Polinización y sistema reproductivo en Adesmia bijuga Phil. (Fabaceae), una especie en peligro crítico en Chile central

Adesmia bijuga Phil. is an endemic shrub in central Chile, classified as a critically endangered species of plant. After more than 100 years since its original description by R. A. Philippi (1884), the species was rediscovered exclusively in two locations of the Maule Region. One of them, Fundo San Pedro-Las Cañas, is close to extinction with a low number of shrubs, occurring in a disturbed habitat due to plantations of Pinus radiata. This study examined the pollination biology and breeding system of A. bijuga in order to explain their small number of shrubs. We estimated composition of pollinator species attracted to flowers and visitation rates. In order to describe its breeding system in A. bijuga we used manipulated treatments to estimate autonomous self-pollination, level of reproductive assurance and pollen limitation. The results of this study indicate that only pollinators from the order Hymenoptera visit A. bijuga. The pollinator assemblage did not show temporary variation during the flowering season, with Bombus dahlbomii as its most frequent visitor. A. bijuga showed a mixed mating system that involves both cross- and self- pollination. The fruit set ranges from 20% to 60% in the absence or presence of pollinators, respectively. This selfing ability would provide reproductive assurance when pollinators fail. The taxon showed ability of asexual formation of seeds without the occurrence of fertilization by agamospermy. Supplemental outcross pollen did not increase female reproductive success, suggesting that the species is not pollen limited. All these factors may help to explain how this species has been able to survive over time in a small and isolated population. Finally, this work discusses how the results of our study can be applied to future A. bijuga conservation measures.Adesmia bijuga Phil. es una especie arbustiva endémica de Chile central, clasificada como especie en peligro crítico. Después de más de 100 años desde su descripción original por R.A. Philippi (1884), la especie fue redescubierta exclusivamente en dos localidades de la Región del Maule. Una de ellas, en el Fundo San Pedro-Las Cañas, se encuentra cercana a la extinción, en un hábitat perturbado debido a plantaciones de Pinus radiata. Este estudio examinó la biología de la polinización y el sistema reproductivo de A.bijuga, que podrían explicar su restringido número de plantas. Se estimó la composición de polinizadores atraídos por las flores y la tasa de visita. Con el objetivo de caracterizar el sistema reproductivo en A. bijuga se realizaron tratamientos manipulativos para cuantificar la capacidad de autofertilización, el nivel de aseguramiento reproductivo y la limitación de polen. Los resultados de este estudio indican que A. bijuga es visitada solamente por polinizadores que pertenecen al orden himenóptera. El ensamble de polinizadores no varió temporalmente durante el periodo de floración, siendo Bombus dahlbomii el visitador más frecuente. A. bijuga presentó un sistema reproductivo mixto, con polinización cruzada y autopolinización. El rango de fructificación varió entre 20% a 60% en ausencia y presencia de polinizadores, respectivamente. Esta capacidad de autopolinización podría proveer de aseguramiento reproductivo cuando los polinizadores fallan. Tratamientos con suplemento de polen no incrementaron el éxito reproductivo, sugiriendo que la especie no se encuentra limitada de polen. El taxon mostró capacidad de formar semillas asexualmente sin la ocurrencia de fertilización (agamospermia). Todos estos factores podrían ayudar a explicar cómo esta especie es capaz de persistir en el tiempo en una población pequeña y aislada. Finalmente, este trabajo discute cómo los resultados de este estudio pueden ser aplicados en futuras medidas para la conservación de A. bijuga

La casa de Alicia en el país de las maravillas: la casa del SER en su contexto

Peer Reviewe

Effect of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Colonization on Cadmium‐Mediated Oxidative Stress in Glycine max (L.) Merr.

