Characterization of the global profile of genes expressed in cervical epithelium by Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE)

BACKGROUND: Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) is a new technique that allows a detailed and profound quantitative and qualitative knowledge of gene expression profile, without previous knowledge of sequence of analyzed genes. We carried out a modification of SAGE methodology (microSAGE), useful for the analysis of limited quantities of tissue samples, on normal human cervical tissue obtained from a donor without histopathological lesions. Cervical epithelium is constituted mainly by cervical keratinocytes which are the targets of human papilloma virus (HPV), where persistent HPV infection of cervical epithelium is associated with an increase risk for developing cervical carcinomas (CC). RESULTS: We report here a transcriptome analysis of cervical tissue by SAGE, derived from 30,418 sequenced tags that provide a wealth of information about the gene products involved in normal cervical epithelium physiology, as well as genes not previously found in uterine cervix tissue involved in the process of epidermal differentiation. CONCLUSION: This first comprehensive and profound analysis of uterine cervix transcriptome, should be useful for the identification of genes involved in normal cervix uterine function, and candidate genes associated with cervical carcinoma

Contribución de la producción animal en pequeña escala al desarrollo rural

La producción y el consumo de productos de origen animal han experimentado un rápido crecimiento en todo el mundo, y se prevé que continuarán aumentando. Se considera que la mayor parte del incremento en la producción provendrá de sistemas de producción en pequeña escala, que representan el medio de vida de hasta un 70% de la población rural pobre del mundo.1 La producción animal en pequeña escala se reconoce en todo el mundo como un elemento que contribuye al alivio de la pobreza en el medio rural, mediante generación de ingresos, oportunidades de ocupación y dinamismo del uso de los recursos disponibles. Por lo tanto, es de suma importancia conocer las dinámicas de estos sistemas de producción animal y su contribución al desarrollo rural en México. Investigadores y extensionistas deben priorizar las demandas de la producción animal en las comunidades rurales, ya que la producción animal en pequeña escala ha contribuido a mejorar la calidad de vida y a disminuir la vulnerabilidad de las familias productoras. En el México prehispánico la población sólo criaba xoloitzcuintle y guajolotes como animales domésticos, y complementaba en proteínas su dieta con la caza y la pesca. Sin embargo, con la llegada de los españoles en 1521 llegaron también los primeros bovinos a la Nueva España, que se reprodujeron con suma rapidez. La carne de bovino llegó a constituir una parte sustancial de la dieta alimenticia de toda la población.2 A pesar de que al inicio la producción animal era casi nula, ésta empezó a desarrollarse rápidamente y en la actualidad representa un pilar importante para el desarrollo rural en las familias campesinas de nuestro país, pues es vista como una fuente de ingreso

Influence of inorganic and organic additives on spectrophotometry of lime mortars

En el presente trabajo se analizaron las variaciones de color de mezclas de mortero base cal con adiciones de materiales como: arcilla, ceniza de ladrillo, polvo de ignimbrita y fécula de maíz; comparando dichas adiciones con un mortero testigo de cal-arena. Para cuantificar el color, se midieron las coordenadas colorimétricas, expresadas en función de las coordenadas C.I.E. (L*, a* y b*). Estos estudios determinan las coordenadas cromáticas medias, que están en la gama de rojo-amarillo como es el naranja. En el diseño de un mortero con ese color original se tendrían que tener en cuenta los valores medidos de L*a*b*. El presente trabajo muestra los resultados de color del mortero base cal que proporciona resultados estéticos aceptables según los colores originales de los monumentos que se pretenden restaurar pero sin demérito de la resistencia mecánica de los mismos.Variation in colors in lime base mortars by adding materials like clay, manufacturing brick ash, quarry powder, and maize starch have been analyzed in this research. Such additions were compared with a sample mortar made only of sand and clay. In order to quantify the color, Chromatic coordinates, expressed in coordinates C.I.E. (L*, a* and b*) were measured. These analyses determine the median chromatic coordinates which are between red and yellow, maybe as orange. To design a mortar in that original color the measured values L*, a* and b* were taken into account. The present work shows the results of color of lime mortars which provides acceptable aesthetic results according to the original colors of the monuments that is intended to be restored but without diminishing the mechanical resistance of them

Use of Audiovisual Methods and Documentary Film for the Preservation and Reappraisal of the Vernacular Architectural Heritage of the State of Michoacan, Mexico

The State of Michoacan has a wide and rich architectural heritage which is represented by different vernacular typologies which employ different materials and techniques according to the local resources. However, this wide knowledge and cultural heritage are disappearing, with several monuments and buildings being abandoned due to new dynamics and social changes. The traditional techniques have been substituted for modern and industrial construction systems since they are associated with obsolete ways of life. Through international cooperation for development and research projects, many activities were carried out to analyze the durability of local materials and vernacular constructions of the state. The main ones included the architectural survey and inspection of these buildings, photographic and drone surveys, characterization in the laboratory and oral interviews with local users. During the field work, these interviews with the local population, the creation of multimedia content and the use of audiovisual methods had crucial importance in the documentation of this local knowledge and culture, being great methods for scientific communication and dissemination. The main product is the documentary Xirangua, which means ‘roots’ in the Purépecha language, the main indigenous ethnicity in the state. This documentary explores the traditional architecture and construction of Michoacan, showing the reality within the loss of this vernacular heritage and portraying the importance of its conservation through the perspective of the local population, users and artisans. The use of these audiovisual techniques has demonstrated to be a suitable option to promote and preserve cultural heritage and educate, include the local actors in the process, and make the general public aware of the current issues, with this being one of the first works which explores this approach

Asphalt Mixes Processed with Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) as Partial Replacement of the Natural Aggregate

Materials play a fundamental role in any branch of civil engineering. From ancient times to the present day, society has required enormous amounts of construction materials, which implies an excessive exploitation of the natural environment. The present research work consisted in the design and development of asphalt mixes with a partial substitution of the natural aggregate (NA) by means of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA). The mix was designed with the Marshall methodology, considering the next percentages of substitution and addition by mass: 90% NA and 10% RCA; 80% NA and 20% RCA; 70% NA and 30% RCA. The mixtures were elaborated and analysed under the international standards and the Mexican regulation of the Communications and Transport Ministry, to determine the best option regarding their performance. The materials were characterized according to the current regulations and later employed in the mixes design. A total of 38 specimens were elaborated for each mixture, determining the optimum asphalt content; after that, mechanical tests were performed to analyse and determine the best results. In the aftermath of the examination of all mixtures, we concluded that the 70%AN/30%RCA is the best alternative option according to its performance and numeric results, complying with the cited regulations, and allowing a lower content of asphalt during the process

Effect of the Addition of Agribusiness and Industrial Wastes as a Partial Substitution of Portland Cement for the Carbonation of Mortars

The present research work shows the effect on the carbonation of Portland cement-based mortars (PC) with the addition of green materials, specifically residues from two groups: agricultural and industrial wastes, and minerals and fibres. These materials have the purpose of helping with the waste disposal, recycling, and improving the durability of concrete structures. The specimens used for the research were elaborated with CPC 30R RS, according to the Mexican standard NMX-C-414, which is equivalent to the international ASTM C150. The aggregates were taken from the rivers Lerma and Huajumbaro, in the State of Michoacan, Mexico, and the water/cement relation was 1:1 in weight. The carbonation analyses were performed with cylinder specimens in an accelerated carbonation test chamber with conditions of 65 +/− 5% of humidity and 25 +/− 2 °C temperature. The results showed that depending on the PC substitutions, the carbonation front advance of the specimens can increase or decrease. It is highlighted that the charcoal ashes, blast-furnace slags, and natural perlite helped to reduce the carbonation advance compared to the control samples, consequently, they contributed to the durability of concrete structures. Conversely, the sugarcane bagasse ash, brick manufacturing ash, bottom ash, coal, expanded perlite, metakaolin, and opuntia ficus-indica dehydrated fibres additions increased the velocity of carbonation front, helping with the sequestration of greenhouse gases, such as CO2, and reducing environmental pollution