppers. This represents an opportunity to improve their nutritional value for commercial interests.

Understanding the foundations of the neurobiology of behavior and well-being can help us better achieve animal welfare. Behavior is the expression of several physiological, endocrine, motor and emotional responses that are coordinated by the central nervous system from the processing of internal and external stimuli. In mammals, seven basic emotional systems have been described that when activated by the right stimuli evoke positive or negative innate responses that evolved to facilitate biological fitness. This review describes the process of how those neurobiological systems can directly influence animal welfare. We also describe examples of the interaction between primary (innate) and secondary (learned) processes that influence behavior.

An early detection tool for latent COVID-19 infections in oncology staff and patients is essential to prevent outbreaks in a cancer center. (1) Background: In this study, we developed and implemented two early detection tools for the radiotherapy area to identify COVID-19 cases opportunely. (2) Methods: Staff and patients answered a questionnaire (electronic and paper surveys, respectively) with clinical and epidemiological information. The data were collected through two online survey tools: Real-Time Tracking (R-Track) and Summary of Factors (S-Facts). Cut-off values were established according to the algorithm models. SARS-CoV-2 qRT-PCR tests confirmed the positive algorithms individuals. (3) Results: Oncology staff members (n = 142) were tested, and 14% (n = 20) were positives for the R-Track algorithm; 75% (n = 15) were qRT-PCR positive. The S-Facts Algorithm identified 7.75% (n = 11) positive oncology staff members, and 81.82% (n = 9) were qRT-PCR positive. Oncology patients (n = 369) were evaluated, and 1.36% (n = 5) were positive for the Algorithm used. The five patients (100%) were confirmed by qRT-PCR. (4) Conclusions: The proposed early detection tools have proved to be a low-cost and efficient tool in a country where qRT-PCR tests and vaccines are insufficient for the population.

Para construir un espacio de aprendizaje en la enseñanza universitaria, se requiere una serie de habilidades del profesor, así como una participación activa del estudiante. Innovar y transformar el aula es complejo, porque son necesarias la concurrencia de competencias entre los agentes educativos. El aula activa requiere de los estudiantes el protagonismo en su aprendizaje, donde el profesor sea el estratega de la mediación. Es objetivo de este artículo, es compartir el itinerario pedagógico que un grupo de estudiantes del curso Técnicas de investigación cuantitativa y cualitativa en comunicación vivió, a partir del consenso con su profesor. Lo aquí narrado, no es propiamente el resultado de una investigación académica, sino de un ejercicio de análisis descriptivo y propositivo en el que sí se aborda la metodología de intervención empleada en el aula y fuera de ella, al presentar la estrategia pedagógica, la forma en que los estudiantes participaron en la definición de una agenda para abordar los contenidos curriculares de la segunda parte de su curso, correspondiente a las técnicas de investigación de corte cualitativo. A partir de los logros y resultados obtenidos por los estudiantes, se concluye la pertinencia de involucrarlos como sujetos activos de su propio aprendizaje, al contribuir en definir su itinerario educativo, en el que se emplearon plataformas virtuales, fuentes de referencia en múltiples formatos, el uso de software y aplicaciones para producir evidencias de aprendizaje.

Se presentan los resultados de la implementación de un curso abierto masivo en línea o MOOC (por sus siglas en inglés) dirigido a la formación de habilidades para la innovación de una población de 28612 estudiantes del nivel superior en el contexto de instituciones educativas mexicanas. La investigación se realizó desde un enfoque metodológico mixto para determinar, tanto las características descriptivas, como los resultados del curso en línea, lo anterior a partir del análisis de los datos e información de los participantes, así como por la encuesta de satisfacción aplicada en forma aleatoria para identificar los perfiles sociodemográficos, las condiciones de la usabilidad y los formatos de la experiencia de aprendizaje de los jóvenes durante su formación en habilidades para la innovación. Los resultados permitieron la reseña histórica del MOOC, a través de la caracterización de sus usuarios, de sus contribuciones principales en la educación superior, de su alcance y cobertura, así como del grado de satisfacción de los usuarios.

El objetivo del presente trabajo es estimar la Disposición a Pagar (DAP) por parte de los habitantes del municipio de Almoloya del Rio, estado de México a cambio de recibir un servicio de agua potable de calidad, así como la generación de acciones para la conservación y recuperación de los cuerpos de agua de la localidad. Para tales fines, se ha utilizado el procedimiento de Valoración Contingente, el cual se basa en la creación de un mercado simulado a través de encuestas, lo cual es ideal para estimar el valor económico de un bien que no tiene mercado, en éste caso el servicio hídrico valorado como un bien escaso e indispensable. El trabajo concentró fase de campo y el diseño de modelos econométricos, aplicados a las técnicas de valoración ambiental, se utilizó el modelo Logit del programa estadístico SAS. Como resultado de la investigación, se obtuvo una DAP considerablemente baja, en donde se destacan las variables Ingreso y Educación, las mismas que resultaron significativas estadísticamente.