Cadmium is a heavy metal (HM) that inhibits plant growth and leads to death, causing great losses in yields, especially in Cd hyperaccumulator crops such as Glycine max (L.) Merr. (soybean), a worldwide economically important legume. Furthermore, Cd incorporation into the food chain is a health hazard. Oxidative stress (OS) is a plant response to abiotic and biotic stresses with an intracellular burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that causes damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) association is a plant strategy to cope with HM and to alleviate OS. Our aim was to evaluate the mitigation effects of mycorrhization with AMF Rhizophagus intraradices on soybean growth, nutrients, Cd accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and the activity of different antioxidant agents under Cd (0.7–1.2 mg kg−1 bioavailable Cd) induced OS. Our results suggest that glutathione may act as a signal molecule in a defense response to Cd-induced OS, and mycorrhization may avoid Cd-induced growth inhibition and reduce Cd accumulation in roots. It is discussed that R. intraradices mycorrhization would act as a signal, promoting the generation of a soybean cross tolerance response to Cd pollution, therefore evidencing the potential of this AMF association for bioremediation and encouragement of crop development, particularly because it is an interaction between a worldwide cultivated Cd hyperaccumulator plant and an AMF–HM–accumulator commonly present in soils.Fil: Molina, Alicia Susana. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Lugo, Mónica Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Pérez Chaca, María V.. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Vargas Gil, Silvina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Patología Vegetal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Zirulnik, Fanny. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Leporati, Jorge Leandro. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Ferrol, Nuria. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Estación Experimental del Zaidín; EspañaFil: Azcón González de Aguilar, Concepción. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas. Estación Experimental del Zaidín; Españ

Risk perception of medicinal marijuana in medical students from northeast Mexico [version 1; referees: awaiting peer review]

Background. Several studies have shown support from the public toward the use of medicinal marijuana. In this cross-sectional study, we assess the risk perception to medicinal marijuana in a sample of medical students. Methods. To estimate risk perception, a visual scale that ranges from 0 cm (without risk) to 10 cm (totally risky) was used. Risk  perception was expressed as the median of the cm marked over the scale. Differences among groups was tested with the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, as appropriate. Results. 283 students participated in the study. Risk perception to medicinal marijuana was 4.22, paracetamol 1.56 and sedatives 5.0. A significant difference in risk perception was observed in those that self-reported to smoke and consume alcohol. Conclusions. Risk perception of medicinal marijuana is 4.22 in medical students of northeast of Mexico. Students may underestimate its adverse effects. More studies with respect to this are needed

Q ITESO: Análisis Crítico de Medios

En esta séptima entrega de Q ITESO: Análisis Crítico de Medios se examina un 2014 colmado de acontecimientos sobre la reconfiguración de los medios de Jalisco y del país, y sus relaciones con el estado, los empresarios y el público. Destaca la aprobación de la Ley Federal de Telecomunicaciones y Radiocomunicación y los nuevos equilibrios de poder que esto supone. También, se analizan las alianzas de algunos diarios nacionales y del estado con medios extranjeros, para compensar algunas carencias y ampliar su oferta editorial e informativa. Otras cuestiones no menos relevantes tienen que ver con la libertad de expresión y la inseguridad laboral en la que viven muchos trabajadores de los medios de comunicación jaliscienses, sobre todo los impresos, y el caso emblemático del llamado “cuarto de guerra” al servicio del gobernador del estado, Aristóteles Sandoval, para espiar -y en ocasiones hasta coaccionar- a directivos y reporteros de medios para atenuar la crítica al gobierno. El derecho a la información, la transparencia, la situación de los nuevos medios en línea, los periodistas que publican libros, el cambio climático y los periodistas que ya no están con nosotros merecen también una mirada atenta en este informe.ITESO, A.C

Bioelectronic Medicine: a multidisciplinary roadmap from biophysics to precision therapies

Bioelectronic Medicine stands as an emerging field that rapidly evolves and offers distinctive clinical benefits, alongside unique challenges. It consists of the modulation of the nervous system by precise delivery of electrical current for the treatment of clinical conditions, such as post-stroke movement recovery or drug-resistant disorders. The unquestionable clinical impact of Bioelectronic Medicine is underscored by the successful translation to humans in the last decades, and the long list of preclinical studies. Given the emergency of accelerating the progress in new neuromodulation treatments (i.e., drug-resistant hypertension, autoimmune and degenerative diseases), collaboration between multiple fields is imperative. This work intends to foster multidisciplinary work and bring together different fields to provide the fundamental basis underlying Bioelectronic Medicine. In this review we will go from the biophysics of the cell membrane, which we consider the inner core of neuromodulation, to patient care. We will discuss the recently discovered mechanism of neurotransmission switching and how it will impact neuromodulation design, and we will provide an update on neuronal and glial basis in health and disease. The advances in biomedical technology have facilitated the collection of large amounts of data, thereby introducing new challenges in data analysis. We will discuss the current approaches and challenges in high throughput data analysis, encompassing big data, networks, artificial intelligence, and internet of things. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the electrochemical properties of neural interfaces, along with the integration of biocompatible and reliable materials and compliance with biomedical regulations for translational applications. Preclinical validation is foundational to the translational process, and we will discuss the critical aspects of such animal studies. Finally, we will focus on the patient point-of-care and challenges in neuromodulation as the ultimate goal of bioelectronic medicine. This review is a call to scientists from different fields to work together with a common endeavor: accelerate the decoding and modulation of the nervous system in a new era of therapeutic possibilities

