An Analysis of the Impact of Forest Policy on Rural Areas of Chile

The relationship between the forest sector and the well-being of people that depend on it for their economic livelihoods in rural areas is of strong interest in forest policy. In this sense, Chile has developed a forest policy that has had positive impacts, particularly on economic and productive aspects, but also negative impacts, such as the reduction of natural forest area, biodiversity, and provision of ecosystem services, as well as the increase in social conflicts and land abandonment. However, there are few studies that have evaluated the impacts of forest policy on rural population and development of the territory. Therefore, the objective of this research is to evaluate the impacts of Chilean forest policy on rural communities, particularly in terms of demographic variables and indicators of community well-being. The study area corresponds to the Bio Bio and Ñuble Regions (Chile), and the analysis includes productive, demographic, socioeconomic, and educational characteristics of population. The results show that the forestry policy implemented was able to generate a significant increase in the proportion of forest area. However, when this increase is mainly of the type of exotic forest plantations, it is associated with a demographic and socio-economic detriment of the population in some counties of the study area

Acumulación estacional de una deshidrina de 47-kDa en hojas y cambios en su actividad crioprotectora en Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Blume

Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Blume is an evergreen tree, pioneer in habitats subject to unfavorable environmental conditionsas nighttime freezing temperatures and low water content. It inhabits zones characterized by cold Winter with freezingtemperature and Spring frosts reaching to -5ºC. Furthermore, it has the capacity to maintain a functional photosyntheticapparatus at low temperatures. We postulated that N. dombeyi is capable to accumulate dehydrins in leaves in response tocold. Seasonal variation in dehydrins, soluble total proteins, and cryoprotective activity in vitro of protein extracts of N.dombeyi leaves were analyzed during the years 2004 and 2005. A dehydrin-like protein of 47-kDa was immunologicallyidentified; this protein was present only in Winter and Spring. The highest accumulation of this protein and the maximalin vitro cryoprotective activity was found during Spring. The leaf total protein extract of this season preserved the 100%of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme activity after 5 freeze/thaw cycles in liquid nitrogen adding 10 ?g/ml of totalproteins extract. The soluble protein concentration increased from 1.8 mg/g in Summer to 4.8 mg/g in Fall on base offresh weight, and declined through Winter and Spring. The 47-kDa dehydrin may be related to cold hardiness of leaftissue in overwintering N. dombeyi. We conclude that cell dehydration caused by freezing is the main factor involved inthe triggering of 47-kDa dehydrin accumulation in leaves of N. dombeyi. The accumulation of reactive oxygen species(ROS) by oxidative stress product of high irradiance and frosts during Spring, and their role in the triggering of the 47-kDadehydrin accumulation in leaves of N. dombeyi is discussed.Nothofagus dombeyi (Mirb.) Blume es un árbol siempreverde, pionero en sitios con condiciones ambientales desfavorablescomo baja temperatura nocturna y baja disponibilidad hídrica. Habita en zonas caracterizadas por inviernos fríos contemperaturas congelantes y heladas de primavera que pueden llegar a los -5ºC. Además tiene la capacidad de mantenersu aparato fotosintético funcional en condiciones de baja temperatura. Postulamos que N. dombeyi es capaz de acumulardeshidrinas en sus hojas en respuesta a baja temperatura. Se analizó la variación estacional de deshidrinas, proteínas solublestotales y la actividad crioprotectora in vitro de extractos proteicos de hojas de N. dombeyi durante los años 2004 y 2005. Unaproteína con características de deshidrina de 47 kDa de peso molecular fue identificada inmunológicamente en hojas, la queestuvo presente sólo en invierno y primavera. La mayor acumulación de esta proteína en las hoja y la máxima crioprotecciónin vitro fue encontrada durante la estación de primavera. El extracto total de proteínas de esta estación conservó el 100% dela actividad de la enzima lactato deshidrogenasa (LDH) después de 5 ciclos de congelamiento/descongelamiento en nitrógenolíquido agregando 10 ?g/ml de extracto total de proteínas. La concentración de proteínas solubles totales aumentó de 1,8 mgpor gramo de peso fresco en verano a 4,8 mg en otoño, y disminuyó durante el invierno y la primavera. La deshidrina de 47kDa podría estar relacionada al endurecimiento por frío del tejido foliar en individuos de N. dombeyi durante el invierno,aumentando su resistencia al congelamiento. Concluimos que la deshidratación celular producida por congelamiento sería elprincipal factor en estimular la acumulación de esta deshidrina de 47kDa en hojas de N. dombeyi. La acumulación de especiesreactivas de oxígeno (ROS) por estrés oxidativo producto de la alta irradiancia y heladas durante la primavera y su papel en elgatillamiento de la acumulación de esta deshidrina de 47 kDa en las hojas es discutida

Genetic variants in KCNJ11, TCF7L2 and HNF4A are associated with type 2 diabetes, BMI and dyslipidemia in families of Northeastern Mexico: A pilot study

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether genetic markers considered risk factors for metabolic syndromes, including dyslipidemia, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), can be applied to a Northeastern Mexican population. A total of 37 families were analyzed for 63 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and the age, body mass index (BMI), glucose tolerance values and blood lipid levels, including those of cholesterol, low‑density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL (VLDL), high‑density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides were evaluated. Three genetic markers previously associated with metabolic syndromes were identified in the sample population, including KCNJ11, TCF7L2 and HNF4A. The KCNJ11 SNP rs5210 was associated with T2DM, the TCF7L2 SNP rs11196175 was associated with BMI and cholesterol and LDL levels, the TCF7L2 SNP rs12255372 was associated with BMI and HDL, VLDL and triglyceride levels, and the HNF4A SNP rs1885088 was associated with LDL levels (P\u3c0.05)

Perfil del docente que es reconocido en su comunidad educativa por su alta eficacia en la enseñanza de la resolución de problemas.

