ELKS2α/CAST Deletion Selectively Increases Neurotransmitter Release at Inhibitory Synapses

SummaryThe presynaptic active zone is composed of a protein network that contains ELKS2α (a.k.a. CAST) as a central component. Here we demonstrate that in mice, deletion of ELKS2α caused a large increase in inhibitory, but not excitatory, neurotransmitter release, and potentiated the size, but not the properties, of the readily-releasable pool of vesicles at inhibitory synapses. Quantitative electron microscopy revealed that the ELKS2α deletion did not change the number of docked vesicles or other ultrastructural parameters of synapses, except for a small decrease in synaptic vesicle numbers. The ELKS2α deletion did, however, alter the excitatory/inhibitory balance and exploratory behaviors, possibly as a result of the increased synaptic inhibition. Thus, as opposed to previous studies indicating that ELKS2α is essential for mediating neurotransmitter release, our results suggest that ELKS2α normally restricts release and limits the size of the readily-releasable pool of synaptic vesicles at the active zone of inhibitory synapses

Relationship between the isometric force of the dominant hand and the Body Mass Index of university students

INTRODUCTION: Strength is the neuromuscular capacity to overcome or counter resistances through muscular activity and is closely linked to all the motor actions that the human being develops, and to his body mass index. OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the isometric strength of the dominant hand of university students. METHOD: The strength was evaluated with a TAKEI SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT 5401 dynamometer to 70 university students using a random sampling method using a descriptive transactional design. We obtained data that were processed with a bivariate correlation obtaining the Pearson coefficient. We used SPSS ver. 15. RESULTS: The studied age was 23 ± 1.9 years, with a length of 165.6 cm. ± 7.72 for women and 173.7 cm. ± 7.95 men, as well as a weight in women of 64.1 ± 14.82 kg and men 82.3 ± 14.72 kg, which results in a BMI for women of 25.01 ± 4.405 m2/kg and 25.06 with ± 4.398 m2/kg for men. On the other hand, the female isometry strength was 3.08. ± 0.613 Kg and for men was 3.68 ± 0.839 Kg. In females, there was not correlation between the BMI and isometric strength (Sig = .192). Contrary, in males, there was a significant and negative correlation grade between the BMI and isometric strength (r = -0,452; Sig. = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was observed that as BMI increases, strength does not grow. Therefore, other variables should be evaluated to understand what is related to the overweight or obesity of students

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) effect on germination and morphological parameters in alfalfa, tomato, and pepper

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles are used in different processes, derived from this their presence in wastewater is common, concentrating in residual sludge. These residues are used as agricultural soil improvers, being a source of crop exposure. In this study, the effect of TiO2-NPs (450, 900, and 1800 mg L-1) on the germination of alfalfa, tomato, and pepper seeds was evaluated. The germination parameters were not different (p > 0.05) except for, the seed vigor index in alfalfa and pepper, and the mean germination time in tomato. The germination index was below 80% in 450 mg L-1 in tomato, which showed moderate phytotoxicity. Morphological modifications with differences (p < 0.05) were found in the three crops, mainly in the root. In tomatoes, the length of the main root, root hairs, and the width of the root tip were reduced but increased the width of the main root, piliferous zone, and the length of root hairs were. For alfalfa, root length and number of secondary roots augment. However, the stem, root tip width, and root villi were reduced. Finally, for pepper, the length, and width of the root and the piliferous zone were modified. Additionally, a concerning trend has been observed in the length of root hairs. TiO2-NPs affected germination and morphology in alfalfa, tomato and pepper seeds differently. Tomato was most negatively affected, with reduced root length and width. Alfalfa showed mixed effects, with positive impacts on some parameters but negatives on others. Pepper seeds responded positively overall, with improved germination and root length, despite some impacts on root morphology.

