An Update on GABAρ Receptors

The present review discusses the functional and molecular diversity of GABAρ receptors. These receptors were originally described in the mammalian retina, and their functional role in the visual pathway has been recently elucidated; however new studies on their distribution in the brain and spinal cord have revealed that they are more spread than originally thought, and thus it will be important to determine their physiological contribution to the GABAergic transmission in other areas of the central nervous system. In addition, molecular modeling has revealed peculiar traits of these receptors that have impacted on the interpretations of the latest pharmacolgical and biophysical findings. Finally, sequencing of several vertebrate genomes has permitted a comparative analysis of the organization of the GABAρ genes

Auditoría Energética en Planta Comasa-Posoltega en el periodo Febrero - Abril del presente año 2020.

El presente estudio plantea los pasos que se deben de seguir al realizar una auditoría energética. La evaluación se centró en el análisis de los mayores consumidores de energía eléctrica, para ello se tomó como base de análisis los registros de facturación de energía eléctrica, mediciones puntuales, producción, horas y condiciones de operación

In Memoriam Dr. Manuel Edmundo Tantaleán Vidaurre (1942-2021): Entre aulas y laboratorios, sembrando la curiosidad y el conocimiento científico

El 4 de junio de 2021, partió a la eternidad nuestro amigo, colega y maestro, el Dr. Manuel Edmundo Tantaleán Vidaurre, docente universitario, un distinguido parasitólogo, en particular en la helmintología. Este trabajo rinde homenaje al maestro e investigador que con su trayectoria, entre aulas y laboratorios, fue sembrando la curiosidad y el conocimiento científico que inspiró a muchos de sus alumnos y estudiantes.El 4 de junio de 2021, partió a la eternidad nuestro amigo, colega y maestro, el Dr. Manuel Edmundo Tantaleán Vidaurre, docente universitario, un distinguido parasitólogo, en particular en la helmintología. Este trabajo rinde homenaje al maestro e investigador que con su trayectoria, entre aulas y laboratorios, fue sembrando la curiosidad y el conocimiento científico que inspiró a muchos de sus alumnos y estudiantes

Densidad de población en maíz, coeficiente de atenuación de luz y rendimiento

Durante 2008 y 2009 se evaluaron seis cultivares de maíz bajo tres densidades de población en Toluca, México, con el objetivo de conocer su índice de área foliar, coe f iciente de atenuación de luz, radiación interceptada, e f iciencia en el uso de la radiación y rendimiento de grano. Se utilizó un diseño de bloques al azar con arreglo en parcelas divididas, las parcelas grandes correspondieron a las densidades de población (6.9, 7.8 y 8.9 plantas m -2 ) y las subparcelas a los cultivares (Amarillo, Cacahuacintle, Jiquipilco, Z-60, Cóndor y H-50). El análisis de varianza combinado detectó diferencias signi f icativas entre años, densidades y cultivares para todas las variables, con excepción del coe f iciente de atenuación de luz y radiación interceptada entre años. Las interacciones no fueron signi f icativas, excepto en años × densidades en el índice de área foliar y en años × cultivares para rendimiento de grano. Entre años, el rendimiento promedio de los cultivares fue superior en 2008 (1 133 g m -2 ), 16.9% a 2009, debido al mayor número de granos m -2 (2 826) y a la e f iciencia en el uso de la radiación (0.79 g MJ -1 ). Las mejores densidades de población fueron 7.8 y 8.9 plantas m -2 (rendimiento promedio de 1 081 y 1 096 g m -2 , respectivamente) equivalente a 13.9% y 15.1% más que con 6.9 plantas m -2 . Lo anterior fue consecuencia de los mejores promedios presentados por estas densidades de población en todas las variables bajo estudio. Entre cultivares, Jiquipilco, Amarillo y Cóndor presentaron el rendimiento promedio más alto con 1 156, 1 076 y 1 047 g m -2

Formación del profesor polivalente, para un cambio continúo y quehacer diario en el aula

En esta investigación se realiza un análisis bibliográfico acerca de la formación inicial y permanente del profesorado.No es novedad expresar que dentro de la educación formal, el docente universitario es el único al que no se le requiere obligatoriamente una formación pedagógica previa.Esta idea ha sido rescatada por muchas instituciones de educación superior con la finalidad de mejorar el proceso de enseñanza–aprendizaje en el nivel universitario, y en consecuencia mejorar la calidad académica de los futuros profesionales que se integrarán a la comunidad

Patient knowledge of fecal calprotectin in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) : an observational study in Mexico

Background: Fecal calprotectin (FC) can be a valuable tool to optimize health care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The objective of this observational study was to determine the level of knowledge of the FC test in Mexican patients with IBD. Methods: A self-report questionnaire was distributed via Facebook to patients with IBD. The survey consisted of 15 questions in two categories: the first category assessed knowledge of IBD diagnosis, and the second category assessed knowledge of the FC test. Results: In total, 460 patients with IBD participated, of which 83.9% (386) had ulcerative colitis (UC) and 16.0% (74) had Crohn’s disease (CD). Regarding IBD diagnosis, 41.9% of participants stated that they did not know of a non-invasive test for fecal matter to identify inflammation of the colon. Regarding the FC test, 57.5% (UC) and 58.1% (CD) stated that they did not know about the test. Additionally, 65.8% (UC) and 51.3% (CD) of participants stated that they had never received the FC test and 82.6% (UC) and 77.0% (CD) recognized that the FC test was difficult to access in their medical practice. Furthermore, 66% (UC) and 52.7% (CD) of participants noted that their specialist doctor had never suggested the FC test to them, yet 89.1% (UC) and 87.8% (CD) stated that they would prefer FC analysis for their IBD follow-up assessments. Conclusions: There is little knowledge of the FC biomarker among Mexican patients with IBD. This suggests the need for greater dissemination of its use and scope as a biomarker in IBD

Mollicutes antibiotic resistance profile and presence of genital abnormalities in couples attending an infertility clinic.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to identify Mollicutes infection in the reproductive system. We also examined the microbiological, biochemical, and antimicrobial profiles of Mollicutes infection, which are potentially associated with clinical reproductive abnormalities causing infertility in couples. METHODS: Thirty-seven couples who were attending an infertility clinic were enrolled. Detection of genital mycoplasmas was performed in cervicovaginal samples or male urethral swabs. Microbiological culture and biochemical and antimicrobial profiles were characterized using a Mycoplasma kit. The results were associated with reproductive abnormalities, as assessed by medical specialists from the infertility clinic. RESULTS: Up to 28.3% of all biological samples (n = 74) showed positive cultures. Bacterial isolates were Ureaplasma urealyticum (71.4%), Mycoplasma hominis (9.5%), or coinfections (19%). Most Mollicutes showed significant resistance to fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and tetracycline; and showed susceptibility to doxycycline, josamycin, and pristinamycin. The presence of resistant strains to any antibiotic was significantly associated with genital abnormalities (χ2 test, relative risk = 11.38 [95% confidence interval: 5.8-22.9]), particularly in women. The highest statistical association was found for macrolide-resistant strains. CONCLUSION: The microbiological antibiotic resistance profile is epidemiologically associated with abnormalities of the reproductive system in couples attending an infertility clinic

Gut dysbiosis and clinical phases of pancolitis in patients with ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a frequent type of inflammatory bowel disease, characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation. Gut dysbiosis may influence pathophysiology and clinical response in UC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether gut microbiota is related to the active and remission phases of pancolitis in patients with UC as well as in healthy participants. Fecal samples were obtained from 18 patients with UC and clinical‐endoscopic evidenced pancolitis (active phase n = 9 and remission phase n = 9), as well as 15 healthy participants. After fecal DNA extraction, the 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced (Illumina MiSeq), operational taxonomic units were analyzed with the QIIME software. Gut microbiota composition revealed a higher abundance of the phyla Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria in active pancolitis, as compared with remission and healthy participants. Likewise, a marked abundance of the genus Bilophila and Fusobacteria were present in active pancolitis, whereas a higher abundance of Faecalibacterium characterized both remission and healthy participants. LEfSe analysis showed that the genus Roseburia and Faecalibacterium were enriched in remission pancolitis, and genera Bilophila and Fusobacterium were enriched in active pancolitis. The relative abundance of Fecalibacterium and Roseburia showed a higher correlation with fecal calprotectin, while Bilophila and Fusobacterium showed AUCs (area under the curve) of 0.917 and 0.988 for active vs. remission pancolitis. The results of our study highlight the relation of gut dysbiosis with clinically relevant phases of pancolitis in patients with UC. Particularly, Fecalibacterium, Roseburia, Bilophila, and Fusobacterium were identified as genera highly related to the different clinical phases of pancolitis

New hyperekplexia mutations provide insight into glycine receptor assembly, trafficking, and activation mechanisms

Background: Hyperekplexia mutations have provided much information about glycine receptor structure and function. Results: Weidentified and characterized nine new mutations. Dominant mutations resulted in spontaneous activation, whereas recessive mutations precluded surface expression. Conclusion: These data provide insight into glycine receptor activation mechanisms and surface expression determinants. Significance: The results enhance our understanding of hyperekplexia pathology and glycine receptor structure-function. © 2013 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc. Published in the U.S.A