El presente trabajo de investigación surge a raíz de la pregunta ¿Cuáles son las características de los docentes que son reconocidos en su comunidad educativa por su alta eficacia en la enseñanza de la resolución de problemas?, por lo que, se lleva a cabo un trabajo de investigación de tipo cualitativo con enfoque fenomenológico, por medio del cual, se toma una muestra representativa de dos docentes pertenecientes a la Institución Educativa Santa Marta ubicada en una zona rural del municipio de Garzón en el departamento del Huila (Colombia). Para la determinación y selección de los participantes, así como la recolección de todos los datos obtenidos se llevó a cabo la aplicación de tres instrumentos, los cuales son: instrumento 001 “selección de un perfil a estudiar”, instrumento 002 “entrevista a profundidad” e instrumento 003 “observación de clase”, por medio de los cuales se recolectaron datos muy importantes e interesantes que llevaron al investigador a determinar cuáles son esas características que definen el perfil de un docente que enseña a resolver problemas. Así, se observa que algunas de estas características son la motivación al iniciar sus clases, la explicación y ejemplificación de soluciones problema que van a aumentando su grado de dificultad y la importancia de la aplicabilidad de cada contenido enseñado, teniendo en cuenta la realidad, la situación y el contexto en el que se desarrollan los estudiantes, estas características entre otras más que se pudieron observar a través de la investigación realizada

Perfil del docente que es reconocido en su comunidad educativa por su alta eficacia en la enseñanza de la resolución de problemas.

El presente trabajo de investigación surge a raíz de la pregunta ¿Cuáles son las características de los docentes que son reconocidos en su comunidad educativa por su alta eficacia en la enseñanza de la resolución de problemas?, por lo que, se lleva a cabo un trabajo de investigación de tipo cualitativo con enfoque fenomenológico, por medio del cual, se toma una muestra representativa de dos docentes pertenecientes a la Institución Educativa Santa Marta ubicada en una zona rural del municipio de Garzón en el departamento del Huila (Colombia). Para la determinación y selección de los participantes, así como la recolección de todos los datos obtenidos se llevó a cabo la aplicación de tres instrumentos, los cuales son: instrumento 001 “selección de un perfil a estudiar”, instrumento 002 “entrevista a profundidad” e instrumento 003 “observación de clase”, por medio de los cuales se recolectaron datos muy importantes e interesantes que llevaron al investigador a determinar cuáles son esas características que definen el perfil de un docente que enseña a resolver problemas. Así, se observa que algunas de estas características son la motivación al iniciar sus clases, la explicación y ejemplificación de soluciones problema que van a aumentando su grado de dificultad y la importancia de la aplicabilidad de cada contenido enseñado, teniendo en cuenta la realidad, la situación y el contexto en el que se desarrollan los estudiantes, estas características entre otras más que se pudieron observar a través de la investigación realizada

Biological interactions and simulated climate change modulates the ecophysiological performance of Colobanthus quitensis in the Antarctic ecosystem

Most climate and environmental change models predict significant increases in temperature and precipitation by the end of the 21st Century, for which the current functional output of certain symbioses may also be altered. In this context we address the following questions: 1) How the expected changes in abiotic factors (temperature, and water) differentially affect the ecophysiological performance of the plant Colobanthus quitensis? and 2) Will this environmental change indirectly affect C. quitensis photochemical performance and biomass accumulation by modifying its association with fungal endophytes? Plants of C. quitensis from King George Island in the South Shetland archipelago (62°09′ S), and Lagotellerie Island in the Antarctic Peninsula (65°53′ S) were put under simulated abiotic conditions in growth chambers following predictive models of global climate change (GCC). The indirect effect of GCC on the interaction between C. quitensis and fungal endophytes was assessed in a field experiment carried out in the Antarctica, in which we eliminated endophytes under contemporary conditions and applied experimental watering to simulate increased precipitation input. We measured four proxies of plant performance. First, we found that warming (+W) significantly increased plant performance, however its effect tended to be less than watering (+W) and combined warming and watering (+T°+W). Second, the presence of fungal endophytes improved plant performance, and its effect was significantly decreased under experimental watering. Our results indicate that both biotic and abiotic factors affect ecophysiological performance, and the directions of these influences will change with climate change. Our findings provide valuable information that will help to predict future population spread and evolution through using ecological niche models under different climatic scenarios

