Clonal chromosomal mosaicism and loss of chromosome Y in elderly men increase vulnerability for SARS-CoV-2

The pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) had an estimated overall case fatality ratio of 1.38% (pre-vaccination), being 53% higher in males and increasing exponentially with age. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, we found 133 cases (1.42%) with detectable clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations (mCA) and 226 males (5.08%) with acquired loss of chromosome Y (LOY). Individuals with clonal mosaic events (mCA and/or LOY) showed a 54% increase in the risk of COVID-19 lethality. LOY is associated with transcriptomic biomarkers of immune dysfunction, pro-coagulation activity and cardiovascular risk. Interferon-induced genes involved in the initial immune response to SARS-CoV-2 are also down-regulated in LOY. Thus, mCA and LOY underlie at least part of the sex-biased severity and mortality of COVID-19 in aging patients. Given its potential therapeutic and prognostic relevance, evaluation of clonal mosaicism should be implemented as biomarker of COVID-19 severity in elderly people. Among 9578 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 in the SCOURGE study, individuals with clonal mosaic events (clonal mosaicism for chromosome alterations and/or loss of chromosome Y) showed an increased risk of COVID-19 lethality

Volteando la tortilla. Género y maíz en la alimentación actual de México.

Ante escenarios complejos, patriarcales y desoladores que dejan ver el neoliberalismo, la globalización agroalimentaria, el calentamiento global y las contaminaciones de granos nativos por la imposición de transgénicos, nos cuestionamos si existen algunas alternativas para preservar el maíz nativo como un recurso multiestratégico (alimentario, económico, cultural, ecológico y tecnológico) tomando en cuenta las condiciones actuales de desigualdades sociales de género, etnia, clases y edad que predominan en el campo mexicano. Para responder a algunos cuestionamientos, este libro presenta algunas alternativas a través de diversas experiencias femeninas y de relaciones de género en torno al maíz y la alimentación. Todas ellas muestran que es posible construir una masa crítica para salvaguardar el maíz nativo bajo esas condiciones desoladoras, pero siempre y cuando se “voltee la tortilla”, metáfora que da pie al inicio de otra realidad humanizada y en sincronía con la naturaleza.Proyecto realizado con financiamiento Conacy

Percepciones campesinas sobre los cambios climáticos en Huamuchapa, Guerrero

This research analyzes the peasant perspective about climate change by peasant from the community of Huamuchapa, municipality of Tecoanapa, in Guerrero, Mexico, its origin and implications, and the perception of bioclimatic indicators at the local level. We used a mixed methodology, a descriptive statistical analysis was carried out, the information derived from direct observation, semi-structured interviews, tours of plots and a socio-demographic and peasant production survey applied to 30% of the families in the locality. It was found that these peasants had an incipient knowledge of climate change in conceptual terms, which does not prevent them from clearly perceiving that the climate has been changing and their explanations about it revolve around its naturalness, ignorance, their beliefs and activities anthropogenic. The effects of climate change are recognized in the changes in temperature and precipitation, which have a direct impact on the cultivation of maize, and the lack of availability of water for domestic use, in addition, farmers recognize and reflect that the elements that are they have modified are relevant for the survival of the community, the family and the next generations. In conclusion, peasants experience climate changes, identify and explain them according to their experiences and beliefs, are very willing to participate in adaptation actions, they are aware of the effects considered "damage" to the environment that surrounds them and contribution of their own acts to them. Faced with climatic adversities, they try and adopt decisive practices to dispose of maizeEste artigo analisa a perspectiva que os camponeses da comunidade de Huamuchapa, município de Tecoanapa, Guerrero, México, têm sobre as mudanças climáticas (suas origens e implicações), bem como a percepção dos indicadores bioclimáticos em nível local. Utilizando uma metodologia mista, foi realizada uma análise estatística descritiva. As informações foram coletadas por meio de observação direta, entrevistas semiestruturadas, passeios em parcelas e levantamento sociodemográfico e da produção camponesa aplicado a 30% das famílias da localidade. Constatou-se que esses agricultores possuíam um conhecimento incipiente sobre as mudanças climáticas em termos conceituais, o que não os impede de perceber claramente que o clima está mudando. Suas explicações sobre esse fenômeno giram em torno de sua naturalidade, ignorância, crenças e atividades antropogênicas. Os efeitos das mudanças climáticas são reconhecidos nas mudanças de temperatura e precipitação, variáveis que impactam diretamente no cultivo do milho e na falta de disponibilidade de água para uso doméstico; Além disso, os camponeses reconhecem que os elementos modificados são relevantes para a sobrevivência da comunidade, da família e das próximas gerações. Concluindo, os camponeses vivem as mudanças do clima, identificam-nas e explicam-nas de acordo com as suas experiências e crenças. Na verdade, eles estão muito dispostos a participar de ações de adaptação e estão cientes das consequências de suas ações para o ambiente ao seu redor. Diante das adversidades climáticas, eles tentam adotar práticas decisivas para o descarte do milho.En el presente trabajo se analiza la perspectiva que tienen campesinos de la comunidad de Huamuchapa, municipio de Tecoanapa, Guerrero, México, sobre los cambios del clima (su origen e implicaciones), así como la percepción de indicadores bioclimáticos a nivel local. Mediante una metodología mixta, se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo. La información fue recabada mediante observación directa, entrevistas semiestructuradas, recorridos en parcelas y una encuesta sociodemográfica y de producción campesina aplicada a 30 % de las familias de la localidad. Se encontró que estos campesinos tenían un conocimiento incipiente del cambio climático en términos conceptuales, lo que no impide que perciban claramente que el clima ha venido cambiando. Sus explicaciones sobre dicho fenómeno giran en torno a la naturalidad de este, desconocimiento, creencias y actividades antropogénicas. Los efectos del cambio climático son reconocidos en las modificaciones de la temperatura y la precipitación, variables que impactan directamente en el cultivo del maíz y en la falta de disponibilidad de agua para uso doméstico; además, los campesinos reconocen que los elementos que se han modificado son relevantes para la sobrevivencia de la comunidad, la familia y las próximas generaciones. En conclusión, los campesinos viven los cambios del clima, los identifican y los explican de acuerdo con sus experiencias y creencias. De hecho, tienen gran disposición para participar en acciones de adaptación y son conscientes de las consecuencias de sus actos al entorno que los rodea. Frente a las adversidades climáticas prueban y adoptan prácticas resolutivas para disponer de maíz

Prevalence and molecular identification of Chlamydia abortus in commercial dairy goat farms in a hot region in Mexico

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and presence of Chlamydia abortus in Saanen breed female goats from commercial dairy goat farms under intensive production in the municipality of Guanajuato, Mexico. Sera were collected to determine the prevalence of anti-C. abortus IgG antibodies using recombinant enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (rELISA) and cell culture. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to prove the presence of the pathogen in swab samples collected from the vagina and rectum of selected animals. Additionally, foetal tissue samples from a sudden abortion were collected. C. abortus prevalence in female goats of commercial milking farms sampled in Guanajuato, Mexico, was 4.87 % (n=246). Seropositive animals were found in six out of nine (66.6 %) dairy goat farms sampled, and prevalence among animals in individual farms ranged between 3.44 and 13.51 %. C. abortus was detected using PCR in spleen tissue from the aborted foetus. PCR-based detection, as well as isolation from vaginal and rectal swabs, was not possible in the present study. Isolation through cell culture was also unsuccessful from aborted foetal tissue samples. In conclusion, the results from rELISA and PCR show that C. abortus is present in dairy goat farms in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico