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Los Cursos Masivos Abiertos y en Línea (MOOC) se han convertido en una tecnología disruptiva que ha buscado democratizar el acceso a la educación. Estos son cursos que se ofertan de forma abierta generalmente en alguna plataforma para MOOC como es Open edX. Estos cursos son tomados por cientos de miles de estudiantes, quienes lo siguen de forma autónoma, esto es, sin la presencia o guía de un docente. Cuando un MOOC se cierra para un número menor de estudiantes y se utiliza de forma privada integrándolo al currículo académico, se los conoce como Cursos Pequeños Privados en Línea (SPOC). Los SPOC, a diferencia de los MOOC, requieren la presencia y guía de un docente mientras los estudiantes toman el curso. Sin embargo, la plataforma Open edX carece de visualizaciones que asistan a estudiantes y docentes en la toma de decisiones durante el transcurso del curso. Es decir que el seguimiento y el monitoreo es escaso y limitado. Por este motivo, el presente trabajo propone desarrollar un componente denominado XBlock que implemente, por un lado, visualizaciones para estudiantes a fin de dar cuenta de su proceso de aprendizaje; y, por otro lado, visualizaciones para docentes a fin de que puedan monitorear, hacer seguimiento y retroalimentar a los estudiantes en un SPOC. Para lograrlo se empleó la metodología adaptada de LATUX para la planificación, diseño e implementación de un XBlock y evaluación de las visualizaciones del dashboard. Como resultado de la evaluación, se evidenció que cerca del 80% de los estudiantes perciben al XBlock desarrollado como un estímulo positivo para redirigir el comportamiento de los estudiantes. Además, contribuye como un apoyo para los docentes al momento de diseñar estrategias de enseñanza que permitan hacer el monitoreo y retroalimentar de mejor manera a los estudiantes para que puedan terminar con éxito el curso.

Antecedentes: La subcuenca Sayula localizada al centro-sur del estado de Jalisco, presenta un complejo paisaje conformado por diferentes comunidades vegetales a lo largo de un gradiente altitudinal. Pese a que existen diferentes trabajos del área, éstos no han abordado la distribución de la vegetación a lo largo de dicho gradiente, ni su interpretación bioclimática. Preguntas: ¿Cuál es la diagnosis bioclimática de la subcuenca? ¿Cuáles son los pisos bioclimáticos y como se vinculan con su correspondiente vegetación potencial natural? ¿Cuáles son los bioindicadores florísticos de cada piso bioclimático? Especies de estudio: Plantas vasculares, tipos de vegetación. Sitio y años de estudio: La subcuenca Sayula; 2017 a 2020. Métodos: Revisión de literatura, trabajo de campo, análisis bioclimático y trabajo de gabinete. Resultados: El área pertenece al Macrobioclima Tropical, reconociéndose los bioclimas Tropical Xérico y Tropical Pluviestacional; en el primero se incluyen los pisos bioclimáticos Termotropical Semiárido, Termotropical Seco y Mesotropical Seco, y en el segundo, los pisos bioclimáticos Mesotropical Subhúmedo y Mesotropical Húmedo. Las categorías mencionadas fueron trabajadas en un SIG obteniendo una cartografía que mostró su distribución espacial. Asimismo, la información geobotánica se sintetizó en una catena de vegetación representativa y en tablas que vinculan la información florística, vegetacional y bioclimática. Conclusiones: La diagnosis bioclimática permitió establecer la distribución de los pisos bioclimáticos, así como su relacióncon los tipos de vegetación. Los recambios en cuanto a fisionomía, estructura, composición y ecología de los pisos están enconsonancia con las variaciones de las condiciones bioclimáticas a lo largo del gradiente altitudinal. Translate stop

Background To date, no studies have used hypnosis to examine and manage the potential emotional causes of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the scientific field; therefore, we decided to compare the effectiveness of hypnoanalysis and guided imagery for determining and manage these emotional causes. Methods Fifteen participants with severe MS were included and assigned into 2 groups: hypnoanalysis and guided imagery. In the hypnoanalysis group, the participants underwent 10 hypnotic sessions to understand events related to the cause of the disease, which were restructured (the events were modified by adding the psychological resources that each involved person needed); in addition, other techniques were used to investigate the causes and solutions according to the participants’ unconscious. The guided imagery group received 10 group sessions of body relaxation and guided imagery, which were recorded for practice at home. Outcome measures, namely, disability (the Expanded Disability Status Scale, EDSS), quality of life (QoL, measured with the SF-36) and number of relapses, were evaluated 4 months previous the intervention, at baseline, post-intervention, and 3 months later. Results Hypnoanalysis revealed that stressful events and psychoemotional maladaptive patterns acted as causal, detonating, or aggravating factors of disease, and psychoemotional changes were the most frequent and varied solutions. No changes were observed in disability between the two groups. The guided imagery group showed an improvement in 2 subscales of QoL when compared with the hypnoanalysis group (which disappeared at the follow-up); this difference is probably due to the increased number of sessions and probably due to psychoemotional maladaptive patterns being more frequently mentioned than difficult circumstances in life and/or unsolved past events. However, the techniques used in hypnoanalysis were effective in understanding the potential emotional causes of MS, which showed high intra- and inter-participant consistency. Conclusions The daily use of guided imagery overcame the restructuring of negative past events to improve QoL in patients with MS. Trial registration ACTRN12618002024224 (retrospectively registered)