Detection of Turner Syndrome by Quantitative PCR of SHOX and VAMP7 Genes

Turner Syndrome (TS) is an unfavorable genetic condition with a prevalence of 1:2500 in newborn girls. Prompt and effective diagnosis is very important to appropriately monitor the comorbidities. The aim of the present study was to propose a feasible and practical molecular diagnostic tool for newborn screening by quantifying the gene dosage of the SHOX, VAMP7, XIST, UBA1, and SRY genes by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in individuals with a diagnosis of complete X monosomy, as well as those with TS variants, and then compare the results to controls without chromosomal abnormalities. According to our results, the most useful markers for these chromosomal variants were the genes found in the pseudoautosomic regions 1 and 2 (PAR1 and PAR2), because differences in gene dosage (relative quantification) between groups were more evident in SHOX and VAMP7 gene expression. Therefore, we conclude that these markers are useful for early detection in aneuploidies involving sex chromosomes

Exploring sensory sensitivity, cortical excitability, and habituation in episodic migraine, as a function of age and disease severity, using the pattern-reversal task

Cortical excitability; Migraine; Visual sensitivityExcitabilitat cortical; Migranya; Sensibilitat visualExcitabilidad cortical; Migraña; Sensibilidad visualBackground Migraine is a cyclic, neurosensory disorder characterized by recurrent headaches and altered sensory processing. The latter is manifested in hypersensitivity to visual stimuli, measured with questionnaires and sensory thresholds, as well as in abnormal cortical excitability and a lack of habituation, assessed with visual evoked potentials elicited by pattern-reversal stimulation. Here, the goal was to determine whether factors such as age and/or disease severity may exert a modulatory influence on sensory sensitivity, cortical excitability, and habituation. Methods Two similar experiments were carried out, the first comparing 24 young, episodic migraine patients and 28 healthy age- and gender-matched controls and the second 36 middle-aged, episodic migraine patients and 30 healthy age- and gender-matched controls. A neurologist confirmed the diagnoses. Migraine phases were obtained using eDiaries. Sensory sensitivity was assessed with the Sensory Perception Quotient and group comparisons were carried out. We obtained pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials and calculated the N1-P1 Peak-to-Peak amplitude. Two linear mixed-effects models were fitted to these data. The first model had Block (first block, last block) and Group (patients, controls) as fixed factors, whereas the second model had Trial (all trials) and Group as fixed factors. Participant was included as a random factor in both. N1-P1 first block amplitude was used to assess cortical excitability and habituation was defined as a decrease of N1-P1 amplitude across Blocks/Trials. Both experiments were performed interictally. Results The final samples consisted of 18 patients with episodic migraine and 27 headache-free controls (first experiment) and 19 patients and 29 controls (second experiment). In both experiments, patients reported increased visual hypersensitivity on the Sensory Perception Quotient as compared to controls. Regarding N1-P1 peak-to-peak data, there was no main effect of Group, indicating no differences in cortical excitability between groups. Finally, significant main effects of both Block and Trial were found indicating habituation in both groups, regardless of age and headache frequency. Conclusions The results of this study yielded evidence for significant hypersensitivity in patients but no significant differences in either habituation or cortical excitability, as compared to headache-free controls. Although the alterations in patients may be less pronounced than originally anticipated they demonstrate the need for the definition and standardization of optimal methodological parameters.The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: AMM salary has been partially financed by a predoctoral grant from the “Fundacio Institut de Recerca Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron” (VHIR/BEQUESPREDOC/2020/MARTI). AVB salary has been partially financed by a Juan de la Cierva-Formacion grant (FJC2018-036804-I) and a Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación grant (IJC2020-043139-I) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation. XCC salary has been co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (001-P-001682) under the framework of the FEDER Operative Programme for Catalunya 2014–2020, with 1,527,637.88 euros. EC salary has been funded by Rıo Hortega grant Accion Estrategica en Salud 2017–2020, Instituto de Salud Carlos III (CM20/00217). SSF has been supported by grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (PID2019-108531 GB-I00 AEI/FEDER) and AGAUR Generalitat de Catalunya (2021 SGR 00911). The project leading to these results has received funding from “la Caixa” Foundation under the project code “LCF/PR/PR16/51110005”

Genetic variants in KCNJ11, TCF7L2 and HNF4A are associated with type 2 diabetes, BMI and dyslipidemia in families of Northeastern Mexico: A pilot study

Abstract. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether genetic markers considered risk factors for metabolic syndromes, including dyslipidemia, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), can be applied to a Northeastern Mexican population. A total of 37 families were analyzed for 63 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and the age, body mass index (BMI), glucose tolerance values and blood lipid levels, including those of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very LDL (VLDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides were evaluated. Three genetic markers previously associated with metabolic syndromes were identified in the sample population, including KCNJ11, TCF7L2 and HNF4A. The KCNJ11 SNP rs5210 was associated with T2DM, the TCF7L2 SNP rs11196175 was associated with BMI and cholesterol and LDL levels, the TCF7L2 SNP rs12255372 was associated with BMI and HDL, VLDL and triglyceride levels, and the HNF4A SNP rs1885088 was associated with LDL levels (P<0.05)