First report on sexually transmitted infections among trans (male to female transvestites, transsexuals, or transgender) and male sex workers in Argentina: High HIV, HPV, HBV, and syphilis prevalence

Objectives: Due to the scarce data on the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among male-to-female trans-sex workers (TSW) and male sex workers (MSW) in Argentina, the present study aimed to estimate the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Treponema pallidum. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Chlamydia trachomatis infections were tested among TSW. Methods: Two hundred and seventy-three TSW and 114 MSW were recruited by nongovernmental organizations. HIV incidence was estimated by STARHS (serologic testing algorithm for recent HIV seroconversion). HPV and C. trachomatis infections were tested in anal cells from TSW. Results: TSW showed significantly higher prevalences of HIV (34.1 vs. 11.4%), HBV (40.2 vs. 22.0%), and T. pallidum (50.4 vs. 20.4%) than MSW. TSW tested positive for HPV in 111/114 cases and for C. trachomatis in 4/80 cases. Investigation of HBV, HCV, HIV, and T. pallidum co-infections showed that 72% of TSW and 39% of MSW had at least one STI. T. pallidum was the most frequent mono-infection. The estimated HIV incidence was 10.7 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval (CI) 3.8-17.7) for TSW and 2.3 per 100 person-years (95% CI 0-6.7) for MSW. Conclusions: The high prevalence of STIs and the high incidence of HIV demonstrate the great vulnerability of these high-risk populations and indicate the urgent need for preventive strategies on intervention and facilitation of access to healthcare programs.Fil: Dos Ramos Farías, María Sol. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología. Centro Nacional de Referencia para el Sida; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Maria Noe. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología. Centro Nacional de Referencia para el Sida; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Reynaga, Elena. Asociación de Mujeres Meretrices de la Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Romero, Marcela. Asociación de Travestis, Transexuales y Transgénero de Argentina; ArgentinaFil: Vaulet, María Lucía Gallo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Fermepín, Marcelo Rodríguez. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica; ArgentinaFil: Toscano, Mauro Fernández. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Rey, Jorge. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital de Clínicas General San Martín; ArgentinaFil: Marone, Rubén. Nexo Asociación Civil; ArgentinaFil: Squiquera, Luis. Nexo Asociación Civil; ArgentinaFil: González, Joaquín V.. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Basiletti, Jorge Alejandro. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Picconi, María Alejandra. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Pando, María de los Ángeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología. Centro Nacional de Referencia para el Sida; ArgentinaFil: Ávila, María Mercedes. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología. Centro Nacional de Referencia para el Sida; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentin

Development of a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii metabolic network dynamic model to describe distinct phenotypes occurring at different CO2 levels

The increase in atmospheric CO2 due to anthropogenic activities is generating climate change, which has resulted in a subsequent rise in global temperatures with severe environmental impacts. Biological mitigation has been considered as an alternative for environmental remediation and reduction of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In fact, the use of easily adapted photosynthetic organisms able to fix CO2 with low-cost operation is revealing its high potential for industry. Among those organism, the algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have gain special attention as a model organism for studying CO2 fixation, biomass accumulation and bioenergy production upon exposure to several environmental conditions. In the present study, we studied the Chlamydomonas response to different CO2 levels by comparing metabolomics and transcriptomics data with the predicted results from our new-improved genomic-scale metabolic model. For this, we used in silico methods at steady dynamic state varying the levels of CO2. Our main goal was to improve our capacity for predicting metabolic routes involved in biomass accumulation. The improved genomic-scale metabolic model presented in this study was shown to be phenotypically accurate, predictive, and a significant improvement over previously reported models. Our model consists of 3726 reactions and 2436 metabolites, and lacks any thermodynamically infeasible cycles. It was shown to be highly sensitive to environmental changes under both steady-state and dynamic conditions. As additional constraints, our dynamic model involved kinetic parameters associated with substrate consumption at different growth conditions (i.e., low CO2-heterotrophic and high CO2-mixotrophic). Our results suggest that cells growing at high CO2 (i.e., photoautotrophic and mixotrophic conditions) have an increased capability for biomass production. In addition, we have observed that ATP production also seems to be an important limiting factor for growth under the conditions tested. Our experimental data (metabolomics and transcriptomics) and the results predicted by our model clearly suggest a differential behavior between low CO2-heterotrophic and high CO2-mixotrophic growth conditions. The data presented in the current study contributes to better dissect the biological response of C. reinhardtii, as a dynamic entity, to environmental and genetic changes. These findings are of great interest given the biotechnological potential of this microalga for CO2 fixation, biomass accumulation, and bioenergy production