En las últimas décadas las mujeres han logrado posicionarse en los mercados laborales y además participar de manera activa en la creación de nuevas empresas (Langowitz y Minniti, 2007). En el caso de México, de acuerdo con datos de la Secretaría de Hacienda, 3 de cada 5 negocios que se abren son dirigidos por mujeres, del mismo modo se ha observado que en este país, el gobierno ha puesto énfasis en generar programas de apoyo para las mujeres emprendedoras. No obstante, el índice de fracaso de los emprendimientos es del 75%. Lo cual obliga a investigar los factores que determinan el éxito de los emprendimientos entre hombres y mujeres. Para ello, se analizan los factores conductuales y gerenciales que determinan el impacto en el éxito emprendedor, realizando un estudio empírico a 255 directivos de empresas de reciente creación (de 0 a 3 años de apertura) en cuatro ciudades del norte de México. A través del uso de ecuaciones estructurales se pudieron observar las diferencias en el éxito en los negocios entre hombres y mujeres. En primer lugar, se observó que lo que determina el éxito de las mujeres en los negocios radica en los elementos conductuales, es decir, son los rasgos psicológicos (extraversión, apertura y conciencia). Mientras que para los hombres las capacidades gerenciales son las que determinan su éxito. Los resultados anteriores, dejan ver la necesidad de fortalecer la capacitación gerencial en las mujeres para alcanzar el éxito empresarial.

Background: seasonally dry tropical forests are considered critical and important ecosystems because they harbor exceptional biological diversity. Mexico lacks sound phytosociological studies of Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest and Michoacán is no exception. The present study may be regarded the first phytosociological in most of the Mexican pacific coast where seasonally dry tropical forests occurs. Questions/Objective: We aimed at describing the representative plant associations of the seasonally dry tropical forest, distributed on western Michoacán and to provide a sintaxonomic classification framework based on the floristic differentiation of the recognized communities and highlight its phytocenotic diversity. Study site and dates: Estado de Michoacán; 20 years. Methods: A total of 82 phytosociological inventories were conducted. Data were submitted to multivariate two-way indicator species analyses to depict plant communities and their ecological affinities. Results: From its analysis and interpretation, nine plant groups were differentiated, of which all but one was given the rank of association, which are Lysilomo acapulcensis–Heliocarpetum terebinthinacei , Ceibo aesculifoliae–Lysilometum divaricatae , Caesalpinio platylobae-Cordietum elaeagnoidis , Cochlospermo vitifolii-Lueheetum candidae , Lysilomo divaricatae-Cordietum elaeagnoidis ; Stenocereo quevedonis-Cordietum selerianae , Guazumo ulmifoliae-Cordietum elaeagnoidis ¸ Lonchocarpo huetamoensis-Cordietum elaeagnoidis and the community of Spondias purpurea-Cochlospermum vitifolium. Conclusions: Comparative floristic and structural profiles among plant communities permitted us to distinguish their bioclimatic relationships. Diagnostic species representative of all plant associations were selected and used for sintaxonomic nomenclature. Plant associations were finally array along bioclimatic and altitudinal gradients and showed in arranged phytosociological tables. The plant association/community’descriptions permitted to compare structural physiognomy, floristic composition, ecological affinities, distribution patterns and bioclimatic liaison among them.

