MtNIP5;1, a novel Medicago truncatula boron diffusion facilitator induced under deficiency

Background: Legumes comprise important crops that offer major agronomic benefits, including the capacity of establishing symbiosis with rhizobia, fixing atmospheric N2. It has been proven that legumes are particularly susceptible to boron (B) stress, which leads to important yield penalties. Boron (B) deficiency or toxicity in plants causes the inhibition of growth and an altered development. Under such conditions, the participation of two distinct protein families (the major intrinsic protein family MIP and the Boron transporter family BOR) is required to minimize detrimental effects caused by B stress. However, in legumes, little is known about the transport mechanisms responsible for B uptake and distribution, especially under deficiency. Results: A Medicago truncatula protein, MtNIP5;1 (Medtr1g097840) (homologous to the Arabidopsis thaliana AtNIP5;1) was identified as a novel legume B transporter involved in B uptake under deficiency. Further analyses revealed that this M. truncatula aquaporin expression was boron regulated in roots, being induced under deficiency and repressed under toxicity. It localizes at the plasma membrane of root epidermal cells and in nodules, where B plays pivotal roles in symbiosis. Furthermore, the partial complementation of the nip5;1–1 A. thaliana mutant phenotype under B deficiency supports a functional role of MtNIP5;1 as a B transporter in this legume model plant. Conclusions: The results here presented support a functional role of MtNIP5;1 in B uptake under deficiency and provides new insights into B transport mechanisms in legume specie

Changes in nutritional quality-related traits of quinoa seeds under different storage conditions

Within the context of climate change and its impact on global food security, seed storage has become key, as it ensures long-term food and next-season seed preservation. Aiming at evaluating quality-related changes in quinoa seeds over storage time, different storage temperatures (–20, 4, 12, 25, and 37°C) and humidity conditions (use of silica gel or not) were studied and different seed nutritional parameters were evaluated at different points during a year of storage. Also, to determine if these variations could be conditioned by the genotype used, two quinoa cultivars were compared. The results proved that quinoa seed quality is highly dependent on the storage temperature but is not consistently affected by the use of silica gel if the seed moisture content (SMC) is kept between 5 and 12%. Furthermore, quality can be maintained and even improved by keeping SMC lower than 12% and storage temperatures low (4°C). Under these conditions (at 4°C in hermetic packaging with or without silica gel), and after 12 months of storage, there was an increase in amino acids like isoleucine, serine, arginine, glycine, and glutamic acid and in seed viability and germination. On the contrary, quinoa seeds stored at 37°C showed an accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which was related to a lower antioxidant capacity and a reduction in the contents of essential amino acids like isoleucine, lysine, histidine, and threonine, resulting in a delayed and reduced germination capacity, and, therefore, lower seed quality. Besides, quality-related differences appeared between cultivars highlighting differences linked to the genotype. Overall, this work demonstrates that optimal storage temperatures and SMC can preserve or even improve quinoa seed nutritional quality, which in turn can impact food safety and agricultureThis work was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICINN, Spain) (PID2019-105748RA-I00), the Comunidad de Madrid-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (SI1/PJI/2019-00124), the CYTED (ValSe-Food 119RT0567), the FPI-UAM Fellowship Programme 2019 (to SG-R), the Ayundante de Investigación CM Programme (to IM-G), and the Ramón y Cajal Programme 2019 (to M

Quinoa plant architecture: A key factor determining plant productivity and seed quality under long-term drought

Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa) is an underutilized crop proposed as key to achieving food security within the current climatic context, where water scarcity in rainfed areas is becoming more frequent and severe, especially in Mediterranean regions. Thus, aiming at deepening our knowledge regarding the impact of water limitation on the quinoa seed nutritional quality, seeds obtained from primary and secondary panicles of four different European-adapted cultivars (F14, F15, F16, and Titicaca) growing under full irrigation and water-limiting conditions, were here analyzed. A set of parameters were evaluated in this work, including agronomical (such as yield, seed weight, seed area, and seed germination and viability rates) and nutritional (including the seed proximate composition, mineral content, and antioxidants) traits. Our results indicate that the morphological changes associated with drought stress affect secondary panicles’ seed yield. This phenomenon was generally associated with an improvement in the nutritional quality of those seeds. However, cultivars such as F16, despite keeping total seed yield under low water availability, showed drought's detrimental effect on the seed nutritional quality. In contrast, cultivars like F15 and Titicaca reduced their seed yield under water-limiting conditions but increased their protein, iron, copper, calcium, manganese, and zinc contents, especially in secondary panicles. Therefore, the dichotomy between seed quantity and quality has to be considered in this crop under water stress scenarios, highlighting differences in sink strength along the plant panicles determining seed nutritional qualityThe authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support received from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion ´ (MICINN, Spain) and the Agencia Estatal de Investigacion ´ (PID2019-105748RA-I00 AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033), the CYTED (ValSe-Food 119RT0567), the FPI UAM Fellowship Programme 2019 (to SG-R), and the Ramon ´ y Cajal Programme 2019 (to MR

Metodología aplicada en el estudio del desarrollo del lenguaje en niños con detección temprana de la hipoacusia neonatal

Producción CientíficaDado que el potencial discapacitante que causa la deficiencia auditiva neonatal disminuye con una detección e intervención tempranas, hemos elaborado un proyecto de investigación, con el que nos proponemos conocer el grado de desarrollo del lenguaje de los niños y niñas que procedentes del cribado auditivo universal, han sido diagnosticados/as por nosotros de hipoacusia prelingual en estos últimos 15 años y analizar las variables determinantes y las que son modificables. El objeto de esta comunicación consistirá en presentar la metodología que vamos a utilizar. Método: Partimos de los datos almacenados en nuestro Servicio de ORL, que comprende a 282 niños con hipoacusia. Hemos tenido la oportunidad de crear un grupo de investigación en el que coincidimos especialistas de la audición infantil y del lenguaje, por lo que contamos con medios suficientes para el estudio. Resultados: Describimos los elementos que configuran este proyecto, en relación al equipo de trabajo y a su desarrollo. Tras aplicar unos criterios de exclusión/inclusión, hemos seleccionado a un grupo de 45 niños entre 3 y 15 años, definiendo sus características auditivas. Mediante pruebas específicas, adaptadas a la edad, estudiaremos los diferentes aspectos del lenguaje; y a través Rev. ORL, 20xx, x x de una entrevista estructurada realizada a los padres, intentaremos determinar las variables que influyen en el proceso re-habilitador. Finalmente, los datos serán analizados estadísticamente. Discusión: La variabilidad y la escasa prevalencia de la hipoacusia infantil, dificultan la realización de estudios con población suficiente para obtener resultados estadísticamente significativos. Sin embargo, creemos que el grupo de niños seleccionado y la metodología utilizada nos permitirán conocer mejor las variables influyentes en el desarrollo del lenguaje. Conclusiones: El programa de cribado auditivo universal ha permitido una intervención más precoz, lo que debería mejorar los niveles de lenguaje de los niños detectados/as con hipoacusia. Aunque el desarrollo normalizado de la comunicación depende de otros factores difíciles de determinar, a través del protocolo presentado pretendemos equiparar estos resultados, validando el proceso de cribado/diagnóstico e intervención de nuestro medio.Universidad de Valladoli

Acceso a las tic`s en estudiantes afroecuatorianos en Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas.