Analysis of autonomic outcomes in APOLLO, a phase III trial of the RNAi therapeutic patisiran in patients with hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis

Hereditary transthyretin-mediated (hATTR) amyloidosis is a progressive, debilitating disease often resulting in early-onset, life-impacting autonomic dysfunction. The effect of the RNAi therapeutic, patisiran, on autonomic neuropathy manifestations in patients with hATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy in the phase III APOLLO study is reported. Patients received patisiran 0.3 mg/kg intravenously (n = 148) or placebo (n = 77) once every 3 weeks for 18 months. Patisiran halted or reversed polyneuropathy and improved quality of life from baseline in the majority of patients. At baseline, patients in APOLLO had notable autonomic impairment, as demonstrated by the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score-31 (COMPASS-31) questionnaire and Norfolk Quality of Life-Diabetic Neuropathy (Norfolk QOL-DN) questionnaire autonomic neuropathy domain. At 18 months, patisiran improved autonomic neuropathy symptoms compared with placebo [COMPASS-31, least squares (LS) mean difference, - 7.5; 95% CI: - 11.9, - 3.2; Norfolk QOL-DN autonomic neuropathy domain, LS mean difference, - 1.1; - 1.8, - 0.5], nutritional status (modified body mass index, LS mean difference, 115.7; - 82.4, 149.0), and vasomotor function (postural blood pressure, LS mean difference, - 0.3; - 0.5, - 0.1). Patisiran treatment also led to improvement from baseline at 18 months for COMPASS-31 (LS mean change from baseline, - 5.3; 95% CI: - 7.9, - 2.7) and individual domains, orthostatic intolerance (- 4.6; - 6.3, - 2.9) and gastrointestinal symptoms (- 0.8; - 1.5, - 0.2). Rapid worsening of all study measures was observed with placebo, while patisiran treatment resulted in stable or improved scores compared with baseline. Patisiran demonstrates benefit across a range of burdensome autonomic neuropathy manifestations that deteriorate rapidly without early and continued treatment.The study was funded by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Medical writing services provided by Kristen Brown (PhD) of Adelphi Communications Ltd, Macclesfeld, UK were funded by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in accordance with Good Publication Practice (GPP3) guidelines. We would like to thank Anastasia McManus (Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) for her assistance during preparation of this manuscript.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Medios de comunicación y derecho a la información en Jalisco 2013

En el primer apartado, dedicado al sistema de medios en general, se presentan tres artículos: “Nuevos medios de comunicación en Jalisco”, “c7 ¿medio público o vocero del gobierno?” y “Réquiem por un ombudsman”. El segundo apartado está dedicado al tema de la libertad de expresión; se presentan aquí dos textos: “La vulnerabilidad en un ambiente de cambio. Los ataques a los medios de comunicación en Jalisco durante el año” y “Violaciones a la libertad de expresión de periodistas y trabajadores de medios en Jalisco, 1995-2013”. En el apartado “Derecho a la información, comunicación y política” se ofrecen cuatro textos de índole muy diversa: “La estrategia de comunicación del Gobierno del Estado”, “Diálogos públicos: la discusión de una nueva ley de transparencia para Jalisco”, “Cuando un niño desaparece, el peor enemigo es el tiempo…”, sobre la alerta Amber, y “2013: un año marcado por despidos en diversos periódicos de Guadalajara”. En la sección “Los que se fueron” se presenta la semblanza de Felipe Vicencio. Y en el apartado de “La investigación del observatorio de medios” se comparten los resultados de un trabajo sobre los columnistas de opinión jaliscienses que escriben en la prensa local.ITESO, A.C