Understanding the factors contributing to the introduction and spread of invasive species is crucial to help develop management strategies to control and eradicate them in sensitive areas. Our goals were to investigate (1) the association between habitat suitability of fountain grass (Cenchrus setaceus), human footprint, and environmental variables; (2) the biogeographical distribution of habitat suitability of fountain grass, an aggressive invasive species that has altered native ecosystems across multiple continents; (3) what kind of habitats are most likely to be invaded by fountain grass; and (4) the potential impact of climate change on the range of fountain grass. We showed that areas with the highest suitability are in desertic and xeric areas of the Mediterranean, and dry tropical, and subtropical bioclimates. The global biogeographic pattern of the suitability of fountain grass generally increases from the equator toward subtropical areas and then decreases at the north and south portions of the globe. Areas with the highest suitability occur along broad ecotonal zones between deserts and Mediterranean regions. Models indicated human footprint and annual mean temperature most contributed to explaining the global suitability patterns of fountain grass. Climate change analysis showed a high potential contraction of the potential range of fountain grass in the Mediterranean and tropical areas of the southwest USA, northern Mexico, northeast Brazil, and South Africa. Results also indicated a potential moderate expansion of its range, mainly in tropical areas of the southwest USA and East Africa. Our results give support for the tenet that anthropogenic factors and climate dynamics might be a strong explanation of the spatial distribution of fountain grass over broad-extent areas. Managers and stakeholders may apply our results to identify high-priority areas that can be used to prevent future invasions into areas of high suitability.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the nervous system. Peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) are potential biomarkers of disability and neurological damage. The present work evaluated LTL and mtDNA-CN in 75 relapsing-remittent MS (RRMS) patients 50 of whom had an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 0 to 3 (mild-moderate disability), and 25 had an EDSS of 3.5 to 7 (severe disability). Absolute LTL and absolute mtDNA-CN were measured via real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The LTL and mtDNA-CN were significantly lower in RRMS severe disability than in RRMS mild-moderate disability (3.924 ± 0.124 vs 2.854 ± 0.092, p

Background The poorly developed soils of the embryo dunes imply little capacity for plant support, however, the adaptation mechanisms of plants respond sensitively to environmental variations, even when these variations are small, which results in a set of specialized habitats and flora that are rarely shared with other terrestrial ecosystems. The coastal dunes of the Mexican Pacific remain vaguely studied, this is why this research explored the relationship between environmental properties and the presence of plant species in the embryo dunes of the coast of Jalisco, Mexico. Methods Twenty-nine sites were sampled, one or two sites per embryo dune, with a random stratified design. Geomorphological and vegetation data were collected at site. Laboratory determinations included soil color, particle size, organic matter, pH, electrical conductivity, magnetite content, and moisture retention. Statistical analysis included correlation analysis to identify relationships between environmental variables; principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis to group dune sites by environmental properties; canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to determine a possible significant relationship between the presence of plant species and environmental variables; cluster analysis to group dune sites by presence/absence of plant species and correlate both clusters to validate the relationship between them, the salient aspects of this relationship were described and the spatial distribution of the groups was mapped. Results Eleven plant species were identified, six of them exclusive to the embryo dunes and the rest ubiquitous. The incipient development of these soils is reflected in a low content of organic matter, silt, clay, and moisture retention, with scattered data on granulometry, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and magnetite. Some significant correlations were found between some environmental properties, and the CCA showed a significant relationship between the presence of plant species and environmental variables (p-value of the Monte Carlo test = 0.026). The cluster analysis of dune sites according to environmental variables and the cluster analysis by presence/absence of plant species produces the formation of five groups of sites with significant environmental differences and five groups of sites with significant floristic differences. A significant connection (r = 0.471, p = 0.01) between the two clustering schemes also evidences the meaningful relationship between the presence of plant species and the environmental characteristics of the embryo dunes of Jalisco, Mexico. Differences in habitat preferences were observed among plant species exclusive to the embryo dunes; thus, Abronia maritima, Uniola pittieri, and Pectis arenaria showed a preference for embryo dunes with poor edaphic conditions, in contrast to Okenia hypogaea, Canavalia rosea, and Scaevola plumieri, which were mostly found in embryo dunes with higher fertility.

Introduction. Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease, where fibrin deposition and the impairment in its degradation have been shown to play an important role in the demyelination process. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a serine protease that enhances the conversion of plasminogen into its active form plasmin, the principal tPA inhibitor is the PAI-1. Several PAI-1 polymorphisms impact its gene expression and protein activity. Furthermore, the aim of this study was to investigate the association between the - 844 G>A, HindIII C>G, and 4G/5G PAI-1 polymorphisms and susceptibility to MS. Material and Methods. The study group included 400 Mexican mestizo subjects: 200 unrelated patients and 200 unrelated individuals identified as control subjects. The analysis of PAI-1 polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results. A significant association was found between the CG genotype of the HindIII C>G PAI-1 polymorphism and susceptibility to MS (OR=1.58, p=0.03); moreover, the frequency of 5G allele and 5G/5G genotype of the 4G/5G PAI-1 polymorphism was statistically significant (OR=1.36 and p=0.04 and OR=2.43 and p=0.02, respectively). With respect to the relation between the scores of progression (EDSS) and severity (MSSS), no association was found between EDSS and genotypes of the PAI-1 polymorphisms analyzed. Regarding MSSS, male that carries genotype GA of the -844 G>A and genotype 4G/5G of the 4G/5G PAI-1 polymorphisms showed a significant association with an increase of media of MSSS in comparison with females (p=0.01 in both cases).

