Visiones críticas de la educación intercultural

p. 15-38Este ensayo analiza cómo está afectando el contexto actual de crisis económica, en el que vivimos inmersos, a los discursos y las propuestas sociales, políticas y educativas sobre la interculturalidad en el ámbito español y europeo. Queremos indagar, más específicamente aún, si el proyecto de interculturalidad que se proclama en los discursos educativos es posible en el actual modelo de ciudadanía europea que se está construyendo. Si el miedo a la destrucción del relativo “estado de bienestar” que aún queda en los países europeos fomenta discursos y prácticas donde el inmigrante es convertido en chivo expiatorio. Reflexionar si la “integración cultural” que se proclama en el discurso educativo es un “problema” del alumnado denominado inmigrante, como manifiesta buena parte de las comunidades educativas “nativas” o, más bien, es un problema del modelo social, político y económico en el que se insertan las escuelas. En definitiva, nos planteamos si es posible construir real y efectivamente una sociedad mestiza como se proclama en los discursos públicos y de cara a la galería en una sociedad que está consolidando un “muro defensivo” estructural, mental, social, laboral, económico, político y legal frente a la diversidad y la diferenciaN

Síntesis y caracterización de resinas a base de aceite de linaza epoxidado y xilitol

En los últimos años el uso de polímeros ha generado una gran cantidad de residuos, esto ha propiciado la búsqueda de materiales alternativos, amigables con el medio ambiente, no tóxicos y biodegradables, que puedan remplazar a aquellos derivados del petróleo en la síntesis de materiales poliméricos (Abdullah y Salimon, 2010). El aceite de linaza es una excelente opción para la obtención de sustratos, debido a la cantidad de enlaces insaturados presentes en su estructura, los cuales pueden modificarse químicamente para la introducción de grupos funcionales fácilmente polimerizables. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue sintetizar y caracterizar monómeros a base de aceite de linaza epoxidado (ALE), funcionalizado con Xilitol (Xil) así como sus respectivos polímeros y la medición de sus constantes dieléctricas; las etapas del proyecto son: 1) Epoxidación del aceite de linaza, 2) Funcionalización del ALE con Xil al 50% y 100%, 3) Obtención de los polímeros reticulados (resinas) y 4) Obtención de las constantes dieléctricas de los polímeros reticulados.In recent years the use of polymers has generated a lot of waste, this has prompted the search of alternative materials, friendly with the environment, non-toxic and biodegradable, which could replace those derived from petroleum in the synthesis of polymeric materials. Linseed oil is an excellent choice for obtaining substrates, due to the number of unsaturated bonds present in its structure, which can be chemically modified to introduce easily polymerizable functional groups. The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize epoxidized linseed oil (ALE) monomers functionalized with Xylitol (Xil) and their respective polymers and measuring their dielectric constants; the parts of the project are: 1) epoxidation of linseed oil, 2) Functionalization of ALE with Xil at 50% and 100%, 3) Obtaining crosslinked polymers (resins) and 4) Getting the dielectric constants of the crosslinked polymers

Pérdidas por intercepción en mezquite (<i>Prosopis Laevigata</i>) y huizache (<i>Acacia farnesiana</i>) de la región semiárida del centro de México

El estudio fue realizado en el periodo de lluvias de 2006 en tres sitios del semiárido centro de México: “El Carmen”, en el estado de Guanajuato; “Amazcala” y “Cadereyta”, en el estado de Querétaro; ello, con el objetivo de estudiar el comportamiento de las pérdidas por intercepción, EI, de dos especies dominantes, mezquite (Prosopis laevigata) y huizache (Acacia farnesiana). El experimento se basó en la metodología de Guevara-Escobar et al. (2007). La modelación de las EI por tormenta fue construida con dos modelos de base física, Rutter, Gash, y un tercero del tipo lineal múltiple (RLM). En cada sitio fueron seleccionados dos árboles de ambas especies. La precipitación en 2006 fue de 770 mm en El Carmen y de 732 mm en Cadereyta. En Amazcala, en el periodo agosto-noviembre, de 451 mm. En proporción a la precipitación, las EI por evento resultaron de 15, 20 y 27% en huizache, y de 27, 22 y 17% en mezquite, para Cadereyta, El Carmen y Amazcala, respectivamente. Estadísticamente, las eficiencias de modelos de Gash, Rutter y RLM correspondientes a los tres sitios resultaron de -0.1<E<0.34, -4.41<E<0.8 y -1.19<E<0.94. Las diferencias en porcentaje entre las observaciones y los modelos para el periodo de estudio fueron de <120%, siendo el modelo RLM el más eficiente(0%). La prueba ANOVA entre árboles y sitios no mostró diferencias estadísticamente significativas, por lo cual fue generada una correlación para estimar las EI en el contexto regional, de donde se obtuvo un promedio del 20% de intercepción