El presente artículo se plantea con el objetivo de describir algunos aspectos puedan evaluar de manera aproximativa las dificultades de acceso educativo a las Tecnologías de la información y comunicación en los estudiantes afroecuatorianos de séptimo de Educación General Básica de la Unidad Educativa “Brasilia”. El problema por el cual se propone el estudio se asienta en la exclusión digital que experimentan los estudiantes afroecuatorianos de instituciones educativas urbano marginales. Los resultados del estudio vienen a comprobar que existe un escaso acceso a las Tics en el contexto educativo y escolar de los estudiantes. Del mismo modo, aunque se han implementado políticas públicas de conexión digital, parecen no haberse evaluado correctamente. En las conclusiones, se describen aspectos relacionados a la poca disponibilidad de recursos tecnológicos en el contexto educativo, además, se pone en evidencia la carencia de acceso a internet y un ordenador en los hogares de los estudiantes evidenciándose la necesidad de complejizar la visión a los distintos contextos educativos

Quantification of direct and indirect damage caused by Diceroprocta bulgara (Distant) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in lime

Objective: To quantify the direct and indirect damage caused by Diceroprocta bulgara in the cultivars of Persian lemon, Mexican with and without thorn, Colimex and Lise, in the Oaxaca Coast. Design/methodology/approach: The damage caused by D. bulgara was recorded their nests in each tree. In each plot, 15 trees were randomly selected to evaluate tree height, crown diameter, number of damaged vegetative growth flows, diameter of the first three flows, length of damage and oviposited eggs. In three planting densities of Lise and Colimex, the loss of fruit was estimated due to the indirect effect of the insect (kg ha-1). Results: The incidence of damage was from 79% (Mexican without spines) to 95% (Colimex). A slight correlation between tree size and damage was observed, larger trees showed a higher percentage of affected flows. The flow with the highest frequency of damage was the second (31.99%) and the first with the lowest (17.33%). The lowest number of eggs oviposited was 26 on the flow 1 in the Mexican lemon, and the maximum of 171 in the spineless one. The higher number of eggs was recorded in Persian lemon (371). A significant relationship was determined between the number of eggs with the length of damage and flow diameter (<0.05). The highest number of mummified fruits (15.6) was observed in Colimex (density 312 trees ha-1), estimating that up to 146 kg of fruit could be lost. Findings/conclusions: In the present work, the direct and indirect damage caused by the cicada D. bulgara was quantified for the first time, which represents a loss of fruit in productive trees. Studies on the biology of the insect are suggested for future integrated management plans.Objective: To quantify the direct and indirect damage caused by Diceroprocta bulgara in lime cultivars: Persian, Mexican with and without thorns, Colimex and Lise; on the Coast of Oaxaca, Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: The damage caused by D. bulgara was calculated by counting nests in trees of five lime cultivars (Persian, Mexican with thorns, Mexican without thorns, Colimex and Lise). In each plot, 15 trees were selected randomly to evaluate the variables: height, crown diameter, damaged growth flows, damaged growth diameter, damage length, and number of eggs. The loss of fruit from the indirect effect (kg ha-1), was estimated in three densities of Colimex and Lise. Results: The damage ranged between 78.6% (Mexican without thorns) and 94% (Colimex). The trees of largest size showed a higher percentage of affected flows. The second flow showed the highest frequency of damage (32%), while the lowest frequency was obtained in the first flow (17.3%). The lowest number of eggs was 26 in flow one in Mexican lime without thorns, while the highest was 171 in Mexican lime without thorns. The greatest number of eggs was observed in Persian lime (371). A significant relationship was determined between the number of eggs and the damage length and flow diameter (<0.05). The highest number of mummified fruits (15.6) was observed in Colimex (density of 312 trees ha-1) and the estimation that up to 146 kg of fruit could be lost. Findings/Conclusions: This study quantifies for the first time the direct and indirect damage caused by oviposition of the cicada D. bulgara, which represents a loss of fruit in productive trees. Studies on the insect’s biology are suggested for integral management plans

Pharmaceutical intervention in the usage of inhalers with COPD patients that have an appointment in a health center to do an spirometry