In the last decades, more than six hundred exotic species have become established throughout the region of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, including the African buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.). Buffelgrass often causes negative impacts on natural ecosystems and it is considered a highly invasive species in many parts of the world. We used 18,550 records from 260 datasets and species distribution modeling (SDM) to provide support for the climatically based and topographic hypotheses, which claim that current climate and topography affect species distribution patterns of plants. We also investigated (1) the geographical distribution of habitat suitability across biotic communities of the Southwest United States and northern Mexico, (2) the association between habitat suitability, climate variables and topography, and (3) the potential effects of climate change on the future distribution of buffelgrass. We found that the geographic pattern of suitability in the southwest generally increases west- and southward, with some high suitability areas also occurring in southern areas of Arizona, USA, and across the state of Sonora, Mexico. We observed that mean temperature and annual precipitation explain spatial variation in suitability better than other climatic and non-climatic variables. Climate change models indicated significant opportunities for contraction across the buffelgrass’ range and fewer for range expansion. In all scenarios, SDMs predicted a high contraction of suitable habitat. Most of these contractions would occur in portions of the Sonoran Desert and the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental. We show, for the first time, the potential changes in buffelgrass habitat suitability across major biomes of the Southwest region, under future climate change scenarios.

espanolEl emprendimiento en la actualidad juega un papel trascendental en la economia global, puesto que apoya con el empleo, el desarrollo economico e inclusive la innovacion de un pais. El presente trabajo determina el impacto de los enfoques conductuales y gerenciales del emprendimiento en el exito del negocio. Se realizo un estudio empirico a 252 directivos de empresas de reciente creacion (de 0 a 3 anos de apertura) en cuatro ciudades del norte de Mexico, utilizando un muestreo probabilistico. A traves del metodo cuantitativo y con la tecnica de ecuaciones estructurales se pudo comprobar dentro del enfoque conductual que los rasgos personales y la motivacion ejercen un impacto positivo y significativo en el exito del emprendedor. Del mismo modo dentro del enfoque gerencial se encontro que el conocimiento del entorno favorece significativamente dicho exito, no obstante, las habilidades gerenciales generan un efecto no significativo en el desempeno del emprendedor. Por lo que se concluye que estos resultados deben interpretarse a la luz del entorno mexicano donde el emprendedor exitoso se encuentra mas apegado a los rasgos personales que a sus habilidades profesionales. EnglishEntrepreneurship today plays a transcendental role in the global economy, since it supports employment, economic development and even innovation in a country. The present work determines the impact of the behavioral and managerial approaches of entrepreneurship on the success of the business. An empirical study was conducted on 252 directors of newly created companies (from 0 to 3 years of opening) in four cities in northern Mexico, using probabilistic sampling. Through the quantitative method and the technique of structural equations it was possible to verify within the behavioral approach that personal traits and motivation exert a positive and significant impact on the success of the entrepreneur. In the same way, within the managerial approach, it was found that knowledge of the environment significantly favors such success, however, managerial skills generate a non-significant effect on the entrepreneur’s performance. So it is concluded that these results should be interpreted in light of the Mexican environment where the successful entrepreneur is more attached to personal traits than to their professional skills.

The protein alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) has been linked to neuroinflammatory conditions. We investigated whether the presence of α-Syn in peripheral tissues is a surrogate of brain inflammatory status in a small group of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients in a pilot cross-sectional study. Skin biopsies and peripheral blood were sampled from 34 healthy controls and 23 MS patients for measurement of α-Syn levels. Within the RRMS group 15 patients were in remission, and 8 patients were in the relapsing phase. The protein α-Syn was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry in skin and nucleated blood cells, respectively. In the skin, α-Syn levels were lower in relapsing MS than in the other groups, both in positive area (p = .021) and staining intensity (p = .004). In blood, the percentage of α-Syn-positive lymphocytes and monocytes were not statistically different between study groups. Moreover, the use of systemic steroids did not affect α-Syn positivity in MS-relapse patients. Finally, epidermic Langerhans cells did not stain positively for α-Syn. Overall, the levels of α-Syn positivity were lower in inflammatory relapse of RRMS patients when measured in peripheral tissues. We discuss the role of α-Syn levels in inflammation according to the obtained results.