A phase I study of hydralazine to demethylate and reactivate the expression of tumor suppressor genes

BACKGROUND: The antihypertensive compound hydralazine is a known demethylating agent. This phase I study evaluated the tolerability and its effects upon DNA methylation and gene reactivation in patients with untreated cervical cancer. METHODS: Hydralazine was administered to cohorts of 4 patients at the following dose levels: I) 50 mg/day, II) 75 mg/day, III) 100 mg/day and IV) 150 mg/day. Tumor biopsies and peripheral blood samples were taken the day before and after treatment. The genes APC, MGMT; ER, GSTP1, DAPK, RARβ, FHIT and p16 were evaluated pre and post-treatment for DNA promoter methylation and gene expression by MSP (Methylation-Specific PCR) and RT-PCR respectively in each of the tumor samples. Methylation of the imprinted H19 gene and the "normally methylated" sequence clone 1.2 was also analyzed. Global DNA methylation was analyzed by capillary electrophoresis and cytosine extension assay. Toxicity was evaluated using the NCI Common Toxicity Criteria. RESULTS: Hydralazine was well tolerated. Toxicities were mild being the most common nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headache and palpitations. Overall, 70% of the pretreatment samples and all the patients had at least one methylated gene. Rates of demethylation at the different dose levels were as follows: 50 mg/day, 40%; 75 mg/day, 52%, 100 mg/day, 43%, and 150 mg/day, 32%. Gene expression analysis showed only 12 informative cases, of these 9 (75%) re-expressed the gene. There was neither change in the methylation status of H19 and clone 1.2 nor changes in global DNA methylation. CONCLUSION: Hydralazine at doses between 50 and 150 mg/day is well tolerated and effective to demethylate and reactivate the expression of tumor suppressor genes without affecting global DNA methylatio

Incorporating vertical collaboration to address sustainable development goals: the Monarch Route Project

Higher Education Institutions in their societal transformative role need to effectively integrate the UN‘s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda into their curricula. Our goal is to inspire and trigger the discussion in the academic community on learning environments for education for sustainable development. We report The Monarch Route (MRP), a project conducted at Tecnologico de Monterrey and awarded with the 2018 Premios Latinoamerica Verde. Engaging all the students enrolled in the different semesters of the Sustainable Development Engineering (SDE) program, it adopted a research-based learning methodology, which is highly flexible at setting the final deliverables and due dates. It also implemented horizontal (intraclass), vertical (interclass), and interdisciplinary (multiple courses) student collaboration. In partnership with a non-governmental organization, the MRP aimed to reverse the extinction threat to the monarch butterfly while benefiting rural communities along the butterfly’s migratory route. With an exploratory action research approach, we analyzed the data gathered 2 months after the end of the courses: A survey on the perceived learning outcomes (87% confidence level) and a letter for future classes sharing their experience on the MRP, both optional. The analysis included a mixed methodology, i.e., quantitative and qualitative, including text mining, which evidenced that the participants strengthened both, transverse competences (collaboration, citizenship, communication, and critical thinking) and disciplinary competences (subject matter). The MRP is innovative for its dynamic structure that resembles the interconnectedness of real professional practice, scientific research, and environmental conservation efforts. In addition to the disciplinary application and societal relevance, the instructional design of MRP reflects that contributing to 2030 Agenda requires a multi-faceted approach, involving educational institutions, community partnerships, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Traditional education no longer fulfills our needs to face environmental challenges; academics, institutions, and governments are encouraged to implement policies and strategies to educate for a sustainable and better future for humanity and the planet

Histone acetylation and histone deacetylase activity of magnesium valproate in tumor and peripheral blood of patients with cervical cancer. A phase I study

BACKGROUND: The development of cancer has been associated with epigenetic alterations such as aberrant histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. It was recently reported that valproic acid is an effective inhibitor of histone deacetylases and as such induces tumor cell differentiation, apoptosis, or growth arrest. METHODS: Twelve newly diagnosed patients with cervical cancer were treated with magnesium valproate after a baseline tumor biopsy and blood sampling at the following dose levels (four patients each): 20 mg/kg; 30 mg/kg, or 40 mg/kg for 5 days via oral route. At day 6, tumor and blood sampling were repeated and the study protocol ended. Tumor acetylation of H3 and H4 histones and HDAC activity were evaluated by Western blot and colorimetric HDAC assay respectively. Blood levels of valproic acid were determined at day 6 once the steady-state was reached. Toxicity of treatment was evaluated at the end of study period. RESULTS: All patients completed the study medication. Mean daily dose for all patients was 1,890 mg. Corresponding means for the doses 20-, 30-, and 40-mg/kg were 1245, 2000, and 2425 mg, respectively. Depressed level of consciousness grade 2 was registered in nine patients. Ten patients were evaluated for H3 and H4 acetylation and HDAC activity. After treatment, we observed hyperacetylation of H3 and H4 in the tumors of nine and seven patients, respectively, whereas six patients demonstrated hyperacetylation of both histones. Serum levels of valproic acid ranged from 73.6–170.49 μg/mL. Tumor deacetylase activity decreased in eight patients (80%), whereas two had either no change or a mild increase. There was a statistically significant difference between pre and post-treatment values of HDAC activity (mean, 0.36 vs. 0.21, two-tailed t test p < 0.0264). There was no correlation between H3 and H4 tumor hyperacetylation with serum levels of valproic acid. CONCLUSION: Magnesium valproate at a dose between 20 and 40 mg/kg inhibits deacetylase activity and hyperacetylates histones in tumor tissues