Background: the usage of inhalers is something complex. This work with COPD patients pretends that, after the pharmacist intervention, the correct usage of these drugs is guaranteed so as to improve the quality of life.  Methods: the nurse set a date to do an spirometry to the patients. On the other hand, the pharmacist assessed the usage of the inhalers and carried out the adherence and quality of life tests. Three months after, the patients came back to the consultation and the pharmacist repeated the same procedure to detect any possible change after the intervention. Results: on those patients that attended both appointments, it was seen that there were statistically significant changes between the adherence punctuation regarding both appointments. The average of punctuation is higher in the second appointment (49.09) in respect to the first one (46.45), this is a significant difference with a p<0.05. The quality of life was the same in both appointments and the errors average in the usage of inhalators in the second appointment decreased (1773) significantly in respect to the errors average in the first appointment (4727). Conclusion: the intervention of a pharmacist in a multidisciplinary team to the following of COPD patients is advantageous to these patients, mainly in relation to the usage of inhalers and the adherence to treatment

Pharmaceutical intervention in the usage of inhalers with COPD patients that have an appointment in a health center to do an spirometry

Background: the usage of inhalers is something complex. This work with COPD patients pretends that, after the pharmacist intervention, the correct usage of these drugs is guaranteed so as to improve the quality of life.  Methods: the nurse set a date to do an spirometry to the patients. On the other hand, the pharmacist assessed the usage of the inhalers and carried out the adherence and quality of life tests. Three months after, the patients came back to the consultation and the pharmacist repeated the same procedure to detect any possible change after the intervention. Results: on those patients that attended both appointments, it was seen that there were statistically significant changes between the adherence punctuation regarding both appointments. The average of punctuation is higher in the second appointment (49.09) in respect to the first one (46.45), this is a significant difference with a p<0.05. The quality of life was the same in both appointments and the errors average in the usage of inhalators in the second appointment decreased (1773) significantly in respect to the errors average in the first appointment (4727). Conclusion: the intervention of a pharmacist in a multidisciplinary team to the following of COPD patients is advantageous to these patients, mainly in relation to the usage of inhalers and the adherence to treatment

Casos de estudio en México y Latinoamérica

Ante la presencia de conflictos sociales y territoriales, las comunidades organizadas buscan estrategias de solución y confrontación. Es el estudio de dichos movimientos, lo que motiva a la publicación de éste libro: Respuestas comunitarias ante conflictos ambientales. Casos de estudio en México y Latinoamérica, reúne catorce textos que analizan las respuestas sociales y documentan la acción colectiva de comunidades que se han organizado para autogestionar soluciones ante conflictos territoriales, económicos y ambientales, en su propio entorno. Las aportaciones de investigadores y activistas, desde enfoques teóricos y metodológicos particulares, exponen casos de estudio sobre organizaciones formales e informales que se han conformado para afrontar los retos que representan proyectos productivos como fábricas cementeras, mineras, puertos, productores de energía, entre otros. Los enfoques analíticos tocan también temas nodales en el estudio de la acción colectiva como la ética, el despojo, los derechos humanos y las estrategias de comunicación y visibilización. Este material, que reúne estudios hechos en distintos lugares de México y Latinoamérica, es un compendio de métodos de investigación y un acercamiento al estudio de los movimientos sociales.UAEMEX, CONACyT, SE

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type VIIC: A Mexican Case Report

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is a heterogeneous group of heritable connective tissue disorders whose primary clinicalfeatures include soft and extensible skin, articular hypermobility and tissue fragility. EDS type VIIC or ‘human dermatosparaxis’ is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by severe skin fragility and sagging redundant skin (major criteria) with a soft, doughy texture, easy bruising, premature rupture of fetal membranes and large hernias (minor criteria). Dermatosparaxis (meaning ‘tearing of skin’), which has been described in several non-human species, is a disorder of the connective tissue resulting from a deficiency of the enzyme that cleaves the registration peptide off the N-terminal end of collagen after it has been secreted from fibroblasts. We describe a Mexican case from consanguineous parents with all the phenotypical characteristics previously described, plus skeletal abnormalities