Background Multiple sclerosis affects more than 2 million people. Clinical decisions are performed under evidence-based medicine. The appearance of new disease-modifying therapies and changes in diagnostic criteria complicates the decision-making process in clinical practice. Objectives To characterize the criteria for radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) by Mexican neurologists in a real-world setting. Methods A two-round modified Delphi method (RAND/UCLA) was applied. Results In RIS, LP, spinal cord MRI and VEP should be included in diagnostic testing; DMT initiation is not necessary. A follow-up MRI within 3 months are recommended. In CIS, corticosteroid therapy should be initiated at first relapse; both simple and Gd-enhanced MRI is mandatory. LP, selective blood tests, and NMO-IgG/AQP4 antibodies should be performed as complementary. IFN beta or GA were the most suitable DMTs for treating high-risk CIS. Patients with RRMS should begin with DMT at diagnosis, include a follow-up MRI if a patient had 2 relapses within 6 months. GA and oral DMTs are the most eligible DMTs for mild RRMS. Monoclonal antibodies-based therapy is chosen when disability is present. Radiological criteria for switching DMT included >1 Gd+ lesion and >2 new T2 lesions. Conclusions Although many coincidences, there are still many hollows in the medical attention of MS in Mexico. This consensus recommendation could be helpful to implement better evidence-based recommendations and guidelines in a real-world setting.

Between 50-60% of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients have cognitive alterations. There are several batteries to assess cognitive impairments in MS, however, few exist for Latin Americans. The objective of this study is to evaluate the neuropsychological profile of Mexican people with MS (PwMS) and assess the utility of Norma Latina, a new battery for cognitive assessment in Latin America, in differentiating cognitive test performance between PwMS and healthy controls (HCs).100 PwMS and 100 HCs from Mexico were evaluated with the Norma Latina battery. The following analyses were conducted: 1) low-percentiles of each participant were calculated, 2) Area Under the Curve was used to determine whether the battery discriminated between PwMS and HCs, 3) four composite scores were calculated, and student's t-test was used to compare groups according to these domains.PwMS obtained a greater number of impaired scores compared to HCs, principally in executive function. The battery successfully discriminated between PwMS and HCs, with the strongest capacity to discriminate in the executive functions, and the weakest in memory.Establishing validation of a neuropsychological battery for Mexican PwMS will help to more accurately detect cognitive alterations, which will guide the decisions of professionals in terms of cognitive rehabilitation.

La Lectura es una herramienta necesaria para desarrollar destrezas funcionales y que sirve como recurso fundamental para el aprendizaje de cualquier ciencia; pero es en el aprendizaje de un nuevo idioma, estableciéndose como hábito, donde genera un impacto considerable para la compleción de dicho idioma de manera rápida, eficaz y perdurable. Se abordó a la lectura de manera general y puntual, en base a las ventajas y aportaciones que esta puede generar en beneficio del ser humano, específicamente como gracias al hábito de la misma se desarrolla la mente, pues esta estimula los procesos cognitivos; además en el aprendizaje tiene un papel preponderante en la adquisición, reproducción y creación del conocimiento. PALABRAS CLAVE: Lectura; hábito; medio; aprendizaje; idioma. THE HABIT OF READING AS A MEANS OF LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE ABSTRACT Reading is a necessary tool to develop functional skills and it serves as a fundamental resource for the learning of any science; but it is in the learning of a new language, establishing itself as a habit, when it generates a considerable impact to complete this language in a fast, efficient and lasting way. The reading was approached in a general and timely manner, depending on the advantages and contributions it can generate for the benefit of the human being, specifically how, thanks to the habit of reading, the mind can develop, because it stimulates the cognitive processes; in addition, reading has a preponderant role in learning, for example, in the acquisition, reproduction and creation of knowledge. KEYWORDS: Reading; habit; mean; learning; language.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a cytokine associated with tissue damage in multiple autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. The role of MIF in multiple sclerosis (MS) and the contribution of its polymorphisms are unknown in our population. Therefore, we decided to investigate the genetic association of -794 CATT5-8 (rs5844572) and -173 G>C (rs755622) MIF polymorphisms with MS, clinical variables and MIF serum levels in the population of western Mexico. 230 MS patients diagnosed according to McDonald criteria and 248 control subjects (CS) were recruited for this study, both polymorphisms were genotyped by PCR and PCR-RFLP and MIF serum levels were measured by ELISA kit. Severity and progression of MS were evaluated by EDSS and MSSS scores, respectively. Genotypes carrying the 5 repeats alleles of -794 CATT5-8MIF polymorphism present higher MIF serum levels in comparison with no carriers, and the presence of 5,7 heterozygous genotype contribute to the increase of disease severity and damage progression in MS patients. Notably when we stratified by sex, an effect of risk alleles (7 repeats and -173*C) of both MIF polymorphisms on EDSS and MSSS scores on males was found (p

The percutaneous isolated hepatic perfusion utilizes a venovenous bypass to administer high-dose chemotherapy exclusively in the liver, getting depurated through a hemofilter before returning to the systemic circulation. The hepatic perfusion is managed under general anesthesia and invasive monitoring as a result of very abrupt changes in venous return and vascular resistances because of the isolation of the hepatic territory and absorption of circulating catecholamines by the hemofilter. We report a case in which we describe the technique, physiologic implications, anesthetic, and goal-directed hemodynamic management for this procedure.