Antineoplastic effects of the DNA methylation inhibitor hydralazine and the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid in cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND: Among the epigenetic alterations occurring in cancer, DNA hypermethylation and histone hypoacetylation are the focus of intense research because their pharmacological inhibition has shown to produce antineoplastic activity in a variety of experimental models. The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined antineoplastic effect of the DNA methylation inhibitor hydralazine and the histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid in a panel of cancer cell lines. RESULTS: Hydralazine showed no growth inhibitory effect on cervical, colon, breast, sarcoma, glioma, and head & neck cancer cell lines when used alone. On the contrary, valproic acid showed a strong growth inhibitory effect that is potentiated by hydralazine in some cell lines. Individually, hydralazine and valproic acid displayed distinctive effects upon global gene over-expression but the number of genes over-expressed increased when cells were treated with the combination. Treatment of HeLa cells with hydralazine and valproic acid lead to an increase in the cytotoxicity of gemcitabine, cisplatin and adriamycin. A higher antitumor effect of adriamycin was observed in mice xenografted with human fibrosarcoma cells when the animals were co-treated with hydralazine and valproic acid. CONCLUSION: Hydralazine and valproic acid, two widely used drugs for cardiovascular and neurological conditions respectively have promising antineoplastic effects when used concurrently and may increase the antitumor efficacy of current cytotoxic agents

Producción y calidad de la semilla de sorgo en el Centro de México bajo polinización controlada

In Mexico, 99% of sorghum Sorghum bicolor seed is imported. This increases production costs and generates genotype adaptation problems. Although there are outstanding and adapted genotypes, seed production represents less than 1% of the total. The production technology must be adapted to the specific parents and region of the country, where the seed is increased. This study evaluated the quality of seeds of fourteen lines of sorghum (parents of seven hybrids), of INIFAP. In the spring-summer cycle (P-V) of 2018, in Celaya Guanajuato, México, three sowing dates were established, May 12, June 6 and 28, under a random block design and three repetitions. Days/flowering, weight of a thousand seeds, germination at harvest and after six months of storage were evaluated. The analysis of variance indicated significant differences between lines (G), sowing dates (FS) in all variables and in the G x FS interaction for days to flowering, where the male-sterile lines (lines A), presented a difference of 8 to 10 days in days to flowering with the male parents (restorer lines R), in the FS of June 6, which would hinder the production of hybrid seed. As seed quality, despite heavy rainfall during grain filling and physiological maturity, the lines SBA-25, LBA-98, LBA-101 and the cross SBA25 x SBR-31 stood out for their high germination percentage (%) and maintained its quality after six months of storage.México importa el 99 % de la semilla de sorgo Sorghum bicolor. La producción de semillas representa menos del 1 % procedente de genotipos sobresalientes y adaptados. Esto incrementa costos de producción y genera problemas de adaptación de genotipos. La tecnología de producción debe adecuarse a los progenitores específicos y región del país, para incrementar la semilla. Este estudio evaluó la calidad de semillas de catorce líneas de sorgo (progenitoras de siete híbridos), de INIFAP. En el ciclo primavera-verano (P-V) del 2018, en Celaya Guanajuato, México, se establecieron tres fechas de siembra, 12 de mayo, 6 y 28 de junio, bajo un diseño de bloques al azar y tres repeticiones. Se evaluaron los días/floración, el peso de mil semillas, la germinación al momento de la cosecha y después de seis meses de almacenamiento. El análisis de varianza indicó diferencias significativas entre líneas (G), fechas de siembra (FS) en todas las variables y en la interacción G x FS para días a floración; donde las líneas androestériles (líneas A), presentaron diferencia de 8 a 10 días en días a floración con los progenitores masculinos (líneas restauradoras R) en la FS del 6 de junio lo que dificultaría la producción de semilla híbrida. En calidad de semilla a pesar de que se presentaron fuertes precipitaciones durante el llenado de grano y madurez fisiológica las líneas SBA-25, LBA-98, LBA-101 y la cruza SBA25 x SBR-31 sobresalieron por su alto porcentaje (%) de germinación y mantuvieron su calidad después de seis meses de almacenamiento. &nbsp