Ivermectina y Warfarina: Un Potencial Peligro para la Salud Pública Peruana

Letter to the Editor (without abstract)Carta al editor ( Sin resumen

CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITISM IN THE GUANACO (LAMA GUANICOE CACSILENSIS)

El propósito del presente estudio fue identificar las especies de parásitosgastrointestinales que afectan al guanaco peruano y determinar los niveles de parasitismode las poblaciones evaluadas. Se obtuvieron 132 muestras de heces frescas deguanacos silvestres pertenecientes a nueve poblaciones ubicadas en seis departamentosdel Perú: Comunidad Campesina de Huallhua (Ayacucho), Reserva Nacional de Calipuy(La Libertad), Comunidad Campesina de Chavín (Ica), Reserva Nacional Salinas y AguadaBlanca y distritos de Machaguay y Yarabamba (Arequipa), distrito de Quilahuani yComunidad Campesina de Vila Vilani (Tacna), y distrito de La Capilla (Moquegua). Lasmuestras fueron procesadas mediante técnicas coproparasitológicas de flotación, sedimentación,cultivo de larvas, Baerman y biometría de larvas y ooquistes. Se identificaronocho especies de nematodos: Graphinema aucheniae, Bunostomun sp., Ostertagia sp.,Trichuris sp, Cooperia sp., Nematodirus sp., Mazamastrongylus peruvianus yTrichostrongylus sp. y cuatro especies de Eimeria: E. lamae, E. alpacae, E. punoensis yE. macusaniensis. Todas las poblaciones se encontraban con al menos un guanacoparasitado, presentando en general cargas bajas y variando las frecuencias de parasitismogastrointestinal de una población a otra, dependiendo del hábitat y de la proximidada herbívoros domésticos.The aim of this study was to identify the species of gastrointestinal parasites affecting the Peruvian guanaco and to determine the levels of parasitism in the populations under evaluation. For this purpose, 132 fresh faecal samples were collected from nine populations of wild guanacos located in six departments of Peru: Huallhua Community in Ayacucho; Calipuy National Reserve in La Libertad; Chavín community in Ica; Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reserve, and Machaguay and Yarabamba districts in Arequipa, Quilahuani district and Vila Vilani community in Tacna, and La Capilla district in Moquegua. Samples were processed by the coproparasitological techniques of flotation, sedimentation, larvae culture, and Baerman, and biometry of larvae and oocysts. Eight species of nematodes were identified: Graphinema aucheniae, Bunostomun spp., Ostertagia spp., Trichuris spp., Cooperia spp., Nematodirus spp., Mazamastrongylus peruvianus and Trichostrongylus spp., and four Eimeria species: E. lamae, E. alpacae, E. punoensis and E. macusaniensis. All guanaco populations had at least one animal with parasites, showing low parasite burden in general, and with a variation in the frequency of gastrointestinal parasitism from one population to another, depending on the habitat and the proximity to other domestic herbivores

CONSUMO NUTRICIONAL DE FRUTAS Y VEGETALES EN ICA, PERÚ: ESTUDIO POBLACIONAL PILOTO

La adquisición sostenible de fuentes naturales en vitaminas y minerales constituye una garantía a la salud pública. El propósito del estudio fue evaluar el consumo nutricional de frutas y vegetales en una población piloto de Ica, Perú. Se realizó una observación no estructurada a distancia donde se seleccionó, dos puntos de ventas referidos al consumo de frutas y vegetales. Mediante un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia se midió cada 15 días (sábado) en dos horarios (08:30–10:30 y 14:30–16:30), el consumo según el tipo de fruta mientras que, la frecuencia se comprobó por el número de personas que adquirieron, frutas y vegetales. Se observó que, los vegetales en la sección de la mañana correspondieron a las de preferencias para el consumo. Sin embargo, el número de personas fue en aumento durante los intervalos horarios de la tarde donde se indicó por parte de los mayoristas, la disminución del costo monetario ante la posibilidad de, no retornar o almacenar las frutas y vegetales. Se concluyó que, existió consumo por parte de la población piloto, lo cual fue un indicador de satisfacción para el bienestar de la salud y con ello, mostrar determinado estilo de vida saludable