Background: Chronic exposure to noise induces changes on the central nervous system of exposed animals. Those changes affect not only the auditory system but also other structures indirectly related to audition. The hippocampus of young animals represents a potential target for these effects because of its essential role in individuals’ adaptation to environmental challenges. Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate hippocampus vulnerability, assessing astrocytic morphology in an experimental model of environmental noise (EN) applied to rats in pre-pubescent stage. Materials and Methods: Weaned Wistar male rats were subjected to EN adapted to the rats’ audiogram for 15 days, 24 h daily. Once completed, plasmatic corticosterone (CORT) concentration was quantified, and immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein was taken in hippocampal DG, CA3, and CA1 subareas. Immunopositive cells and astrocyte arborizations were counted and compared between groups. Results: The rats subjected to noise exhibited enlarged length of astrocytes arborizations in all hippocampal subareas. Those changes were accompanied by a marked rise in serum CORT levels. Conclusions: These findings confirm hippocampal vulnerability to EN and suggest that glial cells may play an important role in the adaptation of developing the participants to noise exposure.

Sleep disorders are a widespread condition in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), which has been linked to a deregulation of the circadian cycle and therefore of the clock genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of melatonin (MEL) on the PER1 and BMAL1 clock genes in patients with PD. A double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial pilot study was conducted in 26 patients with stage 1–3 PD according to the Hoehn & Yahr scale, who received either 25 mg of MEL or a placebo at noon and 30 min before bedtime for three months. The relative expression of the PER1 and BMAL1 genes was measured, as well as the presence of daytime, nocturnal, and global sleepiness, and the progression of PD. The levels of the PER1 and BMAL1 genes at baseline were 0.9 (0.1–3) vs. 0.56 (0.1−2.5), respectively; while after the intervention with MEL or placebo the BMAL1 levels increased to 2.5 (0−3.70) vs. 2.2 (0.10–3.30), respectively (d = 0.387). Fifty percent (50 %) of patients had daytime sleepiness and sixty-five percent (65 %) had abnormal nighttime sleepiness, yet neither group showed changes after the intervention. Patients with PD exhibited an alteration in the levels of the clock genes: MEL increased the levels of BMAL1, but the PER1 levels remained unchanged.

Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), especially those living in Latin America, often require assistance from family caregivers throughout the duration of the disease. Previous research suggests that family caregivers may experience positive and negative outcomes from providing care to individuals with MS, but few studies have examined the unmet needs of individuals providing care to family members with MS and how these unmet needs may mediate the relationship between MS symptoms and caregiver mental health. The current study examined the relationships among MS impairments (functional, neurological, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional), unmet family needs (household, informational, financial, social support, and health), and caregiver mental health (satisfaction with life, anxiety, burden, and depression) in a sample of 81 MS caregivers from Guadalajara, Mexico. A structural equation model demonstrated the mediational effect of unmet family needs on the relationship between MS impairments and caregiver mental health. These findings suggest that intervention research on MS caregivers in Latin America may consider focusing on caregiver mental health problems by addressing unmet family needs and teaching caregivers ways to manage the impairments of the individual with MS.

The HLA-DRB1*15:01 allele has a demonstrated risk for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) in most populations around the world. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3129934 is found in linkage disequilibrium with the risk haplotype formed by the HLA-DRB1*15:01 and HLA-DQB1*06:02 alleles, and it is considered a reliable marker of the presence of this haplotype. Native Americans have a null or low prevalence of MS. In this study, we sought to identify the frequency of rs3129934 in the Wixarika ethnic group as well as in Mestizo (mixed race) patients with MS and in controls from western Mexico. Through real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using TaqMan probes, we analyzed the allele and genotype frequencies of rs3129934 in Mestizo individuals with and without MS and in 73 Wixarika subjects from the state of Jalisco, Mexico. The Wixarika subjects were homozygote for the C allele of rs3129934. The allele and genotype frequency in Mestizos with MS was similar to that of other MS populations with Caucasian ancestry. The absence of the T risk allele rs3129934 (associated with the haplotype HLA-DRB1*15:01, HLA-DQ1*06:02) in this sample of Wixarika subjects is consistent with the unreported MS in this Amerindian group, related to absence of such paramount genetic risk factor.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system associated with increased oxidative stress (OS) and mitochondrial alterations. Fish oil consumption has neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in patients with relapsing-recurrent MS (RR-MS). Objective: To evaluate changes in the hydrolytic activity of ATP synthase and mitochondrial membrane fluidity in patients with RR-MS who receive fish oil or olive oil as a dietary supplement. Methods: Clinical, controlled, randomized, double-blind trial. Patients consumed fish oil or olive oil for one year. The hydrolytic activity of ATPase and the fluidity of the mitochondrial membrane of platelets were quantified. Results: In patients with RR-MS, a decrease in the fluidity of mitochondrial membranes and an increase in the hydrolytic activity of ATP synthase was observed in comparison with healthy controls. After 6 or 9 months of treatment with fish oil or olive oil, respectively, these values were normalized. Conclusion: The consumption of fish oil and olive oil increases the fluidity of the mitochondrial membranes and decreases the catabolic activity of ATP synthase in platelets from patients with RR-MS.

"Con base en la diagnosis bioclimática de 377 estaciones meteorológicas repartidas por la provincia fisiográfica de la Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO) y en la información florística y de vegetación recopilada, se han identificado las unidades bioclimáticas del territorio, de las que se efectúa su caracterización geobotánica. El área se incluye en el macrobioclima tropical, estando representados los bioclimas Tropical Desértico, Tropical Xérico y Tropical Pluviestacional. Para cada uno se han identificado sus pisos bioclimáticos (19 en total) de los cuales se efectúa su diagnosis geobotánica a través de la identificación de sus respectivos pisos de vegetación, haciendo énfasis en la estructura de la vegetación natural potencial, sus principales indicadores florísticos y su distribución catenal. Estos resultados se complementan con los mapas de bioclimas, termotipos y ombrotipos y con tres catenas de vegetación realizadas a diferentes latitudes."

El presente artículo, se propuso como objetivo caracterizar el aprendizaje basado en tareas y las competencias comunicativas del inglés en estudiantes universitarios. La metodología fue de tipo descriptiva- documental. La población la constituyeron 12 docentes universitarios y el instrumento fue un cuestionario con una escala de 5 alternativas a saber; siempre, casi siempre, algunas veces, casi nunca y nunca. El análisis de la información fue procesado estadísticamente a través del paquete estadístico SPSS versión 19. Entre los resultados se pudo constatar que las competencias socio-lingüísticas, según el 71% de los docentes investigados casi siempre incluyen para su uso el conocimiento de las reglas socioculturales, de las normas, los estilos y los registros de la lengua que están tratando. Dentro de las conclusiones se pudo determinar que el aprendizaje fundamentado en tareas fortalece las competencias comunicativas del inglés en los estudiantes universitarios.

El objetivo principal de la presente investigación fue evaluar el papel del Aprendizaje Cooperativo en el proceso de la enseñanza aprendizaje de la escritura del idioma inglés como lengua extranjera con estudiantes del área de la Universidad Técnica de Manabí. La metodología fue cualitativa y con un enfoque de tipo descriptiva. La población fue constituida por 90 estudiantes de la Universidad que cursan la materia de Ingles. Los datos e información se obtuvieron a través de un cuestionario dicotómico que se les aplicó a los estudiantes. Los resultados demostraron que altos porcentajes de opiniones negaron la posibilidad del cumplimento de los elementos que interactúan en el aprendizaje cooperativo por parte de los docentes que dictan la cátedra.

Background and objective Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who intend to get pregnant are often advised to discontinue disease modifying therapy (DMT) prior to conception. This recommendation is not based on medical evidence and may interfere with disease control by immunomodulatory drugs. The present study was designed to help discuss the effect of DMT for MS on pregnancy and on disease course. Patients and methods Retrospective data from 152 pregnancies of 132 women with MS were collected by the physician in charge of the case. All data were entered into a specific file for qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis. Results From the total group of patients, 89 pregnancies occurred without any exposure to MS drugs, while 61 pregnancies occurred with at least eight weeks of exposure to MS immunomodulatory drugs. The rate of obstetric and neonatal complications was similar in both groups, except for the newborn weight and height which was smaller for mothers receiving medications. Mothers’ post-delivery relapse rate and EDSS scores in the follow-up period were significantly higher in the absence of treatment. Conclusion It is possible that, with further such supportive data, international guidelines on MS treatment in young women who intend to get pregnant may need to be revised.

Decreased Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT) brain level is one of the main biochemical disorders in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). In rodents, recent data show that the CHAT gene can be regulated by a neural restrictive silencer factor (NRSF). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the gene and protein expression of CHAT and NRSF in frontal, temporal, entorhinal and parietal cortices of AD patient brains. Four brains from patients with AD and four brains from subjects without dementia were studied. Cerebral tissues were obtained and processed by the guanidine isothiocyanate method for RNA extraction. CHAT and NRSF gene and protein expression were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. CHAT gene expression levels were 39% lower in AD patients as compared to the control group (p < 0.05, U test). ChAT protein levels were reduced by 17% (p = 0.02, U test). NRSF gene expression levels were 86% higher in the AD group (p = 0.001, U test) as compared to the control group. In the AD subjects, the NRSF protein levels were 57% higher (p > 0.05, U test) than in the control subjects. These findings suggest for the first time that in the brain of AD patients high NRSF protein levels are related to low CHAT gene expression levels.