VALORACIÓN PROFESIONAL DEL ANÁLISIS CRÍTICO SOBRE LA COMPETENCIA EDITORIAL DE LA POLÍTICA CIENTÍFICA DIVULGATIVA

La responsabilidad sobre la lectura, comprensión y comunicación científica resulta un proceso complejo donde se requiere capacitación previa y consolidada antes del posible desempeño como editor científico. El propósito del estudio fue valorar de forma profesional el análisis crítico sobre la competencia editorial de la política científica divulgativa. Se seleccionó de forma aleatoria, diezinvestigadores y se les aplicó, una evaluación que consistió en siete preguntas con base en capacitaciones previas a su desempeño: 1ro) metodología de la investigación con enfoque cualimétrico, 2do) comprensión de la comunicación científica, 3ro) gestión y vigilancia informativa, 4to) operación de programas digitales para la gestión editorial, 5to) maquetación editorial, 6to) proceso de arbitraje y 7mo) estrategias para la competencia responsable en la aceptación y edición científica. A cada pregunta fue asignada una puntuación siendo seleccionada la Revista Científica: The Biologist (Lima). Para aceptar cómo válida la competencia editorial sobre la política científica divulgativa se estableció una prueba de hipótesis con criterio de 90 puntos (media hipotética). Se aceptó la H1 (la formación para el desempeño editorial de la política científica divulgativa de los investigadores es competente), pues al comparar la tcal (-6,98) con la ttab (1,833), la misma fue menor siendo corroborada con el valor p (0,000) < ,005. Se concluyó que, fue aceptada la valoración profesional realizada por los investigadores ante el análisis crítico sobre la competencia editorial de la política científica divulgativa para la revista The Biologist (Lima)

Serum IL-12 Is Increased in Mexican Obese Subjects and Associated with Low-Grade Inflammation and Obesity-Related Parameters

Interleukin-(IL-) 12 has been recently suggested to participate during development of insulin resistance in obese mice. Nevertheless, serum IL-12 levels have not been accurately determined in overweight and obese humans. We thus studied serum concentrations of IL-12 in Mexican adult individuals, examining their relationship with low-grade inflammation and obesity-related parameters. A total of 147 healthy individuals, 43 normal weight, 61 overweight, and 43 obese subjects participated in the study. Circulating levels of IL-12, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), leptin, insulin, glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured after overnight fasting in all of the study subjects. Waist circumference and body fat percentage were recorded for all the participants. Serum IL-12 was significantly higher in overweight and obese individuals than in normal weight controls. Besides being strongly related with body mass index (r = 0.5154), serum IL-12 exhibited a significant relationship with abdominal obesity (r = 0.4481), body fat percentage (r = 0.5625), serum glucose (r = 0.3158), triglyceride (r = 0.3714), and TNF-α (r = 0.4717). Thus, serum levels of IL-12 are increased in overweight and obese individuals and show a strong relationship with markers of low-grade inflammation and obesity in the Mexican adult population. Further research is needed to understand the role of IL-12 in developing obesity-associated alterations in humans

Synergistic Antimicrobial Effects of Silver/Transition-metal Combinatorial Treatments

Due to the emergence of multi-drug resistant strains, development of novel antibiotics has become a critical issue. One promising approach is the use of transition metals, since they exhibit rapid and significant toxicity, at low concentrations, in prokaryotic cells. Nevertheless, one main drawback of transition metals is their toxicity in eukaryotic cells. Here, we show that the barriers to use them as therapeutic agents could be mitigated by combining them with silver. We demonstrate that synergism of combinatorial treatments (Silver/transition metals, including Zn, Co, Cd, Ni, and Cu) increases up to 8-fold their antimicrobial effect, when compared to their individual effects, against E. coli and B. subtilis. We find that most combinatorial treatments exhibit synergistic antimicrobial effects at low/ non-toxic concentrations to human keratinocyte cells, blast and melanoma rat cell lines. Moreover, we show that silver/(Cu, Ni, and Zn) increase prokaryotic cell permeability at sub-inhibitory concentrations, demonstrating this to be a possible mechanism of the synergistic behavior. Together, these results suggest that these combinatorial treatments will play an important role in the future development of antimicrobial agents and treatments against infections. In specific, the cytotoxicity experiments show that the combinations have great potential in the treatment of topical infections

Las emociones en los procesos pedagógicos y artísticos

Este cuarto volumen de la Colección Emociones e Interdisciplina orienta la mirada hacia dos dimensiones centrales, en las cuales la afectividad se analiza tanto a partir de los procesos pedagógicos, como del arte y del registro de lo estético. Esta mirada se adentra en el estudio del sujeto que siente, piensa y reflexiona y es justo, a partir de este punto, donde es posible acotar, teórica y metodológicamente, las emociones y sus expresiones como objeto de estudio sociológico.ITESO. A.C