A bioclimatic synthesis of the Sierra Madre Occidental (SMO) based on the diagnosis of data from 159 meteorological stations, the floral and vegetation data collected in field surveys, and in the bibliographic revision. The considered area is above the altitude of 1800 m included in the physiographical province of SMO, which entirely belongs to Tropical macrobioclimate, being represented by the bioclimates Tropical Pluviseasonal and Tropical Xeric. Broadly speaking, the first is distributed in the highlands and on the western slope of the range, while the second is sited in the dry mountain ravines and on the eastern slope. Fourteen isobioclimates were recognised, 5 for the bioclimate Tropical Xeric (Thermotropical Dry, Mesotropical Semiarid, Mesotropical Dry, Supratropical Semiarid and Supratropical Dry) and 9 for the Tropical Pluviseasonal (Thermotropical Subhumid Mesotropical Subhumid, Mesotropical Humid, Supratropical Subhumid, Supratropical Humid, Supratropical Hyperhumid, Orotropical Subhumid, Orotropical Humid and Orotropical Hyperhumid). Each one has its corresponding vegetation belt, with emphasis in the structure of its potential natural vegetation, its main bioindicators and its catenal distribution. These results are complemented by distribution maps of the bioclimates, thermotypes and ombrotypes present, and by three vegetation transects recognised along both routes made at different latitudes.

Objetivo: Estima-se que haja aproximadamente 50.000 pessoas com a forma remitente-recorrente da esclerose múltipla na América Latina. Os algoritmos de tratamento norte-americanos e europeus não levam em consideração nossas peculiaridades regionais, nem a dificuldade no acesso ao tratamento por parte dos pacientes. Métodos: O Fórum Latino-americano de Esclerose Múltipla é um grupo de especialistas independente e suprainstitucional, que avaliou as mais recentes evidências científicas sobre a eficácia e a segurança das drogas modificadoras do curso da doença. Foram avaliados também o acesso ao tratamento e os programas de farmacovigilância de cada um dos oito países representados no Fórum. Resultados: Uma lista específica de recomendações baseadas em evidências científicas foi estabelecida para a América Latina. Também foram discutidas perspectivas de futuros tratamentos para esclerose múltipla. Conclusões: O presente estudo representou um esforço dos representantes de oito países latino-americanos em discutir um assunto que não pode ser adaptado para uso em nossa região diretamente a partir de recomendações de tratamento europeias ou norte-americanas. Objective: It is estimated that circa 50,000 individuals have relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Latin America. European and North- American algorithms for the treatment of multiple sclerosis do not foresee our regional difficulties and the access of patients to treatment. Methods: The Latin American Multiple Sclerosis Forum is an independent and supra-institutional group of experts that has assessed the latest scientific evidence regarding efficacy and safety of disease-modifying treatments. Accesses to treatment and pharmacovigilance programs for each of the eight countries represented at the Forum were also analyzed. Results: A specific set of guidelines based upon evidence-based recommendations was designed for Latin America. Future perspectives of multiple sclerosis treatment were also discussed. Conclusions: The present paper translated an effort from representatives of eight countries discussing a matter that cannot be adapted to our region directly from purely European and North-American guidelines for treatment.

Rare autosomal dominant mutations result in familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) with a relatively consistent age of onset within families. This provides an estimate of years until disease onset (relative age) in mutation carriers. Increased AD risk has been associated with differences in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activity during memory tasks, but most of these studies have focused on possession of apolipoprotein E allele 4 (APOE4), a risk factor, but not causative variant, of late-onset AD. Evaluation of fMRI activity in presymptomatic FAD mutation carriers versus noncarriers provides insight into preclinical changes in those who will certainly develop AD in a prescribed period of time. Adults from FAD mutation-carrying families (nine mutation carriers, eight noncarriers) underwent fMRI scanning while performing a memory task. We examined fMRI signal differences between carriers and noncarriers, and how signal related to fMRI task performance within mutation status group, controlling for relative age and education. Mutation noncarriers had greater retrieval period activity than carriers in several AD-relevant regions, including the left hippocampus. Better performing noncarriers showed greater encoding period activity including in the parahippocampal gyrus. Poorer performing carriers showed greater retrieval period signal, including in the frontal and temporal lobes, suggesting underlying pathological processes.